Education in the US
Chicago officials release final list of 49 school closures
By Kristina Betinis, 23 May 2013
The City of Chicago announced the closing of more than 49 public schools, facilitated by the Chicago Teachers Union and its political allies, including the International Socialist Organization.
DC mayor to offer closed schools to charter operators
By Nick Barrickman, 23 May 2013
The District of Columbia possesses the highest concentration of charter schools of any city in the United States save for New Orleans.
More Michigan schools on the brink of insolvency
By Naomi Spencer, 20 May 2013
Nearly 50 Michigan school districts are operating with a deficit.
Chicago Teachers Union files lawsuit alleging school closings are racist
By Alexander Fangmann, 18 May 2013
The Chicago Teachers Union, whose leaders include members of the International Socialist Organization, is seeking to stifle opposition to school closings by promoting racial politics.
Federal judge rejects lawsuit opposing Washington DC school closures
By Nick Barrickman, 18 May 2013
A proposed injunction to halt the closure of one in ten public schools in the District of Columbia has been denied in federal court.
Schools in Buena Vista, Michigan may reopen after board approves cuts
By Shannon Jones, 16 May 2013
The state of Michigan restored funding to the district after the school board agreed to a drastic deficit reduction plan.
Pontiac, Michigan school crisis provokes outcry from parents, teachers
By a WSWS reporting team, 14 May 2013
The district has agreed to massive budget cuts as a condition for receiving state aid.
Philadelphia mayor threatens elimination of school programs, staff
By Nick Barrickman, 14 May 2013
City officials have seized upon the school system’s $300 million budget deficit to demand further cutbacks in education.
New York City: Students protest Cooper Union’s plan to charge tuition
By A. Woodson, 13 May 2013
Students began a sit-in to protest the imposition of tuition at one of the few remaining free institutions of higher learning in the US.
Two Michigan school districts consolidate, shed 187 teachers
By Naomi Spencer, 10 May 2013
Ypsilanti teachers expressed shock and anger over the mass layoff and worsening social conditions.
Washington, DC schools chancellor unveils new scheme to defund public schools
By Adam Sagitov, 10 May 2013
Reclassifying the majority of D.C. public schools as “small schools” will reduce their funding by $8 million.
Michigan school district shuts down for lack of funds
By Zac Corrigan, 9 May 2013
Many questions remain unanswered following the closure of schools in the small community outside of Saginaw.
Walled Lake, Michigan school bus drivers hold sickout
By Bryan Dyne, 9 May 2013
One quarter of Walled Lake Consolidated School District bus drivers called in sick Wednesday to protest the sell-off of their jobs.
Obama education secretary, Michigan governor promote school “reform”
By Jerry White, 7 May 2013
Obama administration Education Secretary Arne Duncan joined Michigan’s Republican Governor Rick Snyder on Monday to promote the attack on teachers and public education.
350 Ypsilanti, Michigan school workers receive layoff notices
By Naomi Spencer, 3 May 2013
On Friday, teachers at Ypsilanti Public Schools and neighboring Willow Run Community Schools, just west of Detroit, will be notified whether they will be rehired next year to fill fewer positions in a new unified district.
US student loan interest rates expected to double
By Trent Novak, 30 April 2013
Beginning on July 1, interest rates on subsidized Stafford loans for college undergraduates are expected to double from 3.4 to 6.8 percent.
Average US student debt tops $20,000
By Zac Corrigan, 27 April 2013
The percentage of 25-year-olds with student debt has grown by nearly one third, and the average amount owed has risen by 91 percent.
US Head Start preschool program hit with sequester cuts
By Danielle DeSaxe, 16 April 2013
The Obama administration has announced that Head Start, a federally funded program that provides preschool for low-income families, will face cuts.
Newark, New Jersey students protest education cuts
By Dan Brennan, 11 April 2013
Hundreds of high school students in Newark, New Jersey walked out of class Tuesday to protest millions of dollars in education cuts.
What is the Common Core US education initiative?
By Allison Smith and Phyllis Scherrer, 11 April 2013
Common Core standards are being implemented in K-12 classrooms across the US this year. They have been promoted by the Obama administration, corporations and teachers’ unions.
