I understand the union’s typical guilt-by-association approach, but this Jackson Lewis thing is a bit baffling. I think I met somebody from this firm once, and I recall that Pete Murphy spoke with one of their folks about the charter law (for their union-organizing book). Other than that, we’ve never worked with this firm. Moreover, the above-mentioned book was funded by Joe Reich, Achelis and Bodman Foundations, and others – not us.

With apologies for further offending teacher union sensibilities (and all other moral transgressions that they identify for me), I must say that I think the Jackson Lewis book is very good. It is informative and business-like about what the law allows, and therefore helps New York charter schools.

Lastly, I can attest that Andy was completely useless regarding our efforts to convince the Walton Family Foundation to fund NYCSA.

The institutional structure?

I wish!

And why must an alliance refer to a formal arrangement? I don’t believe Eduwonkette ever suggested that these organizations were meeting in smoke-filled rooms plotting right-wing conspiracies.

When organizations are this closely linked, however, through funding, leadership, and message, you have a de facto alliance, whether you choose to admit it or not. That the policy shops associated with this informal alliance consistently rely on each other for “evidence” and fail to hold each other to any kind of real standard of research is further evidence of this tacit cooperation.

I don’t doubt that Eduwonkette’s alliance of organizations (and their talking heads) have anything less than kids best interests at heart when they go to work every day. But the question remains whether the current institutional structure of policy making in K-12education is sufficiently fair, transparent, and democratic. To date, the answer to that question appears to be a resounding no.

Or gives parents the choice between crappy schools and other ones?

My intent is to take one layer of the relationships that tie the group together – board memberships, funding, shared publications, conference participation, etc – in each of a series of essays/postings.

Readers can decide for themselves what is happening here, what the effects are on the policy discussion, and whether or not it’s a good thing.

I’ll try very hard to stick to “just the facts. ma’am” and leave my analysis to the very end

Jack Ruby and Lee Harvey Oswald both served a predecesor organization, btw.

Re Jackson & Lewis I don’t think I’ve even met someone from that firm, let alone in a professional capacity, and don’t recall them ever coming up in board meeting etc…But, since I’ve called for innovating with unions and charters and supported efforts to do that, including the schools your soon-to-be president launched in NYC, it’s sort of ridiculous to try to paint me as some sort of anti-union extremist here, no? You really have to get into tin foil hat country then.

As far as I know, you’re still on the board of the New York Charter School Association. Even if you left, they’ve received Walton FF money during your tenure. Maybe you’re not compensated for your attendance at the board, but on its face this doesn’t read right.

Given that NYCSA’s buddies at the union busting firm of Jackson Lewis are still poking into charter organizing campaigns in NYC, I wouldn’t want you to forget about your relationships and responsibilities there.