Diane Ravitch's blog
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DIANE RAVITCH'S BLOG
CEO of Netflix a Leader of Corporate Reform Movement
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 1 hour ago
If you follow the money, you notice that Reed Hastings of Netflix is a major funder of corporate reform. He contributes to the campaigns of pro-privatization candidates across the nation. His Wikipedia bio says: “Hastings is active in educational philanthropy and politics and one of the issues Hastings most strongly advocates is charter schools, publicly […]
Why Did David Letterman Invite Only TFA for Teacher Appreciation Week?
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 2 hours ago
This teacher noticed with chagrin that David Letterman invited ten Teach for America teachers to deliver his top ten reasons for Teacher Appreciation week. Somewhat in Letterman’s defense, I have to say that the top ten reasons, which were mostly sardonic and cynical, did not reflect much credit on teachers or on the kids who […]
Anthony Cody: Who Supports Mayoral Control?
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 19 hours ago
Anthony Cody describes the campaign to put mayors in charge of school districts and the reasons behind it. The biggest supporter of mayoral control is Arne Duncan. When mayoral control was up for renewal in Néw York City, he weighed in to support it. He lobbied against any effort to give the mayor’s appointees set […]
Will Obama and Duncan Condemn School Closings in Chicago?
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 20 hours ago
Chicago Public Schools voted to close down dozens of public schools. As many as 40,000 children are losing their schools, many of who are children with disabilities. The vast majority of the children are African American. Will the President and Secretary of Education speak out against this willful destruction of public schools and communities? This […]
The Scoop on Chicago Privatization
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 21 hours ago
Just saw this amazing interview and could not resist posting it in full: ******************* An Interview with Paul Horton : What Goes on in Chicago—Should be exposed to the world? [Paul Horton is a History teacher at the University of Chicago Laboratory High School] Posted by Michael Shaughnessy EducationViews Senior Columnist on May 18, 2013 […]
Norm Scott: Obama’s Dilemma
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 21 hours ago
Norm Scott, retired NYC teacher posted this on his website, Ed Notes Online: We have Al Qaeda on the run but right now the biggest threat to our agenda is Karen Lewis and the Chicago Teachers Union,” said an Obama spokesperson. “Our pal Rahm Emanuel has been forced to close 50 schools in retaliation for […]
North Carolina Newspaper Puts Public Schools First
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 21 hours ago
The Wilmington, North Carolina, Star-News published an editorial recognizing the danger of taking money away from public schools and giving it to charters, vouchers, and private vendors. The editorial begins: “Private schools and charter schools may satisfy individual parents, but they will not improve the public schools. They take not only money out of the […]
Why It Is Hard to Boycott Walmart
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 22 hours ago
I never want to shop at Walmart. I hate to see even a penny of my money going to support the Walton family crusade to privatize American education. However, I am in Watkins Glen in upstate Néw York, a beautiful town on Lake Seneca. I am here awaiting the birth of my fourth grandson. I […]
Chicago: Time for a Néw Mayor
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 22 hours ago
George Buzzetti writes: “Chicago, you must set the agenda not Emmanuel and his destruction crew. You must take back control of Chicago and the School Board. There is nothing like a politician who gets the public mad as hell at them for change. In L.A. Monica Ratliff was elected with only $44,000 against more than […]
Big Rumor in Louisiana: John White Heading to DC
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 1 day ago
The Louisiana blogs, which these days are the only place in that corrupt state to read honest and probing discourse, are buzzing with rumors that their state commissioner John White will soon leave for a job with Arne Duncan. If true, he will not be missed. Jindal will find another reactionary ideologue to take White’s […]
John White Makes Excuses for Low-Scoring Voucher Students
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 1 day ago
Vouchers were supposed to “save poor kids from failing schools,” but what happens when the voucher schools are far worse than the public schools? John White made excuses. He blamed the schools they attended the previous year. No excuses, John! “LEAP scores for third- through eighth-graders show only 40 percent of voucher students scored at […]
Temps Scoring Essay Questions on State Tests
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 1 day ago
This article may explain why the big testing corporations want machines to score essays. How do you think they score them now? How do you think they have been scored for many years? By temps. By people earning $10-12 an hour with no particular skills and minimal training. Not long ago, I posted a story […]
An Account of Historic, Tragic Day in Chicago
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 1 day ago
The best reporting on the historic closure of dozens of Chicago public schools was in the Sun-Times. It provided a human face to a public tragedy. Most moving were the scenes at schools listed for clisure. The board voted enmasse. It didn’t even take time to name the schools it killed. The decision was rendered […]
How Low Can Rahm Go?