Common Core: A California kindergarten teacher’s experience
By our reporter, 11 April 2013
A kindergarten teacher in the Long Beach Unified School District in Southern California spoke with the WSWS about the impact of the Common Core curriculum.
US states de-fund public education through expanded voucher schemes
By Zac Corrigan, 11 April 2013
Various state programs divert an ever-increasing amount of funding from the public education system to private schools.
Chicago school closings target poorest neighborhoods
By Kristina Betinis and Jeff Lusanne, 10 April 2013
The overwhelming majority of those hit by the shutdown of public schools in Chicago come from poor and low-income families.
Low-income students six times more likely to drop out of high school
By Khara Sikhan, 10 April 2013
Rising numbers of US teenagers feel compelled to join the workforce to supplement strained household budgets.
California union supports Democratic-sponsored attack on teachers
By Juan Verala Luz and Marc Wells, 9 April 2013
Proposed California Assembly Bill 375, sponsored by Democrats and supported by the union, expedites the firing of teachers.
School districts across New York face cuts
By Steve Filips, 6 April 2013
State aid to public schools has not increased at a rate that will prevent many districts from laying off staff.
Letter from Washington, DC
Teacher opposes assault on public schools
5 April 2013
The WSWS received this letter from a teacher in Washington, D.C., where school administrations are targeting one in ten public schools for closure.
Atlanta testing scandal exposes fraud of anti-public school “reform”
By Andre Damon and Barry Grey, 3 April 2013
The types of practices exposed in Atlanta are the inevitable outcome of the reactionary drive to dismantle public education in the name of “reform.”
Budget cuts severely impact US community college students
By Niles Williamson, 1 April 2013
Community colleges are experiencing declining enrollment due to historic cuts to state funding, while demand for a community college education is at record highs.
Thousands of California teachers receive layoff notices
By Kevin Martinez, 1 April 2013
For the fifth year in a row, thousands of layoff notices were sent out to teachers in mid-March across California.
US states cut higher education spending by nearly a third
By Zac Corrigan, 1 April 2013
State governments in the US have cut funding to public higher education by 28 percent since the beginning of the recession.
New Jersey governor announces state takeover of Camden schools
By Elliott Vernon, 30 March 2013
Camden, among the poorest cities in the US, became the fourth city in New Jersey to see its public schools fall under state control.
Protest against school closures in Chicago
Teachers union seeks to channel opposition behind Democratic Party
By Jeff Lusanne and Shane Feratu, 29 March 2013
The school closure plan—one of the largest in US history—is the direct outcome of the CTU's betrayal of the teachers strike.
No to all school closures! Unite the working class to defend public education!
By the Socialist Equality Party, 27 March 2013
This statement is being distributed at a demonstration of Chicago teachers today.
Chicago residents angry at planned school closings
By a WSWS reporting team, 26 March 2013
On March 21, the city of Chicago announced the closure of 61 public schools and the “turnaround” of 6 others, where all teachers and staff are fired and school management is privatized.
The attack on public education in Chicago
By Alexander Fangmann, 25 March 2013
The announcement of plans to shut down 61 schools in Chicago, Illinois marks a new stage in the social counterrevolution in America.
Striking teachers, students and parents rally to defend education in Cleveland area
By Phyllis Scherrer and Samuel Davidson, 25 March 2013
Teachers, parents and students in Strongsville, Ohio rallied last week as instructors concluded the third week of their strike.
Chicago announces plans to shut 61 public schools
By Shane Feratu, 23 March 2013
The elimination of 13 percent of Chicago public school buildings is one of the largest mass school closures in US history.
CTU president denies opposing school closures
By Kristina Betinis, 23 March 2013
After the closure of 61 schools was announced by the Chicago public schools district, Chicago Teachers Union president Karen Lewis made clear that the union supports shutting schools.
Teachers, school staff continue strike in Cleveland, Ohio suburb
By Phyllis Scherrer, 18 March 2013
Teachers entered the second week of their strike in Strongsville, Ohio, as a federal mediator called for talks.
Video: Parents and students speak out against school closures in Chicago
16 March 2013
Chicago parents and students speak on the need for a struggle to defend public education.
Parents, teachers and students oppose New York City school closings
By Steve Light, Alan Whyte and and A. Woodson, 14 March 2013
More New York City school closings and co-locations were approved by the Bloomberg-controlled Panel on Educational Policy, in defiance of the views of the majority of parents and teachers.
