Alliance for School Choice
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The Alliance for School Choice (ASC) is a conservative 501(c)(3) non-profit group that promotes the school privatization agenda via the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and other avenues. It is affiliated with the 501(c)(4) advocacy group the American Federation for Children.[1] Former Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Scott Jensen, who was charged with multiple crimes stemming from abuse of his office, is on staff at ASC as Senior Advisor to its Government Affairs Team.[2]
In the organization's own words, ASC "is the nation’s vanguard organization for promoting, implementing, and enhancing K-12 educational choice. In collaboration with a host of national and state allies, we create opportunities for systemic and sustainable educational reform that puts parents in charge."[3]
Contents
Ties to the American Legislative Exchange Council
ASC is a member of ALEC's Education Task Force. Scott Jensen represented the organization on the task force as of July 2011 when he was ASC's "National Consultant for State Projects" (ALEC also lists him as representing the 501(c)(4) wing of the group, American Federation for Children). Jonathan Nikkila, ASC's Government Affairs Director, also represented the organization on the task force at that time.[4]
| About ALEC |
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ALEC is a corporate bill mill. It is not just a lobby or a front group; it is much more powerful than that. Through ALEC, corporations hand state legislators their wishlists to benefit their bottom line. Corporations fund almost all of ALEC's operations. They pay for a seat on ALEC task forces where corporate lobbyists and special interest reps vote with elected officials to approve “model” bills. Learn more at the Center for Media and Democracy's ALECexposed.org, and check out breaking news on our PRWatch.org site.
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Funders
ASC has received funding from at least the following foundations as of September 2013, according to the American Bridge 21st Century Foundation:[5]
- Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation: $2,045,000 (1998-2011)
- William E. Simon Foundation: $1,225,000 (2004-11)
- Richard F. Aster, Jr. Foundation: $25,000 (2011)
- Deramus Foundation: $5,000 (2011)
- Hickory Foundation: $54,000 (2001-2002 & 2011)
- The Gilder Foundation: $2,500 (2011)
- The Robertson-Finley Foundation: $24,000 (2005-2011)
- DonorsTrust: $3,350 (2006-2008 & 2010)
- Chase Foundation of Virginia: $67,000 (2004-2010)
- Jaquelin Hume Foundation: $1,050,000 (2000-2010)
- Walton Family Foundation: $15,135,001 (1998-2010)
- The Challenge Foundation: $300,010 (2006-2008)
- Dick and Betsy DeVos Family Foundation: $200,000 (2005-2008)
- Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation: $300,000 (2005-2008)
- The Randolph Foundation: $20,250 (2004-2008)
- Allegheny Foundation: $20,000 (2007-2008)
- Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation: $10,000 (2005)
- Claude R. Lambe Charitable Foundation: $25,000 (2005)
- Searle Freedom Trust: $10,000 (2004)
- John M. Olin Foundation: $350,000 (2000-2004)
- Barbara and Barre Seid Foundation: $10,000 (2001)
Directors
As of September 2013:[6]
- Betsy DeVos, Chairman
- John Kirtley, Vice Chairman
- William E. Oberndorf, Chairman Emeritus
- R. Boykin Curry
- Peter Flanigan
- Joel Greenberg
- Carrie Penner
Former Directors
As of September 2008:[7]
- Charles R. Hokanson, Jr., President - Washington, D.C.
- Cory Booker - Newark, New Jersey
- David Brennan - Akron, Ohio
- Anthony Colón - Executive Commitee at-Large - Washington, D.C.
- Robert Cone - Everson, Pennsylvania
- John Fisher, Development - San Francisco, California
- Stephen Friess - Jackson Hole, Wyoming
- Brian Jones - Governance
- John Kirtley - Program Assessment
- Rebeca Nieves Huffman - Chicago, Illinois
- Susan Mitchell - Strategy and Policy, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Joseph E. Robert, Jr. - Washington, D.C.
- Richard Sharp - Richmond, Virginia
- J. Peter Simon - Finance and Audit, Morristown, New Jersey
- Anthony A. Williams - Washington, D.C.
Contact
1660 L Street, NW, Suite 1000
Washington, D.C. 20036
Phone: (202) 280-1990
Fax: (202) 280-1989
Web: http://www.allianceforschoolchoice.org
Resources and Articles
Related SourceWatch Articles
- American Federation for Children
- American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)
- Kevin Chavous
- Cory Booker
Related PRWatch Articles
- Brendan Fischer, Cashing in on Kids: 139 ALEC Bills in 2013 Promote a Private, For-Profit Education Model, '"PRWatch, July 16, 2013.
- Rebekah Wilce, A Reporters' Guide to the "State Policy Network" -- the Right-Wing Think Tanks Spinning Disinformation and Pushing the ALEC Agenda in the States, PRWatch, April 4, 2013.
- Lisa Graves, Taxpayer-Enriched Companies Back Jeb Bush's Foundation for Excellence in Education, its Buddy ALEC, and Their "Reforms", PRWatch, November 28, 2012.
- Dustin Beilke, ALEC Education "Academy" Launches on Island Resort, PRWatch, February 2, 2012.
- Anne Landman, Wealthy Families, Corporate-Backed Foundations Behind Push for School Vouchers, PRWatch, May 27, 2011.
References
- ↑ Lisa Graves, Taxpayer-Enriched Companies Back Jeb Bush's Foundation for Excellence in Education, its Buddy ALEC, and Their "Reforms", PRWatch, November 28, 2012.
- ↑ Alliance for School Choice, Leadership, organizational website, accessed September 2013.
- ↑ Alliance for School Choice, About, organizational website, accessed September 19, 2008.
- ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Education As of 7/1/2011, organizational task force membership roster, July 1, 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause, April 2012.
- ↑ American Bridge 21st Century Foundation, Recipient: Alliance for School Choice, conservative transparency website, accessed September 2013.
- ↑ Alliance for School Choice, Leadership, organizational website, accessed September 2013.
- ↑ Alliance for School Choice, Directors, organizational website, accessed September 19, 2008.
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