When Competition Is Pointless
The other day, I was involved in an extended online discussion about proficiency and accountability with about 50 people, mostly inside the Beltway. These are big names, people who make decisions that control your child’s life in school. I got more and more exasperated as the various think tank experts waxed on about how and why parents NEED to know how their child compares to children of the same
Please Help the Brilliant Paul Krugman Understand the Problems with Common Core
Paul Krugman posted this commentary about the Common Core standards. Clearly he has never read them and has no idea about the legitimate concerns that teachers and principals have. Instead, he echoes the claim by Times’ writer Bill Keller that the opponents are nearly all rightwing extremists. I just left a short comment, which has not been moderated and approved yet. I expressed my concern about
If You Are in New York City, Join Me to Discuss “Reform” on September 11
I will be discussing my new book, “Reign of Error: The Hoax of the Privatization Movement and the Danger to America’s Public Schools” at Judson Memorial Church, near New York University, on September 11 at 6 pm. The event is sponsored by Class Size Matters and New Yorkers for Great Public Schools Wednesday, Sept.11th 6-7:15 PM at Judson Memorial Church 55 Washington Square South, Manhattan Trains:
The New York Times Hearts Common Core: Susan Ohanian Calls Foul
This morning the New York Times published a lengthy defense of the Common Core standards by Bill Keller, previously executive editor of the paper. Keller asserts that opposition to the Common Core comes from extremists on the far-right fringe. (He does say that there are critics on the left, and adds a link to my blog, but not to the post explaining my reasons for not supporting the Common Core.
Literacy Experts Blast NCTQ Report
Literacy experts who are members of the Reading Hall of Fame took issue with the report of the National Council on Teacher Quality, which recently lambasted the nation’s schools of education. They questioned the bona fides of NCTQ, questioning its partisanship. Their strongest criticism was directed at the report’s fervent advocacy of phonics as the only legitimate way to teach reading. I have stu
Chile: Vouchers and Inequality
Please read the series of blog posts by Dr. Julian Vasquez Heilig of the University of Texas on the subject of Chile, vouchers, social segregation, and inequality.
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 8-19-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Anti-Testing Movement Grows in NY Suburbs and TownsThe collapse of test scores in New York following the first tests of the Common Core standards is fueling the growth of the anti-testing movement. A huge protest took place in Port Jefferson Station on Long Island on Saturday. Fifteen hundred people turned out to denounce the Commo
