CORE

Arne "Reform" Duncan

Arne Duncan was in town yesterday as the guest of honor for the Advance Illinois morning reception. Duncan was on hand to discuss his initiatives while CEO of the Chicago Public Schools as he plans to unleash them on the nation, using stimulus money to strongarm states into buying into the “miracle.”

From The Associated Press:

Duncan does have leverage; he alone has control over the $5 billion incentive fund. And in some cases, he may be able to withhold some stimulus dollars that have been allocated for a particular state.

The event was hosted by Advance Illinois, a state education policy group that is co-chaired by former Governor of Illinois Jim Edgar and Midwest Chairman of JP Morgan Chase, William Daley (of the Chicago Daleys). The event was a coming-out for the group, that has policy proposals for their vision of “education reform.” State and city educators, education advocates, educrats, profiteers and even union leaders were invited to the event.

From Substancenews.net:

[CTU president Marilyn] Stewart and her colleagues from the Chicago Teachers Union’s staff were eating breakfast and cheering Arne Duncan, dozens of Stewart’s members were picketing and protesting against Duncan’s corporate “school reform” and union-busting policies on the sidewalk outside the fancy hotel where Stewart was cheering Duncan.

From ABC-7:

Outside, members of CORE protested Duncan’s appearance. They say they are against his Chicago School Turnaround and charter school policies. They don’t want to see them spread across the nation.

From the Chi-Town Daily News Report on the demonstration:

“He’s saying it’s the Chicago miracle,” said Jackson Potter, co-chair of the Caucus of Rank and File Teachers. “We’re saying it’s the Chicago disaster.”

Click Here to Hear Audio from CORE’s Norine Gutekanst at the demonstration. (Chicago Public Radio)

The event was documented in real time on the CORE Twitter.

From CORE Twitter: coreteachers Core recording secretary Jen Johnson addresses the crowd. #arneduncan

From CORE Twitter: coreteachers “We are not against assessments, we want fair ones and the resources to address our issues” Jen Johnson. #arneduncan

From CORE Twitter: coreteachers “Arne Duncan wants to get rid of veteran teachers” “certified teachers assigned as lower paid subs” #arneduncan

From CORE Twitter: coreteachers Angel Gonzalez from UFT (AFT) speaking about Nyc version of “ed reform” #arneduncan

From the CORE Twitter: coreteachers Naomi, parent whose special needs student was pushed out of Prescott ES speaks. #arneduncan

From CORE Twitter:
coreteachers CORE will now enter the building and ask to attend the meeting. #arneduncan
coreteachers Will we be given admittance? Hotel checking with manager #arneduncan
coreteachers We’re asking to attend as teachers not as protesters. #arneduncan

From CORE Twitter:
coreteachers CORE asked to leave private property. Threatened with handcuffs from hotel mgmt. #arneduncan
coreteachers There is security everywhere in the lobby. #arneduncan
coreteachers Headline should read, “Teachers threatened with arrest for attempting to speak to Sec of Ed.” #arneduncan

From the CORE Twitter: coreteachers Protest continues outside. #arneduncan