A Wonderful Article About Destructive Reforms
The New York Times has a terrific article today by Michael Brick about the destructive policies that are called “reforms.” This is the first time in my memory that an article in the newspaper of record–albeit an opinion piece–has acknowledged that both political parties share the same demented and punitive approach and that their ideas are hurting, not helping.
Please read it. It gives me hope that our message is breaking through the elaborate publicity machine of corporate education reform.
Here is a sample:
“For the past three decades, one administration after another has sought to fix America’s troubled schools by making them compete with one another. Mr. Obama has put up billions of dollars for his Race to the Top program, a federal sweepstakes where state educational systems are judged head-to-head largely on the basis
Please read it. It gives me hope that our message is breaking through the elaborate publicity machine of corporate education reform.
Here is a sample:
“For the past three decades, one administration after another has sought to fix America’s troubled schools by making them compete with one another. Mr. Obama has put up billions of dollars for his Race to the Top program, a federal sweepstakes where state educational systems are judged head-to-head largely on the basis
Karen Lewis Explains School Reform to the Chicago City Club
Karen Lewis bravely led the teachers’ strike in Chicago. This was not an action that she or the members of the Chicago Teachers Union took lightly. They deliberated, they debated and in the end, 90% of the members (and 98% of those who voted) supported the strike. Given their near unanimity, no one could make the mealy-mouthed claim that they love teachers but not their union. In Chicago, the home of teacher unionism, the home of AFT Local 1, the union is the teachers, and the teachers are the union.
In this link, Karen Lewis addresses the Chicago City Club. This is a civic organization whose members include the civic, business and political leaders of the city.
Please watch this speech! It is a brilliant dissection of why “reform,” as presently defined, is failing. And it is a
In this link, Karen Lewis addresses the Chicago City Club. This is a civic organization whose members include the civic, business and political leaders of the city.
Please watch this speech! It is a brilliant dissection of why “reform,” as presently defined, is failing. And it is a
What Happened to Local Control in Nashville?
Amy Frogge is a recently elected member of the Metro Nashville school board. She overcame a heavily funded opponent. She was named to our honor roll because she ran for school board to speak for parents and students. A lawyer, she takes her civic duty seriously. She believes in democracy, where the people closest to the problems have a voice in resolving them.
That’s why she has been a strong opponent of the Great Hearts charter school. Frogge describes the situation here.
Its plans were inadequate in relation to diversity. Few of the Arizona Great Hearts schools are diverse. This was not acceptable to the Nashville school board. It was no problem for state commissioner of education Kevin
That’s why she has been a strong opponent of the Great Hearts charter school. Frogge describes the situation here.
Its plans were inadequate in relation to diversity. Few of the Arizona Great Hearts schools are diverse. This was not acceptable to the Nashville school board. It was no problem for state commissioner of education Kevin
US DOE: Pennsylvania Can’t Inflate Charter Scores
The U.S. Department of Education ruled invalid Pennsylvania’s effort to inflate the scores of charter schools by treating them as local school districts.
Here is a description of what state education secretary Ron Tomalis tried to do.
The state’s charter-friendly education department had decided to treat charters as districts for purposes of NCLB
Here is a description of what state education secretary Ron Tomalis tried to do.
The state’s charter-friendly education department had decided to treat charters as districts for purposes of NCLB
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 11-22-12 Diane Ravitch's blog
Diane Ravitch's blog: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] I Give Thanks to You by dianerav On this day, I pause to thank you, the readers of this blog. I thank you because you care about children and the future of education. I thank you because you understand that the way we educate our children today shapes the society we will live in for decades to come. I thank you because you teach me, you encourage me, you give me strength. I thank those of you who are parents, doing what is best for your child or children. I thank those of you who are educators, who have dedicat... more »