Hammer Forum

The Privatization of Education

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The Privatization of Education
As for-profit colleges proliferate and billionaires publicly push for private charter schools to replace public education, we examine the impact on students, who now carry more debt than the housing sector. David Halperin, a senior fellow at Republic Report, discusses the taxpayer-subsidized for-profit college industry and its successful lobbying efforts. California Competes director Robert Shireman works to rein in abuses by for-profit colleges and student loan companies. He led the Obama administration’s efforts to reform student lending. USC researcher, PhD candidate at the Rossier School of Education, and Gates Millennium Scholar Constance Iloh offers a nuanced perspective on the nature of the student presence in the for-profit sector. Her research addresses privatization, access, equity, and the experiences of low-income students and students of color in higher education.

As for-profit colleges proliferate and billionaires publicly push for private charter schools to replace public education, we examine the impact on students, who now carry more debt than the housing sector. David Halperin, a senior fellow at Republic Report, discusses the taxpayer-subsidized for-profit college industry and its successful lobbying efforts. California Competes director Robert Shireman works to rein in abuses by for-profit colleges and student loan companies. He led the Obama administration’s efforts to reform student lending. USC researcher, PhD candidate at the Rossier School of Education, and Gates Millennium Scholar Constance Iloh offers a nuanced perspective on the nature of the student presence in the for-profit sector. Her research addresses privatization, access, equity, and the experiences of low-income students and students of color in higher education.

This ongoing series of timely, thought-provoking events addresses current social and political issues.
Hammer Forum is moderated by Ian Masters, journalist, author, screenwriter, documentary filmmaker, and host of the radio programs Background Briefing, Sundays at 11AM, and The Daily Briefing, Monday through Thursday at 5PM, on KPFK 90.7 FM.

Hammer Forum is made possible in part by Bronya and Andrew Galef. 

All Hammer public programs are free and made possible by a major gift from the Dream Fund at UCLA.

Generous support is also provided by Susan Bay Nimoy and Leonard Nimoy, the Simms/Mann Family Foundation, The Brotman Foundation of California, Good Works Foundation and Laura Donnelley, and all Hammer members.