Blue Jersey:: Education Reform That's For The Birds

Blue Jersey:: Education Reform That's For The Birds:

Education Reform That's For The Birds by: Norma Ray Mon Nov 14, 2011 at 01:53:47 PM EST

promoted by Rosi If education historian Diane Ravitch was the all-knowing eagle of education during her speech at last week's New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) Convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey's Acting Education Commissioner, Chris Cerf, was clearly the prey being circled by hawks. Blue Jersey's own Deciminyanreviewed Ravitch's speech, and it's a must read in light of my review of Cerf's... In a standing room only venue, all eyes and ears, and iPhones and iPads, were trained on Cerf as he spoke to educators for about an hour. Tweets and texts were flying from the more tech-savvy, while others took notes with pen and paper. Cerf represents everything educators know is wrong about the divisive, corporate 'reforms' that are destroying public education nationwide: increased reliance on standardized testing and charter schools, vouchers, merit pay, andvalue added measures (VAM). The former New York City Deputy Schools Chancellor under Joel Klein, Cerf came to New Jersey with some professional baggage. Leonie Haimson, education