Dear Commons Community,

Diane Ravitch, is calling for a Congressional investigation of Bill Gates for his and his Foundation’s influence of education policy. In her blog, Dr. Ravitch writes:

 
“The story about Bill Gates’ swift and silent takeover of American education is startling. His role and the role of the U.S. Department of Education in drafting and imposing the Common Core standards on almost every state should be investigated by Congress.  The idea that the richest man in America can purchase and — working closely with the U.S. Department of Education — impose new and untested academic standards on the nation’s public schools is a national scandal. A Congressional investigation is warranted.

The close involvement of Arne Duncan raises questions about whether the law was broken.  Thanks to the story in the Washington Post and to diligent bloggers, we now know that one very rich man bought the enthusiastic support of interest groups on the left and right to campaign for the Common Core.

Who knew that American education was for sale?

Who knew that federalism could so easily be dismissed as a relic of history? Who knew that Gates and Duncan, working as partners, could dismantle and destroy state and local control of education?

The revelation that education policy was shaped by one unelected man, underwriting dozens of groups. and allied with the Secretary of Education, whose staff was laced with Gates’ allies, is ample reason for Congressional hearings.”

I have followed Gates and his Foundation over the past several years and their involvement in  the “Great American Education-Industrial Complex”. I agree with Dr. Ravitch that an investigation is warranted but it is not likely to happen.  Too many government officials (elected and appointed) are under Gates’ influence.

 
Tony