To save our schools, wear sunblock and bring ideas | Taking Note #SOSMarch

To save our schools, wear sunblock and bring ideas | Taking Note

To save our schools, wear sunblock and bring ideas

by JOHN MERROW on 26. JUL, 2011 in ARNE DUNCAN, DIANE RAVITCH, EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, EDUCATION WARS,EDUCATIONAL LANGUAGE, LAST IN FIRST OUT, MICHELLE RHEE, SAVE OUR SCHOOLS MARCH AND RALLY, STANDARIZED TESTS,TESTING, INNOVATION, MEDIA, READING, TEACHERS UNIONS

As always, remember that John’s book The Influence of Teachers is for sale at Amazon.

I won’t be reporting from Saturday’s Save Our Schools March and Rally because my young granddaughters (and their parents) are visiting from Barcelona, but it’s likely that PBS NewsHour will have a presence there. The rally and march are being organized by teachers from across the country — and has attracted promises to attend from numerous big names in the field, as well as endorsements from Jonathan Kozol, Deborah Meier, Diane Ravitch and others. I regret missing the event, because I expect I would recognize a lot of people there. I wish everyone well.

I have a question, however. The acronym, SOS, is catchy and convenient — the internationally recognized cry for help. But what are protestors hoping to save our schools FROM? And, just as important, what are they FOR?

I am one of those middle-of-the-road guys who is concerned about the polarization of public education.