Karen Lewis on Ben Austin’s Letter
A comment on Ben Austin’s open letter to me:
“Why would Ben Austin insert his own and his brother’s story in an open letter to you? And just for good measure, the annoying phrase, “…kids trapped in failing schools…” I am so sick of this refrain because it sounds like the rich and powerful really care. The parent tricker law is an outrage as are so many of these ALEC-induced mandates that are driving the joy out of teaching and learning.
“Here’s how we fix the schools. Go to the private schools where the elite send their children and watch what their
A comment on Ben Austin’s open letter to me:
“Why would Ben Austin insert his own and his brother’s story in an open letter to you? And just for good measure, the annoying phrase, “…kids trapped in failing schools…” I am so sick of this refrain because it sounds like the rich and powerful really care. The parent tricker law is an outrage as are so many of these ALEC-induced mandates that are driving the joy out of teaching and learning.
“Here’s how we fix the schools. Go to the private schools where the elite send their children and watch what their
“Why would Ben Austin insert his own and his brother’s story in an open letter to you? And just for good measure, the annoying phrase, “…kids trapped in failing schools…” I am so sick of this refrain because it sounds like the rich and powerful really care. The parent tricker law is an outrage as are so many of these ALEC-induced mandates that are driving the joy out of teaching and learning.
“Here’s how we fix the schools. Go to the private schools where the elite send their children and watch what their
Wendy Kopp Hails Philadelphia’s “Progress” As District Suffers Draconian Cuts
Why did Wendy Kopp hail Philadelphia’s “progress” on the same day that the state-run School Reform Commission slashed the city’s public school budget to the bone, eliminating librarians, arts programs, athletics, and counselors, stripping bare an impoverished district? Maybe she was confused. Or misinformed. Or maybe she meant it.
Kopp quickly apologized but Philadelphia journalist Daniel Denvir thinks it was no accident. He sees the same
Kopp quickly apologized but Philadelphia journalist Daniel Denvir thinks it was no accident. He sees the same
Failing Charter Becomes a Voucher School
Two low-performing for-profit Imagine charter schools in Fort Wayne, Indiana, were supposed to close because of their poor academic records. But instead of closing, they are merging with Horizon Christian Academy, where students will be encouraged to apply for vouchers.
Karen Francisco, the editorial page editor of the Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette, says that we now know that school “reform” has nothing to do with accountability as this move enables failing charters to evade any accountability for their performance.
Meanwhile, some public schools in Indiana are closing because of budget cuts.
Karen Francisco, the editorial page editor of the Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette, says that we now know that school “reform” has nothing to do with accountability as this move enables failing charters to evade any accountability for their performance.
Meanwhile, some public schools in Indiana are closing because of budget cuts.
Reader: The Close Ties Between Arne Duncan and the Broad Foundation
A reader offered the following comments on the relationship between Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and the Broad Foundation:
“There is no way Duncan limited testing when he was in Chicago because it would have impeded the corporate education reform agenda.
Arne Duncan was on the board of the Broad Foundation while he was the leader of Chicago schools. The modus
“There is no way Duncan limited testing when he was in Chicago because it would have impeded the corporate education reform agenda.
Arne Duncan was on the board of the Broad Foundation while he was the leader of Chicago schools. The modus
What Happens After Every Teacher Is Evaluated and Fired?
Arthur Goldstein is at his satirical best as he paints a darkly outrageous vision of the future, after the testing and privatization movement has finally achieved all its goals.
All the teachers have been fired (except for the Gates-funded “Educators for Excellence”), charter operators have taken over the New York City school system,, and Walmart happily trains all the students who couldn’t pass those rigorous new tests. And the new mayor eliminates term limits and elections.
All the teachers have been fired (except for the Gates-funded “Educators for Excellence”), charter operators have taken over the New York City school system,, and Walmart happily trains all the students who couldn’t pass those rigorous new tests. And the new mayor eliminates term limits and elections.
Schneider: Phony Accountability for Louisiana Charters
Mercedes Schneider asked the state auditor for reviews of charter schools. Her exchange and the information she received show how little accountability exists.
The original rationale for charters some 20+ years ago was that they would get relief from regulations in return for accountability for results.
That was before anyone understood that charter supporters would use political muscle and campaign contributions to evade any accountability. Or that charters would become the deceptive leading edge of the
The original rationale for charters some 20+ years ago was that they would get relief from regulations in return for accountability for results.
