Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Diane in the Evening 1-22-13 Diane Ravitch's blog

Diane Ravitch's blog:








Danger: Privatization in Texas

The new leadership of the Texas legislature has a plan. State Senator Dan Patrick, the new chair of the Senate Education Committee, wants vouchers, more charters, and a fast track for closing down public schools. He and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst want to shorten the time that schools have to improve or close–from five years to only two. That should clear the way for lots of vouchers and charters!
Allen Weeks, who heads the Save Texas Schools coalition in the state, wrote an article about the privatization agenda.
He wrote:
“How many schools would close under their two-year axe? Based on 2010-11 ratings, 40 Texas schools — 

More Imagine Charters Close in Indiana

Ball State University announced that it was not renewing seven charters.
Among the seven were three Imagine charters, one in Indianapolis and two in Fort Wayne.
Imagine is one of the nation’s biggest for-profit charter operators.
Last year, Imagine lost all its charter schools in Missouri and the remainder of its schools in Georgia.
This year, Imagine was closed in St. Petersburg, Florida, and one of its schools in D.C. is in trouble.
These closures raise an interesting question about the risk involved for corporations that invest in charter schools. Imagine is backed by a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) called Entertainment Properties, which 

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 1-22-13 Diane Ravitch's blog

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago
Diane Ravitch's blog: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] An Assessment Expert Explains What’s Wrong with Computer Adaptive Tests by dianerav Jem Muldoon has decided that it is time to speak and act. It is time to do what is right, not what is expedient. She wrote to tell me she has become an activist for education and will not follow orders that conflict with her knowledge and ethics. Hem is trying to find meaning and purpose at a time when public policy requires NYC’s Biggest Tutoring Company Under Investigation by dianerav Ah, those private companies sure k... more »