glen brown

A writer must “know and have an ever-present consciousness that this world is a world of fools and rogues… tormented with envy, consumed with vanity; selfish, false, cruel, cursed with illusions… He should free himself of all doctrines, theories, etiquettes, politics…” —Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?). “The nobility of the writer's occupation lies in resisting oppression, thus in accepting isolation” —Albert Camus (1913-1960). “What are you gonna do” —Bertha Brown (1895-1987).

Friday, October 19, 2012

American Legislative Exchange Council, known as ALEC

The most important voice in state education policy today is the American Legislative Exchange Council, known as ALEC.

ALEC has 2,000 state legislators as members, and dozens of corporate sponsors, including the biggest names in business.

Here is an excellent summary of ALEC’s legislative priorities:

ü ALEC writes model legislation. Its members carry it home and introduce it as their own in their states.

ü ALEC promotes charters and vouchers.

ü ALEC likes the parent trigger.

ü ALEC likes it when the governor can create a commission to approve charters over the opposition of local school boards.

ü ALEC favors unregulated, for-profit online schooling.

ü ALEC wants to eliminate collective bargaining.

ü ALEC doesn’t think teachers need any certification or credential.

ü ALEC opposes teacher tenure.

ü ALEC likes evaluating teachers by test scores.

You should learn about ALEC. Read up on it. It is the most influential voice in the nation on education policy.

from http://dianeravitch.net/2012/10/19/the-most-important-voice-in-state-education-policy/

ILLINOIS LEGISLATORS WITH ALEC TIES

Illinois House of Representatives:

Rep. Patricia Bellock (R-47), ALEC Health and Human Services Task Force Member
Rep. Franco Coladipetrio (R-45), ALEC Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force Member
Rep. Sandy Cole (R-62), ALEC Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force Member
Rep. Tom Cross (R-84), ALEC Civil Justice Task Force Member
Rep. James B. Durkin (R-82), told a constituent in October 2012 that he receives position papers and correspondence from ALEC and intends to attend the 2013 ALEC Annual Meeting in Chicago
Rep. Roger L. Eddy (R-109), ALEC Education Task Force Member
Rep. Mary Flowers (D-31), ALEC Health and Human Services Task Force Member - Rep. Flowers' staffer reported in May 2012 that Flowers is no longer a member of ALEC. See Legislators Who Have Cut Ties to ALEC for more.
Rep. Mike Fortner (R-95), ALEC Communications and Technology Task Force Member
Rep. Renée Kosel (R-81), ALEC State Chairman and International Relations Task Force Member
Rep. Jerry Lee Mitchell (R-90), ALEC Education Task Force Member
Rep. JoAnn Osmond (R-61), ALEC Health and Human Services Task Force Member
Rep. Brandon Phelps (D-118), ALEC Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force Member - Rep. Phelps announced in May 2012 that he is no longer a member of ALEC. See Legislators Who Have Cut Ties to ALEC for more.
Rep. Sandra M. Pihos (R-42), ALEC Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force Member
Rep. Dennis M. Reboletti (R-46), ALEC Public Safety and Elections Task Force Member
Rep. David B. Reis (R-108), ALEC Public Safety and Elections Task Force Member
Rep. Chapin Rose (R-110), ALEC Civil Justice Task Force Member
Rep. Darlene J. Senger (R-96), ALEC International Relations Task Force Member
Rep. Jil W. Tracy (R-93), ALEC Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force Alternate
Rep. David Forrest Winters (R-68), ALEC Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force Member and Communications and Technology Task Force Member