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Thursday, February 7, 2013

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 2-7-13 Diane Ravitch's blog

Diane Ravitch's blog:

Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch




What Happens When TFA Takes Over Vegas and Nevada

EduShyster tells a fascinating story about Nevada’s love affair with TFA.
It is humorous but not funny.
Nevada has large numbers of non-English speaking students but does not want to pay what t csts to help them learn.
Nevada has the lowest graduation rate in the nation, worse even than Michele Rhee’s D.C. Schools.
Las Vegas has some of the most overcrowded classrooms in the nation–as many as 50 in some classes.
Two TFA alumnae have been elected to the Nevada state board of education.


Milwaukee: Charter Schools No Better than Public Schools

The Forward Institute sent me their latest study of charter school performance compared to public schools in Milwaukee. Here is the takeaway: There is no significant difference between the performance of public schools and charter schools. However, public schools in Milwaukee are more successful with the poorest students than are charter schools. None of this matters to Governor Scott Walker and the Republican-dominated legislature, which is intent of privatizing more schools, regardless of evidence.

Here is a link and a synopsis:

A Compleat Guide to the Corporate Reform Movement

Leonie Haimson, who leads Class Size Matters in New York City and was a co-founder of Parents Across America, has worked with other parents and with educators to compile a comprehensive list of corporate reform organizations and to identify the lingo of the reformers. She asks your help in reviewing the list and letting her know about errors and omissions.
Review the list of organizations and definitions. You can let her know your thoughts at the email she provides or in your comments here.
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Many parents, teachers and concerned citizens are confused by the superabundance of well-funded advocacy 



Diane in the Evening 2-6-13Diane Ravitch's blog













MORNING UPDATE LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 2-6-13 Diane Ravitch's blog

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago
Diane Ravitch's blog: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] Charter Schools and the New Segregation by dianerav A reader offers his observations: Charter Schools, a failure that cannot be measured. January 12, 2013 by Joe Hernandez As I drive happily and optimistically through our South Florida roads, I can’t fail to notice the familiar signs we are all accustomed to viewing, the burger chains, gas stations and the strip malls. As an educator and more specifically, a school psychologist, something catches my eye in a decrepit, run down strip mall, a charter school. ... more »