What Color Should I Wear to Show Support for Public Education?
I just taped a show for CNN with Christine Romans, the chief business correspondent. I wore red for Ed, as so many teachers recommend. At Mayor de Blasio’s inauguration, I will wear green at the request of Lace to the Top, an advocacy group of teachers. On the Jon Stewart show, I wore a green plastic bracelet sent to me by Lace to the Top. Now I learn that on December 9, there will be a national
Suicide is Leading Cause of Death in China among Young
The high pressure to compete for limited spots in university is a contributing factor to the high suicide rate in China among young people ages 15-34, according to this news report. The story says: Amid growing competition for university places and rising graduate unemployment, suicide is now the leading cause of death for Chinese people aged between 15 and 34, official media reported this week. N
Powerful Chicago Charter Leader Resigns in Wake of Financial Scandal
Juan Rangel, head of the UNO charter chain, resigned his position as CEO. UNO is the largest charter chain in Illinois. Rangel’s departure “by mutual agreement” with the board of the not-for-profit group is effective immediately, UNO officials said Friday. Rangel had three family members on the UNO payroll. Sources said two of the relatives quit recently, including deputy chief of staff Carlos Ja
Ellen Lubic Corrects Ben Austin
Ben Austin, the executive director of Parent Revolution, recently wrote a post for Huffington Post saying that “community power” saved Superintendent John Deasy, whose job was on the line in Los Angeles. Parent Revolution is an organization funded by the Walton Foundation, the Gates Foundation, and the Broad Foundation to promote the “parent trigger,” that is, to encourage parents to seize control
Sandronsky: Political Favors, Cronyism, And Cash in Sacramento: UPDATE
Seth Sandronsky, a journalist in Sacramento, reports here on some extraordinary political activities in that city that should raise eyebrows. Maybe even some hackles. Read Sandronsky to learn about State Senator Ron Calderon, his brother Thomas Calderon, Michelle Rhee’s StudentsFirst, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, ALEC, the Walton Family Foundation, Pearson, Connections Academy, the Sacramento B
Add This Event to My Speaking Schedule: January 16
I will be speaking to the Westchester-Putnam Counties School Boards Association on January 16 at 7:30 p.m. about testing and the Common Core. The event will be held at Fox Lane High School in Bedford, New York. All are welcome, but please register in advance. The registration link is on the flyer, and is listed here for your convenience as well: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?fromEma
Texas Charter Founded by Football Star in Financial Trouble
Texas has given out charters to various non-educators. Being a celebrity is credential enough to get state authority to open a school. There are charters run by a tennis star, a football star, a basketball star, and a horde of entrepreneurs with no educational experience. This is called “reform” for some reason. The Texas Education Agency is currently investigating financial disorder and mismana
Deasy and Hess: Do Not Fear Technology!
Los Angeles Superintendent John Deasy and Frederick Hess of the American Enterprise Institute wrote an article in which they seek to reassure teachers not to be afraid of technology. They patiently explain why the critics of Deasy’s decision to spend $1 billion for iPads and Pearson content are wrong, and why technology is good for students and teachers. This is a classic example of what is known
New York City: Commissioner King Brings His Show to NYC Next Week
Until now, Commissioner John King and the New York Regents have played their Common Core testing show on the road. You might call them out-of-town tryouts. Now the show is coming to New York City, on short notice. Next week, parents, educators, and other community members in Brooklyn and Manhattan will have a chance to voice their concerns on December 10 (Brooklyn) and December 11 (Manhattan). T
A Balanced Assessment of High Test Scores in Asia
This is an excellent and balanced article that explains why Asian nations swept the top places on PISA and at what cost to the students. In the U.S., we have long had a belief in a “well-rounded” education, and many teachers believe they educate “the whole child,” thus putting concerns about social, emotional, and physical development in context with academic learning. Historically, there have be
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 12-5-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Lower Hudson Valley: The Disconnect Between the State and the PublicMost of the noise against the shoddy implementation of Common Core in New York has been heard in Long Island, but parents and educators are even angrier in the Lower Hudson Valley than in New York. Here is an excellent explanation by veteran journalist Gary Stern..