That was before anyone understood that charter supporters would use political muscle and campaign contributions to evade any accountability. Or that charters would become the deceptive leading edge of the
Gist Contract Extended, RI Board Supports High-Stakes Testing
Over protests by teachers and students, the Rhode Island state board of education gave state Commissioner of Education Deborah Gist a two-year contract extension.
Teachers objected to Gist’s top-down management style. Students opposed Gist’s insistence on using a standardized test as a requirement for graduation. Gist had the support of Governor Lincoln Chafee, Secretary of Education Duncan, and the business community.
Gist is a member of Jeb Bush’s ultra-conservative Chiefs for Change, which supports test-based accountability,
Teachers objected to Gist’s top-down management style. Students opposed Gist’s insistence on using a standardized test as a requirement for graduation. Gist had the support of Governor Lincoln Chafee, Secretary of Education Duncan, and the business community.
Gist is a member of Jeb Bush’s ultra-conservative Chiefs for Change, which supports test-based accountability,
The Girls at Catherine Ferguson Academy Fight Back!
This is an unbelievable story. I first learned about the Catherine Ferguson Academy from the Rachel Maddow show on MSNBC. It is (or was) a school for pregnant girls in Detroit, with an innovative curriculum, for example, the girls learned to garden and tend farm animals and engage in projects and activities.
But the future of the school was in doubt because of the city’s financial crisis. Someone, perhaps the financial manager, decided to “save” the school by turning it over to a charter operator.
Next chapter: the school is now a harsh, tightly disciplined “no excuses” school where the girls get an inferior
But the future of the school was in doubt because of the city’s financial crisis. Someone, perhaps the financial manager, decided to “save” the school by turning it over to a charter operator.
Next chapter: the school is now a harsh, tightly disciplined “no excuses” school where the girls get an inferior
Teacher Explains How to Save U.S. Education
This is a terrific article, written by David Patten, an Ohio teacher of history and government.
Patten begins this way:
“I have found it! After little thought and less reflection, I have found the answer to the problems of American public school education. Best of all, my solution will cost no money, save the taxpayers millions of dollars, and produce a well-educated citizenry. The solution is simple: eliminate any and all high-stakes proficiency testing
Patten begins this way:
“I have found it! After little thought and less reflection, I have found the answer to the problems of American public school education. Best of all, my solution will cost no money, save the taxpayers millions of dollars, and produce a well-educated citizenry. The solution is simple: eliminate any and all high-stakes proficiency testing
Teacher Review: This Is How Common Core Works in My Classroom
I have insisted again and again that the Common Core standards should be field-tested so that we could learn what works and what needs fixing. Here is a comment from a reader describing how Common Core works. I hope we get other reviews from teachers as the standards and tests are rolled out. Teachers, please send your comments if you have implemented the Common Core in your classrooms.
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The teacher writes:
“Next week I will finish my first year teaching the CCSS to Title I primary students, most of whom were ELL and about a third ESE students.
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The teacher writes:
“Next week I will finish my first year teaching the CCSS to Title I primary students, most of whom were ELL and about a third ESE students.
Will Budget Cuts Kill the Nation’s Finest Chess Team?
Last year, a terrific documentary was produced about the extraordinary chess team at I.S. 318 in Brooklyn. The film is called “Brooklyn Castle.” Its producer and one of the star players were on the Jon Stewart “Daily Show,” and the chess program was also featured in Paul Tough’s book “How Children Succeed.”
The chess program at this inner-city middle school is phenomenal. Most of the players are black and Hispanic. They work very hard, and their team has won more chess championships than any other school in the nation. The teachers are fantastic. If you see the film, you will be reminded about why public education is a treasure in America.
The chess program at this inner-city middle school is phenomenal. Most of the players are black and Hispanic. They work very hard, and their team has won more chess championships than any other school in the nation. The teachers are fantastic. If you see the film, you will be reminded about why public education is a treasure in America.
Diane in the Evening 6-6-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: *IN HER OWN WORDS* Iowa’s “Sweeping” School Reform Bill by dianerav Governor Terry Branstad pushed through school reform in Iowa that is supposedly sweeping, but I fail to see the sweep in the bill. It creates new leadership positions for teachers within schools, and that is supposed to be huge, but I am not sure why. It does not mandate that teacher evaluations be tied to test scores, and that means the state dodged a bullet by Great Neck, NY, School Board Passes Anti-High-Stakes Testing Resolution by dianerav Gre... more »
Former teacher and current Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Board of Education member Bennett Kayser's Op-Ed in the Los AngelesDaily News entitled 
