This report is also available for download as a PDF file.
Responding to the Attack on Public Education and Teacher Unions
A Commonweal Institute Report
David C. Johnson, Fellow
Leonard M. Salle, President
November 2004
Commonweal Institute
650-854-9796
650-854-8132 (fax)
info@commonwealinstitute.org
Website: www.commonwealinstitute.org
Copyright © 2004 by Commonweal Institute, Inc.
THE COMMONWEAL INSTITUTE (CI) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank and communications organization committed to advancing a broad moderate to progressive agenda. That agenda is based on the principles of commitment to future generations, environmental protection, a balance between business and society, inclusiveness and fairness, separation of church and state, personal choice and privacy, and a comprehensive and nuanced approach to national security. In support of a number of these principles, the organization is an advocate for public education. For additional information please visit CI’s website at www.commonwealinstitute.org
Responding to the Attack on Public Education and Teacher Unions
This report is also available for download as a PDF file.
Table of Contents
Section 1 – The Goals of Those Attacking Public Education
Demonization of Public Schools, Teachers and Teacher Unions
Complete Privatization of Schools Is the Ideological Goal
Beyond Ideology – Two Other Goals
Defunding Teacher Unions – The Political Agenda, Part 1
Breaking up the Traditional Democratic Alliance – The Political Agenda, Part 2
Section 2 - The Right’s Overall Strategic Approach
Primary Strategy: Creating a Network of Advocacy Organizations
Primary Strategy: Focus on Ideology
Some History of the Modern Right-Wing Movement
Section 3 –Specific Strategies of the Right
Major Strategies in Creating and Maintaining an Infrastructure
Strategy: Funding All Parts of the Infrastructure
Strategy: Using a Business Approach
Strategy: Networking Among Foundations and Nonprofits
Major Strategies in Marketing/Communications
Strategy: A Long-Term Approach
Strategy: Packaging and Dissemination of Strategic Messages
Strategy: A Marketing Approach
Strategy: Repetition of simple messages – Creating Conventional Wisdom
Strategy: Connectedness of Underlying Ideologies
Strategy: Staying On the Offensive – Forcing Others to Respond
Strategy: Never Apologizing or Backing Down
Strategy: Claiming Legitimacy While Marginalizing Opponents (Seizing the Flag)
Section 4 –Effectiveness of the Right-Wing Movement
Control All Three Branches of Government
Major Legislation: The No Child Left Behind Act
The Right Sets the Public Agenda
Section 5 – Responding to the Attack
Creating an Infrastructure with Independent Voices for Public Education
Strategy: Cultivate Strategic Allies
Strategy: Cooperate with Others to Create an Infrastructure
Strategy: Provide General Operating Support
Strategy: Develop Unifying Ideological Principles
Strategy: Use a Business-like Approach
Strategy: Plan for Coordination
Independent Voice/Infrastructure Strategies for Strengthening Public Education
Strategy: A Long-Term Approach
Strategy: A Marketing Approach
Strategy: Address Underlying Ideologies
The Importance of Countering the Right’s Underlying Ideology
Strategy: Develop Effective Framing and Language
Strategy: Dissemination of Specific Framing and language
Strategy: Use New Framing and Language for Specific Issues
Strategy: Repetition of Specific Framing and language
Strategy: Develop and Disseminate Articles and Other Materials
Strategy: Establish Speakers’ Bureaus
Strategy: Provide Training for Speakers and Writers
Strategy: Help to Establish a Community of Pro-Public Education Webloggers
Strategy: Educate, Inform, and Recruit Other Independent Voices
Strategy: Counter the Right’s Under-the-Radar Propaganda
Strategy: Work Closely with Colleges and Universities
Strategy: Work Closely With Non-Teacher Public School Organizations
Strategy: Incorporate Curricula That Addresses Education Allies’ Issues
Strategy: Use New Framing and Language in Specific Issue Campaigns
Strategy: Best Practices Teams
Strategy: Establish Speakers’ Bureaus
Strategy: Critical Thinking as Core Curriculum
Strategy: Make School Facilities Available to the Public
Appendix 1: Annotated Bibliography re. School Privatization
Appendix 2: Examples of Anti-School and Anti-Teacher Unions Rhetoric
Appendix 3: Example of Coordinated Repetition of a Framed Message through Multiple Channels
Appendix 4: Examples of Right-Wing Organizations, their Funding Sources, and What they Fund