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 1 day ago
Rahm Emanuel has distinguished himself by his sycophancy towards Chicago’s power elite. Here “The Nation” dissects his tawdry record. The Chicago Teachers Union plans a voter registration drive to sign up new voters in the communities damaged by Rahm’s school closings.
Alabama Teacher of the Year: A Great Teacher Whose School Did Not Make AYP
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 1 day ago
Alison Grizzle was chosen as Alabama Teacher of the Year. Read this article and watch the video and you will see why. She teaches math at P.D. Jackson-Olin High School in Birmingham. She is a National Board Certified Teacher. Her school did not make AYP. The punitive, no-brain law called No Child Left Behind claims […]
PT Barnum and the Louisiana Circus
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 1 day ago
Louisiana matters hugely to the fate of American public because of the myth that Néw Orleans had a miraculous transformation once Hurricane Katrina wiped out the public schools and the teachers’ union. Julian Vasquez Heilig here explains that the myth is a lie. The Louisiana Department of Education controls the data and they are not […]
Rahm: No Money for Schools But Millions for….
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 1 day ago
Even as Rahm Emanuel says he has no money for schools, none at all, the cupboard is bare….. He somehow managed to find $55 million to build a private basketball stadium. Now, this is a mayor with priorities!
Scott Walker Determined to Privatize Wisconsin Schools
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 1 day ago
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is following the ALEC script: More charters More vouchers Lower standards for entry into teaching Did he ask the voters if they want to get rid of public education? No.
Who Is the Most Loathsome Person in American Politics?
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 1 day ago
One guess. .
How ALEC Sets the Agenda in Ohio
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 1 day ago
Ohio leaders–Governor John Kasich and the Legislature–are determined to privatize public education, demoralize teachers, and generate profits for entrepreneurs and campaign contributors. Here is the latest from Bill Phillis, who is leading a campaign to stop the destruction of public education in Ohio. A former deputy commissioner of education, he leads the Ohio Education and […]
This Student Refused to Take the State Test
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 1 day ago
Zoe is in the sixth grade in North Carolina. She decided to opt out of the state tests.her parents supported her. At first, the school told her there would be no repercussions. But when testing day came, her family got a letter warning that she would not be allowed to come back to school unless […]
Time for an Elected School Board in Chicago
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 1 day ago
This article argues that Chicago needs an elected school board. Rahm’s school board sounds like the Politburo, all voting in unison to do what is unconscionable. One protester said, “Every school is my school.” This is the saddest comment of all: “In between the dramatic scenes of angry audience members refusing to leave the podium, […]
LA Times: How Monica Ratliff Won
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 1 day ago
Howard Blume has a terrific article explaining how Monica Ratliff beat Antonio Sanchez and his multi-million $$$ campaign fund. Sanchez had millions of dollars, a large staff, the endorsement of the LA Democratic Party (thanks, Mayor Villarigosa), and major labor unions. Monica raised $52,000, had no paid staff, and taught her class every day. She […]
Chicago: Most Disgusting Editorial on Mass Closings
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 2 days ago
The Chicago Tribune would have advised American troops to lay down their arms when defeat seemed certain. They would have advised appeasement in the 1930s. This is an editorial board that cares not a whit for 40,000 children (not their children, after all) or for public education. The Chicago Tribune editorial board is composed of […]
What Is “Creative Destruction”? Who Wins? Who Loses?
