Cyber Charters: The Worst Schools in Pennsylvania, and More on the Way
Adam Schott and James Jack write here about the poor performance of cyber charters in Pennsylvania. You might even say the abysmal performance of cyber charters. Pennsylvania has 16, more of them than any state in the nation, and six more want to open. No wonder they want to open. It is a lucrative business. They write: If it was viewed as a single school district, Pennsylvania’s expansive cyber c
What Makes Us Human?
Agree or disagree? What makes us human? This article in the British New Statesman says that what makes us human is playfulness. Humans do silly, pointless things. I am not so sure. Animals don’t make machines. Animals don’t give each other standardized tests. Animals don’t have calendars and watches and anxiety attacks and drugs. Animals don’t have Black Fridays. Who says humans are smart
A Parent Reviews “Reign of Error”
Dienne Anum, a regular commenter on this blog, reviewed “Reign of Error.” She is a parent of two. As I have often said and written, parents are the sleeping giants. Once they become informed and energized, we are unstoppable in reclaiming our schools and improving education. Dienne writes: Reform or Deform? Diane Ravitch has done it again. Starting where DEATH AND LIFE OF THE GREAT AMERICAN SCHO
Who Should See Your Job Evaluation?
In a recent article about the decision by the Los Angeles Board of Education to extend John Deasy’s contract, there was an interesting section: “Until Tuesday, the district had withheld the Oct. 29 vote total, refusing to release it in response to public-records requests. Officials changed their position, apparently in response to a letter from a lawyer representing The Los Angeles Times. The dema
About Those Long Waiting Lists at Charter Schools
A much ballyhooed California-based charter chain school called Citizens of the World opened in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, in New York City despite community opposition. It hoped to attract white and middle-clsss families in the gentrified neighborhood. It was supposed to open with 107 kindergarten and first grade students. The Wall Street Journal reported that only 56 appeared. The school may be clos
Nearly Half of Louisiana’s Voucher Students Attend D or F-Rated Schools
According to a local report, almost half the students enrolled in Louisiana’s voucher program are attending failing schools. Most voucher schools, however, did not release accountability data. This runs contrary to Governor Bobby Jindal’s claims that vouchers would allow students to escape failing public schools and choose better schools. The story says, “At least 45 percent of students in Louis
Our Dystopian Future? A Hyper-Meritocracy of Winners?
R.J. Eskow describes the views of one Tyler Cowen, seeing him as the aspirant to Thomas Friedman’s role as the chronicler of the new age to come, an age when globalization and technology will produce a “hyper-meritocracy,” leaving the rest of us far, far behind. I was not familiar with the thinking of Cowen, but apparently he is big as a futurologist. Eskow summarizes Cowen’s philosophy thus: “Mar
Derek Bok: A Reform Agenda for Higher Education
Derek Bok, former president of Harvard University, has some concrete suggestions to improve higher education. His most prominent suggestion is that Ph.D. Candidates should be trained to teach, not just to compete their dissertation. But the most interesting comment occurs near the end of the article when he writes: “A more plausible reason for the sluggish pace of reform is the scanty preparatio
Report: Charters in Columbus, Ohio, in Trouble
The Columbus Dispatch reported new charter school troubles. Ohio is known for its lack of oversight for charter schools, especially if they are owned or managed by donors to Republican campaigns. The state department of education asked authorizers to provide better oversight, so certain charters are at risk of losing their charter (none belong to the two men who have made millions from their chart
YESTERDAY
EduShyster’s Holiday Meal: Reform Turducken
EduShyster has a great idea for a splendid holiday meal; she calls it “reform turducken.” What, you may ask, is that? Here is her definition: “Oe reformy idea stuffed into another and into another, all clad in an innocuously glistening exterior.” In this case, the meal starts with the acknowledgement that great teachers matter; that teachers are underpaid; and that great teachers should be paid m
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 11-28-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Paul Karrer: My Students Are Not CoddledPaul Karrer teaches fifth grade in a low-income community in California. He writes: Frank Bruni’s New York Times piece “Are Kids Too Coddled?” basically states tougher education standards like the Common Core may require a tough love that some parents and educators don’t like. So some parents
