Duncan Press Secretary Working for Rupert Murdoch
Justin Hamilton, who recently stepped down as Arne Duncan’s press secretary, has accepted an executive position at Rupert Murdoch’s Amplify. This division, headed by Joel Klein, sells technology to the schools.
This is funny, because last May I had a Twitter debate with Justin about the role of entrepreneurs in education. I didn’t see much good coming from injecting the profit motive into schooling, and Justin disagreed. He landed in the right place for him.
This is funny, because last May I had a Twitter debate with Justin about the role of entrepreneurs in education. I didn’t see much good coming from injecting the profit motive into schooling, and Justin disagreed. He landed in the right place for him.
If This Doesn’t Break Your Heart, Nothing Will
Nancy Flanagan tells the story of what happened to Detroit. Once it was a vibrant city with a thriving automobile industry, once its schools were the envy of urban education, now it is a wasteland, a symbol of urban decline. Corporate-style reformers like to blame the low test scores and dysfunction of the schools on the teachers. They say, if only they could get the right evaluation system. If only they could bust the union. If only they could abolish tenure.
But Flanagan says that Detroit has some of the finest teachers she has
But Flanagan says that Detroit has some of the finest teachers she has
Georgia: Why Are We Wasting Money on More Testing?
Michael Moore, a literacy professor in Georgia, thinks that the state has more tests than it needs already. Where will it get the money for the new Common Core assessments. Moore quotes Peter DeWitt on this blog to make his point. He writes:
“Peter Dewitt, an elementary principal writing in Diane Ravitch’s blog, notes that “we lack the infrastructure to be
“Peter Dewitt, an elementary principal writing in Diane Ravitch’s blog, notes that “we lack the infrastructure to be
The Great Texas Mirage (er, “Miracle”) Debunked
Jason Stanford is an Austin-based writer who has come to understand the sham of the Texas accountability system.
He knows that there is an old tradition in Texas called “brags.”
Back in 2000, a candidate for the presidency named George W. Bush bragged about
He knows that there is an old tradition in Texas called “brags.”
Back in 2000, a candidate for the presidency named George W. Bush bragged about
Why Send Teachers with Least Preparation to Neediest Districts?
Sarah Darer Littman writes regularly about education for Connecticut media.
She recently took her daughter on a tour to select a college where she could get a strong bachelor’s degree and prepare for a career in teaching. Yes, there are still idealistic young people who see teaching
She recently took her daughter on a tour to select a college where she could get a strong bachelor’s degree and prepare for a career in teaching. Yes, there are still idealistic young people who see teaching
Rothstein: Cannot Close Achievement Gap without Ending Segregation
Richard Rothstein spoke to the AASA and told them that “reformers” like Joel Klein were wrong in claiming that high expectations and better teachers would close the achievement gap.
Here is a summary of his presentation:
Rothstein: Segregation Practices Block Achievement Gains
Here is a summary of his presentation:
Rothstein: Segregation Practices Block Achievement Gains
Sign the National Resolution Against High-Stakes Testing
Join thousands of others to say no to rewards and punishments tied to test scores:
http://timeoutfromtesting.org/nationalresolution/
http://timeoutfromtesting.org/nationalresolution/
Indiana Senate Halts Implentation of Common Core
The Indiana State Senate voted to halt implementation of the Common Core standards until there had been hearings across the state. The action was brought about by the fervent opposition of two angry moms.
A Parent at Eastside Memorial in Austin Tells What Happened
This just in, as I prepare to join a march and rally in Austin with “Save Texas Schools.” Be it noted that the superintendent in Austin, a high-performing district on NAEP, is an alum of the unaccredited Broad Superintendent Academy, which allegedly teaches management skills. The board majority shifted against her 5-4 after the last election but the previous board had extended her contract at its last meeting.
The parent writes:
Dear Diane, Thank you so much for sharing our story! ~~
There are many misconceptions about our school. Some
The parent writes:
Dear Diane, Thank you so much for sharing our story! ~~
There are many misconceptions about our school. Some
Why the Parent Trigger is an Empty Promise
The Annenberg Institute for School Reform has published an informative review of the controversy over the so-called parent trigger law.
It explains the genesis of the idea, how it evolved, who is behind it, where it has been adopted, and why it offers meager prospects for either parent empowerment or school improvement. The brief includes a good summary of how parents can help improve their schools.
It explains the genesis of the idea, how it evolved, who is behind it, where it has been adopted, and why it offers meager prospects for either parent empowerment or school improvement. The brief includes a good summary of how parents can help improve their schools.
Diane in the Evening 2-22-13 Diane Ravitch's blog
Diane Ravitch's blog: Massachusetts Professors Oppose High-Stakes Testing by dianerav Nearly 150 professors at universities in Massachusetts issued a statement in opposition to high-stakes testing. As the national movement against the misuse and abuse of standardized tests grows, the mainstream media is starting to take note and report on it. More than 800 school boards in Texas; prominent superintendents like Joshua Starr and Heath Morrison; teachers at Garfield High in Seattle; students in Portland, Oregon, and Providence, RI. Every day, the reaction against high-stakes testin... more »