Education at a Crossroads: Unpacking Sanders' Report on the Privatization Threat
As a Special Education Resource Specialist Program (RSP) teacher in a Title 1 school in Los Angeles, I witness daily the critical importance of robust public education for our most vulnerable students. US Senator Bernie Sanders’ recent report on the privatisation of education in America has sent shockwaves through our community, highlighting a coordinated effort by wealthy interests to undermine public schools.
The report details how right-wing billionaires are bankrolling initiatives to expand private school vouchers, effectively siphoning funds from already under-resourced public schools. For special education students and those in Title 1 schools, the stakes couldn’t be higher. These programs threaten to erode essential protections guaranteed by federal law, potentially leaving students with disabilities and those from low-income backgrounds without adequate support.
As we delve into the report’s findings, we must consider the far-reaching implications for special education, educational equity, and the very foundation of public schooling in America.
Education as a Public Good: A Missing Discourse
The concept of education as a public good is conspicuously absent from much of the American discourse on schooling. Public goods are traditionally defined as non-excludable and non-rivalrous, meaning everyone can benefit from them without diminishing their value to others. Education clearly fits this definition: an educated populace benefits society as a whole through increased civic engagement, economic productivity, and social cohesion.
Historically, the United States embraced this view. The common school movement of the 19th century, championed by Horace Mann, established the foundation for universal public education. This system was seen as essential for democracy, social mobility, and national progress. However, in recent decades, this understanding has eroded, replaced by a more individualistic, market-driven approach to education.
In contrast, many countries in the Global North still firmly regard education as a public good. Finland, often lauded for its educational successes, views education as a fundamental right and a public service. Similarly, Canada and Sweden maintain strong public education systems rooted in the belief that education serves the collective good.
The absence of this framing in the U.S. has opened the door for privatisation efforts. By recasting education as a private commodity rather than a public good, proponents of school choice and voucher programs can more easily justify the diversion of public funds to private corporations. This shift in perspective undermines the collective responsibility for education and enables a piecemeal dismantling of the public education system, potentially exacerbating existing inequalities and leaving vulnerable students, particularly those with special needs, at a severe disadvantage.
Key Findings from the Sanders Report
Senator Sanders’ report, “By the Wealthy, for the Wealthy: The Coordinated Attacks on Public Education in the United States,” reveals a disturbing trend in the privatisation of American education. The report uncovers a coordinated effort by conservative billionaires to dismantle public education, primarily through the expansion of private school voucher programs.
The report states, “Across the nation, conservative billionaires are funding a coordinated effort to dismantle public education to pay for private school vouchers that largely benefit wealthy families and enable corporations to avoid paying their fair share of taxes.” This effort has led to an unprecedented expansion of voucher programs in recent years, with many states providing universal access to these policies for the first time.
Alarmingly, the costs of these programs are far exceeding initial projections. The report notes that “over the past decade, state funding for the nation’s public elementary and secondary schools has barely increased, by an average of just 1 percent a year after adjusting for inflation.” Meanwhile, “state spending on tax breaks and subsidies for private schools have gone up by over $7 billion – a 408 percent increase – adjusted for inflation.”
Contrary to claims that these programs benefit disadvantaged students, the report finds that wealthy families are the primary beneficiaries. In Arizona, for example, “52 percent of participating students live in the state’s highest income zip codes, and students in the highest income zip codes benefit ten times more than students in the lowest income zip codes.”
Perhaps most concerning is the drain on public school resources. As funds are diverted to voucher programs, public schools are left with diminishing resources to serve the majority of students. The report emphasises that “these efforts are fueling the creation of two, segregated K-12 education systems – a private and public one – that are neither equitable nor fiscally sustainable.”
This systematic defunding of public education is particularly harmful to students with special needs and those from low-income backgrounds, who rely heavily on well-resourced public schools. The report concludes that these voucher policies “have the shared goal of using public resources to pay for unaccountable private schools,” ultimately undermining the foundation of public education in America.
