Dive Brief:
- Angry teachers and parents associated with the state's teachers union, NYSUT, are heading to Lake Placid to protest Education Reform Now's "Camp Philos," a three-day retreat where participants will philosophize about education and reform plans.
- The weekend is largely catering to a pro-charter demographic, and the NYSUT is protesting because it believes the organization is intentionally keeping those with opposing views out. Some parents and teachers tried to purchase the $1,000 tickets but never heard back from the organizers.
- Education Reform Now is a non-profit known for promoting charter schools, stricter teacher evaluations, and more innovative technology in the classroom. It is operated by hedge-fund managers who are involved with charter schools, and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has been named an "honorary chairman."
Dive Insight:
Education Reform Now is a contentious organization in the ed reform movement. It is greatly detested by numerous teacher unions who oppose its stance on education.
While everyone is entitled to their own opinion, if the organization did in fact keep out willing-to-pay parents and teachers solely because they have a different viewpoint, then issues do arise. One issue with the education reform movement today is its echo chamber quality — hearing all sides of the debate does not always happen because the sides surround themselves solely with voices and opinions that reflect their own. This is not only dangerous, but creates questions of transparency.
As one objecting parent said, "A big problem with education reform in New York is the lack of transparency. So much is behind closed doors. I wasn't planning to raise a ruckus, but just wanted to listen. Now that they're letting in only who they want to let in, it reinforces the problem. It creates anger and distrust."
