Los Angeles: FB Page Goes Viral Calling for “Repairs, Not iPads” by dianeravitch

Two Los Angeles teachers critical of the decision by Los Angeles school leaders to use construction funds to buy iPads have created a Facebook page that has gone viral. The teachers wanted the public to see that their schools are in dire need of repair. "The photos are unmistakable: a rat dropping on a school desk, an ant-filled water fountain, overflowing trash cans and a cockroach in a classroom. All are images posted on a social-media site of what some claim are “overdue repairs.” Launched by two Los Angeles teachers, the “Repairs, Not iPads” Facebook page lists unflattering photos intended to embarrass the Los Angeles Unified School District and raise questions about its $1 billion iPad program, the cornerstone of Superintendent John Deasy’s agenda...Included are shots of what is said to be unsafe electrical wiring at South L.A.’s Santee High School and a boarded-up urinal at Beverlywood’s Hamilton High School. “The public doesn’t expect Third World standards for their schools,” said teacher Matthew Kogan, 52, who created the Facebook page. “They should know where their taxpayer money is going and see that these schools are neglected.” Superintendent John Deasy has announced that he would spend up to $1 billion for iPads and bandwidth. A significant proportion of the funding will be drawn from a bond issue approved by voters for construction and repair of school facilities. Meanwhile, the iPad issue has become a perfect storm of incompetence, lack of planning, and administrative arrogance. Pearson refuses to share with the members of the school board the curriculum that it has created for the iPads. Not even Monica Ratliff, an experienced teacher is allowed to review the curriculum. Other districts have purchased iPads or tablets that are not pre-loaded with a specific curriculum, but can be used to access a variety of applications. In a related story, district officials admitted that they never compiled an inventory of existing iPads and computers when they made the bulk purchase from Apple for every student and staff member. Consequently, some schools will receive hundreds of excess iPads. Good for Apple, dumb for the district, especially for a district that is in dire need of funds to improve facilities. Deasy claims that giving every student an iPad is a matter of civil rights. Someone might tell him that when children go to a school that is marked by neglect, roaches, and physical deterioration, it sends them a message that society doesn't care about them. dianeravitch | February 8, 2014 at 11:30 am