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Betsy DeVos gives South Carolina $31.5 million for charter schools despite protests by public school teachers. The U.S. Department of Education has given $31.5 million to the South Carolina Department of Education for charter schools, including the development of 32 new campuses.

Back in January, the Network for Public Education revealed that over a half-billion dollars spent by the Department of Education through its Charter Schools Program (CSP) has been wasted on defunct schools.

A few weeks ago teachers in South Carolina “stepped out” to protest the state’s education budget.

The money will also be used to serve and expand 90 existing charter schools. ABC4 News

Virtual charter school system in hot water. The Oklahoma State Board of Education has demanded that Epic Charter Schools repay $11.2 million in state funds that auditors say was illegally used and falsely classified in financial reports. The Oklahoman

How online learning companies are using the pandemic to take over the classroom. Journalist Jeff Bryant documents growth in the ed tech industry during the COVID-19 crisis as well as the growing concerns from parents, teachers, and school leaders. AlterNet

Meanwhile, Hawaii has announced plans to phase out curriculum from Acellus Learning Accelerator by the end of the academic year. Honolulu Star Advertiser

Education equity or else. Journey for Justice is holding a virtual national townhall with grassroots voices for the future of public education on Thursday, October 15, 2020 @ 7 p.m. ET. “Education Equity or Else” will explore the questions: What would you like to see in a post-COVID public education system? What is your vision for America’s public schools? Journey for Justice

Tweet of the week. Education scholar Jack Schneider: “I’m tired of hearing about ‘failing schools’ as if we bear no collective responsibility. American schools deliver a high-quality and well-rounded education to those we collectively embrace. And it works in a different way for those we have collectively refused. That’s on us.” Retweet this

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