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Sunday, February 17, 2013

Diane in the Evening 2-17-13 Diane Ravitch's blog

Diane Ravitch's blog:






Ken Previti: Brevard County Schools Did Not Have to Close

Ken Previti writes this comment about the three public schools closed in Brevard County over the objections of the parents. The best solution: Elect a new school board. Run for school board. Organize and mobilize.
One harsh fact needs to be remembered about school closings, teacher evaluations and school ranking by student test scores. The total amount that “needed” to be cut from the budget by closing three Brevard schools was identical to the amount “needed” to build the new charter school demanded by the appointed Florida State 


What a Good Public School District Looks Like

Jere Hochman, superintendent of the Bedford, New York, public schools wrote the following for his colleagues among NewYork superintendents:
“If you want to see Superman solve the problem of the day with the fix of the day, go to
the movies or buy a comic book. If you want to see a student motivated intrinsically with
drill-skill learning and a standardized test, go the DMV. If you want to make money off the
backs of kids, open a small business that sells video games, not tests.
If you want to see authentic learning, go to a public school where you will find a proud

This Is the Look You Get When……..

Treehorn Express in Australia posted this. NYC Educator reposted so you could see it too.
Look here

Reader Asks: Is This the True Goal of “Reform”?

A reader posts the following comment.
Thought you might be interested in Gates latest “Request for Proposal: Literacy Courseware Challenge.” More teacher-less, computerized learning to support his Common Core [National] Standards. “Adaptive digital learning tools” are his robo-teachers, because apparently the standards [read: curriculum, no matter how many people

New Blog Will “Follow the Money”

I just heard from a new blogger who has spent years quietly investigating the money trail behind the privatization movement.
He has decided to be silent no more.
Read his new blog.
It is called “Charter School Finance Footnoted.” Its subtitle is:  ”Public funds lining private pockets.”
And he adds, as a descriptor:
“Keeping an eye on what charter schools tell their investors but not the rest of us.”
This should be interesting.

MORNING UPDATE: LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 2-17-13 Diane Ravitch's blog

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago
Diane Ravitch's blog: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] Support Glenda Ritz by dianerav Glenda Ritz walloped uber-reformer Tony Bennett in the race for State Superintendent of Indiana schools. Now the Indiana state board of education is trying to strip her of all powers, thus nullifying her election and the will of the voters. The board wants to protect Bennett’s efforts to privatize public education and to lower standards for teachers and principals. Please sign this petition to support Glenda. Always be careful on change.org website. Do not sign other petitio... more »