Did Anyone Copy Democrats Abroad Post?

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1. Aaron Barlow says:

   September 7, 2012 at 5:15 pm

   New post on Diane Ravitch’s blog

   The Best Democratic Platform for Education: Written Abroad
   by dianerav
   Democrats living abroad have drafted their own platform for the Presidential campaign. Of particular interest to readers of this blog is the section on education.

   How wonderful it would be if this statement of principles about education was embedded in the main Democratic platform!

   The Democrats Abroad platform unequivocally supports the strengthening of public education and the education profession. It opposes privatization of public education. It opposes charter schools and vouchers. It supports the use of tests for diagnostic purposes and opposes the use of tests to evaluate teachers and schools. It opposes the outsourcing of any aspect of educational leadership. It supports the right of education employees to bargain collectively and opposes efforts to curtail that right.

   It is refreshing to see that Democrats abroad are in touch with the historic ideals of the Democratic party.

   III. AMERICAN DOMESTIC ISSUES

   We applaud our Administration’s accomplishments and encourage greater efforts to ensure equality of opportunity through public support

   1. Education, Arts and Sciences

   Education is a basic human right according to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and a public responsibility. We must pro-actively develop a population that is globally aware, globally sensitive, globally responsible and globally engaged. We therefore:

   SUPPORT strengthening quality public education for all American young people based on the following enduring American values and internationally-recognized best practices:

   The purpose of education is to enable all children and young people to reach their full potential as individuals and to become socially responsible citizens of our country and the world;

   Equality of opportunity and non-discrimination are the foundation of our democratic society and must be reflected in all aspects of educational governance, management, finance, school facilities, teaching and support professions;

   Quality primary and secondary education are the basis on which all further learning takes place and young adults are equipped with the critical thinking, skills and knowledge to make further educational and professional choices throughout their lives;

   Equal access, academic freedom and quality in higher education are national priorities. A key characteristic of successful individuals and societies is the quality of higher education;

   America should protect education as a public good in a period of economic austerity. We need informed citizenry to preserve and strengthen democratic values and institutions that respect them;

   SUPPORT the diagnostic use of formative evaluation and assessment to encourage learning.and OPPOSE the misuse of assessment regimes to evaluate teachers or schools as institutions. Evaluation of schools should celebrate community ownership and improvement.

   URGE that all levels of government view teachers and their organizations as equal partners, independent but committed to the common endeavor of achieving successful education systems.

   FAVOR policies that require that personnel in school leadership, governance and management have professional knowledge, specific to public service in education, and OPPOSE the outsourcing of any aspect of educational leadership. This disturbing trend de-professionalizes key foundations of our education systems and decision-making based on knowledge, experience, trust and democratic principles.

   Page 14

   SUPPORT the strengthening of education professionals’ collective bargaining rights, acquired over many years, and DEPLORE the threats to those rights that are currently posed by well-funded and irresponsible special interests.

   FAVOR a concerted effort by national and state governments to undertake urgent rehabilation and upgrades of our school infrastructure, to ensure that our nation’s educational facilities are quality construction, safe and environmentally friendly.

   FAVOR Federal assistance to states for the creation of free, universal, voluntary pre-kindergarten programs, integrated into the public education system, while ensuring that states require the licensing and certification of all preschool instructors. Early childhood care and education are intended to meet the needs of the whole child.

   URGE the reform and renewal of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, based on the principle that the Federal government’s first responsibility is to set the bar higher than it has ever been in terms of equality of access and service, rather than lowering it to enable ‘market’ forces to play.

   APPLAUD President Obama’s efforts to provide more federal funding for higher education and his support of community colleges, including the 2012 creation of the Community College to Career Fund. Further action must be taken to improve equal access to all forms of tertiary education and to reduce the cost of higher education.

   DEPLORE trends towards privatization and outsourcing of our children’s future, which undermine democratic institutions at home and internationally. An informed citizenry is the bedrock of democratic values and the institutions that respect them.

   FAVOR restoration of public funding for education for states that have recently cut back spending and APPLAUD President Obama’s insistence that the Recovery Act save the jobs of hundreds of thousands of teachers and support staff as well as contribute to the rehabilitation of poorly maintained public schools in disadvantaged areas.