The Neoliberal Agenda and Corporate Interests in Education
The Sanders report illuminates the pervasive influence of neoliberal ideology and corporate interests in reshaping American education. Neoliberalism, with its emphasis on ‘market-based solutions’ and privatisation, has increasingly framed education as a commodity rather than a public good. This shift has opened the door for corporate interests to exert significant influence over education policy, often at the expense of public schools and the students they serve.
The report identifies key corporate players driving this agenda, including the Bradley Foundation, the DeVos Family Foundation, and Koch-affiliated groups. These organisations have poured millions into advocacy efforts, think tanks, and political campaigns to promote school privatisation. For instance, the American Federation for Children, funded by the DeVos family, spent $9 million in the 2022 election season to win 277 out of 368 races, effectively removing lawmakers who opposed private school vouchers.
This corporate-driven privatisation undermines education as a public good in several ways. It diverts public funds to private institutions that are not accountable to the same standards as public schools, potentially exacerbating educational inequalities. The report notes that private schools can “deny serving students, which leaves students who have been historically and systematically marginalized – students of color, LGBTQ+ students, students from low-income backgrounds and rural communities, and students with disabilities – in a public education system with dwindling funding.”
The impact of these policies falls disproportionately on marginalised communities. As public schools lose funding to voucher programs, they struggle to provide adequate resources and support for students with special needs or from low-income backgrounds. The report highlights that in states like Florida, funding for voucher programs increased by 313% between 2008 and 2019, whilst per-pupil funding for public schools decreased by 12%.
This neoliberal approach to education, driven by corporate interests, threatens to create a two-tiered education system that reinforces existing socioeconomic disparities. By framing education as a private good rather than a public responsibility, it undermines the fundamental principle of equal educational opportunity for all students, regardless of their background or abilities. The Sanders report serves as a stark warning about the long-term consequences of allowing corporate interests to shape education policy at the expense of public schools and the students they serve.
Impact on Special Education and Title 1 Schools
The Sanders report underscores the severe implications of privatisation efforts for special education and Title 1 schools, highlighting a troubling lack of legal safeguards and political will to protect these vulnerable student populations.
For students with disabilities, the expansion of voucher programs poses a significant threat to their rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The report notes that “private schools accepting private school vouchers are not required to provide the same rights and services that public schools must provide under IDEA.” This potential loss of federally mandated protections could leave students with disabilities without essential services and support.
Selective admissions policies in private schools present another challenge. Unlike public schools, private institutions can choose which students to admit, potentially excluding those with complex needs or from disadvantaged backgrounds. This selective process, coupled with a lack of accountability measures, could lead to increased segregation and reduced educational opportunities for students who need the most support.
The diversion of funds from public to private education through voucher programs has a direct impact on the resources available to special education and Title 1 schools. As the report states, “Money spent on private school vouchers could instead be used to hire teachers, raise wages, hire school counselors, and invest in high-quality academics for students.” This reduction in funding can lead to larger class sizes, fewer specialised services, and a decrease in overall educational quality for students who remain in the public system.
Alarmingly, many states lack robust laws to protect against this incursion on public education. In fact, some states have elected politicians who are openly hostile to public schools, often backed by corporate interests promoting privatisation. The report highlights how organisations like the American Federation for Children have spent millions to elect pro-voucher lawmakers and remove those who oppose such programs.
This combination of inadequate legal protections and politically-driven education policies threatens to exacerbate existing disparities, potentially creating a two-tiered education system that leaves behind students with special needs and those from low-income communities.
The Looting of Public Education
The Sanders report paints a stark picture of what can only be described as the systematic looting of public education in America. At its core, this process involves the transfer of public funds, intended for the collective benefit of all students, into private / corporate hands with little accountability.
The report highlights how voucher programs and tax credit schemes effectively funnel taxpayer dollars to private schools and corporations. For instance, in some states, corporations can claim both state tax credits and federal tax deductions for their contributions to voucher programs, essentially profiting from their “donations.” The report cites specific examples, such as companies in Pennsylvania receiving 90% of their donations back in tax credits, effectively reducing their tax burden whilst simultaneously undermining public education funding.
