
Lori Kirkpatrick
The Truth About the Education Reform Movement and Why I Don't Support It

My Dallas ISD District 2 opponent is running as a proud supporter of Education Reform. While there was a point that I, too, liked the sound of "reforming" education because I thought it simply meant "improving" education, I've learned what the Education Reform movement really is about. It is a four-step process:
1. The first step is defunding public education, which the state of Texas did in 2011.
2. Their next step is to enact an A-F school accountability system, which Texas enacted in 2015 and will go into effect as of the 2017-18 school year.
3. Then Reform leaders will work to pass a voucher program. (Fortunately, this was recently knocked down by the Texas State House, but I know that Reform leaders are hardly ready to back down on this.)
4. And finally, completely privatizing public education.
As Diane Ravitch states, " 'Reform' is really a misnomer, because the advocates for this cause seek not to reform public education but to transform it into an entrepreneurial sector of the economy."
What I know Dallas ISD truly needs is:
More funding per pupil, as Texas is currently the 38th in funding per pupil and by some measures, 47th.
An accountability system that is able to adequately tell the stories of what our schools are doing, unlike the A-F grading system.
A better teacher evaluation system that doesn't pit one teacher against another resulting in an increased turnover rate.
The implementation of the Community School system in schools that are struggling
Early Childhood Education programs that ensure our children have opportunities to flourish from the start
Strong leaders – leaders who will not be afraid to stand up against the Education Reform movement – on the Dallas ISD Board of Trustees who will work to build these things.
I am ready to work towards just that if I am elected as your District 2 Trustee.
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