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 2 days ago
This is a brilliant, stunning analysis by a reader, who explores the goals of corporate reformers–using the template of Schumpeter’s ideas–and contrast them to the ethics of educators. She says that the market reformers and educators are necessarily at odds because their basic values are in conflict. Read the whole post, not just my excerpts. […]
Chicago School Closings: The Largest in US History
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 2 days ago
Never in U.S. history has a local school board–or any other board, appointed or elected–chosen to close 49 public schools. Never. That’s what the Chicago Public Schools did yesterday. Thousands of parents, students, and teachers objected, but Mayor Rahm Emanuel and his puppet board didn’t care. Yesterday was a day of infamy in Chicago and […]
Are Teachers Overpaid? The Last Word Comes from Oklahoma
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 2 days ago
A few years ago, a study released by the American Enterprise Institute concluded that teachers are overpaid. Not so, writes CNN contributor LZ Granderson. In this wonderful article, he shows the every day courage of teachers–most recently demonstrated when a devastating tornado hit an elementary school in Moore, Oklahoma, and last December when teachers in […]
Is the Reform Movement Based on the Soviet Model?
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 2 days ago
Author William Doyle has been observing the current “reform movement” promoted by people like Arne Duncan, Michael Bloomberg, Bobby Jindal, Rick Snyder, Rick Scott, and Michelle Rhee, and he has developed a theory about its true nature. Doyle thinks that the current movement is Soviet-style, with unrealistic targets and top-down control. What struck me as […]
Texas Fails to Create Privatized “Recovery” District–So Far
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 2 days ago
In the closing days of the Texas legislative session, an effort to create a so-called “recovery school district” or “achievement district” failed to pass. However, its sponsors tucked it into another bill, and its ultimate fate is uncertain. The article notes that the bill has the support of some of the state’s wealthiest lobbyists, including […]
Karen Lewis Reacts to Largest Mass Closure of Public Schools in US History
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 2 days ago
Karen Lewis reacts to Chicago school board’s decision: Karen Lewis Reaction to Chicago Board of Education’s Vote to Close the Largest Number of Schools in an Urban School District in U.S. History CHICAGO – Today, Chicago Teachers Union Karen Lewis released the following statement on the largest school closings in U.S. history: “Today is a […]
Just Heard from Monica
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 2 days ago
Monica Ratliff just emailed to thank all of us for our help. She was rushing off to teach her fifth grade class. She never stopped teaching while running for office. Dear friends, your contributions made a difference. Together we will turn the tide and restore American education to focus on children and learning and collaboration, […]
Join Discussion of Parent Trigger Hoax: LINK ADDED
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 2 days ago
Please join this important discussion about the corporate attempt to trick parents into handing their public schools over to private corporations: The Parent Trigger from California to Florida Sunday, May 26, 2013 from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM Pacific Time We will be hearing from Lori Yuan, a parent in Adelanto who fought the Parent […]
The Connecticut Corporate Reform Gravy Train
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 3 days ago
Now that Commissioner Pryor has the go-ahead from Governor Malloy to apply the principles of corporate education reform, he has loaded up the payroll of the state education department with his fellow reformers. Here comes the privatization movement, prepared to bust unions, demoralize teachers, and generate profits for friends of the movement. Naturally, there is […]
UTLA Leaders Spotted at Sanchez Headquarters, But Ratliff Wins
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 3 days ago
Monica Ratliff won by the same margin of victory as Steve Zimmer, 52-48. Zimmer had the full support of the UTLA. Ratliff did not. UTLA gave her a contribution of $1,000, but endorsed both candidates. On election night, UTLA leaders were seen at Sanchez headquarters. What gives? How do you spell “egg on your face?”
What You Need to Know About inBloom
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 3 days ago
Anthony Cody has an excellent post that explains what you need to know about the massive data-collection program called inBloom. The database will contain detailed personal information about students and teachers. The corporation cannot guarantee the security of this data. Arne Duncan made inBloom possible by loosening the regulations of FERPA, the federal law that […]
Monica Ratliff Wins, Beats Billionaires!
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 3 days ago
Monica Ratliff won a historic upset in Los Angeles! She won with 52% of the vote! She had less than $50,000 in small contributions. Her opponent Antonio Sanchez had the support of billionaire Eli Broad, billionaire Michael Bloomberg, and organized labor groups. People power beat money power!!!
