Last fall, when Hillary Clinton made statements criticizing charter schools, some Democratic education reformers expressed concerns, but also counseled patience. The former First Lady, U.S. Senator and Secretary of State had supported charters since the ’90s, they said, and would likely continue to do so.
Some observers noted she hadn’t indicated a major shift in position. it seems they were vindicated yesterday, as the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee made seemingly pro-charter comments at the National Education Association’s annual convention. The country’s largest teachers union was quick to support Clinton in her party’s primary, and The 74 reports that, but for the bit about charters, the room full of educators received her warmly.
“When schools get it right, whether they’re traditional public schools or public charter schools, let’s figure out what’s working and share it with schools across America,” she said, as the audience of educators interrupted her with boos.
Clinton quickly pivoted, putting the focus on an even more widely reviled educational boogeyman, for-profit schools. “We’ve got no time for all these education wars, where people from the outside try to foist for-profit schools on our kids. We will never stand for that. That is not acceptable,” she said.
Charter school advocates, who blanched at her comments last fall on this blog and elsewhere, applauded Clinton for giving a nod to charter schools a forum that seemed largely hostile to them.
“We were happy to see her specifically affirm her support for high-quality public charter schools,” said Shavar Jeffries, president of the pro-charter group Democrats for Education Reform. “Her statements today reiterate her commitment to reform.”
Clinton’s remarks about using charter schools as laboratories of instructional practice that could spread their lessons throughout the public school system seemed to echo the vision of former American Federation of Teachers leader Albert Shanker. And the American Prospect points out the general thrust of her rhetoric — supporting quality charters but eschewing for-profit operators — seems to reflect, almost exactly, the current draft of the Democratic Party platform, which will be up for ratification at the end of this month.
Democrats are also committed to providing parents with high-quality public school options and expanding these options for low-income youth. We support great neighborhood public schools and high-quality public charter schools, and we will help them disseminate best practices to other school leaders and educators. Democrats oppose for-profit charter schools focused on making a profit off of public resources. We instead support increased transparency and accountability for all charter schools.
Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama all supported charter schools. Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, has said he’s “very much in favor” of choice and competition in public education. After 24 years of charter school supporters in the White House, it’s a near certainty we’re in for another four.
[…] week, presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton made waves with a brief nod to charter schools when she addressed the nation’s largest teachers union. The thrust of her comments largely […]