Education Secretary Arne Duncan Gets Unwelcomed at Foothill College

United Public Workers for Action (UPWA) called for a demonstration when it was announced that US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan would be the keynote speaker at Foothill Community College's graduation ceremony on June 25. After receiving permission from the college administration early this week to stage a peaceful protest, Skyline Community College instructor George Wright received calls from Foothill College president Judy Miner asking that he cancel the planned demonstration. He also received calls from Arne Duncan's counsel trying to convince George that Duncan should not be the target of protesters.

KTVU-TV interviewed both the demonstrators and Mr. Duncan before and after yesterday's graduation ceremony. The demonstrators explained that the Obama administration's emphasis on charter schools is linked to the demonization of teachers unions and the privatization of the public school system, and that slashing public school funding is not in the best interest of our citizens. In Mr. Duncan's soundbite, all he could muster was the usual answer often used to obfuscate the issue, "Charter schools ARE public schools."

Duncan is the former chief executive officer of the Chicago Public Schools. He is credited with raising test scores and educational standards in Chicago where, in fact, he actually facilitated the privatization of public education in Chicago. This was achieved through the expansion of charter schools and the weakening of the public teachers union. A spokesperson for the UPWA said it is ironic and tragic that the Foothill-DeAnza Community College District is allowing an enemy of public education to give the keynote addresses at public Foothill and DeAnza Colleges at a time when public education in California is under attack.

Activist group the Raging Grannies, many of whom are retired public school teachers, endorsed this action and composed several songs for the event. Demonstrators sang as the graduating students lined the walkway to proceed to the ceremony. While most students were unaware of the nature of the controversy surrounding the keynote speaker, many were interested in the demonstration. Some asked questions of the protesters and expressed concern, especially those who are headed to careers in counseling and education.