An astute observer in Chicago reports on my appearance at the Chicago City Club.
As usual, I did not pull punches.
I don’t have time for that.
The amazing thing is that even though everything I said contradicted the axioms of Chicago-style “reform,” I got a standing ovation from a warm and friendly crowd of civic leaders at the City Club.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
“In schools for the rich, children get taught. In schools for the poor, children get tested.” – Diane Ravitch.
I’m making that into a poster and putting it in my classroom.
I agree! Awesome memorable statement. Thank you Diane.
I paraphrase and repeat Diane all the time, with credit, of course.. What would we do without her?
“In schools for the rich, children get taught. In schools for the poor, children get tested.” – Diane Ravitch.
Do you think we can get this to “go viral”?
How about we all use this as the quote on our emails (we are supposed to have a quote on our school email…sigh.), Make it your signature everywhere (EX: instead of sent from my iPhone etc.?!)
Post it to face book, turn it into your cover picture. Tweet it until it trends.
No truer words were ever spoken.
Lets get it out there.
Simple slogans (but in this rare case, true slogans) help people “get” things…think bumper stickers.
The tricks of propaganda used for good?
Just a thought
Good idea! I say put it on T shirts too.
This is my new signature. I think its a great idea! Thank you!
“In schools for the rich, children get taught. In schools for the poor, children get tested.”
I would add… “Thank you Arne Duncan”
Now to clone you and have you speak those same words/comments/sentiments to every civic group, every political group, every foundation, every parent group, every business group, every Chamber group, every neighborhood association, every school board, every editorial board, every teacher group, every student group across the country! 🙂 (With technology, this should be ever more possible!) Peg Portscheller Portscheller & Associates: Pathways to Results 2473 So Oakland Cir Aurora, CO 80014 720-480-8688 (cell) 720-748-6111 (fax) Specialized and tailored services in education consulting Courage is not the towering oak that sees storms come and go; it is the fragile blossom that opens in the snow.” –Alice Mackenzie Swaim, Scottish-American poet
Diane, you received that standing ovation in Chicago because people are hungry to hear something about our public schools that makes sense. No one who cares about children and has thought about what they need to learn and to thrive could agree with the current program. Unfortunately, the corporate reformers have the money to control the narrative. Having a president who is onboard with them does not help. That makes your voice ever more important as we attempt to defeat these flawed theories. Thank you.
Diane, Why is the President so uninformed about is happening in our educational system? I just can’t figure it out? We have so many great educators and yet the people making the decisions are so clueless?
Thank you for your blog which provides such great information.
He is not uninformed. He knows exactly what he is doing.
The better question is, why does he say he is opposed to teaching to the test when Race to the Top requires it?
Why does he say that Race to the Top is a grassroots initiative when it was written by people from the NewSchools Venture Fund, the Broad Foundation and the Gates Foundation in Arne Duncan’s office?
Why does he say that the Common Core standards came from the states when Race to the Top incentivized/pushed states to adopt it, and opened the door to Gates funding?