Public school advocates say big protests aren't the way to go in fighting Walker's education policie

Well, I read this and am ambivalent.
Teach in's are great--I have attended many in my day. But so are protests. Why not both.??




Public school advocates say big protests aren't the way to go in fighting Walker's education policies. http://host.madison.com/news/local/writers/pat_schneider/public-school-advocates-teach-about-don-t-protest-against-scott/article_c48d0b94-6411-57b4-b105-b45bf0a4748d.html#ixzz3SDLp9zkq …



Public school advocates: Teach about, don't protest against, Scott Walker’s education policies

February 19, 2015 9:30 am • By Pat Schneider





Hundreds turned out on the UW-Madison campus Feb. 14 to protest cuts to the university system in Scott Walker's budget.
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Pat Schneider



.............The “Stop the Train” forum brought together educators, students and community members to scrutinize education reform policies and rhetoric and share their stories. The conversation was animated by Walker’s biennium budget proposal, which would expand school vouchers, make setting up private charter schools easier and cut funding to the UW System by $300 million.

Protesters in 2011 came out by the tens of thousands and occupied the state Capitol in an effort to halt Walker’s legislation gutting the collective bargaining rights of public employees. Since Walker unveiled his controversial budget two weeks ago, hundreds have marched at UW-Madison and UW-Milwaukee, and protested at his Wauwatosa home — an action he is trying to use to discredit the opposition.

Protests make headlines, but they may not be the best strategy, participants reflected Monday at what organizers hope will be the first of several forums sponsored by Edgewood. They spoke instead about the power of building support for public education through discourse and holding legislators accountable for their duty to the electorate. The session was recorded by Wisconsin Eye and is available here.

“Some of us love to protest. I was involved myself last time around,” said James Hartwick, a professor of education at UW-Whitewater. “This time, I think, we should spend our time contacting those sympathetic legislators who are upset at the fiscal irresponsibility in this budget. There are many Republicans who are signaling that they would break rank if they heard enough outcry — writing letters, contacting them, getting people you know to do the same. I think that’s what I’m going to do and I hope you do, too.”

Hartwick stressed he was speaking as an individual.

Parent Gail Martinelli encouraged educators to mount “teach-ins” in the style of the anti -Vietnam War movement..............



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