Building, food service workers strike University of Illinois
By Marcus Day, 11 March 2013
Building and food service workers at University of Illinois voted down a proposed contract over the weekend and walked off the job Monday morning.
Wall Street turns profit in student loan debt
By Nancy Hanover, 11 March 2013
Student loan debt securities are in hot demand from investors, as student debt levels reach new highs. Sequester cuts will add to the burden.
Philadelphia announces plan to close one in ten public schools
By Nick Barrickman, 9 March 2013
The Philadelphia School Reform Commission voted to close several dozen public schools in the city by the end of June.
Teachers, school staff strike in Cleveland suburb
By Phyllis Scherrer, 7 March 2013
The Strongsville, Ohio school board is seeking the elimination of seniority protections and changes to pension and health care plans.
Billionaires pour cash into campaign to dismantle public education in Los Angeles
By Dan Conway, 22 February 2013
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and several high-profile donors are spending millions of dollars to elect “pro-reform” candidates to the board of education in Los Angeles.
Mass opposition to school closures in Chicago, Illinois
By Kristina Betinis, 18 February 2013
Hundreds of parents, students and teachers have attended meetings in Chicago, Illinois on the imminent closure of over 100 schools.
American Federation of Teachers’ journal slanders historian Howard Zinn
By Charles Bogle and Fred Mazelis, 18 February 2013
A review article on A People’s History of the US in the current issue of American Educator lays bare the union leadership’s slavish support for American capitalism.
California’s 2013 budget promotes the privatization of education
By Gabriel Black, 15 February 2013
Under the cloak of a small increase in school funding, the budget opens the way for the dramatic expansion of charter schools.
Pro-charter school organization attempts public school takeovers in Los Angeles
By Dan Conway and Itza Cantu, 15 February 2013
The “Parent Revolution” organization manipulates parent discontent to charterize struggling Los Angeles public schools.
The New York bus strike and the defense of public education
By Andre Damon, 13 February 2013
The assault on New York City school bus workers by Mayor Michael Bloomberg is part of a nation-wide campaign to dismantle public education.
Cuts in education, health care and state jobs in Pennsylvania budget
By Samuel Davidson, 11 February 2013
Pennsylvania governor Tom Corbett is seeking deep cuts to basic programs and tax breaks for business.
Bowling Green, Ohio university to lay off 12 percent of faculty
By Naomi Spencer, 8 February 2013
The layoff of 100 professors at Bowling Green State University will mean fewer classes, heavier workloads for faculty, and delays in graduation times.
An answer to the Washington Teachers’ Union
By Nick Barrickman and Jerry White, 31 January 2013
While parents, teachers and students want to fight the school closures, the WTU declares that its job is to be the advocate for those who “will ultimately be displaced.”
Desperate US students seek “arrangements”
By Nancy Hanover, 31 January 2013
There has been an explosive growth of a new business model organized by a variety of exploitive American entrepreneurs.
Sacramento moves to close 11 public elementary schools
By Julien Kiemle, 30 January 2013
The closing of 11 elementary schools in Sacramento is part of a broader assault on the right to education.
No to all school closures! For action committees to defend public education!
By the Socialist Equality Party, 29 January 2013
The Socialist Equality Party calls on all workers, teachers, students, youth and residents of Philadelphia to form action committees to organize the defense of public education.
Push to dismantle public education behind plan to close another 28 Detroit schools
By Walter Gilberti, 29 January 2013
Detroit has been ravaged by a decades-long campaign of school closings, job destruction, and the unfettered spread of charter schools.
Mass opposition to Philadelphia school closures
By our reporters, 25 January 2013
Supporters of the Socialist Equality Party received an enthusiastic response at a public meeting of about 300 when they called for opposition to all school closures.
One in ten Washington, DC public schools to be closed
By Adam Sagitov and Nick Barrickman, 23 January 2013
The DC education chancellor released a finalized list of 15 public school closures slated for this year and next.
Philadelphia parents and teachers reject school closures
By a reporting team, 22 January 2013
Community members expressed outrage at a public forum on the plan of the Philadelphia school board to consolidate schools.