   OPPOSE policies that rely on corporate management practices, competition without proven benefits, or the privatization of public education, all of which thoughtlessly privilege corporate values over America’s commitment to equal opportunity, alleviation of poverty, civil rights and respect for linguistic, social and cultural diversity.

   FAVOR Internet access and training in new computer-based technologies in all public schools, which allow students from all background to engage critically in the information revolution and knowledge economy.

   FAVOR more rapid integration of immigrant workers and students in tax-supported educational programs and schemes, and OPPOSE the short-sighted attempts of some states, such as Arizona, to eliminate English Language Learner programs.

   OPPOSE any Constitutional Amendment mandating or permitting organized prayer in public schools. OPPOSE the teaching of creationism, intelligent design or any other programs understood to comprise the

   notions of creationism, within the science curriculum in public schools.

   FAVOR the adoption of education policies, curricula and international exchange programs for students and professionals that promote stronger awareness and appreciation of current events, global affairs, geography, foreign cultures, international understanding and foreign languages in order to help the U.S. in the increasingly globalized world.

   Page 15

   OPPOSE ineffective “choice” measures such as school vouchers, tax-credit programs and semi-public or for-profit charter schools that divert public funds to private initiatives. Parents in disadvantaged areas, and indeed most parents, prefer the improvement of existing neighborhood public schools to re-locating their children outside local communities.

   FAVOR more objective, fact-based news coverage on Voice of America, Armed Services radio and other U.S.-funded globally based broadcasters, not only to improve our nation’s image but also as a contribution to the liberalization of cultural values in the global commonwealth.

   FAVOR more and improved funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the National Endowment for the Humanities as these organizations are critical to the encouragement of cultural and creative expression in our country. We applaud the increase in funding for the National Endowment for the Arts to the highest level since 1992.

   SUPPORT freedom of expression in the arts, within the U.S. and through our foreign policy.

   FAVOR increased funding for the National Science Foundation and additional grants and tax credits for universities and businesses for specialized training programs.

   dianerav | September 7, 2012 at 7:09 am | Categories: Charter Schools, Democrats, Testing, Unions, US Education, Vouchers | URL: http://wp.me/s2odLa-7068

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2. Teacher111 says:

   September 7, 2012 at 5:15 pm

   It was still in my RSS reader app. Here you go!

   III. AMERICAN DOMESTIC ISSUES

   We applaud our Administration’s accomplishments and encourage greater efforts to ensure equality of opportunity through public support

   1. Education, Arts and Sciences

   Education is a basic human right according to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and a public responsibility. We must pro-actively develop a population that is globally aware, globally sensitive, globally responsible and globally engaged. We therefore:

   SUPPORT strengthening quality public education for all American young people based on the following enduring American values and internationally-recognized best practices:

   The purpose of education is to enable all children and young people to reach their full potential as individuals and to become socially responsible citizens of our country and the world;

   Equality of opportunity and non-discrimination are the foundation of our democratic society and must be reflected in all aspects of educational governance, management, finance, school facilities, teaching and support professions;

   Quality primary and secondary education are the basis on which all further learning takes place and young adults are equipped with the critical thinking, skills and knowledge to make further educational and professional choices throughout their lives;

   Equal access, academic freedom and quality in higher education are national priorities. A key characteristic of successful individuals and societies is the quality of higher education;

   America should protect education as a public good in a period of economic austerity. We need informed citizenry to preserve and strengthen democratic values and institutions that respect them;

   SUPPORT the diagnostic use of formative evaluation and assessment to encourage learning.and OPPOSE the misuse of assessment regimes to evaluate teachers or schools as institutions. Evaluation of schools should celebrate community ownership and improvement.

   URGE that all levels of government view teachers and their organizations as equal partners, independent but committed to the common endeavor of achieving successful education systems.

   FAVOR policies that require that personnel in school leadership, governance and management have professional knowledge, specific to public service in education, and OPPOSE the outsourcing of any aspect of educational leadership. This disturbing trend de-professionalizes key foundations of our education systems and decision-making based on knowledge, experience, trust and democratic principles.