Corporate profiteering in education extends beyond just tax benefits. The report points to the rapid expansion of for-profit charter schools and online education providers, many of which have been plagued by scandals involving misuse of funds and poor educational outcomes. These entities often prioritise profit margins over student needs, yet continue to receive public funding.
The long-term consequences of this looting are severe. As public funds are diverted to private interests, public schools face chronic underfunding, leading to deteriorating infrastructure, larger class sizes, and fewer resources for students and teachers. This creates a self-fulfilling prophecy where underfunded public schools struggle to perform, further fueling arguments for privatisation.
Most critically, this transfer of wealth fundamentally undermines the concept of education as a public good. By treating education as a commodity to be bought and sold rather than a collective responsibility, we risk creating a system where quality education becomes a privilege for the few rather than a right for all. This shift not only threatens educational equity but also undermines the very foundations of an informed citizenry necessary for a functioning democracy.
The report serves as a urgent call to recognise and resist this looting of public education, emphasizing the need to reinvest in and reinvigorate our public education system for the benefit of all students and society at large.
Reframing the Debate: Education as a Collective Responsibility
The Sanders report challenges us to reframe the education debate, moving away from individualistic “school choice” narratives and back towards a vision of education as a collective responsibility. This shift is crucial in countering the privatisation movement and its detrimental effects on public education.
The “school choice” narrative, as the report suggests, often appeals to individual self-interest, framing education as a personal consumer good rather than a public resource. However, this perspective ignores the broader societal benefits of a strong public education system. As the report emphasises, public education serves as a cornerstone of democracy, providing equal opportunities for all students regardless of their background and fostering social cohesion.
A robust public education system yields numerous societal benefits: it promotes civic engagement, reduces income inequality, drives economic growth, and strengthens communities. It serves as a great equaliser, offering all children the chance to develop their potential and contribute meaningfully to society.
Privatisation, as detailed in the report, threatens these broader benefits by fragmenting the education system and exacerbating existing inequalities. When public funds are diverted to private institutions, it undermines the collective investment in education that benefits all of society. This diversion of resources can lead to a two-tiered system where quality education becomes a privilege rather than a right.
By reframing education as a collective responsibility, we can build support for policies that strengthen public schools and ensure that all students, regardless of their circumstances, have access to high-quality education. This approach recognizes that an educated populace benefits everyone, not just individual students and their families.
Proposed Solutions
Senator Sanders’ report doesn’t just highlight the problems facing public education; it also proposes concrete solutions and calls for action. At the heart of these proposals is a commitment to reinvesting in public education as a public good, recognising its fundamental role in creating a just and equitable society.
The report advocates for addressing systemic issues plaguing public schools. This includes raising teacher pay to attract and retain qualified educators, with a proposed minimum salary of $60,000 for all public school teachers. It also calls for expanding community schools, which provide wraparound services to support students and families, and making higher education more accessible through programs like the College for All Act.
These solutions, however, require more than just policy changes. They demand a shift in how we collectively view and value public education. This is where informed advocacy becomes crucial. As educators, parents, and community members, we must promote the concept of education as a public good, countering narratives that frame it as merely a private commodity.
Engaging with policymakers and communities is essential in this process. We need to make our voices heard in school board meetings, at legislative sessions, and in public forums. We must share our experiences, highlight the importance of public education, and push back against privatization efforts that threaten to undermine our schools.
Thus, the Sanders report reaffirms the critical importance of public education, especially for students with special needs and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. It presents a vision for an inclusive, well-funded education system that serves the public good – a system that provides every child with the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.
As we move forward, we must remember that strong public schools are the foundation of a strong democracy. They are essential for creating an informed citizenry, promoting social mobility, and building a more equitable society. By recommitting to public education as a collective responsibility, we can ensure that all students, regardless of their background or abilities, have access to the high-quality education they deserve.
The time for action is now. Let's heed the call in this report and work together to defend and strengthen our public schools for the benefit of all.