More Detail on Louisiana Voucher Ruling
The decision to declare illegal the funding of the voucher program is very important. Vouchers were to be funded by taking money that was dedicated to public elementary and secondary schools. The decision was about the funding mechanism. If the politicians want a voucher program, they can’t take money out of the minimum foundation funding for public schools. Like, they could raise taxes to pay for kids to go to religious schools and learn about creationism.
Who Spends the Most to Advertise on Google?
This may surprise you.
Or if you read this blog regularly, it won’t.
It is a big for-profit corporation that sells education.
Read it.
Or if you read this blog regularly, it won’t.
It is a big for-profit corporation that sells education.
Read it.
If Arne Becomes Secretary of State, Then…
Thomas Friedman of the New York Times thinks that Arne Duncan should be the next Secretary of State. He would like to see Race to the Top applied to our international relations.
Readers have reacted. Leonie Haimson in New York City suggested that Arne could close embassies that can’t end wars and conflicts.
Here is another good idea:
He could start an innovative new trend of “Charter Embassies.” They would be U.S. embassies that are publicly funded, but cheaper to maintain and not beholden to rules of international law.
Actually, if you take it to its logical conclusion, every embassy would have its own foreign policy.
Readers have reacted. Leonie Haimson in New York City suggested that Arne could close embassies that can’t end wars and conflicts.
Here is another good idea:
He could start an innovative new trend of “Charter Embassies.” They would be U.S. embassies that are publicly funded, but cheaper to maintain and not beholden to rules of international law.
Actually, if you take it to its logical conclusion, every embassy would have its own foreign policy.
Carrots and Sticks Are for Them, Not Us
Jersey Jazzman describes Race to the Top as “segregation gone wild.”
Strangely enough, the districts that applied for RTTT cash and mandates are mostly poor and minority.
Wonder if they know that none of the federal “remedies” has ever worked?
Wonder if they know their district is likely to spend more on implementing the mandates than the money it “wins”?
Strangely enough, the districts that applied for RTTT cash and mandates are mostly poor and minority.
Wonder if they know that none of the federal “remedies” has ever worked?
Wonder if they know their district is likely to spend more on implementing the mandates than the money it “wins”?
Parent Power in Philadelphia
Earlier this year, the William Penn Foundation commissioned a report from the Boston Consulting Group on the future of the Philadelphia public schools. BCG, as is customary, recommended closing dozens of public schools and opening dozens of privately managed charters.
Parents and community leaders were outraged.
One group, Parents United for Public Education, complained that the William Penn Foundation was engaged in
Parents and community leaders were outraged.
One group, Parents United for Public Education, complained that the William Penn Foundation was engaged in
NYC’s Meaningless High School Report Cards
Gary Rubinstein has produced a stunning analysis of New York City’s high school report cards, its so-called progress reports.
This is what Gary found: the SAT scores of the city’s highest-rated high school are lower than those of its lowest-rated school.
Read that again. Then read Gary’s brilliant piece, which reveals what a fraud these report cards are.
This is what Gary found: the SAT scores of the city’s highest-rated high school are lower than those of its lowest-rated school.
Read that again. Then read Gary’s brilliant piece, which reveals what a fraud these report cards are.
Diane in the Evening 11-30-12 Diane Ravitch's blog
Diane Ravitch's blog: Louisiana Judge Rules Voucher Program Unconstitutional by dianerav A Louisiana judge ruled against the state’s new voucher program, agreeing with the plaintiffs that it violated the state constitution by diverting public funds to private schools. The state will appeal. The attorney for the Louisiana Federation of Teachers explains here why the teachers are suing to block Governor Jindal’s Act 2. It’s not because the law is “illegal,” but because it expressly violates the state constitution. It’s not because it spends public money for vouchers but because it t... more »