11,000 US teachers laid off in December
By Nick Barrickman, 7 January 2013
Last month’s firings have driven the number of workers employed by local government to their lowest levels since 2005.
Philadelphia to shut one out of every six public schools
By Trent Novak and Nick Barrickman, 5 January 2013
The Philadelphia School District announced plans to shutter 37 public schools by the end of June.
Merit-based scholarships in US to widen gap between high and low-income college students
By Charles Bogle, 3 January 2013
Higher education scholarships based on need are being replaced by merit-based scholarships at a time when working class and poor students are finding college education increasingly beyond their reach.
Vast increase in compensation for US college presidents
By Matthew MacEgan, 17 December 2012
A list of the top ten earners in 2010 shows that each had a total income falling between $1.5 million and $3 million per year.
Washington, DC charter school wins Race to the Top grant
By Nick Barrickman, 14 December 2012
The US Department of Education announced that the Knowledge Is Power Program has been declared the winner of a grant from the Obama administration.
Oregon students face massive debt
By Lauren Hughes, 13 December 2012
Oregon, student, student debt, Stafford loan
Illinois grad assistants union pushes through concessions contract
By Marcus Day, 13 December 2012
The new contract is part of an overall attack on public education throughout the state of Illinois and across the country.
Washington DC parents and teachers express outrage over schools plan
By Ed Hightower and Nick Barrickman, 8 December 2012
At a public meeting held by school authorities, parents and teachers spoke out against the consolidation of the district and the shutting down of 20 schools.
Behind the growth of D.C. charter schools
By Trent Novak and Nick Barrickman, 7 December 2012
An examination of the personnel behind the charterization of the Washington, D.C. school system reveals private profit as the motive.
Large turnout at meeting on attacks on public schools in Michigan
By Walter Gilberti, 6 December 2012
A meeting on state legislation aimed at further expanding charter and online education schemes drew a large crowd in Rochester, Michigan Monday.
Hurricane Sandy compounds crisis facing public schools in New York City
By Steve Light, 5 December 2012
When New York City schools re-opened for their 1.1 million students and 100,000 staff a week after Hurricane Sandy hit, 57 of 1,700 school buildings in New York City remained closed due to damage and 29 due to lack of electricity.
University of Illinois graduate assistants:
Reject the sellout contract! Fight to defend the right to higher education and decent living standards!
By Socialist Equality Party, 4 December 2012
The SEP calls on graduate assistants to reject the concessions agreement the Graduate Employees Organization has reached with the University of Illinois administration.
Washington, D.C. parents and teachers oppose school closings, charter schools
By Ed Hightower and Nikolai Barrickman, 30 November 2012
Parents, students and teachers have reacted in anger to a plan to close 20 public schools in Washington, D.C.
Illinois graduate assistants’ union attempts to force through sellout contract
By Marcus Day, 29 November 2012
Leaders of the Graduate Employees Union (GEO) at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign signed a tentative agreement Tuesday containing major wage and health care concessions.
ISO paves way for Chicago school closures
By Kristina Betinis and Jerry White, 27 November 2012
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Chicago Public Schools district (CPS) are moving ahead with plans to close as many as 120 public schools, and open up 60 new charter schools over the next few years. About 140 schools have been identified by the district as half-empty, and are expected to be the first targeted for closure. The closings would eliminate the jobs of thousands of teachers and school support staff.
University of Illinois graduate assistants authorize strike
By Marcus Day, 20 November 2012
Last week, members of the Graduate Employees Organization at University of Illinois voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike.
Washington, DC chancellor announces closures of dozens of public schools
By Nick Barrickman, 19 November 2012
The planned closures, consisting of mostly elementary and middle schools, would largely fall on the impoverished southeast section of the city.
Concessions imposed on Chicago-area teachers
By Shane Feratu and James Brewer, 14 November 2012
Following the sellout of the Chicago teachers' strike last September, suburban teachers have been hit with concessions contracts.
Obama loan repayment scheme maintains crushing debt burden on students
By Nancy Hanover, 13 November 2012
The Obama administration has continued the overall trend of pricing the working class out of higher education.
Tuition rises in Washington state
By J.W. Stern, 7 November 2012
Tuition at Washington state community colleges is now as expensive as its public universities were a decade ago.
