Ravitch blasts corporate "school reform"

[Starry Messenger]

http://peoplesworld.org/ravitch-blasts-corporate-school-reform/

In her speech to 150 teachers and supporters at Pilgrim Church, Ravitch said major foundations, such as those run by the Gates and Walton families, Wall Street hedge fund groups, Fox News and the Republican Party, are behind the attack which has created "an existential crisis" for public education.

Unfortunately, she added, the movement has the support of Education Secretary Arne Duncan, although President Barack Obama made a contradictory statement, both supporting and opposing the movement's aims, in his recent State of the Union speech.

<snip>

The law was aggravated by the Race to the Top program under the Obama administration which has increased sanctions against teachers and principals and pressure to privatize, she said.

Privatization, including vouchers for private and religious schools, charter schools, home schooling and cyber-schools, operates under the innocuous-sounding name of "school choice" and is a major goal of the reform movement, Ravitch charged. While these measures are highly profitable for entrepreneurs and in many cases operating licenses are "payoffs for contributions to politicians," she said, there is no evidence that they improve school performance or test scores. On the other hand there are many examples of financial corruption, score inflation, debased standards and non-accountability in these enterprises.

[DJ13]

1. K&R for more eyeballs

& recs!

[Starry Messenger]

2. Thank you friend. :) nt.

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. Kick

[Jefferson23]

4. Thanks for posting. n/t

[Smarmie Doofus]

5. I sent a link to this thread to a friend who wouldn't sign the "Dump Duncan" petition.

It's a comprehensive yet concise restatement of the case against Obamacation in its entirety.

That was about five days ago.

He usually comments voluminously ( and *immediately*) on anything political.... particularly if any *part* of it contains the name "Obama."

I'll give him another day before I start checking the emergency rooms and morgues.

[Starry Messenger]

6. Thanks for passing it to your friend, Smarmie.

If he resurfaces, I'd be interested to hear if he comments on it. I thought it was very comprehensive as well.