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Thursday, June 9, 2011

Is Diane Ravitch Insulting Teachers? Who Speaks for Us? - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher

Is Diane Ravitch Insulting Teachers? Who Speaks for Us? - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher

Is Diane Ravitch Insulting Teachers? Who Speaks for Us?

Last week, in the pages of the New York Times, Diane Ravitch went after the most sacred of cows of the education "reform" movement -- the supposed "miracle schools" that prove the reforms actually work.

Columinist Jonathan Alter offered a rebuttal that was carried in a media outlet owned by leading education "reformer," New York mayor Michael Bloomberg. But his approach was to attack Diane Ravitch, and had little substance. It was immediately rebutted by dozens of commenters (including me -- see here.)

Duncan himself was compelled to respond -- the only thing more significant would have been if Obama himself had responded. And in his response, Duncan presumed to speak for teachers, saying, "Diane Ravitch is in denial and she is insulting all of the hardworking teachers, principals and students all across the country who are proving her wrong every day."

Jonathan Alter has been on the defensive since, and his performance in a debate with Diane Ravitch on David