Diane Ravitch Is More than a Writer of Books
On Diane Ravitch: A Brief EssayJim HornOn September 18, Joe Bowers listed 33 reviews of Diane Ravitch’s new book, Reign of Error: The Hoax of the Privatization Movement and the Danger to America’s Public Schools. Since then, many other reviews have appeared, including a very substantial one by George Schmidt at Substance News. Please see Joe’s list for some very good play-by-play reviews.
Children should not be allowed to behave like children
Testing will finally put an end to all the kindergarten tomfoolery. Published in the Statesman Journal (Oregon), Sept 17, 2013It's wonderful to know that children in Oregon will be tested on a uniform test just after starting kindergarten ("Oregon kindergartners tested to help gauge first steps in school," Sept 9).Testing at the beginning of kindergarten testing will ensure that preschoo
The missing core
The core of all successful literacy programsSent to the Greenville (South Carolina) News, Sept. 23, 2013."Education officials hope new reading program will put students on track to success," (Sept. 21) does not mention the one essential ingredient in all programs aiming to improve literacy: Access to interesting books. There is massive evidence that self-selected reading, or reading what
Why Poverty Matters and Is an Excuse
Diane Ravitch has been getting a lot of press lately as she tours the country promoting her latest book, Reign of Error, The Hoax of the Privatization Movement and the Danger to America's Public Schools. The book's popularity is sending shockwaves through the corporate ed deformer community who thought they could continue their smoke and mirrors show that started more than three decades ago. Howev
If You Ask, They Will Answer
I have recently asked, Whatever Happened to Scientifically Based Research in Education Policy?And it appears that the USDOE has come forward with an answer, as reported by Valerie Strauss:The U.S. Education Department routinely awards millions of dollars in grants to states and organizations, but it seems that it doesn’t have enough money to maintain its “Doing What Works” Web site.... The site ha
Schools Matter: ASD Follows Up Again on Charter Corruptionist Story
Schools Matter: ASD Follows Up Again on Charter Corruptionist Story: ASD Follows Up Again on Charter Corruptionist StoryThe ASD remains in response mode to this story and its follow-up, and as long as they are, we will remain responsive to them. Jeremy writes:1. if by "corporate" you mean the literal definition of a group of people authorized by law to function as a single entity, then