Diane Ravitch: WHy Won't Reformers Listen?

[proud2BlibKansan]

Dear Deborah,

We have had fun as a traveling team, debating the issues and engaging in free-flowing conversation about the current state of school reform. People call it "live blogging" and seem to enjoy our discussions. Sometimes we agree, sometimes we don't. That's a healthy thing in a democracy.

These days, there seems to be little tolerance for debate and discussion.

Last week, I went to Providence, R.I., to give a lecture. Before my arrival, I was invited by Gov. Lincoln Chafee to meet privately with him. Thirty minutes before my hour with Gov. Chafee, I learned that state Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Deborah Gist would join our meeting. As it turned out, I had 10 minutes of private time with the governor, then 50 minutes with Gist and leaders of the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers.

I mention all this because of what happened during the 50 minutes. Gist is clearly a very smart, articulate woman. But she dominated the conversation, interrupted me whenever I spoke, and filibustered to use up the limited time. Whenever I raised an issue, she would interrupt to say, "That isn't happening here." She came to talk, not to listen. It became so difficult for me to complete a sentence that at one point, I said, "Hey, guys, you live here all the time, I'm only here for a few hours. Please let me speak." But Gist continued to cut me off. In many years of meeting with public officials, I have never encountered such rudeness and incivility. I am waiting for an apology.

more . . . http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/Bridging-Differences/2011/05/why_wont_reformers_listen.html#comments

[elleng]

1. I hope she wrote to Linc. He should know what's going on.

[Warpy]

2. Ideologues are always like that

Apparently they find it impossible to listen to another opinion, only to people who rubberstamp what they are saying.

It's how you know which people need to be removed from all positions of authority. If they don't listen, work to get rid of them.

[DonCoquixote]

3. No surprise

There are many people drinking the demonize teachers kool aid.

[Smarmie Doofus]

4. KNR nt

[proud2BlibKansan]

5. Hey Smarmie! I just got off a conference call with the march planners.

It's going to be awesome! A teacher from NYC said they are getting buses. Also, Matt Damon and Cornell West are speaking. And Diane Ravitch. :)

[Smarmie Doofus]

6. DC: Looking forward to it. Tomorrows a biggie for us here:

March on Wall Street. UFT + a bunch of other public sector unions + some privates and community groups will assemble at various spots in lower Manhattan and march on Wall Street to protest cuts in services while the city and state give humongous tax breaks to corps.

http://www.onmay12.org/action/action-logistics

And, more generally, were protesting the furious class warfare being waged in the USA by the rich against the middle class and the poor.

Wish us luck. I'll try to post here tomorrow nite.

See ya in DC.

[proud2BlibKansan]

7. One of the teachers on my committee is from NYC and will be handing out flyers

Please know I am there in spirit with you. You guys do so much awesome stuff in NYC!!

I look forward to your report.