Voices of Dissent 6: Interview With Craig Gordon

[Peter Campbell <campbellp@mail.montclair.edu>]

In this interview, educator and public school advocate Craig Gordon  
offers insights into the privatization of public schools.

(the link to the interview is http://tinyurl.com/rslr2)

From the interview:

(Privatization is) not only about profiteering through charters and  
contracting out services, though that's part of it. It's not about  
eradicating every vestige of public schooling, though it may reduce  
the public system to a shell of what it's been. But I think it has a  
lot to do with eliminating the expectation of quality public  
education as a civil right.

It no longer is a right that there should be good quality public  
education for everybody. It becomes a matter of, "Well, there are  
some good schools out there, just like there are some good  
restaurants out there." If you have the initiative and take the  
responsibility, then you will find them and you will take advantage  
of them. And if not, then not. It’s up to you. It becomes a matter of  
individual responsibility.

Craig has taught in the Oakland Public Schools for 15 years. He is  
currently on leave from teaching history at Mandela High School. He  
remains very active in his union, the Oakland Education Association.

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Posted by Peter Campbell to Transform Education at 7/12/2006 08:41:00 PM