Starr to Duncan: Stop Calling Educators Liars
Joshua Starr to Secretary of Education Arne Duncan: Stop calling lifelong public educators liars. This is one of Arne’s most inexplicable habits. He has repeatedly said that educators lie to children. They tell children they are smart, they tell them they passed, they tell them they did good work, when Arne knows better. He knows our kids are lazy and dumb. He alone tells the truth. Thanks to Jo
Randi Applauds New York Teachers for Withdrawing Support for Common Core and King
In an article in “Politico Pro,” which is behind a paywall, AFT President Randi Weingarten applauded the decision of the New York State United Teachers, which passed a resolution of “no confidence” in New York State Commissioner John King. She said that NYSUT was right to withdraw support from Common Core unless there are “major course corrections.” The implementation of the standards was badly
Mark Naison: Obama’s “Scorched Earth” Policy for Urban Schools
Mark NAISON writes here about the Obama administration’s determination to destroy public education in urban centers. In city after city, public education is dying, replaced by privately-managed schools that do not get higher test scores except by excluding or kicking out low-scoring students. Many urban schools have been taken over by for-profit chains. In education, this will be the legacy of Ar
Join Moral Monday in Raleigh on February 8
Extremists and cultural vandals who temporarily hold the reins of power in North Carolina and states like Tennessee, Louisiana, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Michigan like to claim that they are “civil rights leaders,” that they are putting “students first,” and other balderdash. The privatizing of public education is part of a larger assault on democracy. On February 8, genuine civil rights leaders are ra
Some of America’s Richest Financiers Fund Campaign for Tax Credits in New York
Some of the nation’s wealthiest men are building a campaign chest to promote tax credits for private and religious schools. If he legislature acts on their request, it would transfer $250 million in education funds to nonpublic schools. 5,000 students packed the Westchester County Convention Center in White Plains, New York,last November to cheer the proposal. “The rally in White Plains, and ano
Defending the Early Years Against Adult Demands
Are you concerned about current efforts to force academic standards onto little children? Are you concerned about the movement to stamp out play? Do you think that little children should experience childhood before they are subjected to the academic treadmill? Do you think that school can and should be more than a boring progression of test prep and testing? If so, you will enjoy learning about t
Teacher Blasts Los Angeles’ “Sneak Attack” on Music Program
This comment came from Barbara Aran, a retired music teacher in Los Angeles: She wrote: This what I planned to say to the LAUSD Board on Tuesday December 17th, but couldn’t get in–this is what I would have said on that day: My name is Barbara Aran. I am a retired LAUSD elementary teacher. Today I speak for the school communities of Wilshire Crest Elementary and Laurel Elementary schools. Ladies
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH ALL WEEK LONG Diane Ravitch's blog 1-25-14 #thankateacher #EDCHAT #P2
Diane Ravitch's blogLISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH ALL WEEK LONGDIANE RAVITCH'S BLOGPearson Redefines Its Goal as “Efficacy”Who owns American public education? Until a decade ago, we might have answered: the public. Or the states. Or the local school boards. Now, the likely answer is: the U.S. Department of Education. Or the Gates Foundation, which seems to own the U.S. Department of Education. But there