CB> Statement by Albert Shanker  President, American Federation of 
CB> Teachers 
CB> on D.C. School Contract with Education Alternatives, Inc. (EAI)
CB> It's astonishing that Superintendent Franklin Smith is ignoring the 
CB> dismal track record of EAI and bringing the company to D.C. to run 
CB> Birney Elementary School.  His attitude seems to be "Don't confuse me 
CB> with the facts."  The facts about EAI are well established and pretty 
CB> discouraging: higher costs; lower test scores; questionable use of 
CB> public funds; and regulatory violations, among other things.  The 
CB> company was kicked out of Baltimore and Hartford and has repeatedly 
CB> had 
CB> their proposals rejected by other communities.  Why?  Because EAI 
CB> doesn't produce the results it promises.  Why does Smith have any 
CB> reason 
CB> to believe they will be the salvation of Birney or other District 
CB> schools?
    Probably because the situation in his district is so abysmal now, 
according to a lengthy report on National Public Radio.
    Smith and public school parents there may well feel that the schools are 
so bad that EAI cannot possibly make them worse, so they feel they have 
nothing to lose by trying EAI.
    When D.C. public schools can't even open due to not meeting the fire 
code, when many have horrible maintenance problems, parents who cannot afford 
private school get desperate...and may see EAI as at least offering the hope 
of improvement in a situation that has never improved for years.
--- Simplex BBS (v1.07.00Beta [DOS])
---------------