Mercedes Schneider Deconstructs the Hype about New Orleans
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 3 days ago
The Laura and John Arnold Foundation in Houston made a gift of $25 million to a group called New Schools for New Orleans to create and expand more high performing charter schools in that much touted city. John Arnold made a fortune as a trader at Enron. The hype surrounding New Orleans is so commonplace […]
More Charter Operators Coming to Néw Orleans
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 3 days ago
New Orleans has a higher proportion of students in privately-managed charters than any other district in the nation. Most get poor ratings. Research on Reforms says that 79% of the charters in the Recovery School District were graded D or F by the state. The Cowen Institute, a big supporter of charters, reported that 66% […]
Too Close to Call: Monica Leads in Early Returns: Update
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 3 days ago
I am holding my breath. In the early returns in the Los Angeles school board race, underdog Monica Ratliff is slightly ahead of Antonio Sanchez. With only one-quarter of the precincts reporting, Monica had about 51% of the vote to Sanchez’ 49%. This could easily go the other way. Monica is a teacher. Sanchez is […]
Rightwing Superintendents Oppose Randi Moratorium
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 3 days ago
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/common-core-clash-aft-president-fires-back-at-state-ed-officials/2013/05/21/a93321e8-c245-11e2-8c3b-0b5e9247e8ca_story.html Common Core clash: AFT president fires back at state ed officials By Lyndsey Layton, The Washington Post Tuesday, May 21, 3:45 PM The head of a major teachers union fired back Tuesday at state education officials who had dismissed her call for a moratorium on stakes associated with new standardized state tests in public […]
Nicholas Lemann Reviews Rhee Memoir
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 3 days ago
Nicholas Lemann has written a powerful review of Michelle Rhee’s memoir, in which she calls herself “radical.” She is indeed radical. She wants to tear down public education, a basic democratic institution. That is very radical. As Lemann points out, Rhee has reduced all the problems of American education to the very existence of unions. […]
Come to the Skinny Awards in NYC on June 18
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 3 days ago
If you are within driving distance of New York City, please come to the Skinny Awards. I will be there, along with many other friends of public education. The Skinny Awards are the opposite of the Broad Awards, which are given to urban districts and charter schools that raise test scores. The Skinny Awards recognize […]
Teacher: The News from New Mexico
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 3 days ago
New Mexico is the state with an acting superintendent who previously worked for Jeb Bush and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Remember, they love teachers. They just don’t respect them. This teacher writes: “Hey, in New Mexico we’re already being told that 50% of our evaluation will be student test scores. Then at our last staff meeting, we […]
Scandal Deepens in Louisiana: Will Anyone Investigate?
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 3 days ago
Tom Aswell, investigator journalist and blogger, is covering and uncovering evidence of fraud in the Louisiana Course Choice program. Hundreds of students were somehow registered for online courses without the knowledge of the students or their parents. How did this happen? This would mean a massive transfer of funds from Louisiana taxpayers to online corporations […]
Michigan’s Bad Ideas, In Step with Race to the Top
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 3 days ago
The most noxious element of President Obama’s Race to the Top is the requirement that teachers should be evaluated to a significant degree by the test scores of their students. By now, there is a large body of research that shows that this is a very bad idea, that the rankings based on test scores […]
Big $$$ Behind NC Privatization Bills
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 3 days ago
Same old story in North Carolina as elsewhere: big money from reactionary millionaires funding the theft of public education. American Federation for Children is based in Michigan. It supports vouchers. Wake the town and tell the people. Large, out-of-state donors fuel North Carolina’s school “choice” movement More than $90,000 funneled to state legislative campaigns in […]
Missouri Punishes Charter for Taking on High Risk Kids
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 3 days ago
One of the first charters to open in Missouri was the Gordon Parks charter school In Kansas City. Its idealistic founders believed that the purpose of the charter was to take the kids who were far behind their peers and try to help them. The state of Missouri just canceled the charter. Gordon Parks Elementary […]
Superintendent McGill Disagrees with Principal Burris
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 4 days ago
Two members of the honor roll–both thoughtful, dedicated educators–disagree about Néw York’s plan to evaluate educators, in this case principals. Carol Burris, the principal of South Side High School in Rockville Center, was selected by her colleagues as principal of the year in Néw York. Mike McGill is superintendent of schools in Scarsdale, one of […]
Why Does Experience Matter in Every Field But Teaching?
