Bernie Sanders is hostile to charter schools. We know that. But it’s high time he be held accountable for the blatant lies he spreads about these schools, schools that serve low income children of color well and are in high demand by parents whose zip code traps their children in schools they do not want. If Bernie wants to argue against parent choice on the merits, so be it. But CNN and other outlets at least need to call him out when he lies or invite guests on who can rebut his wildly incorrect claims.
Senator Sanders’ appearance on CNN last night spread falsehoods about charter schools. It’s clear that he doesn’t know his stuff, but in this case, his lazy talking points are dangerous. Perhaps Mr. Sanders does not realize that low-income students and students of color in charter schools learn more than students in comparable district schools. Senator Sanders’ wildly inaccurate statements put thousands of low-income students and students of color at risk for losing any opportunity to attend a high-quality public school. There is no such thing as a ‘private charter school’. Next time Senator Sanders decides to speak on education we recommend he gets his fact straight.” — Nina Rees, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (NAPCS)
Below is a short thread that NAPCS drafted in response to Sanders’ failure to tell the truth—it includes links to a variety of sources as well.
Sanders is free to rail against the idea that low income families of color deserve the autonomy and self-determination that comes with picking a school for your child. He can continue to promote the delusional notion that pouring more and more money into a dysfunctional and unjust system is the answer when 90 percent of black boys in 8th grade don’t read on grade level. But he needs to stop lying.
Sanders has called President Trump a “pathological liar.”
Well then.
