Last night, I appeared on the Ed Show. It was brief, possibly four or five minutes. But I have learned that in television, one minute is an eternity. Every minute is precious. Out there is a huge audience, maybe a million people. It is rare to be on any TV program where there is time for an extended discussion.
What I appreciated about the Ed Show is that it is the first television program, to my knowledge, where the host has a fundamental understanding of the historic threat to the future of public education. He gets it. He ran a clip of a protest in Philadelphia against the actions of the School Reform Commission. Ed may or may not know that Pennsylvania has systematically underfunding the public schools of Philadelphia. He may or may not know that the chief executive officer of the district, a former gas works executive, recently commissioned a plan from the Boston Consulting Group that would privatize a large segment of the district’s public schools. Boston Consulting Group is one of those ubiquitous business strategy groups that tells everyone what to do without knowing anything about their business. Romney’s former company, Bain, was an outgrowth of BCG.
Yes, there is a historic threat to public education. For over a century, we have treasured our system of public education. Now it is encircled by rightwing ideologues who see a chance to achieve their goal of getting the government out of education; by hedge fund managers who think they know everything; by corporate executives who think that a business plan will solve all problems; by ambitious politicians who see a chance to please their major campaign contributors; by for-profit entities that see a money-making opportunity; and by opportunists who teach for two years and then leave to make their name as “reformers.”
We need to see and hear more on the Ed Show. And we need other influential figures who are willing to think for themselves, stand up to the powerful, and defend the commons.
Diane
Dear Dr. Ravitch your interview last evening was tremendous. Your continued professionalism, expert knowledge and tireless work ethic on bealf of the public school children of the United States is so appreciated. As you wrote: a minute on TV is an eternity. This statement, espcially from a publicity standpoint, is so poignant. If public educators don’t obtain more moments such as yours on the Ed Show we will become a nation of corporate charter schools with no regulations for those that work with children. Public Education advocates need a national presence such as what you provide, but you can’t do it alone. As you stated last evening: there has never been an attack such as this on public education in the history of the United States. As such, the NEA and AFT need to ban together. Union fragmentation needs to halt, pettiness and inner-politics must end in an effort to battle the Goliath that faces us. Rather than NEA or AFT public educators need to be ONE and seize the moment. Only a truly cohesive group of public educators will gain the ear of POTUS and Lawmakers. Currently, our dis-union provides no leverage; together we will ensure a bright future for students, fragmented we fail them.
I couldn’t agree more. All those who care about the future of public education, all those who care about the future of our society, all those who care about the well-being of children, should join together to oppose the present destructive forces. Their weapon of choice is standardized testing. Their goal is privatization.
I fully agree with what you’ve written. And remember to reach out, affirmatively, to we parents. Despite how it might appear, most of us are with you, strongly.
I know that a handful of vocal, dissatisfied, and sometimes irate parents can give teachers the impression that you may not have a lot of support among parents. You do. Believe
I also know that in the last few years there is a great deal of vitriol and hatred directed against teachers in the media, and in the general culture. I’m deeply offended by it and if most people are directly asked about this trend, they’ll agree it’s unfair, inaccurate and shameful.
So, please, reach out, in any way you feel is appropriate, to we parents. Most of us understand that our child’s education is a school-home partnership. We know you have a very challenging job and we know that you need and in almost every case, deserve our support.
I have a son about to enter the third grade at an absolutely wonderful public school here in Seattle. I’m so appreciative of the good teachers, staff and principal at our school, and all of the families we’ve had the privilege to connect with, through our children.
Just for the record, I’ve never been a teacher. Nor has my spouse nor any member of our immediate or extended family. Nor any close, personal friends. I’m a small business owner who understands what is really going on with public education and who wants to work with, and not against, our teachers.
And I’m not alone. So reach out to us. Enlist us in this effort, in any way you can. And we’ll keep doing what we can on our end to make a difference.
Join the Save Our Schools effort to renew understanding, confidence and strength in the power of our public school systems to produce contributing members of society at all levels of the economic and social strata. The future of our democracy depends on it.
The People’s Convention in Washington D.C. August 3-5 invites citizens representing diverse interests and organizations who want to bring back the voices of local communities whose public schools are the seed of collaboration and progenitors of social justice. You can participate now in composing a profoundly powerful platform of educational principles by which to guide an education reform movement that is truly in the interst of the people because it will be created by the people
Many of you have dedicated your efforts and energies toward raising your voices in support of those who find their sense of community, and home, in the public schools. We have each thrown our weight behind this push for social justice in our own way, and our varied experiences have allowed us the benefit of creating an enormous amount of ollective knowledge. It is time to bring this wealth of knowledge and our common purpose together. There is strength in numbers. Therefore, this invitation is extended to you by Save Our Schools (SOS).
Our principles are simple and in line with the guidelines underlying every state constitutional provision that is commonly called the “education article.” The People’s Principles for Public Education will address and suggest resolutions to nine critical areas in public education. The principles will be composed democratically and through the virtual collaboration of citizens over the next two months. Therefore, we call upon the people to participate. We seek children, parents, primary caregivers, teachers, teacher’s assistants/aides, PTAs/PTOs, principals, assistant principals, administrative staff, superintendents, school bus drivers, maintenance staff, cafeteria workers, paraprofessionals, professors, researchers, professional teachers’ organizations and any concerned citizen who wish to volunteer to represent the diverse range of school communities.