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 4 days ago
Responding to other comments, this teacher sent the following: “Experience isn’t all its cracked up to be”?????? Tell that to a surgery patient.” “Or just try saying that about the chef in a restaurant. “After spending much of my career teaching a lot of people who thought they already knew how to teach because they […]
Better Links to Uri Treisman’s Talk at NCTM
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 4 days ago
From a reader: Diane’s link is to the mobile version, which didn’t work for me. Here’s a YouTube link: and a link to the slides: http://www.nctm.org/conferences/content.aspx?id=36436#equity
Tennessee Charters: The Truth Comes Out, with Excuses
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 4 days ago
Policymakers and the media in Tennessee thought that charters would outperform public schools. They would “save minority kids from failing public schools.” Unfortunately, the charter schools are manufacturing “success” by pushing out low-performing children right before testing time. True believers refuse to accept the plain facts but it is hard to hide the disappearing students. […]
More Foundation Money to Fund Privatization
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 4 days ago
Researchers Sarah Reckhow of Michigan State University and doctoral student Jeffrey Snyder reported at an AERA session that foundation giving is increasingly concentrated on a small number of recipients. Foundation funding is moving away from giving to public schools–attended by 90% of American students–and is going instead to “challengers” to the system, especially charter schools–attended […]
Uri Treisman’s Powerful Speech on Equity to NCTM
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 4 days ago
Uri Treisman of the Dana Center at the University of Texas spoke about mathematics and equity at the annual NCTM meeting in Denver. But he spoke about much more. He spoke about student performance on international tests; about the effect of poverty on achievement; about opportunity to learn; about the Common Core; about charter schools; […]
NECAP and Central Falls High School
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 4 days ago
Jim Morgan writes about the NECAP, the New England Comprehensive Assessment Program that RI Commissioner Gist defends and the Providence Student Union oppose, and reflects on the tragedy of Central Falls High School, which Superintendent Frances Gallo and State Commissioner Deborah Gist threatened to close in 2010: “I teach in a district adjacent to Central […]
Providence Students Challenge Commissioner Gist to Debate Issues
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 4 days ago
That amazing, pro-active, brilliant Providence Student Union has challenged Rhode Island Commissioner of Education Deborah Gist to a debate about high-stakes testing with them. Will Commissioner Gist agree to debate them? The students thinks it is wrong to use NECAP–the state assessment–as a requirement for graduation. The corporation that created the test agrees with the […]
Chicago Public Schools Sued for Discriminating On Grounds of Race and Disability
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 4 days ago
The Edwin F. Mandel Legal Clinic of the University of Chicago and a major law firm sued the Chicago Public Schools in federal court on behalf of students with disabilities and African American students. The closing of their schools, the lawsuit claims, has a damaging and disparate impact on these students. In one lawsuit, the […]
Rhode Island Board Chair Defends Status Quo
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 4 days ago
Eva-Marie Mancuso, chair of Rhode Island’s state education board, passionately defends the status quo. Over the protests of parents, students, and teachers, Mancuso supports high-stakes testing. Despite overwhelming evidence from researchers that evaluating teachers by test scores is inaccurate, unstable, and demoralizing, Mancuso wants more. Despite the protests of student leaders across the state, Mancuso […]
The For-Profit Tech Scandal in Maine
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 4 days ago
The writer of this article, Colin Woodard, recently won the George Polk award, one of the highest honors in journalism. The article is bout a sordid effort to promote technology as a for-profit enterprise in Maine schools. To introduce a Maine virtual charter school, to require online courses for graduation, and to follow a script […]
Breaking News: NY Times Criticizes Bloomberg School Policies
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 4 days ago
The NYC public is tired of Mayor Bloomberg’s policies of testing, school closings, and privatization. But for 12 years he has had the constant support of the city’s three major newspapers. The editorialists have supported and cheered him at every turn. But WOW, today the Néw York Times has an editorial today that agrees that […]
Connecticut: High Suspension Rates for Kindergarten
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 4 days ago
Guess which schools in Connecticut have the highest suspension rate for children in kindergarten?
The Bloomberg Empire Strikes Back
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 5 days ago
This year the city of New York will pick a new Mayor, after 12 years of Michael Bloomberg. There were only supposed to be 8 years of Bloomberg, as the voters of New York City had twice endorsed term limits of only 2 terms. But Bloomberg decided he wanted a third term, refused to call […]
A Call to Action! Time for Charter Police and Charter Firefighters?
