Radio Workshop

We Don't Need No Education (Transcript)

by Ethan Lindsey

NARRATION:

Eunice Staton is a single mother of three. She has been trying for almost a year to move her kids from their under-performing schools in Harlem to any of the schools that meet the state's acceptance level for educational progress. She says the Department of Education has told her that her students will be able to transfer schools before the beginning of the next school year.

:15 (:40)

TAPE: STATON:

But why should I have to wait till September, when they need help now...They needed the help last year.

:5 (:45)

NARRATION:

She says that she is "fed up" with the bureaucracy and that she expects her kids to be in better schools by the start of the next school year. Teachers say that transferring kids out of failing public schools will leave those schools with less money.

:14 (:59)

TAPE: STATON:

It's like I'm fighting a fight I shouldn't have to fight, because education should be first...and it was all about the teachers getting more money, and yeah they want more money, but the kids aren't being taught what they should be taught.

:10 (1:09)

NARRATION:

Enter Charlie King. The 42-year-old King is hailed as one of the new black political leaders in New York. And just two weeks ago, he was standing in front of Philip Livingston School in Albany, to announce the lawsuit demanding compliance with Bush's education reform. Originally, King was representing three parents who wanted to move their kids to better schools. Then King's law firm set up a toll-free number for parents to call to join the lawsuit.

:30 (1:39)

TAPE: [FADE IN ON RING]

Hello, you've reached the parent hotline. Please leave us your name and telephone number, as well as the school and school district that you child or children attend, the city or borough that you live in, and the reason for your call. Thank you very much for calling. [FADE OUT ON MESSAGE.]

:12 (1:51)

NARRATION:

King says that just hours after announcing the phone bank, 25 additional parents had called and signed on. Political analysts say that King's lawsuit has also triggered similar class action suits in states across the country that haven't fully complied with the No Child Left Behind policy. Attorney Thomas Glascock filed the lawsuit with King.

:17 (2:08)

TAPE: GLASCOCK:

The widespread response to our action demonstrates that not only was there a need out there, but that a class action was the appropriate way to bring this action.

:12 (2:20)

NARRATION:

Charlie King was an undersecretary of urban development in Bill Clinton's administration, and Glasscock acknowledges its an odd situation for King to be spearheading the defense of Bush's education reform.

:9 (2:29)

TAPE: GLASCOCK:

Our lawsuit is not an endorsement of President Bush's actions, but is more an attempt to try to allow children and parents of child in New York City public schools, and Albany schools, to take advantage of and realize their federal rights.

:20 (2:49)

NARRATION:

Teachers unions say that any lawsuit could drain precious funds away from the classroom. Because of that, New York State United Teachers spokesman David Tompkins says the union does not support the lawsuit.

:9 (2:58)

TAPE: TOMPKINS:

We're not sure what motivated the timing of this lawsuit; we feel like, the NCLB -- we're making progress towards that. We're trying to work with the districts.

:7 (3:05)

NARRATION :

King ran for Lieutenant Governor with Andrew Cuomo last year. In December, he announced he was exploring a run for state Attorney General and to some the lawsuit is well-timed to bring him notoriety. Tompkins tried to steer clear of any implication.

:9 (3:14)

TAPE: TOMPKINS:

I am not one to question somebody else's motivation. Obviously he is making a name for himself with this lawsuit, but you'd have to talk to him about what his ambitions are.

:10 (3:24)

NARRATION:

Charlie King has already named a staff for his 2004 campaign. Ethan Lindsey, Columbia Radio News.

:8 (3:32)