Mississippi Governor: Blame Working Moms for Educational Woes
The governor of Mississippi said recently that America’s educational troubles started when women joined the workforce. Please, somebody, send him a copy of my new book when it comes out in September. He will be surprised to learn that test scores of federal exams have never been higher and dropout rates have never been lower. Or send me his address and I will send him an autographed copy myself.
An Extraordinary Student
When I visited South Side High School in Rockville Center, where Carol Burris is principal, I was questioned by a group of students as part of my presentation. One of them is featured in this article. He is a young man with a severe disability. He has a sunny disposition and is an inspiration to everyone else in the school.
By SCOTT EIDLER scott.eidler@newsday.com
McKingsley Ryan Williams is beloved at South Side High School in Rockville Centre. Classmates applauded when he was beamed into an International Baccalaureate class after heart surgery, he was voted Homecoming
By SCOTT EIDLER scott.eidler@newsday.com
McKingsley Ryan Williams is beloved at South Side High School in Rockville Centre. Classmates applauded when he was beamed into an International Baccalaureate class after heart surgery, he was voted Homecoming
A Gift to You This Sunday from a Teacher in Ohio
Maureen Reedy, a veteran Ohio teacher and state teacher of the year, sent this gift, which I gladly share:
Song of Democracy ~ by Walt Whitman
An old man’s thoughts of school,
An old man’s gathering youthful memories and
blooms that youth itself cannot.
Now only do I know You,
O fair auroral skies – O morning dew upon the grass!
And these I see, these sparkling eyes,
These stores of mystic meaning, these young lives,
Song of Democracy ~ by Walt Whitman
An old man’s thoughts of school,
An old man’s gathering youthful memories and
blooms that youth itself cannot.
Now only do I know You,
O fair auroral skies – O morning dew upon the grass!
And these I see, these sparkling eyes,
These stores of mystic meaning, these young lives,
I Received a Letter from a Student
I received a letter from a student in Renton, Washington. I will not include the student’s name, to protect his or her privacy. I was moved by the honesty and thoughtfulness of this letter. If we have 11-years old this smart, our nation’s future is secure. This young person makes me feel like a teacher. I can’t think of a better way to feel today!
“Dear Mrs. Ravitch,
First of all, let me say that you are my inspiration. I love all that you do. I love how you blog every day. It helps me find out what’s happening to our world.
My name is —– ——. I go to Nelsen Middle School. I live in Renton, Washington. I am 11 years old. I especially like one of the blogs you wrote about on March 13, 2013, “The Day the Teachers Said No.” I strongly agree with
“Dear Mrs. Ravitch,
First of all, let me say that you are my inspiration. I love all that you do. I love how you blog every day. It helps me find out what’s happening to our world.
My name is —– ——. I go to Nelsen Middle School. I live in Renton, Washington. I am 11 years old. I especially like one of the blogs you wrote about on March 13, 2013, “The Day the Teachers Said No.” I strongly agree with
Philadelphia: Denying Educational Opportunity
Public officials in Pennsylvania are trying to starve public education until it dies. They have a constitutional obligation under the state and possibly the federal constitution to provide equal treatment to all. The students hurt most by state budget cuts are disproportionately black and Hispanic. Someone should sue to compel the state to provide education to all students.
Schools have been stripped of essential personnel. And that’s not all. They can’t even provide a sound basic
Schools have been stripped of essential personnel. And that’s not all. They can’t even provide a sound basic
Reader: Should Children in Kindergarten Do Third Grade Work?
In a discussion of the expectations of the Common Core, a reader offered this observation:
“Here in Clark County Nevada we have been treated to a special pep talk by our new superintendent, a 25 year veteran of the district and a former kindergarten teacher. He stated on Jon Ralston’s show that we will have to step up to meet the Common Core standards. He bluntly stated that from his experience kindergarten would be teaching what he said were 2nd and 3rd grade concepts in his time. I am glad for his honesty, but I am sure reality will intrude on his wish that children attain and perform at levels that are developmentally inappropriate. I
“Here in Clark County Nevada we have been treated to a special pep talk by our new superintendent, a 25 year veteran of the district and a former kindergarten teacher. He stated on Jon Ralston’s show that we will have to step up to meet the Common Core standards. He bluntly stated that from his experience kindergarten would be teaching what he said were 2nd and 3rd grade concepts in his time. I am glad for his honesty, but I am sure reality will intrude on his wish that children attain and perform at levels that are developmentally inappropriate. I
Gary Rubinstein: The TFA Listening Tour
Gary Rubinstein was one of a small group of TFA alums invited to meet with the new leaders of the organization, who took over as Wendy Kopp took charge of TFA’s international program.
Gary was surprised to hear that others echoed his criticisms of the organization. Gary believes that the education reform movement is nearing its end, as the public and the media realize that their ideas consistently fail.
A good discussion.
Gary was surprised to hear that others echoed his criticisms of the organization. Gary believes that the education reform movement is nearing its end, as the public and the media realize that their ideas consistently fail.
A good discussion.
How Parents set the Record Straight for This Teacher
You may recall a few weeks ago a post about a teacher who was falsely accused of putting a state math question on Twitter. His principal suspended him. Eventually he was cleared of wrongdoing but there was a cloud over his head and a bitter taste in his mouth about the episode.
Then the parents in his school did something wonderful. Please read about it here.
Not only is it heartwarming but it reminds you that all the badmouthing of teachers is orchestrated by pundits and people with an agenda. The public, especially parents, know how hard teachers work, and they love their children’s teachers.
As Rlratto says, parents will save us from the mess we are in:
“Parents are organizing to opt their children out of high stakes testing. Parents are challenging the motive and
Then the parents in his school did something wonderful. Please read about it here.
Not only is it heartwarming but it reminds you that all the badmouthing of teachers is orchestrated by pundits and people with an agenda. The public, especially parents, know how hard teachers work, and they love their children’s teachers.
As Rlratto says, parents will save us from the mess we are in:
“Parents are organizing to opt their children out of high stakes testing. Parents are challenging the motive and
Stan Karp: One Small Step Towards Democracy, or an Illusion?
Stan Karp, an experienced teacher who retired and now works for the Education Law Center, here describes the state’s decision to give “fiscal control” to Newark, but not control over instruction, personnel, operations, or governance. What this means is unclear. The board cannot hire or fire the superintendent. What power was transferred? No one knows.
He writes:
Small Step Toward Local Control in Newark
Newark parents and community advocates seeking to end the State’s 18-year takeover of the district’s public schools won a small, but significant victory, this week. At a June 4 court hearing on a legal challenge to the
He writes:
Small Step Toward Local Control in Newark
Newark parents and community advocates seeking to end the State’s 18-year takeover of the district’s public schools won a small, but significant victory, this week. At a June 4 court hearing on a legal challenge to the
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH ALL WEEK LONG Diane Ravitch's blog 6-8-13
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH ALL WEEK LONG
DIANE RAVITCH'S BLOG
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Why Failing Charters in Michigan Are Not Closed by dianerav This comment was posted in response to a report by Education Trust Midwest about Michigan’s expansion of low-performing (and failing) charter schools. The irony is that the original theory of charters was that they would either meet their goals or lose their charter. twenty plus years ago, no one considered the possibility that for-profit and even nonprofit charters would make political contributions and assemble a political base that outweighed the q... more »