News for Immediate Release: December 10, 2015
Georgia Charter Schools’ CEO Condemns Inflammatory Comments Made by the President of Georgia Teacher Federation Regarding School Choice in Atlanta
Molly Bloom reported that “Atlanta is among the most friendly in U.S. to charter schools” in an article published on December 9, 2015 by the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
This article reported news of the positive work being done for the students in Atlanta Public Schools. We join in that recognition by applauding Dr. Meria Carstarphen, the APS Board of Education, and the many dedicated staff and teachers of Atlanta Public Schools for their progress in improving the education of children by all practical means available—including public charter schools.
The high commitment of APS to students is solidly undergirded by the number of high quality charter schools in Atlanta as well as plans to offer even more school choice to parents and students in the future. The success of these schools has contributed to Atlanta now also being declared one of the top ten cities nationally for “school choice.”
The President of the Georgia Federation of Teachers, reacted to this news in what we consider to be inappropriate and inflammatory words regarding the accolades given to APS and Atlanta. She said, “That’s like saying Chicago is the most murder friendly-city in the nation.” Really? Giving parents options for their children’s education is comparable to “murder?” Thousands of parents and students in APS would take issue with such careless language. I would imagine that the citizens of Chicago would reel from such an assessment of their city as well.
These “sticks and stones” of hurtful and destructive words from the GFT President do not help or encourage anyone—most especially students and their parents. Nor do these inflammatory words support the teachers, many of whom may be members of the GFT and now wondering why.
We adults may not seem injured by the inappropriate words of the AFT President. But our children, their parents and the dedicated teachers who are doing their best to help these children succeed deserve nothing but encouragement, support, and kindness.
