Fred Klonsky’s PREA Prez Blog

There’s been a lot of discussion around about Green Dot, the non-profit charter operation in LA headed by Steve Barr, former Democratic Party fundraiser and founder of Rock the Vote.

Green Dot doesn’t seem to fit the mold of many charter operations that have earned the suspicion of public school advocates. But it’s a challenge to teacher unions and supporters of public schools to figure it out.

Some issues:

• Do they support or undermine the public sector of education?
• Do they support or undermine quality schools in underserved communities?
• Do the collaborate with or undercut teacher unions and the collective bargaining process?
• Do they promote or undermine the professional role of teachers?
• Do they encourage or discourage community and family involvement?
• Are they held to the same standards as public schools?

Of course, most of these same questions must be asked of public schools.