Saturday, October 13, 2012

Diane in the Evening 10-13-12 Diane Ravitch's blog

Diane Ravitch's blog:





HOW TO JOIN THE CAMPAIGN FOR OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS

As a result of many comments on this blog, and in response to a great yearning to raise our voices, many teachers, parents, students, administrators and concerned citizens plan to join together in a mass letter-writing campaign to the President.
We want all letters submitted here to this blog or to Anthony Cody no later than October 17.
You may write to the White House directly, and the mail address is in the instructions link. But if you do, you will be required to disclose your identity in full. Knowing that many educators are fearful these days, you may send Anthony and me your letter without disclosing your name.
Please add as much detail as possible about your concerns. Be clear. Be specific.


When Students Join the Battle for Sound Education, It Will Be a Game-Changer

Nikhil Goyal is a very articulate high school senior who just published a book about what is needed in American education.
He wrote a letter to the editor of the NY Times, and his letter was so impressive that it became the focus for one of the Times’ Sunday dialogues.
That means that the Times invited readers to respond to his letter with their own.
This led to quite an interesting exchange.
The only addition I would make to the discussion is that the test results are used to bash teachers, knock public 


Best Practices: You Will Laugh Out Loud

EduShyster has written another fabulous post, this one on a theme that readers of this blog know well: What are the “best practices” that turn charter schools into media sensations?
Wherever you live, send this post to whoever covers education. The journalists should pay attention. EduShyster is a terrific teacher.