Calling All Pro Bono Lawyers
A reader just raised an interesting question offline.
He lives in New Jersey, where the state constitution requires that the state provide a “thorough and efficient” public education.
New Jersey officials today are doing their best to dismantle and privatize the state’s public education system.
Are they violating their oath of office?
What does it say in other state constitutions where the privatizers are busy dismantling the public system for fun, power, profit and ideology?
He lives in New Jersey, where the state constitution requires that the state provide a “thorough and efficient” public education.
New Jersey officials today are doing their best to dismantle and privatize the state’s public education system.
Are they violating their oath of office?
What does it say in other state constitutions where the privatizers are busy dismantling the public system for fun, power, profit and ideology?
Will Educators’ Disgust with Race to the Top Affect the Election?
Many of us have wondered whether President Obama hears the voices of teachers. Many have wondered whether he understands that educators–not only teachers, but principals and superintendents–despise Race to the Top and see it as a calculated effort to undermine professionalism and advance the privatization agenda. And many have wondered whether the President knows that he may be jeopardizing his re-election by turning off an
Charter Fails, Principal Wins Big
A charter school in Orange County, Florida, closed its doors for the last time in June.
The principal took home a cash payout of more than $500,000 after the school failed.
The local public school board is outraged and says the taxpayers’ money should be returned to the district.
The principal’s customary salary was $305,000, almost triple the $116,000 typically paid to public school principals in the same district.
She is still on partial salary as she helps to close out the school.
As the song goes, “nice work if you can get it…”
The principal took home a cash payout of more than $500,000 after the school failed.
The local public school board is outraged and says the taxpayers’ money should be returned to the district.
The principal’s customary salary was $305,000, almost triple the $116,000 typically paid to public school principals in the same district.
She is still on partial salary as she helps to close out the school.
As the song goes, “nice work if you can get it…”
Farewell, Kathy 1
I received a tweet tonight that said that one of our faithful readers, and a frequent commenter on this site, whom I knew only as Kathy 1, had died very unexpectedly.
Her name, I learned from the tweet, was Kathy DuPuis.
This was the tweet: “We lost a good friend and warrior for public education this week. She came home from a long trip, tired and worn out, logged onto her computer and commented on a Diane Ravitch blog.”
Her last comment was October 17 at 5:12 pm. She commented on a post about President Obama’s Disappointing Response, a form letter written to one of us. She wrote: “President Obama can’t say teachers don’t care.”
Farewell, Kathy 1. Your voice will be missed. I hope President Obama heard you. We did
Her name, I learned from the tweet, was Kathy DuPuis.
This was the tweet: “We lost a good friend and warrior for public education this week. She came home from a long trip, tired and worn out, logged onto her computer and commented on a Diane Ravitch blog.”
Her last comment was October 17 at 5:12 pm. She commented on a post about President Obama’s Disappointing Response, a form letter written to one of us. She wrote: “President Obama can’t say teachers don’t care.”
Farewell, Kathy 1. Your voice will be missed. I hope President Obama heard you. We did
Michelle Rhee Gives $500,000 to beat Unions in Michigan
Michelle Rhee continues as the front group for corporations, right wing millionaires and billionaires who want to bust unions. She is joined in her opposition to Michigan’s Prop 2 by the deceptively named Democrats for Education Reform, the group founded by Wall Street hedge fund managers to advance privatization.
Diane in the Afternoon 10-25-12 Diane Ravitch's blog
Diane Ravitch's blog: The Real Goal of Reformers: Re-Segregation? by dianerav Anthony Cody has a stunning article this week about what is happening in Louisiana. The expansion of vouchers and charters will facilitate the re-segregation of the schools, he predicts. Governor Jindal eliminated all funding for public libraries in his new budget. TFA Commissioner has put a young and unqualified TFA alum in charge of teacher evaluation. The freight train of reform (aka privatization) is running full blast in that unfortunate state. Arne Duncan will be there any day now to congratulate ... more »
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 10-25-12 Diane Ravitch's blog
Diane Ravitch's blog: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] Teachers Running for Office in Ohio by dianerav What’s the best way to stop the attack on teachers? Run for office. Many teachers in Ohio figured that out, and they are running for legislative seats. Some are taking on impossible tasks, but, hey, you never know. When the legislators refuse to listen, then run against them. Organize parents and others who care about public education. Run for office. On the list linked here A Student Activist and a Hero of Public Education by dianerav Zack Koppelin is a hero of... more »