Over the remaining two months, we seek your assistance in crafting the People’s Principles for Public Education. Then, we hope you will join us on August 3, 4, and 5 to finalize and affirm our princples at the Save Our Schools Convention in Washington D.C. For more information and to join our cause and make it YOUR CAUSE, go to http://www.saveourschoolsmarch.org
What is it that binds us to the U.S. public school system as to no other? Perhaps, we are bound to the dream of its potential as a valuable home for the education of the people, by the people. Do we not all deesire to see the natino’s youth come into their own as mindful, intelligent, and generous adults who can willingly and competently take up the task of leading this country toward a greater, common good? Unfortunately, educational policy has been developing throughout the last decade without the people’s voice, and one must ask how the common good can be envisioned with the people.
Many of us have dedicated our efforts and energies toward raising our voices in support of those who find their sense of community, and home, in the public schools. WE have each thrown our weight behind this push for social justice in our own way, and our varied experiences have allowed us the benefit of creating an enormous amount of c
ollective knowledge. It is time to bring this wealth of knowledge and our common purpose together. Therefore, this invitation is extended to you by Save Our Schools (SOS).
SOS is a national movement of the people, by the people, and it is dedicated to saving public education via the constitutionally sound way. Perhaps you may recall the march in Washington D.C. last year when we successfully rallied thousands of citizens in support of the public schools. Our organization has continued to grow through the dedication of progressive thinkers who focus on findign and developing opportunities for the people to take ownership of public education.
The SOS convention will convene again this summer in D.C., but with a different approach. The Presidential election is in the near future and we have, therefore, set our goal on elevating the people’s voice in the conversation on education reeform. In order to do so, we must speak from experience, with heart, and through consensus. As one, we endeavor to compose a profoundly powerful platform of educational principles by which to guide an education reform movement that is truly in the interest of the people because it will be created by the people.
Our principles are simple and in line with the guidelines underlying every state constitutional provision that is commonly called the “education article.” The People’s Principles for Public Education will address and suggeest resolutions to nine critical areas in public education. The principles will be composed democratically and through the virtual collaboration of citizens over the remaining two months. Therefore, we call upon the people to participate. We seek students, parents, primary caregivers, teachers, teacher’s assistants/aides, PTAs’PTOs, principals, assistant principals, administrative staff, superintendents,, school bus drivers, maintenance staff, cafeteria workers, paraprofessionals, professors, researchers, professional educators’ organizations, and any concerned citizen who wishes to volunteer to represent the diverse range of school communities.
Over the next two months, we seek your assistance in crafting the People’s Principles for Public Education. Then, w e hpe you will join us on August 3-5 to finalize and affirm our principles at the Save Our Schools Convention in Washington DC. For more information and to participate see http://www.saveourschoolsmarch.org.
Lee P. Barrios, M.Ed., NBCT
SOS Steering Committee Member
I saw you last night on the EdShow. Watched your Charlie Rose interview. Thank you, thank you. You have been tireless in your commentary, blogging, and writing. We need a twitter campaign to get more teachers in front of cameras. As you stated in your other blog today, teachers are smart and know what needs to be done to affect reform.
How can we get them in front of the public?
Start writing op-eds. Blog. Make your voice heard. Write letters to the editor. Contact reporters and local TV reporters. Let them know that knowledgeable teacher should be heard because you know more than the alleged experts who are ruining your school.
I do believe that your tireless efforts and willingness to speak and stand up for public education has provided incentive for more and more educators, parents, and students to come forward and tell it like it is. I thank you for all that you do. I do think there will be a point when some of this madness will stop. It will take all of us, in whatever manner in which one feels comfortable, to accomplish that.
You were terrific on The Ed Show. BTW, you looked really good in red!
This idea of using public fund to run private organizations is nothing but stealing the tax payer’s money and diverting it into private purses with no accountbility required.
How can anyone in their right mind rationalize the idea of a private school taking money for the education of a child from the public and then after three months kick the child out back into the public school without refunding the money.
This is how I see it and I know many sensible honest citizens of this country will agree with me.
A patient (student) goes to a doctor ( the for profit organization teacher and principal) for treatment. The doctor gets paid for the job and finds out that he or she can’ t do the job. The patient is now discharged without proper treatment and sent home to go and die.
This is what I’m saying. THIS IS STEALING. It’s amazing to me that this will happen in an advanced nation like America and people don’t seem to take note of it. If it happened in the third world I wouldn’t be surprised.
Someone needs to rescue the situation because the students whose money are being stolen are eventually sent back to the public school that is now grossly underfunded.
Let’s call a spade a spade.
THIS IS ORGANIZED THEFT PERIOD AND NOTHING ELSE.
[…] is Diane’s reaction to that appearance, it is very well written as she understands the movement afoot to dismantle […]
I finally was able to see “The Ed Show” clip. Once again, thank you.
I was upset, however, at some of the Twitter scrolls at the bottom of the screen which blamed the GOP (of course, they’re partly to blame). To those of you who complained about the GOP, I hope you’re reading this: what about all the Democrats who are destroying public education? Like, oh, for instance, the Obama Administration? WHO picked Arne Duncan to be Sec. of Ed. &, perhaps, more importantly, WHY is he still there? Understand this–I am NOT a fan of the GOP–never have been, never will be, haven’t voted for GOP candidates. The point is, Americans (ESPECIALLY people who watch “The Ed Show!”) should understand that public education is being attacked from BOTH sides, in EVERY state &, nationally, it’s the Democrats who are doing the damage,
& they WON’T STOP!!! Let’s get them to take some actions that will help–not hurt–our schools…before the November elections will do nicely.
The Ed show gets 1/6 the ratings of The Factor. He is barely hanging on. There must be a reason why. What do you think it is?