NPE ACTION 2020 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE PROJECT

I fully support the Network for Public Education. Any organization whose President is Diane Ravitch and Executive Director is Carol Burris is going to do some great work. Carol Burris is a principal who I am sure I could have worked for and Diane has carried the torch for public schools better than anyone over the years.

They have set up the NPE Action 2020 Candidates Project. NPE Action is attempting to make K-12 education an important issue in the presidential campaign. Great idea.

NPE Action has graded some of the Democratic presidential hopefuls in five areas: Donors, Charter Schools, Vouchers (government money to attend private schools), Testing and Affiliations.

It is no surprise that New Jersey Senator Corey Booker receives F grades across the board on public education. His record on public schools is abominable.

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has three grades of A (Donors, Vouchers, Affiliations) and two B grades (Charters, Testing).

Bernie's record on charters and testing is certainly not perfect.

Elizabeth Warren scores an F on testing, two grades of B (Charters and Vouchers) and two A grades (Donors and Affiliations).

These are just some samples. Go to the site for more detailed information.

 On donors, here is the NPE Action explanation on why we should follow where the money these candidates receive comes from.

Donor Grade Explanation

Large donors give to candidates who support their point of view. Such donors receive special access to the candidate should they be elected. This rating measures the extent to which candidates have received large donations from so-called education reform supporters, PACs and 501 (c)(4) organizations.  We considered both the number of mega-donors, PACs and 501 (c)(4) organizations known to support charters, vouchers and “education reform” who gave to the candidate as well as the amount.