Saturday, October 13, 2012

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 10-13-12 Diane Ravitch's blog

Diane Ravitch's blog:


LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 10-13-12 Diane Ravitch's blog




A State Board Member Joins the Honor Roll

Carolyn Hill ran for a seat on the Louisiana state education board as a reformer. But after she assumed office, she realized that “reform” was intended to privatize the public schools, not improve them.
For having the wisdom and courage to see beyond the rhetoric; for speaking out and acting on behalf of children and educators, Carolyn Hill joins our honor roll as a hero of public education.
Commentary: In Louisiana, trickery is disguised as school reform
As a member of the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, I am writing to express my 



Debate in Philadelphia: Parent Vs. Privatizer

Ken Derstine, a retired teacher and now an advocate for public education, wrote up a commentary on a recent debate in Philadelphia.
Helen Gym, a leading parent activist in Philadelphia, debated Matthew Brouillette of the Commonwealth Foundation about the “parent trigger” on WHYY.
It is funny that a parent has to explain why the “parent trigger” is a bad idea that will diminish the role of parents 



Jersey Jazzman Hits It Out of the Park

New Jersey blogger Jersey Jazzman has written a brilliant and funny essay on “America’s Most Invasive Species: The Wonk.”
This is the kind of article that reminds you how serios humor can be.
He noticed that wonks thrive at conferences. At these conferences, panels of wonks deliberate what to do about 



In Texas, ALL Districts Burdened by Over-Testing

In Texas, business leaders and legislators think that the more you test, the better the education delivered. You have to wonder if these people have children, or whether their children are in public school.
A reader from Texas comments:
We live in a middle/upper-middle class suburban neighborhood in Southwest Austin. Our kids get reading and 



Karran Royal Thanks You–and Me

Yesterday I urged you to send donations to help Karran Harper Royal in her campaign to win a seat on the New Orleans school board.
Karran faces an uphill battle against the leader of the charter sector in New Orleans, who has received $110,000 from the supporters of privatization.
I sent her $100 via Paypal. Others sent whatever they could: $5, $10, $20, $50, or more. If 1,000 people who 



A Teacher Educator Writes President Obama

This letter was written by Alexandra Miletta. Her mother, who was a wonderful teacher, was a classmate of mine at Teachers College forty years ago. Small world! This is an excellent letter to the President.
Here’s a copy of my letter which I emailed to Anthony Cody and sent to the White House:
Dear President Obama,
I am concerned about what is happening to public education. My own childhood was idyllic, and I was fortunate 



Write Your Letter to the President Now

It’s time to write your letter to President Obama to let him know how he should change Race to the Top.
Join the Campaign for Our Public Schools.
Should schools compete or collaborate?
Should teachers compete or collaborate?
Is education a “race” or a process of development?
Share your thoughts with the President, your Governor, and all your elected officials.

Here are the instructions
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