Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Diane in the Evening 4-23-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all:








Anti-Privatization Conference in Rhode Island

A movement depends on public awareness. Here is another important effort to inform the public:
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Update:
The meeting location has been moved to Gaige Hall, room 100.
SAVE PUBLIC EDUCATION
The Privatization of Public Education
High Stakes Testing, Charter Schools and more
A Public Forum
Saturday, April 27, 10am-2pm
Rhode Island College
Gaige Hall, Room 100
Join us for this public event on the movement to privatize our public schools. What is behind the push to privatize? What role do government programs like Race to the Top play? What about high-stakes testing and charter schools? And most importantly: What can we do to stop the dismantling of public education and advocate for a better model of a fully public, fully democratic, fully funded public education system?
Sponsored by:
The Coalition to Defend Public Education
Latin American Student Organization at RIC
and LIFE (student organization at RIC)
For more information, call 401-400-0373
AGENDA:
10am: Keynote Speech: Jose Soler, Labor Studies Department, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth
10:20-11:20: Panel Discussion: The Privatization of Public Education: The Big Picture
Panelists Include:
Thad Lavallee, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth
Servio Gomez, Rhode Island College
Monica Teixeira de Sousa
11:20-12:00: Intermission (light refreshments served)
12:00-1:00: Panel Discussion: The Impact of the Privatization Reform Agenda in Rhode Island
Panelists include:
Marcia Rangell-Vassell, Providence public schools parent
Aaron Regenburg, Organizer, Providence Student Union
Brian Chidester, Coalition to Defend Public Education


Be Wary of This Website

About once a week, I receive emails from an organization I do not know. It contains beautiful graphics claiming to rate different aspects of education. Usually I delete without opening, but this one caught my eye because it said it was rating the states.
The email says:
“Hi Diane,
“Ever wonder how your state working to create a better education system? Please take a look at this infographic based on data from the State of Education: State Policy Report Card 2013. Feel free to share and discuss the infographic on Diane Ravitch’s Blog as you like.

What Is Bill Gates’ Next Great Idea to Transform Us?

EduShyster opines that Bill Gates has 3.7 truly transformational ideas every day.
She is certain that the next one will be the biggest and best of all.
Read here to find out what is on the way.

EdTrust Gives Advice to Michigan Policymakers

Education Trust, a Washington public policy group, recently prepared a report about education reform in Michigan. A reader asked me to review it, and I turned to William Mathis of the National Education Policy Center to write an analysis.
Now, given that Governor Rick Snyder is working with an external group to defund public education, these recommendations must be seen in the light of a governor and a legislature that will do whatever they can to outsource funding and education to private entrepreneurs.
Here is Mathis’ take on the Education Trust report:
“Invest in What Works: An Education Road Map for Michigan Leaders.”
EdTrust Midwest

                  In a new report by The Education Trust – Midwest, the authors spell out what they describe as a 


LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 4-23-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] A Great News Source for The Struggle to Save Public Education by dianerav The Network for Public Education has developed an excellent news source of stories from across the nation. Follow it to stay informed. And please consider joining the Network. It is only $20 for membership. Join with your friends and allies as we push back against those who are imposing failed ideas on our children and our schools. Louisianans to Jindal: Enough Is Enough by dianerav Many... more »