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 5 days ago
In this article, a Massachusetts blogger points out that it is time to do something about those unionized police and firefighters who have failed to stamp out crime and fires. It is time to unleash innovation and turnaround the police precincts where crime is highest: close them down and allow the cops to reapply for […]
Los Angeles: A Clear Choice: Vote for Monica Ratliff
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 5 days ago
The run-off for Los Angeles school board is Tuesday May 21. As Howard Blume’s excellent overview in the Los Angeles Times shows, Monica Ratliff is clearly the better candidate. She is an experienced teacher who understands the needs of children and the schools. She has raised $42,000. Her opponent has great political contacts. He worked […]
Tennessee Charters Lose Struggling Students Before State Tests
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 5 days ago
Tennessee charters have learned the secret to high test scores: push out low-performing students right before testing time. That way, the charter keeps the money, and the public school gets the low score. This is not a closely guarded secret, but it usually fools the media and the politicians. Here is one journalist–Dennis Ferrier at […]
Louisiana Scandals: The Course Choice Mystery
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 5 days ago
One of Governor Jindal’s “reforms” is called Course Choice. This is supposed to allow public school students to sign up with private vendors, using public school dollars extracted from their local school. Most of the vendors are online operators. Course choice and vouchers were the centerpiece of Jindal’s plan to privatize public education, by funding […]
How Can We Assure Equity in Education?
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 5 days ago
Uri Tresiman of the Dana Center at the University of Texas spoke to the annual NCTM conference about the true needs of American education. This is an important speech in which he shows how shallow current reforms are and how deeply poverty affects children’s performance in school. I intend to post this speech twice this […]
Mercedes Schneider Reviews Dr. Steve Perry
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 5 days ago
Dr. Mercedes Schneider decided to review Dr. Steve Perry’s dissertation. Dr. Perry, until recently, was CNN’s education expert. She was not impressed.
Bloomberg’s Advice: Skip College, Be a Plumber
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 5 days ago
Now this is an interesting idea that needs to be deconstructed. Mayor Bloomberg, reputedly worth $20 Billion, suggests that some young people should skip college and be a plumber. On one hand, that’s good advice for young people who are not interested in going to college. Many, even some who should go to college, can’t […]
When Can I Start Teaching Again–Instead of Testing?
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 5 days ago
This writer teaches in Pennsylvania. He wants to know when he will have time to teach again. He says about some 40 days of the school year are now devoted to testing. His students plead with him to know when will they have a “regular” day again? When will they have a day when he […]
Marcie Lipsitt: Making Michigan Charters Obey the Law
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 5 days ago
A reader in Michigan insists that the for-profit charter operator in Muskegon Heights obey the law protecting students with disabilities. If every activist did the same, it would force the charters to serve all children. She should get the ACLU to help her. “If you look up Michigan legislator in the thesaurus it directs you […]
A Gift for You This Sunday
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 5 days ago
Last Sunday, I published a beautiful poem by Cavafy. In reply, Will Fitzhugh (founder of “The Concord Review,” which publishes history papers by high school students) sent this one to me. He probably did not know that this is one of my favorite poems, and it has special meaning for me. When I graduated from […]
Russ: CCSS Is Wrong About “Close Reading” Without Background Knowledge
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 5 days ago
This reader faults the Common Core standards for claiming that students should engage in “close reading” of texts without context or background knowledge. In this post, he explains that this does not “level the playing field,” as every reader has different background knowledge to decipher meaning in text.
Miami: Are These Fears the Reality?
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 5 days ago
A teacher in Miami asks these questions. Can you answer and help us understand? “I am writing out of anxiety and fear .. I have been a bit down for a year, I realize I may have to switch careers or move to another state. “I could be wrong but I feel the greatest school […]
Miami: Are These Fears the Reality?