   Page 14

   SUPPORT the strengthening of education professionals’ collective bargaining rights, acquired over many years, and DEPLORE the threats to those rights that are currently posed by well-funded and irresponsible special interests.

   FAVOR a concerted effort by national and state governments to undertake urgent rehabilation and upgrades of our school infrastructure, to ensure that our nation’s educational facilities are quality construction, safe and environmentally friendly.

   FAVOR Federal assistance to states for the creation of free, universal, voluntary pre-kindergarten programs, integrated into the public education system, while ensuring that states require the licensing and certification of all preschool instructors. Early childhood care and education are intended to meet the needs of the whole child.

   URGE the reform and renewal of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, based on the principle that the Federal government’s first responsibility is to set the bar higher than it has ever been in terms of equality of access and service, rather than lowering it to enable ‘market’ forces to play.

   APPLAUD President Obama’s efforts to provide more federal funding for higher education and his support of community colleges, including the 2012 creation of the Community College to Career Fund. Further action must be taken to improve equal access to all forms of tertiary education and to reduce the cost of higher education.

   DEPLORE trends towards privatization and outsourcing of our children’s future, which undermine democratic institutions at home and internationally. An informed citizenry is the bedrock of democratic values and the institutions that respect them.

   FAVOR restoration of public funding for education for states that have recently cut back spending and APPLAUD President Obama’s insistence that the Recovery Act save the jobs of hundreds of thousands of teachers and support staff as well as contribute to the rehabilitation of poorly maintained public schools in disadvantaged areas.

   OPPOSE policies that rely on corporate management practices, competition without proven benefits, or the privatization of public education, all of which thoughtlessly privilege corporate values over America’s commitment to equal opportunity, alleviation of poverty, civil rights and respect for linguistic, social and cultural diversity.

   FAVOR Internet access and training in new computer-based technologies in all public schools, which allow students from all background to engage critically in the information revolution and knowledge economy.

   FAVOR more rapid integration of immigrant workers and students in tax-supported educational programs and schemes, and OPPOSE the short-sighted attempts of some states, such as Arizona, to eliminate English Language Learner programs.

   OPPOSE any Constitutional Amendment mandating or permitting organized prayer in public schools. OPPOSE the teaching of creationism, intelligent design or any other programs understood to comprise the

   notions of creationism, within the science curriculum in public schools.

   FAVOR the adoption of education policies, curricula and international exchange programs for students and professionals that promote stronger awareness and appreciation of current events, global affairs, geography, foreign cultures, international understanding and foreign languages in order to help the U.S. in the increasingly globalized world.

   Page 15

   OPPOSE ineffective “choice” measures such as school vouchers, tax-credit programs and semi-public or for-profit charter schools that divert public funds to private initiatives. Parents in disadvantaged areas, and indeed most parents, prefer the improvement of existing neighborhood public schools to re-locating their children outside local communities.

   FAVOR more objective, fact-based news coverage on Voice of America, Armed Services radio and other U.S.-funded globally based broadcasters, not only to improve our nation’s image but also as a contribution to the liberalization of cultural values in the global commonwealth.

   FAVOR more and improved funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the National Endowment for the Humanities as these organizations are critical to the encouragement of cultural and creative expression in our country. We applaud the increase in funding for the National Endowment for the Arts to the highest level since 1992.

   SUPPORT freedom of expression in the arts, within the U.S. and through our foreign policy.

   FAVOR increased funding for the National Science Foundation and additional grants and tax credits for universities and businesses for specialized training programs.

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3. Aaron Barlow says:

   September 7, 2012 at 5:16 pm

   I don’t have an email for you, so simply posted it as a comment.

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   • dianerav says:

     September 7, 2012 at 5:22 pm

     Thank you!

     Diane

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4. Urbanlad (@urbanlad) says:

   September 7, 2012 at 6:19 pm

   Here’s a link to the entire platform.

   http://www.democratsabroad.org/node/15309

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   • dianerav says:

     September 7, 2012 at 6:30 pm

     Thank you

     Diane Ravitch

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