What's Up with Virginia's Next Secretary of Education - Aimee Guidera?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Obama was anti teachers unions, pro privatization and pro charter schools, reflecting the ideology of his Silicon Valley and Wall Street financial backers. Once you understand that, it makes complete sense that Private Equity Youngkin would pick her.

Once you understand that Virginia isn’t the Brooklyn chapter of the DSA, it makes complete sense that Governor-elect Youngkin would pick someone that might be a consensus builder on one of the top issues of the election.

Virgina families who voted Youngkin on education are not interested in “innovation”. All they want is to have their public schools providing a quality, traditional education to their kids.

They don’t want public schools defunded? Interesting…

They don’t want the schools defunded and they don’t want the police defunded. Interesting…

Yeah. Then why would they support a governor who is pro-charter and pro-voucher?

Maybe you should ask and (caution: this might be tough for you) listen to voters rather than talking down to them. Or reconsider the scare tactics. They don’t seem to be working. He picked what seems to be a centrist education Secretary. This is not channeling some slash and burn mission.

[Anonymous]

Youngkin seems to think she’s a school choice advocate:

Aimee will be a critical partner in restoring expectations of excellence; overseeing a record education budget to invest in teachers, facilities and special education; rolling out innovation lab and charter schools; and standing for a curriculum that prepares Virginia’s children for a dynamic future and removes politics from the classroom,” Youngkin said in a statement.

Guidera moved to Virginia in 1995 and her daughter attended Fairfax County Public Schools, Youngkin’s news release says.

“A nationally recognized leader, Aimee is deeply respected for her distinguished career advocating for innovation and choice, data-driven reform and high standards, and will apply these principles in order to implement the Day One Game Plan,” Youngkin said.

https://www.virginiamercury.com/blog-va/virginias-state-schools-superintendent-is-stepping-down/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why would Youngkin pick Aimee Guidera to be Virginia's next Secretary of Education? Her political party record seems mixed. While she has donated to Republicans in the past, in terms of federal education policy, she was a strong champion for President Obama's educaiton agenda during his Administration. In fact, the education organization she founded (DQC) was on the oppositive side of almost every federal Republican position during the reauthorizaiton of the No Child Left Behind Act that became the Every Student Succeeds Act. Her organization (DQC) was primarily staffed by Democrats.

Ms. Guidera now clams she is parent centered. However, both personally and through the organization she founded (DQC), she strongly opposed parents being able to opt out of testing and data collection activities. For instance - https://deutsch29.wordpress.com/2021/12/22/student-data-collector-aimee-guidera-to-be-next-va-education-secretary/

Given her mixed political party record, why would Youngkin pick Ms. Guidera and why would Ms. Guidera want to work on educaiton issues for a Republican like Youngkin when her background suggests strong alignment with the federal education agenda of Democrats such as former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan?

I'm sorry that she doesn't fit into your neat little hyperpartisan box. I happen to think that is a good thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Youngkin seems to think she’s a school choice advocate:

Aimee will be a critical partner in restoring expectations of excellence; overseeing a record education budget to invest in teachers, facilities and special education; rolling out innovation lab and charter schools; and standing for a curriculum that prepares Virginia’s children for a dynamic future and removes politics from the classroom,” Youngkin said in a statement.

Guidera moved to Virginia in 1995 and her daughter attended Fairfax County Public Schools, Youngkin’s news release says.

“A nationally recognized leader, Aimee is deeply respected for her distinguished career advocating for innovation and choice, data-driven reform and high standards, and will apply these principles in order to implement the Day One Game Plan,” Youngkin said.

https://www.virginiamercury.com/blog-va/virginias-state-schools-superintendent-is-stepping-down/

She is 100% for charters and vouchers. It’s an area where both Obama and Youngkin are perfectly aligned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would Youngkin pick Aimee Guidera to be Virginia's next Secretary of Education? Her political party record seems mixed. While she has donated to Republicans in the past, in terms of federal education policy, she was a strong champion for President Obama's educaiton agenda during his Administration. In fact, the education organization she founded (DQC) was on the oppositive side of almost every federal Republican position during the reauthorizaiton of the No Child Left Behind Act that became the Every Student Succeeds Act. Her organization (DQC) was primarily staffed by Democrats.

Ms. Guidera now clams she is parent centered. However, both personally and through the organization she founded (DQC), she strongly opposed parents being able to opt out of testing and data collection activities. For instance - https://deutsch29.wordpress.com/2021/12/22/student-data-collector-aimee-guidera-to-be-next-va-education-secretary/

Given her mixed political party record, why would Youngkin pick Ms. Guidera and why would Ms. Guidera want to work on educaiton issues for a Republican like Youngkin when her background suggests strong alignment with the federal education agenda of Democrats such as former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan?

I'm sorry that she doesn't fit into your neat little hyperpartisan box. I happen to think that is a good thing.

+100

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Youngkin seems to think she’s a school choice advocate:

Aimee will be a critical partner in restoring expectations of excellence; overseeing a record education budget to invest in teachers, facilities and special education; rolling out innovation lab and charter schools; and standing for a curriculum that prepares Virginia’s children for a dynamic future and removes politics from the classroom,” Youngkin said in a statement.

Guidera moved to Virginia in 1995 and her daughter attended Fairfax County Public Schools, Youngkin’s news release says.

“A nationally recognized leader, Aimee is deeply respected for her distinguished career advocating for innovation and choice, data-driven reform and high standards, and will apply these principles in order to implement the Day One Game Plan,” Youngkin said.

https://www.virginiamercury.com/blog-va/virginias-state-schools-superintendent-is-stepping-down/

She is 100% for charters and vouchers. It’s an area where both Obama and Youngkin are perfectly aligned.

It is correct that both Guidera and President Obama are 100% for charters. However, the "choice" language quote is vague and aligns with similar "choice" language released during the Obama Administration and by groups such as Democrats for Education Reform. Supporting "choice" in education policy does not always extend to vouchers.

Obama's record is clear. President Obama opposed vouchers. For example, during the last reauthorization of the main federal K-12 law, Congress voted on the issue of allowing for K-12 vouchers and the Obama Administration was strongly opposed to the voucher program. Due in part to President Obama's opposition and opposition from other groups, such as DQC, the voucher provisions failed when voted on.

Guidera has a long history of advocating with anti-voucher organizations. So, yes, Obama and Guidera appear aligned on having a long track record of joining forces with groups opposed to K-12 vouchers.