Help Families, Don't Hype Miracles, Says Ravitch
Instead of "Waiting for a School Miracle," last week's 2nd most-clicked ASCD SmartBrief story, Diane Ravitch says society should invest in families, "children's most important educators." Of course schools should improve, says Ravitch, but schools alone cannot live up to the miraculous transformations heralded in the press and by the Administration. Be skeptical, put the numbers into perspective, and look at the results over the long-term, Ravitch says of miracle turnarounds.
Instead of magic beans, Ravitch says society can support stronger families, through parental education, prenatal care and preschool, for example.
Ravitch noted in an earlier column that the perpetuation of education policy based on myth has its roots in the