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| Deborah Duazzo |
Chicago Magazine's headline on Whet Moser's piece, reads: "The New School Board Member Is a Glimpse at the Future of Education." They are referring to Deborah Quazzo, Rahm Emanual's latest hand-picked school board member.
Quazzo, a white, wealthy investment banker, replaces billionaire heiress Penny Pritzker, Obama's new Commerce Secretary.
Quazzo's company, GSW Advisors has this view of education:
In the venture capital world, transactions in the K-12 education sector soared to a record $389 million last year, up from $13 million in 2005. That includes major investments from some of the most respected venture capitalists in Silicon Valley, according to GSV Advisors, an investment firm in Chicago that specializes in education.
The goal: an education revolution in which public schools outsource to private vendors such critical tasks as teaching math, educating disabled students, even writing report cards, said Michael Moe, the founder of GSV.Moser's takeaway:
Quazzo is merely one vote, and comes from a similar background as Penny Pritzker, who was heavily invested in the school reform movement. Instead, it's more interesting as a look at the broader state of the education industry—how the rise of the technology and financial sectors, along with governmental interest in privatization during a time of strict budget cuts have integrated with school reform, creating a burgeoning market that's not limited to the hip MOOCosphere, but is making inroads in public education.He's right.
It;s enough to make you vomit.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that politicians are so in awe of investment bankers, and are so afraid that they might not be as smart as bankers. Or that they might not appear as smart. Or that, well, they simply need those deep-pockets for reelection. Rahm comes across as very cold, callous and self-serving. How can he not stand up for the kids of Chicago?!
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