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Saturday, March 1, 2014

Russ on Reading: Dispatches from the Front NPE Conference in Austin, Texas

Russ on Reading: Dispatches from the Front:



Dispatches from the Front

Russ on Reading goes to the Network for Public Education Conference in Austin, Texas


I am feeling so fortunate to be here in Austin with so many passionate advocates for public education. There is literally a public education hero around every corner. Today I met superstar superintendent John Kuhn, author of Test and Punish, which I reviewed here. In one session I sat next to Karen Lewis, charasmatic president of the Chicago Teachers Union. In another session I got to meet and talk for a few moments with long time child and school advocate Deborah Meier. I had a morning conversation with blogger and teacher Anthony Cody who writes the Living in Dialogue blog for Education Week. I traded tweets with the wonderfully witty blogger Edushyster.

I haven't been among a gathering of this many passionate progressives since I marched in the Moratorium Against Vietnam in 1969. 

The best quote of the day came from John Kuhn in his fiery keynote address: "Our kids education shouldn't be a sandbox for rich people." 

Kuhn's speech was full of such trenchant fare including, "The purpose of 


Schoolhouse Live Watch live streaming video NPE National Conference 2014
Schoolhouse Live: Watch live streaming video from schoolhouselive at livestream.comNPE National Conference 2014November 24, 2013 NPE National Conference, NPE NewsThe Network for Public Education is pleased to announce our first National Conference. The event will take place on March 1 & 2, 2014 (the weekend prior to the world-famous South by Southwest Festival) at The University of Texas at Au