Why Due Process (aka “Tenure”) Matters « Diane Ravitch's blog

Why Due Process (aka “Tenure”) Matters « Diane Ravitch's blog:

Why Due Process (aka “Tenure”) Matters

by dianerav

From a reader:

Without due process, I would not put it past local school boards to balance their ever-decreasing budgets on the backs of experienced teachers. Allowing Virginia teachers to be fired without cause reminds me of the times when female teachers could not keep their jobs when they were pregnant. These continual attacks on educators is incredibly demoralizing. It is harder and harder to tell my students, “Excellent choice,” when they say they want to be a teacher when they grow up.

Farewell, Nora Ephron

by dianerav

I was sad to hear that Nora Ephron died.
We were at Wellesley College at the same time.
She was two years behind me, class of 1962. I am class of 1960.
I was editor of the Wellesley College News when Nora joined

Greetings to Readers Outside the U.S.

by dianerav

I love seeing the listing of where readers live outside the U.S.
Of course, I am happy to see friends in Australia, Canada, the U.K., and New Zealand.
But special greetings this evening to readers in India, Israel, Chile, Germany, France, the Russian Federation, the Philippines, and Chile.
Isn’t the Internet wonderful?
Diane

Need I Say More?

by dianerav

Bloomberg News Social column June 26, 2012

Born to Rise’

Jonathan Gray, Blackstone Group LP (BX) senior managing director, was at the IAC Building last night to fete Deborah Kenny, the founder and chief executive officer of Harlem Village Academies, on her new book “Born to Rise: A Story of Children and Teachers Reaching Their Highest Potential.”
“The idea of kids who live a mile north from my kids and have little educational opportunity feels wrong,” Gray said at the party hosted by Barry Diller and Diane von Furstenberg, with Donna Karan, Calvin Klein and Katie Couric in attendance.
Help goes beyond financial. Gray’s wife, Mindy Gray, is a Homework Helper. Jane Och, the wife of Daniel Och,

Life and Death in a “Turnaround” School

by dianerav

A reader in New York City writes to describe the closing scenes in a Turnaround school. I can’t help but think of the desk jockeys inside the Beltway, the gals and guys who pull down six figures to explain why “turnaround” is a great idea. And all those consultants ready to swoop in for half a million or so. Then then there are the public relations consultants who will tell the media that this wonderful plan is working. The think tanks will celebrate: the theory works! Who are those ants on the ground. People, you say? But they are data, not people. Remember, it’s all about the children!
No problem: Just fire everyone, and it’s time for a do-over. Start fresh!
From D.C. it looks good. But at the school, it doesn’t look that great. A community dies. People pack their things. Careers ended, a school has died. It hurts:

Since you mention “turnaround schools,” I thought I would offer a glimpse of what is happening at the school I work at in Queens, NY that is undergoing turnaround. It is grim! The hiring process is awful. We teachers (and