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 5 days ago
A teacher in Miami asks these questions. Can you answer and help us understand? “I am writing out of anxiety and fear .. I have been a bit down for a year, I realize I may have to switch careers or move to another state. “I could be wrong but I feel the greatest school […]
How to Explain US “Reform” to B-School Friends at Oxford
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 6 days ago
What if you were a product of public schools and found yourself years later getting a graduate degree in business management at Oxford University? Your British friends are very taken with ideas like accountability and competition. Maybe they saw “Waiting for Superman” and they too want to close the achievement gap. What would you tell […]
Carol Burris: The Unintended Consequences of NY’s Principal Evaluations
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 6 days ago
Carol Burris, chosen as principal of the year by her colleagues in New York State, has written a brilliant and frightening critique of the state’s ill-planned principal evaluation plan. As you read her letter to the New York Board of Regents, you can’t help but wonder whether systems like this are intended to demoralize principals […]
Teacher in L.A.: Please, Colleagues, Work for Monica Ratliff
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 6 days ago
For reasons I don’t understand, the UTLA endorsed both Monica Ratliff, a teacher, and her opponent Antonio Sanchez. Sanchez has almost $4 million from the billionaires. Monica has raised $42,000. A music teacher in Los Angeles wrote this appeal; Dear Teachers, I am sending this to a few LAUSD teacher e-mail addresses that I […]
Larry Cuban: Kiss Michelle Rhee Goodbye
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 6 days ago
Larry Cuban says it’s all over for Michelle Rhee. She has become so radioactive that she has lost all credibility. Despite all the publicity, she is on a downward trajectory, he says. Soon, people will wonder who she was. But he has an idea about how she can recoup her reputation. Read here to find […]
The Stupidity of the Michigan Legislature, Simply Explained
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 6 days ago
This blogger wants you to understand legislation that is sailing through the Michigan legislature. The teachers’ pay will be based on whether student test scores go up. Experience and degrees don’t matter. Only test scores. Is there any research that supports this idiotic policy? No. Thanks, Arne. “He shot an arrow in the air….”
This Man Loves Disruption
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 6 days ago
Clayton Christiansen loves disruption. He loves the idea that almost everything familiar to us will die and be replaced by competition. Many corporate reformers swear by him. They think disruption is creative. I wish they would get out of our lives and make money selling something other than disruption.
Who Wins This Game?
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 6 days ago
A reader comments: To the corporate moguls this is a game of chess, their winnings being billions of dollars. They have been playing this game for many years now. The big problem is that they never informed anyone what or whom they were playing against. They just kept making their moves while their opponents never […]
Deborah Meier: Am I Part of the Problem or the Solution?
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 6 days ago
Deborah Meier has been blogging recently with Michael Petrilli of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute. Deb is known as a progressive, Mike as a conservative. Deb was one of the founders of the small schools movement and a leader of opposition to standardized testing through her involvement in Fairtest. Mike strongly supports standardized testing, charter […]
How Corporate Reform Discourages Prospective Teachers
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 6 days ago
I have heard repeatedly in the past few years that teachers don’t want student teachers in their classrooms. The teachers are so focused on raising test scores that they can’t take the time to mentor the younger generation, and they are afraid to lose ground if they let a student teacher try a practice class. […]
The Flea, the Grasshopper, and the Frog: A Reformy Tale
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 6 days ago
Our first reform fairy tale was Chicken Little. This one is the story of the Flea, the Grasshopper, and the Leap-Frog, who were invited by the King to pass a test to win the Princess. It is with humor, satire, and fairy tales that we unmask the foolishness that dares call itself “reform.”
How CPS Lies About School Closings
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 6 days ago
WBEZ, the NPR station in Chicago has been doing outstanding investigative reporting on the Chicago Public Schools. The reporters, Becky Vevea and Linda Lutton, dig for facts and do their own analysis instead of reporting the press releases from CPS. In this story, they do a fact-check on the city’s plan to close dozens of […]
Ed Berger: How to Defend Our Public Schools
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 6 days ago
In this post, Ed Berger explains the collaboration among stakeholders that is needed to defend our community public schools from marauders and vandals. He identifies the vandals. The vandals all have the same goal: Destroy public schools. They call it “reform,” and anyone who stands up to them is called “a defender of the status […]
UTLA Member to Leadership: Let’s Support Monica NOW!
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 1 week ago
Hi David, Thanks again for writing. I heard and understood what you already told me in e-mails. Is there something new to tell me on the phone? So, there was no quorum at that HOR [House of Representatives] meeting in March. Why wasn’t another meeting scheduled, and the delegates notified regarding how essential their attendance […]
Karen Lewis Wins Re-election as President of CTU
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 1 week ago
Karen Lewis won re-election as president of CTU with about 80% of the votes. Lewis led the city’s first teachers’ strike in 25 years last fall. She has been leading the battle against Mayor Emanuel’s mass school closings, the largest in American history.
