PRESS RELEASE
The Badass Teachers Association

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
MARLA KILFOYLE, Executive Director BATs
MELISSA TOMLINSON, Asst. Executive Director BATs
contact.batmanager@gmail.com
516-987-4405

BATs Stand in Solidarity with the NAACP Resolution for a Moratorium on Privately Managed Charters

The Badass Teachers Association, a national education activist organization,  stands in strong solidarity with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) resolution calling for a moratorium on the expansion of privately managed charters.  To read the full resolution please go here https://cloakinginequity.com/2016/07/29/breaking-news-naacp-calls-for-national-moratorium-on-charters/   The NAACP states, “Charter schools have contributed to the increased segregation rather than diverse integration of our public school system.”  Last week, as well, the ACLU  issued a report detailing the many illegal practices of charters, one of them being exclusionary practices.  Read here for more on that  https://cloakinginequity.com/2016/08/01/breaking-news-aclu-finds-many-illegal-policies-in-charter-schools/

“I support the NAACP for recognizing the dangers that for profit charter schools pose to black and brown and low-income communities. The denial of quality education has long been used to oppress people of color and we shall not be fooled into believing that privately run corporations will use tax payer money to provide all with a quality education when it goes against their bottom line. The NAACP shall not be swayed by those in the black community that have been bought by charter corporations to peddle their toxic brand of school choice. Education is not a business. It is a human right that must be protected from the dangers of privatization.” ~ Dr. Denisha Jones, BAT Board of Director Member  and Professor of Education Trinity Washington University. 

“BATs is so grateful to NAACP for recognizing that charters have increased segregation and inequity for public school students. We will fight side by side to get equity of resources, class size, and opportunities for a well-rounded PUBLIC education for all students. We will work together for educational and racial justice. We believe school closures are a hate crime against our most marginalized communities.” ~Terry Kalb, BATs Board of Director Member, retired special education teacher, and advocate for special needs students.  

“We are in support of the conclusion reached by the NAACP. Furthermore, we are hopeful that this is just the beginning of Civil Rights organizations across the United States joining in the fight for Public Education for all students of color. A two-tiered education system runs in stark contrast to the historic Brown vs. Board of Education decision.” ~Gus Morales, BATs Board of Director Member and Massachusetts Teacher.

“It is important to remember the history of the NAACP in fighting racial, economic, and social injustice-- its recognition that Charter Schools represent an invasive incursion upon the existence and influence of the Public Education System in the United States is both necessary and appreciated by those educators, parents, and students who know the intrinsic value of a Free, Appropriate Public School education.” ~ Roberta Reid, Co-Director of BATs Social Justice Steering Committee and Retired NYC Public School Educator.

The NAACP resolution is a powerful statement that is about our children and their communities, not about politics and policies. The NAACP is taking a principled position based on the long and counterproductive record of charters schools in this country.  Please go here to read about national fraud and waste in the charter school sector https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2015/04/28/report-millions-of-dollars-in-fraud-waste-found-in-charter-school-sector/       We want to thank the NAACP  for always taking a leadership role in doing what is right for children, equality, and equity.   Please join The Network for Public Education in sending the NAACP a Thank You email – go here  https://actionnetwork.org/letters/say-thank-you-to-the-naacp?source=direct_link&

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