Many people know that then-AFT head Albert Shanker gave a speech at the National Press Club in 1988 floating the idea of what eventually became known as charter schooling. But what was the response of the Reagan administration to this new idea? The following quote comes from the New York Times (April 1, 1988):
"Responding to Mr. Shanker's remarks, William Kristol, chief of staff and counselor to Education Secretary William J Bennett, said the department "didn't have problems" with the proposal, but added, "We think there is lots of evidence that traditional methods are working."
How times change. Bill Kristol as chief of staff to the ED secretary, a national union pushing charter schools, and a Republican administration preferring traditional reforms over school choice.