Wealthy MAGA Advocate Endorses Anti-Discrimination Education Instead Trade, Emphasizes AI Integration in Efforts
Billionaire investor Bill Ackman is set to appear on a panel alongside MacKenzie Price, co-founder of the private school Alpha School, this week. The appearance has sparked interest and controversy, as Ackman has been a vocal supporter of the 1%'s growing influence in the education sector.
The Wall Street Journal describes Alpha School as a fast-growing institution that steers clear of lessons on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), a move that has drawn attention and criticism. The school's educational model, which emphasises AI-enabled software for teaching K-12 students over two hours each day, followed by physically and socially engaging activities, has been largely promoted and funded by the 1%.
The ultimate endgame of this support for alternative educational models remains unclear. However, the school choice movement, including schools like Alpha and Ad Astra, has been a focus of the 1%'s efforts. Notably, Bill Gates has been a long-time supporter of the charter school movement.
Bill Ackman's interest in Alpha School seems to stem from its stance on DEI and avoidance of concepts such as the gender continuum. The Wall Street Journal report suggests that Ackman serves as a brand ambassador for the school.
The tuition for Alpha School, approximately $45,000 per year, is beyond the reach of a majority of the U.S. population. This exclusivity raises questions about empathy and understanding among the offspring of the gilded class.
Reports suggest that the price of admission at these schools may drop or the focus may shift to trade schools for the general population, potentially bridging the empathy gap. Jeff Bezos, for instance, has founded his own network of preschools, and Elon Musk launched Ad Astra School, opening a campus in Texas.
Interestingly, both Musk and Ackman have expressed support for Donald Trump in the past and have been associated with policy initiatives that advocate for dismantling the Department of Education. Project 2025, believed to have acted as a policy blueprint for the second Trump administration, advocates for such a move.
Despite the controversy surrounding Alpha School, it has been in operation for over a decade and boasts campuses spread throughout the country. The school's curriculum does not include political or social issues, focusing instead on business education, leadership, and activities that resemble playtime.
However, the humanities, such as history, art, and literature, present "thorny curricular dilemmas" due to their subjective nature. The origins of Alpha School remain undisclosed, with no information available on who initiated its founding.
As the debate over elite education and its impact on society continues, the appearance of Bill Ackman at Alpha School this week promises to add another intriguing chapter to the narrative.
