Uh oh. CNN’s Don Lemon recently tried to start a conversation about the black community in which he urged children to pull up their pants and go to school. Remarks like that had him branded a “turncoat mofo” and a “dangerous talking head.” Will Roland Martin fare any better in his conversation about school choice?
I refuse to accept the talking point it takes money out of public schools. is the school doing its job? @tjmshow @DrStevePerry @jeffjohnson
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
Who do I put first? #StudentsFirst. I don't believe in the notion there is one way to educate a child @tjmshow @DrStevePerry @Jeffsnation
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
I believe in public, private, charter, magnet, home school, online, vouchers, ALL OF THE ABOVE. @tjmshow @drsteveperry @jeffsnation
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
Why do I believe Black folks are being sold out by Black political & civil rights leaders on school choice? Their kids are in private school
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
I think it's dead wrong for Black leadership to fiercely oppose school choice but they willingly bypass public schools for their kids.
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
We MUST dispense with this notion of there is one way to educate a child. Why can't a district have multiple teaching methods in a district?
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
Oh, and for any fool who tries to say my income is leading me on this, you're wrong. My family believed in school choice growing up.
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
That should preclude claims that Martin is just a success who’s now “cutting the rope ladder behind him.”
My parents never went to college; never earned more than a combined $50,000 or $60,000 with five kids. But they MANDATED education for all!
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
I don't believe in sentencing kids to failure. If a public school is failing, go to Plan B. If not that, Plan C. Keep trying to fix it.
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
Are charters, magnets & vouchers THE solution? No. They are A solution. If a charter is failing, shut it down. Go to Plan B. #studentsfirst
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
Recommended
If the KIPP teaching method works, replicate it in public schools. The Marva Collins method, replicate it. ONLY use what works to educate.
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
Folks say, "I don't want tax money used for private schools." But you're fine w/tax money going to folks who don't learn at public schools?
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
I love those who say private or charter school is about business. You don't think public school vendors don't care about the $$$? Yea, right
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
For any of u who want to try me on this: I went to Clinton Park & Pleasantville Elementary, Holland Middle, Jack Yates High. ALL PUBLIC
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
I went to Texas A&M University, a public university. I went to public schools my entire life, but still support school choice fiercely.
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
The stats are very clear as to what kids will NOT be ready for jobs in the future? Black & Hispanic. And we're tripping on school choice?
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
I hate sorry teachers, principals, administrators, school boards, politicians & yes, sorry parents. Did I cover everyone getting in the way?
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
I'm not one of these folks who blame the teacher for everything. You have administrators & politicians screwing up education.
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
Do I support paying teachers more? Yes. Do I support teacher training? Yes. Do I only want folks in the classroom who WANT to be there? Yes
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
For years folks have said, "Well, if I can't succeed in my major or profession, I can always teach." Yea, it has been said. For years.
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
This nation has created an attitude that to teach is a second to last option, just ahead of the military. That MUST change.
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
Don't think I let parents off the hook. We can't send our kids to school and WE didn't teach them from ages 0-5. It's not all on the schools
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
The current dysfunctional is trapping mostly Black & Hispanic kids in a failing system. School choice should be AN option for those parents.
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
I'm laughing at all of the short-sighted "problems" being thrown out. Stop looking for excuses to not try something different!
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
I love these folks who also say charters are about big business. Don't y'all know the vendors have a lock on what happens in the classroom?
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
Go look at the cozy relationships between vendors & school boards. You can only sell certain books, use certain materials. Stop trippin!
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
Public schools are a MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR industry. Y'all need to stop buying the "it's a public service" hype. In America, it's about $$$$$
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
The forces opposed to school choice are NOT doing it out of the greater good of students. It's about the $$$.
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
Why do we blast the NRA on their influence on gun reform, but not blast the folks who spend millions to block education reform? Hmm
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
Why do we blast the oil lobby $$$ to block environmental reform, but not the folks who spend millions to block education reform? Hmm
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
Am I anti-teacher? Nope. Why? @chefreggie06 @LeVitaMarshall @zesigns, my brother & sisters are ALL teachers. Other sister is special ed aide
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
We must fight for school choice & education reform today because TOMORROW, our kids will have the short end of the stick, & then what?
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
Let me also be clear: the hell with the political partisan divide on education. The GOP ain't the enemy and Dems aren't not the saviors. RT
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
We have been played by the "oh, that's a GOP idea, it's really bad" & "oh, the Dems are against that, they are always right." Not. At. All.
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
If a GOP'er has a good idea on education, I'm listening. Damn the party. Ain't no kid ever had a D or R stamped on their high school diploma
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
If a Dem has a good idea on education, I'm all ears. But I cannot support the notion of pimping education & voters with partisan influence.
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
And let me be clear: there are people in the school choice movement who are not about putting #studentsfirst. Same as in the public space.
