The Network for Public Education enthusiastically endorses Ras Baraka for Mayor of the great city of Newark, New Jersey. Mr. Baraka currently serves on the Newark City Council and he is a leader in the fight against school closures & privatization.
Councilman Baraka had a long career as an educator – ten years as an elementary teacher, and twelve as an administrator. He also served as a teachers union representative for five years. This experience gives him a deep understanding of the challenges facing our schools, which was reflected in his responses to the questions posed by NPE.
Councilman Baraka said, “…our focus must be on strengthening, and enhancing our traditional public schools as the core educational reform strategy.” He is an advocate of small class sizes, and supports the right of parents to control their students’ private data. He is aware of the flaws in the corporate reform model now being implemented in Newark, and told us: “The notion that teachers are solely responsible for educational outcomes of children is a political view that is unsubstantiated by any research.”
The Network for Public Education only endorses candidates with a clear commitment to our schools. Councilman Baraka has lived that commitment, and The Network for Public Education offers him our strong support.
