Mark Harmon: 'Backpack Full of Cash' warns of charter school dangers

The documentary "Backpack Full of Cash" was in Knoxville last month for three showings before hundreds of people — some politicos, but mostly teachers and parents. The League of Women Voters and its co-sponsors did a community service by arranging these showings.The documentary details how vouchers and charter schools do not live up to their promises, sometimes attract scam operators, and lead to massive disinvestment in public education.

"Backpack," released in 2016, showed how 19 Philadelphia charter schools were under fraud investigation, all while several public schools closed. The film relayed how school privatization largely has failed New Orleans. Tennessee is high on the privatization target list; 59 privatization lobbyists are working our state Legislature.