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
This is America, where folks think they can make a buck, they'll go for it. But I'm not closing the door over this issue. Not. At. All.
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
This education battle should not be an either/or discussion. Why can't it be "and"? Why must we only choose one path to success? That's dumb
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
I love the "oh, you're not an education expert." But I sure as hell am raising six nieces. I'm a damn expert on their education! #NoExcuses
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
Anytime someone questions your view on education it's because they disagree. Hilarious. If I said, "no charters!" a lot of y'all would smile
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
And yes, I'm one of these folks who believes in returning the arts, including band, into the schools. That is a vital form of education.
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
I believe we need to return physical education to the schools. I also say lengthen the school day. And make a 6th day of the week optional.
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
I'm also down with year around school. I come from the 24/7 education boot camp school. Learn all day, every day!
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
For me, learning ain't about sitting in a classroom. Science class in the room? No. Take it to the Arboretum. Change the education dynamic.
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
And change the damn pay structure in schools. it's stupid to pay based on seniority. You want to keep a great teacher & you can't pay more?!
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
Education is the MOST fundamental thing in our society and we are still doing it like it's the 19th century. This is beyond nuts to me!
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
I now lay down my mic. Holla!
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
https://twitter.com/CoyotesFan1996/status/362189619997048833
It’s a strange feeling, isn’t it?
@rolandsmartin you are on a roll this morning! keep speaking truth! it ain't about GOP and liberal on this one – there is common ground!
— Landon Mascareñaz (@lmascarenaz) July 30, 2013
https://twitter.com/ALenorisDavis/status/362191390354063360
https://twitter.com/ChrisHolfelder/status/362191303188021249
@rolandsmartin honest question: what about the argument that charters deprive an already-underfunded public system of more money?
— josh rubin (@starbeer) July 30, 2013
@starbeer charters are public schools. And if the non-charter was doing its job, there would be no need.
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2013
@starbeer @rolandsmartin What ABOUT it? Why should ALL our children sink with the Titanic when SOME can get life boats (charter schools)?
— Kenneth T Whalum Jr. (@kwhalum) July 30, 2013
@rolandsmartin you are so right, Roland. Keep speaking truth to power. Headed to US Senate now to testify in support of Ed choice
— Kevin P. Chavous (@kevinpchavous) July 30, 2013
Dr. Steve Perry is the author of “Push Comes to Shove: Getting Our Kids the Education They Deserve.”
@Jeffsnation @rolandsmartin the stars are aligning & our generation is taking back education from lost unions, civil rights org & leaders.
— Dr. Steve Perry (@DrStevePerry) July 30, 2013
The people have spoken louder than a few PAID protesters. Ever city that has school choice have huge waiting lists.
— Dr. Steve Perry (@DrStevePerry) July 30, 2013
Who are you going to trust w your child's future? PAiD protesters, paid off civil rights leader & orgs or successful educators?
— Dr. Steve Perry (@DrStevePerry) July 30, 2013
Millions of parents of all races, regions & economic levels have put their name in a lottery to get out of their local school.#edrevolution
— Dr. Steve Perry (@DrStevePerry) July 30, 2013
Teachers' unions are the reason why your kids are on waiting lists to get into charters or magnet schools. Unions fight to take choice away.
— Dr. Steve Perry (@DrStevePerry) July 30, 2013
If millions of parents, Ed reformers & successful educators want to expand schools choice, why would anyone stand in the way?
— Dr. Steve Perry (@DrStevePerry) July 30, 2013
When teachers' unions fight to force their members to send their kids to failed schools like they do poor & minorities, then they can talk.
— Dr. Steve Perry (@DrStevePerry) July 30, 2013
You can be real union from the safety of the burbs as their kids go to good schools. Send your kids to the failed schools you fight for.
— Dr. Steve Perry (@DrStevePerry) July 30, 2013
Read the teachers' union contracts. They cover pay, hours & benefits. Nothing about improving schools for our kids. Nothing. Job safety bro.
— Dr. Steve Perry (@DrStevePerry) July 30, 2013
Someone please explain to me why I have to accept raggedy schools for our kids just so adults can keep their jobs & kids in good schools
— Dr. Steve Perry (@DrStevePerry) July 30, 2013
We should publish a list of America's worst schools so ppl can see how many schools are filled w adults who get paid & kids don't learn.
— Dr. Steve Perry (@DrStevePerry) July 30, 2013
The most revolutionary thing we can do is teach ppl who've been robbed of access to a quality education. Teach our kids & inspire a people.
— Dr. Steve Perry (@DrStevePerry) July 30, 2013
No one should be forced into a failed school, that includes kids, parents or educators. Shut down failed schools today & free our kids.
— Dr. Steve Perry (@DrStevePerry) July 30, 2013
For what it’s worth, there was one presidential candidate in 2012 who argued strenuously for charter schools and vouchers in his address to the NAACP, where his remarks received “polite applause.”
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