How many will protest the appearance of one of the inventors of corporate 'school reform'?... Vallas scheduled for City Club speech June 3
With a month to go before the appearance of former Chicago schools Chief Executive Officer Paul Vallas at Chicago's City Club (scheduled for June 3, 2014), it's still not known how many people will be protesting Vallas and the memory of his attacks on the public schools during the years (1995 - 2001) he ran Chicago's schools during the opening days of corporate "school reform" and slavish mayoral control. Among his other memorable attacks on the schools, Vallas was the one who began probation (based on test scores) and reconstitution (again based on test scores).
After years of being the chosen hit man for corporate "school reform" against largely minority urban school districts (Philadelphia, New Orleans, Bridgeport), Paul Vallas was rescued from oblivion by Pat Quinn in early 2014. Quinn, to the chagrin of some on his staff and thousands of his supoorters, picked Vallas without consulting with many leaders who would have preferred otherwise.The City Club announced on April 30 that Paul Vallas, identified as "Democratic Candidate for Lt. Governor ?State of Illinois" would be speaking on June 3, 3014. The event is to begins ?11:30 a.m. (reception) with a 12:00 p.m. luncheon . The City Club is charging $35 (for Members) and $45 (Nonmembers. A table is available for $750.
Where? Maggiano's Banquets ?111 W. Grand Avenue ?Chicago, IL 60654 .
By: Mary Gallucci
Paul Vallas, budget tricks, and reductions in staff in Bridgeport
Don't let Vallas off the hook! We are still assessing his dire legacy in Connecticut--see this great op-ed, which covers the repercussions of some of Vallas's reform initiatives: http://www.ctpost.com/opinion/article/Gardner-Where-is-the-Education-Mayor-5457666.php#page-1
Of course, we're still stuck with Stefan Pryor as Commissioner of Education in Connecticut--even though Pryor has absolutely no classroom or school administrative experience--unless you count starting a charter school management company.
Give Vallas hell, Chicago!