Students Last: Pearson Product Placement No Error
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 1 week ago
Students and teachers complained about the commercial brands that were represented in the recent Pearson tests for the a Common Core testing in New York State. According to the authoritative satirical blogger Students Last, this was no error. This is now state policy and a clever way to raise new funding. Why not sell naming […]
Chicago Schools, 2013: Still Separate, Still Unequal
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 1 week ago
The Chicago Teachers Union issued a report on segregation in the Chicago public schools: New Report Unravels the Sordid History of Racial Segregation in Chicago Public Schools On anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, “Still Separate, Still Unequal” examines continued acceptance of de facto segregation and injustices in district schools CHICAGO—On was is […]
John Merrow: Shame on the Washington Post for Refusing to Investigate DC Cheating Scandal
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 1 week ago
John Merrow has written a blistering critique of the Establishment’s cover-up of the cheating scandal in D.C. The article he wrote exposing the cover up was rejected by a national magazine, unnamed. When Merrow directly asked Duncan about the scandal, Duncan bobbed and weaved. But Merrow reserves his greatest ire for the editorial writers at […]
Rothstein: Advice to Future Teachers
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 1 week ago
Richard Rothstein recently gave a commencement address to the graduates of the Chicago Loyola School of Education. What do you say to new teachers, embarking on their careers in these perilous times? What do you say to those who have chosen a profession that is under siege? Rothstein is a deeply knowledgeable and fearless scholar. […]
PBS in Houston: Watch the Faces of the Students
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 1 week ago
A reader from Houston suggests that we watch the PBS documentary on Houston’s Apollo program and watch the faces of the students: He writes: To see how many kids react to an overemphasis on testing, watch Dropout Nation. PBS Frontline’s Dropout Nation series featured HISD and its Apollo Program in its September broadcast. While there […]
May 17 in Our History: How Soon We Forget
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 1 week ago
On May 17, 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court declared that segregation of the races in public school was unconstitutional. At the time, segregation was the law in 17 states and many districts. For years, the states where segregation was outlawed resisted the court decision. Their favorite ploy was school choice. They knew that school choice […]
Is the School of the Future in the Cloud?
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 1 week ago
Having studied the history of education for some decades, I have a built-in resistance to claims about the school of the future, particularly when it involves the end of schooling. Over many years, I have seen predictions about that Great Day when all children are self-motivated, all learning comes naturally, and instruction by adults becomes […]
Concord Rebellion Stirring Over Dismissal of Union Leader
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 1 week ago
Parents and teachers in Concord, Massachusetts, are outraged over the firing of the teachers’ union leader, an 18-year teacher of third grade, allegedly for ineffectiveness. “The catalyst for the protest was the decision by Thoreau Elementary School Principal Kelly Clough not to renew the contract of veteran third grade teacher and Concord Teachers Association President […]
Peter DeWitt: Does Chancellor Tisch Know What Testing Is Doing to Children?
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 1 week ago
Peter DeWitt, principal of an elementary school in upstate New York, tries here to understand the contradictory messages sent out by Merryl Tisch, chancellor of the NY Board of Regents. On one hand, she says that teachers should no longer teach to the test, but with the advent of Common Core, there is more testing […]
The Status Quo Begins to Fall Apart
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 1 week ago
This article describes what a grass-roots rebellion looks like. It describes a growing revolt against failed education policies. It reviews the mounting protests by students, parents, teachers, school boards against senseless mandates. It even shows clueless Secretary Duncan both embracing and not embracing the so-called “parent trigger” that was defeated twice by Florida’s parents. This […]
Mayor Rahm Emanuel: How to Dodge FOIA Requests
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 1 week ago
Ben Joravsky is the best journalist covering education in Chicago today. In this post, titled “Mayor Emanuel’s FOIA Policy: Don’t Ask, Because We Won’t Tell,” Joravsky shows how a public school parent sued to find out basic facts about major decisions. The answer was, no, we can’t tell you that because there are no records, […]
News from the Network for Public Education
dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 1 week ago
Here is the latest newsletter from the Network for Public Education. Please consider becoming a member and help us as we fight to improve public schools and repel the twin menaces of high-stakes testing and privatization. If you are a member of a grassroots organization to support your community public schools, please sign on and […]
