Here's an article from the WSJ about the Chicago school system: Rahm's Latest Union Beating. It's about the city of Chicago wanting to shut down and consolidate a number of schools in an effort to save money and to make more efficient use of existing resources as student numbers drop.
Of course, the local teachers' union opposes these actions on the grounds that the closings will result in the breakup of neighborhood schools. CTU President Karen Lewis claims the closings are racist, and:
"sets an example that low-income, African-American children are disposable."
Maybe it's union integrity and honesty that is disposable.
Besides keeping half empty schools open, the unions have an interest in directing parents and students away from the ever more popular charter school movement. According to the article, two-thirds of polled Chicagoans support opening more charters. Uh-oh. Not again! Parents and students fooled into thinking that just because two-thirds of Chicago charter schools outperform regular public schools and their students are highly more likely to attend college they should have some sort of right to demand more of the same. What idiots.
Luckily the union knows what poorly served students and their parents really need - emptying schools with 60% graduation rates. It's for the children.
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