Diane Ravitch on Pete Buttigieg’s Troubled Education Record

I’ve come to the conclusion that, on K–12 public education, Pete Buttigieg is a stealth corporate reformer.

Democratic Presidential Candidates Attend "First In The West" Event In Las Vegas

Democratic presidential candidate Mayor Pete Buttigieg speaks during the Nevada Democrats’ “First in the West” event at Bellagio Resort & Casino on November 17, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. David Becker / Getty Images


There are many reasons why I would like to support Mayor Pete Buttigieg. He’s young, he’s well educated, he’s smart, he has an admirable record of service to his country, and he’s brimming with ideas. I find him very attractive on many levels.

But on education, he is a stealth corporate reformer.

I had an inkling of this when I read a review of his autobiography, which described his formative years at McKinsey and his data-driven, technocratic approach to solving problems. But I didn’t reach a judgment.

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