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Friday, January 18, 2013

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 1-18-13 Diane Ravitch's blog

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Why Garfield Teachers Boycotted the MAP Test

Jesse Hagopian a teacher at Garfield High School in Seattle, explains why every teacher in the school voted to boycott the MAP test.
The teachers at Garfield are an inspiration to friends nd supporters of public education acros America.
They are champions of students, and they are already on the honor roll for their courage and heroism.


Walmart Made the Bushmaster the Most Popular Assault Weapon in US

Think of it. The biggest retail store in the US and maybe the world sells the weapon of choice for mass murderers, the Bushmaster AR-15. This was the weapon used to kill a dozen people in a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado. It was the weapon used to murder 20 children and six educators in Newtown, Connecticut. And it is easy to buy one at your local Walmart.
Walmart may be the biggest gun shop in the nation.
All that money gets funneled into a family and a foundation that is devoted to privatizing public education. Last 

A Superintendent in New Jersey Joins the Honor Roll

I am pleased to add Michael A. Rossi, Jr., of Madison, New Jersey, to the honor roll as a hero of public education
Superintendent has served long and faithfully in the public schools. He is proud of his district. He is a career educator. He is a leader.
He is a hero for speaking out forcefully and publicly about he insane overload of “reforms” piled on the schools all 

Wake the Town and Tell the People

If we all speak out based on our knowledge and experience, we can turn this privatization movement around. It is led by people who know nothing about teaching or children. They are obsessed with data and incentives and punishments. Their bad ideas keep failing.
From a reader:
Hi Diane.
This is the first time I have commented on your blog but I have been reading your posts since the blog’s 

Chaotic Situation in Muskegon Heights

The governor-appointed emergency manager who was put in charge of Muskegon Heights public schools decided to privatize the schools, fire the teachers, and hire a for-profit charter operator, Mosaica.
The governor and his rightwing allies are certain that a for-profit corporation will succeed where public education failed. You might say that Govermor Rick Snyder is following Andy Smarick’s belief that you can’t improve low-performing schools, you have to close them down and start over with new management.

My Good News

As readers may recall, I started a new book last June.
I finished it and turned it over to the editor on January 15.
The manuscript was nearly 600 pages.
In print form, it should be about half that length.
If you have been reading the blog all along, you know w

School Closings in Sacramento

Eleven elementary schools in Sacramento are going to close.
All are in low-income, diverse communities.
Some are high-performing re test scores.
Please, someone, write and explain.

Key Republicans in Wisconsin Halt Voucher Expansion

Two key Republican state legislators in Wisconsin said they would not permit an expansion of vouchers unless there was a local vote.
Voucher opponents oppose local referenda.
No wonder. Vouchers are very unpopular and have never won a popular election.
Supporters say children need choice to go to a better school, but there is no voucher program in the US where 

Mayor Bloomberg Has a Hissy Fit

Apparently it was Mayor Bloomberg who scuttled talks between the city and the unions. The unions wanted a sunset clause, the mayor demanded no sunset clause.
According to Ernest Logan of the supervisors’ union, most districts have a sunset clause:
““The CSA and the DOE were closing in on a final agreement on January 16, just before midnight. However, 

Jersey Jazzman on Rhee’s Memogate

Jersey jazzman dissects John Merrow’s report on the Case of the Missing Memo.
Why won’t DCPS release the memo?
What secret does it contain?
Will John Merrow keep digging?
How many doors closed on him when he asked

Diane in the Evening 1-17-13 Diane Ravitch's blog

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago
Diane Ravitch's blog: Charter School Math in Connecticut by dianerav Connecticut has the misfortune to have a bad combination: a significant group of very rich hedge fund managers devoted to charter schools and a state commissioner of education who wants to open more charter schools. The charter schools in the state serve disproportionately small numbers of English language learners. So is it a good idea to open more of them? Here’s a Corporate Reformers Waste over Half Million in Bridgeport Election by dianerav A reader in Connecticut links to Jonathan Pelto’s report of spendin... more »