Newark, New Jersey teachers union pushes “pay for performance” plan
By Phyllis Scherrer, 29 October 2012
The teachers union and the Newark, New Jersey school board have reached a tentative contract on a "pay for performance" plan.
The issues facing teachers in the 2012 elections
Statement by Phyllis Scherrer, SEP US vice presidential candidate
By Phyllis Scherrer (SEP US vice presidential candidate), 26 October 2012
The following statement was issued by Phyllis Scherrer, the Socialist Equality Party vice presidential candidate in the 2012 elections. Scherrer is a teacher in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area.
US student loan lawsuits increase
By Bryan Dyne, 10 October 2012
The federal government is expanding its lawsuit campaign to recover the $76 billion of the $1 trillion of student debt that is in default.
One in five US households has student loan debt
By Bryan Dyne, 1 October 2012
The Pew Research Center reports that 19 percent of all US households in 2010 owed student loans, with average outstanding debt loads of nearly $26,700.
Vote “no” on the Chicago teachers contract!
For a political offensive of the working class to defend public education
By Socialist Equality Party, 1 October 2012
The SEP calls on teachers to reject the sell-out agreement reached between the Chicago Teachers Union and the Chicago Public Schools.
Chicago school nurses speak on shortage: “Our kids deserve better”
By Lawrence Porter, 28 September 2012
Chicago Public Schools nurses describe how the cuts in public education have affected nurse-student ratios, putting the health of students at risk.
End of Chicago strike paves way for redoubled attack on teachers, public education
By Joseph Kishore, 20 September 2012
Chicago teachers returned to work on Wednesday, one day after the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) succeeded in passing a motion to end the strike at a House of Delegates meeting.
Delegates meeting votes to end Chicago teachers strike
By Joseph Kishore, 19 September 2012
The Chicago Teachers Union succeeded in obtaining a vote by 800 delegates who met Tuesday evening to end the nine-day strike.
Under threat of injunction, Chicago teacher delegates to vote on strike
By Joseph Kishore, 18 September 2012
The Chicago Teachers Union House of Delegates is set to vote today on continuing or ending the strike, with city officials holding out the threat of a court injunction.
Chicago teachers vote to continue strike
Mayor threatens injunction
By Joseph Kishore, 17 September 2012
The vote by teachers Sunday is a blow to the Chicago Teachers Union leadership, which is seeking to push through a contract that accepts all of the major demands of Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
Without final contract, Chicago Teachers Union pushes for end to strike
By Joseph Kishore, 15 September 2012
At a delegates meeting on Sunday, the Chicago Teachers Union will seek to push through an agreement that accepts all the essential demands of Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
Students, teachers oppose attack on public education
By a WSWS reporting team, 14 September 2012
Reporters for the World Socialist Web Site campaigned at picket lines and at the mass rally in downtown Chicago on the fourth day of the Chicago teachers strike. .
Survey of California’s community colleges reveals harmful impact of budget cuts
By Kevin Martinez and Juan Verala Luz, 14 September 2012
A survey released last week by the California Community Colleges system documents the desperate state of two-year colleges in the state.
Victory to the Chicago teachers!
By Patrick Martin, 13 September 2012
The Chicago teachers have courageously defied the gang-up of both corporate-controlled parties—the Democrats and Republicans—together with the media and the financial elite.
Mayor Emanuel plans to close one-fifth of Chicago public schools
By Joseph Kishore, 13 September 2012
A central issue in the struggle of Chicago teachers is the plan by the city, backed by the Obama administration, to privatize large sections of the school district.
Chicago teachers in forefront of fight against bipartisan assault on education
By Joseph Kishore, 12 September 2012
The strike by 26,000 Chicago teachers completed its second day on Tuesday. Tens of thousands of teachers and their supporters gathered at a mass rally in downtown Chicago, filling several city blocks.
Chicago teachers discuss political issues in their strike
By Bryan Dyne, 12 September 2012
The World Socialist Web Site spoke to Chicago teachers on the second day of their strike.
Democrats and Republicans line up against Chicago teachers
By Joseph Kishore, 11 September 2012
The strike pits the more than 25,000 teachers against Mayor Rahm Emanuel, the Obama administration and the entire political establishment.
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