®EFORM, INC. + CHARTER SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION RALLY PLANNED: Parents to be bused in as the unusual suspects strike back!

California Charter Schools Association Press Release

Thousands of LA Parents Will Rally for “Schools We Can Believe In” on Feb. 4: Parents Tell Elected Officials to Put Students Before Politics at a Citywide Rally for Excellent Schools

WHAT:	Way too many students in Los Angeles aren't getting the education they deserve, with only 56% of students in LAUSD graduating high school on time. On Saturday, Feb. 4, thousands of parents, teachers and community members will rally to stand up for public school students and demand that parent voices be heard.
WHO: *	Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa LAUSD Board President Monica Garcia LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy Ana Ponce, Founder of Camino Nuevo Charter Academies (recently recognized in Forbes magazine) Yolie Flores, Executive Director of Communities for Teaching Excellence Corri Ravare, Executive Director of Families That Can Parent and Teacher speakers *Univision Anchor Gabriela Teissier will be our emcee for the event! Most speakers will present comments in both English and Spanish. Community Partners (Most will also have spokespeople available for interviews): United Way, Families In Schools, Alliance for a Better Community, Communities for Teaching Excellence, EdVoice and Democrats for Education Reform
WHEN:	Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012 8:30 a.m. – Parents begin to arrive on buses 9 a.m. – Student performances 10 a.m. – Mayor speaks, kicking off program
WHERE:	Exposition Park, in front of LA Memorial Coliseum 700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90037 *News trucks can park along the U and other press can use the parking lot to the north of the green.
WHY:	On Feb. 4, parents are standing up to demand: High-quality schools in every neighborhood for all public school students! Quality space to learn for all public school students! Equal funding for all public school students! That parent voices are heard!

About the California Charter Schools Association

The California Charter Schools Association is the membership and professional organization serving 912 charter public schools in the state of California.  The Vision of the California Charter Schools Association is to usher in a new era in public education so all students attend independent, innovative, accountable schools of choice.  The Mission of the California Charter Schools Association is to influence the legislative and policy environments, leverage collective advocacy, and provide resources to support our members in developing and operating high quality, charter schools reflective of California’s student population.  For more information, please visit www.calcharters.org.

About Families That Can

Families That Can is a statewide organization of charter school parents united to fight for high-quality public education choices and to be the voice for the children of California. Families that Can educates, empowers and mobilizes parents to hold our leaders accountable for ensuring every child has access to a high-quality public education. We advocate for quality public school choices, equitable treatment and resources for charter public schools, and the advancement and growth of successful charter schools. Find out more at www.familiesthatcan.org.

*smf’s 2¢: from By the numbers: HOW TO TELL IF YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT IS INFECTED BY THE BROAD VIRUS

http://bit.ly/mydnE4

29. A rash of Astroturf groups appear claiming to represent “the community” or “parents” and all advocate for the exact same corporate ed reforms that your superintendent supports — merit pay, standardized testing, charter schools, alternative credentialing for teachers. Of course, none of these are genuine grassroots community organizations. [see: HOW TO CREATE A FAUX GRASSROOTS ED REFORM ORGANIZATION IN 12 EASY STEPS!Posted by Sue Peters on seattleducation2011| http://bit.ly/ejZdRT]

30. Or, existing groups suddenly become fervidly in favor of teacher bashing, merit pay or charter schools. Don’t be surprised to find that these groups may have received grant money from the corporate ed reform foundations like Gates or Broad.