Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/830448
SPRING 2017 ELECTION RESULTS In the most expensive school board race in U.S. history, the California Charter Schools Association and its billionaire supporters won a pro-charter majority on the Los Angeles Unified school board after pouring nearly $10 million into the campaigns for their two candidates in the May 16 election. They outspent locally supported candidates backed by United Teachers Los Angeles by 2-to-1. The pro-charter group's goal is to pri- vatize public education at the expense of neighborhood schools. (See cover story on charter schools, page 18.) " We will continue to work with coali- tion partners to ensure passage of three key bills — AB 1360, AB 1478 and SB 808 — to ensure accountability, transpar- ency and equity to unregulated charter schools," says CTA President Eric Heins. " Together, we will fight to invest in our neighborhood public schools. We will fight for all students and against President Trump's and Secretary DeVos' plans to privatize our schools and divide our communities." Elsewhere, CTA's Association for Better Citizenship (ABC) Committee supported three candidates for the Glendale Teachers Association's local school board. Shant Sahakian, Armina Gharpetian and Greg Krikorian were all elected. CTA/ABC also supported two local school board measures — both parcel taxes to boost revenues for schools and protect academic programs, as well as attract and retain highly qualified educators. One, in Hayward through the Hayward Education Association and the Association of Educational Office and Technical Employees, passed. The other, in Los Gatos through the Los Gatos Elementary Teachers Associa- tion, did not. LA Unified school board candidate Steve Zimmer, center, with UTLA members at the May 1 Day of Action march. Pro-charter school supporters outspent local, union- backed candidates by 2-to-1. 37 May / June 2017 " …your game was a remarkable tool. What better way to suggest critical thinking and generate deeper awareness of U.S. culture's white racial frame?" — Kevin Cummins, High School Teacher, Albuquerque, New Mexico "I learned that my whole life I have been treated a certain way by the people around me because I am white, which I had never really thought about before." — White student player " …I appreciate the realistic/practical action-based solutions presented in the game." — African American student player A Free, Educational "Board" Game Addresses racism and white privilege through critical thinking, social analysis, and team-based discussion. Ages 13+ • CCSS-Aligned • Curriculum Included ( Worksheets, Glossary, PowerPoint ) FREE DOWNLOAD at www.roadtoracialjustice.org Created by Kesa Kivel Players will: • Become more aware that racism exists in many everyday situations (interpersonal and institutional) • Learn why the situations are racist (stereotyping, tokenism, cultural appropriation, etc.) • Acquire tools to interrupt these situations in order to help create a more loving and just world