BOOK/MEDIA REVIEWS

Abstract

Charter Schools and Corporate Makeover of Public Education: What's at Stake? by Michael Fabricant and Michelle Fine. New York, Teachers College Press, 2012, 151 pages, $25.95, paperback.Charter Schools and Corporate Makeover of Public Education: What's at Stake? by Michael Fabricant and Michelle Fine provides in depth information on truths and untruths of charter schools in America. Oftentimes media presents ideals of charters as savior of schools. This is contrary to data which suggest very small percentages of charters are successful. It further supports that new reform, supported by Republicans and extreme right Democrats, is not only way to reform and rebuild failing educational status of America. This rift among traditional and extreme reformers has built a bridge between what is needed and what is successful in addressing in America. Public systems across nation are fighting for survival against big business, local chambers, wealthy business men and political movement toward charter schools.With support of President Barack Obama, this fight for reform is becoming hard to win. The move of charters has become even more popular since oratorical support of President Obama. As Fabricant and Fine clearly state in this book, is time to review academic, social, and political impact of a movement that is well funded, has strong media support, is cascading through low-income communities, and now has authority of first Black president (p. 14).Fabricant and Fine present many jewels in this book from callout for all to pay closer attention to rapid movement of charter schools as to all problems in education, to reimaging schools. An exceptional gem is exclaim for attention toward national policy and its focus on creating legislature to shape schools into image of few exemplar charters such as Harlem Children's' Zone and Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) schools. This movement, supported by billionaires club and foundations such as Gates Foundation, Walton Foundation, and Broad Foundation, has placed millions of dollars in elections to support politicians who can push charter movement.This book provides a detailed history of charters and how founding father of charter schools, Albert Shanker, has even become skeptical of charter schools as it has evolved since its inception. Shanker stated that, as founder of charters, he views charters as a partial answer to problem and not the answer (Kahlenberg, 2007). Investors have taken his model for community reform from small community-based schooling to business ventures for economists, with limited to no concern for and educating all children. In other words, because of money invested in education, charter schools have become the political power associated with charter movement. Because of this movement we find ourselves worrying about future of democracy, equity, and accountability and erosion of public in education (Fabricant & Fine, p. 1).Are these schools playing on a level economic and political playing field with schools? (p. …