[brwnll]

The specifics of charter school success isn't really the main concept of the article. I believe the grandparent is pointing out the writer attacks the "billionaire philanthropists" donations as an assault on democracy, without acknowledging that the main donors on the other side were all vested interest groups (Teachers Unions, etc)

[r00fus]

In this case, I think I trust vested interests (teachers unions) more than unaccountable external parties with billions of dollars.

I also question whether it's "philanthropy" or just plain business - meaning these foundations see a way to make a profitable "omelet" by breaking the public education "eggs"?

[barney54]

But the vested interests(teacher's unions) aren't vested to protect educational outcomes, but the teachers. I don't see why we should trust them more than large donors to charter school campaigns.

[bobwaycott]

The article more than acknowledged the vested interests on the opposing side. The author even breaks down their actual campaign contributions and budgets. I'm not sure what you think it means to acknowledge both sides, but even despite the article's obvious biases, there was very clear delineation of both sides, their budgets, and their impacts.