Edushyster Interviews David Kirp
EduShyster interviewed David Kirp following the publication of his article in the New York Times about why teaching is not a business. EduShyster noticed that some “reformers” were incensed by Kirp’s views, especially his criticism of the virtues of competition and his skepticism about choice and charter schools. Among his interesting answers to her questions: “With respect to choice, the studie
Rick Hess: Common Core and Five Big Half-Truths
Rick Hess of the American Enterprise Institute has written a smart article about the selling of Common Core. Its advocates use similar talking points, he says, but the most frequently heard lack evidence. You will hear these five points not only from corporate executives and Chamber of Commerce types, but from all CCSS supporters. Hess lists five of what he calls half-truths or exaggerations. 1.
NY: Parent Groups Endorse Teachout, Other Candidates
For immediate release Sept. 4, 2014 For more information contact: Shino Tanikawa, info@nyckidspac.org , 917-770-8438 NYC KidsPAC endorses Teachout for Governor, Jackson, Liu, Koppell for State Senate; Fedkowskyj and Simon for Assembly Today, NYC KidsPAC, a political action committee composed of parent leaders devoted to strengthening our public schools, announced its endorsements in the Democratic
Peter Greene Deconstructs Think Tankers’ Ideas About Teacher Evaluation
Peter Greene here evaluates a report by two analysts at Bellwether Education, a DC think tank, about how teachers should be evaluated. His post is a model of how to tear apart and utterly demolish the musings of people far removed from the classroom about how things ought to work. He begins by situating its sponsor: “I am fascinated by the concept of think tank papers, because they are so fancy
Jeff Bryant: Is There a Néw Conversation in Education?
Jeff Bryant notices an interesting new phenomenon: Corporate reformers have dropped their triumphalist tone, and now they want to have a “conversation.” But the curious aspect to their concept is that the conversation they want begins with their assumptions about the value of charters, vouchers, collective bargaining, and tenure. As he shows, their “conversation” doesn’t involve actual classroom t
Who is Zephyr Teachout and Why is Cuomo Afraid to Debate Her?
Zephyr Teachout is running against Andrew Cuomo for Governor of New York. Cuomo twice tried to knock her off the ballot and lost in court both times. Cuomo refuses to debate her, fearing to let the public hear her. Why is he afraid of Zephyr? Read this excellent article by Jaime Franchi in the Long Island Press and you will find out why he is afraid of her candidacy. “Teachout is hoping to cap
Plunderbund: Ohio’s Richest Charter Haul
The Ohio blogger Plunderbund here lays out the astonishing record of William Lager and the Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow.(ECOT). This online charter school is the largest charter in the state. It receives almost $100 million a year from the state. “On the latest report cards released by the Ohio Department of Education, ECOT continues to rank below all of the 8 large urban schools that are oft
Ken Previti: The Illusion of Democracy
Ken Previti writes here about the illusion of democracy, the seeming choice between two candidates who are Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum. He cites the Governor’s races in Illinois and Florida, where the differences between the candidates are not large, and both owe their fealty to the same monied interests. He might well have included New York, where the incumbent Governor has lined such an imposing
Paul Thomas: NPR Whitewashes Disaster Capitalism in New Orleans
Paul Thomas writes here about NPR’s whitewash of disaster capitalism in New Orleans. Without reference to the extensive debunking of “the New Orleans miracle” by Mercedes Schneider, Research on Reforms (Dr. Barbara Ferguson and CharlesHatfield), and others, NPR recycles the glories of closing public schools, opening privately managed charters, eliminating the union, firing thousands of veteran tea
What Happened to the Scholar Who Challenged Pearson
Jason Stanford has written a jaw-dropping article about what happened to the professor who debunked standardized testing. It’s not pretty. Walter Stroup, a professor at the University of Texas College of Education, made a remarkable discovery about standardized tests: “what the tests measured was not what students have learned but how well students take tests.” He shared what he learned with the
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 9-4-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: The Politico Top 50Thank you to Politico magazine for naming me one of the Top 50 political figures whose ideas are making a difference. The bio says “For standing up for teachers, not tests.” I am honored to be in such illustrious company!2 by dianeravitch / 10min hide // saveMarc Tucker Calls for a New Accountability SystemMarc