Hopkinson: Is School Reform About Escaping Blackness?
Natalie Hopkinson is one of our nation’s most interesting and provocative writers. In this article, she asks the question that is the title of this post. She could have gone further to look at the strict disciplinary rules of the “no excuses” schools. Or the nearly all-white young teaching staffs in all-black schools. What is the subtext? I am sure we will more about these issues from her.
Des Moines Reader Ask for Advice
A question from a reader:
“Des Moines Iowa needs some advice.
“Des Moines superintendent candidates narrowed to 3″
” Carey Wright, chief academic officer of the
“Des Moines Iowa needs some advice.
“Des Moines superintendent candidates narrowed to 3″
” Carey Wright, chief academic officer of the
We Owe Oprah an Apology
When readers learned that Oprah’s OWN network was filming in New Orleans, they feared that she would repeat the inflated and fraudulent claims about charter schools that are so often repeated on television. So did I.
But according to this Louisian teacher, all of us were wrong. We owe Oprah an apology. The charter schools face the same problems as public schools.
Here is what the Louisiana teacher reported:
“By the way, if you haven’t seen Oprah channel – OWN – new series “Blackboard Wars” an unreality series filmed at a New Orleans charter, you must. After much fear and trepidation at the idea of its filming it is turning out to be an exposé of the disaster that many of these charters have brought to N.O. Several of the teachers
But according to this Louisian teacher, all of us were wrong. We owe Oprah an apology. The charter schools face the same problems as public schools.
Here is what the Louisiana teacher reported:
“By the way, if you haven’t seen Oprah channel – OWN – new series “Blackboard Wars” an unreality series filmed at a New Orleans charter, you must. After much fear and trepidation at the idea of its filming it is turning out to be an exposé of the disaster that many of these charters have brought to N.O. Several of the teachers
Another Charter School Conflict in Chicago?
Advocates of charter schools can’t understand why anyone questions the purity of their motives or the excellence of their results. When there are scandals, they brush them off as mere anecdotes. When a charter operator steals millions, that’s an anecdote too. Nothing interferes with their belief that deregulation and lack of oversight is the right formula for school success.
In Chicago, we learned recently that the second-ranking official at the UNO charter chain resigned after awarding
In Chicago, we learned recently that the second-ranking official at the UNO charter chain resigned after awarding
Rightwingers Pouring Big Money into Tennessee Voucher Campaign
Tennessee is the next target for voucher advocates.
The far-right American Federation For Children has poured $800,000 into an ad campaign for vouchers. This is the same organization that honored Governor Scott Walker and Michelle Rhee in 2011, the year that Walker went after the teacher unions in Wisconsin.
The voucher campaign has the support of the governor and the state commissioner of education, Kevin Huffman, who is one of the “leaders” produced by Teach for America. And also Rhee’s ex-husband.
The far-right American Federation For Children has poured $800,000 into an ad campaign for vouchers. This is the same organization that honored Governor Scott Walker and Michelle Rhee in 2011, the year that Walker went after the teacher unions in Wisconsin.
The voucher campaign has the support of the governor and the state commissioner of education, Kevin Huffman, who is one of the “leaders” produced by Teach for America. And also Rhee’s ex-husband.
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 3-3-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] Children’s Privacy: Gone Forever? by dianerav Sheila Kaplan of Education New York is a tireless advocate for the privacy rights of children and families. Those rights are now under serious threat, since the U.S. Department of Education decided to change the regulations that protect them (FERPA). She suggests you read the following: Software Industries NPRM to US ED abou Gary Rubinstein’s Brilliant Idea to Fix TFA by dianerav Gary Rubinstein has a brilliant idea... more »
Diane in the Evening 3-2-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Oregon: Fight to Protect Student Privacy Rules by dianerav This parent warns that BIG DATA is working its way into the schools, not only in Oregon but across the nation. Why do they want to know everything about your child? The most likely reason: for marketing stuff to them. We have already learned about the collaboration between the Gates Foundation and Rupert Murdoch to collect student data. Parents in Louisiana are worried about this. So should parents in New York, Massachusetts, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky... more »
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH ALL WEEK LONG Diane Ravitch's blog 3-2-13 #SOSCHAT
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH ALL WEEK LONG
DIANE RAVITCH'S BLOG
