In response to Katie Osgood’s post, “A Message to Reformers,” Maureen Reedy wrote the following:
“Katie, Diane and Friends,
I am loving your article Katie, it is right on in every way.
No more! No MORE!!! NO MORE!!!!
I have contacted Ed Schultz, a production company in California, Michelle Alexander, author of The New Jim Crow who teaches at Ohio State, state senator and superintendents in Michigan, I have a panel ready to go with the media when we get someone to pick up the ball and run with it.
I have been in touch with Parents Across America about a project based on “Hands Across America,” where, state by state, we join together, simultaneously, on the same weekend afternoon, and celebrate public education and present the cold, hard facts of privatization to the public, across America… remember “This land is your land, this land is our land?”
I have been relentless since running for state rep in Ohio as former Ohio Teacher of the Year and being kept out of the Statehouse by a malicious 1.5 million dollar ad campaign the last 2 weeks of the election of which Michelle Rhee was a player. I am determined to join others and take action from the Outside/ In where ever, whenever and however we can.
As a 29-year veteran educator and supporter/supervisor/facilitator for over 250 IEP/IAT meetings in my elementary school each year, you have got it right!!!
These are perilous times for our kids who are fragile, vulnerable and at risk. Taking the experts out of the equation and ping-ponging children across town in the name of for-profit avarice and greed is destroying our children and their crucial connection to community.
We ALL have momentum and the power to get moving on CIVIL / HUMAN rights issue of our time, namely, protecting our children and preserving public education.
It is time to take action from the Outside/ In.
Keep contacting people in a position to bring Katie’s facts to light, keep going with reaching your contacts, newspaper columnists, talk show hosts, etc.
Keep moving with your words, your expertise, your stories, your ACTIONS.
Keep doing what you can to save our children and public education.
Thank you Katie, thank you Diane, thank you to all friends who are fighting for our precious children, the real victims of corporate reform.
Maureen Reedy
Parent/29 year Public School Teacher
Columbus, Ohio
Diane Ravitch's blog 
I might comment a lot on this blog, from the distant shores of Wales in the UK, but our concerns here mirror yours, at least in projection if not in current status, so feel it justified to add fuel to the arguments.
There is a worldwide trend for the elite to syphon up the financial benefit of the work of the masses. It is crystal clear in countries where the elite are dictators. In the US and UK, a slower approach that creeps into effect on the fringes, slow enough so that a national awareness of such is too late to arrest its march.
With education, this point has already passed since action so far has (presumably) not matched the behemoth that is the private industry. An industry that sucks in state money via a veneer of claims to education excellence. Even if they deliver, this is never their principle aim – if they could offer substandard education and still make money, they will.
See the parallel with the health industry, where insurance policies are breathtakingly expensive, yet often fail to provide true ‘insurance’ as the industry wriggles out of its obligations whatever way it can.
I aim to press the UK government as hard as I can to try to avoid privatisation, with the help of others equally angered. So far, the English academies are in the hands of not-for-profit individuals, chains or charities, but that alone represents the largest part of the swing from local authority control to for-profit industry control.
I wish you well in the States.
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I agree. All these other arguments like teaching fiction or non-fiction and so forth just diffuse our energy from the real threat. The greed seekers.
I’ll make a long story short. We had nice neighborhood schools. Then the district wanted to bus the kids. Why? “So teachers of the same grade level could compare notes.” “What about the cost of buses?” “We don’t have to worry about that cost.” Now, busing is 11% of the budget and the last thing they would cut. At the grammar school level, most classes are self contained and/or teachers don’t have the same preparation period. After school is devoted to filling buses.
The thinking of business is not to fill a niche. Make a niche to fill. It is the same with the whole public school system. First, design it to fail and then come up a fix that you sell. Government goes along because an ignorant population is easier to govern.
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Joe and Neil,
Your ability to sum things up so succinctly is astounding.
“There is a worldwide trend for the elite to syphon up the financial benefit of the work of the masses. It is crystal clear in countries where the elite are dictators” – Neil
“The thinking of business is not to fill a niche. Make a niche to fill.” – Joe
Create a niche and fill it!!! How absurdly simple and yet that IS EXACTLY what is going on when schools are labeled “Failing”.
Thank you!!!
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Go to youtube and please watch “selective attention test” which is 43 seconds long. Then try to find Penn and Tellers B**l S**t series on DVD. Some profanity, but they make a good point in every episode. I particularly like the one about the water steward and the one after that about the food served in a high end restaurant. This marketing is going on all around us and we just don’t notice it.
Everybody is doing it. Everybody can’t be wrong. Welcome to the crash of 2008.
In IL, there is serious talk of ending pensions and replacing them with a 403b with self directed or professional investment. Did not a lot of people lose their shirts in 2008 through professional investment? It is just a given that teachers will be able to live on that investment when they retire.
I went to the teacher retirement meeting 10 years ago when the state sweetened the pensions with 2+2. I asked how the state would pay us when the pension was under funded for 50 years. I was almost booed out of the audience. All these teachers are required to teach critical thinking.
I could go on and on.
Thanks for the comment. I’m usually labeled a communist, anti-capitalist or something. Anything other than discussing the issue and proving me wrong.
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Joe,
I will check out the sites tis evening. I have spent my day at home processing books that I purchased for our library, our kids, and to get this part done puts me at least at the starting line when the race begins again later this week!
I have to say that your point about the stock market really hits home. It is scary to think that pensions will be substituted with other riskier and more complex(for me) options. I lost about 1/3 in 2008 that I had not even earned and will never have the time to see it grow back. I put it in an annuity. Security of any kindis being denied to us.
The Berlin Wall came down about in 1989 so your political/economicpersuasion shouldn’t be a problem any more!
Drat, just saw the news – looks like we’re headed for the cliff. Sigh.
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I’m not concerned about the fiscal cliff. If we don’t go over this one, government will come up with a worse one, new taxes and more cuts. The government needs money.
I too had an annuity for 20 or more years divided into 4 funds (high risk, low risk, growth whatever) with professional management. God is watching me because I became nervous and cashed it out about 3 months before the crash and placed it in an IRA in CDs. I cashed out to within 1% of the best the fund ever did and when the market was about 14060 or so.
Doing a little backward math, my yield was not much better than it I had it in CDs and there would have been NO risk.
My son got into insurance and selling annuities. The commission is 7%. That is why you can’t cash it in within a few years without a penalty. That protects the company from losing money because of the commission. Then too, you are really investing 7% less, but that is not on the paper.
Less than 1% of annuities are ever anuitized according to son. They roll over to the next generation through another ploy they have.
My wife invested $2,000 over 8 years in an annuity that was also in the stock market. The $2,000 fell to $1,200 and at maturity was $2,800. Not too shabby. Through some magic it did not roll over again into the stock market, but was put into a CD for the insurance company that pays 4%. Again, not too shabby. But why is an insurance company paying 4% when I can’t get 1% at a bank, T-bond or an I-bond? The insurance company needs money and they know you will leave the money there if they promise a higher return.
This is like troubled banks that were paying me 5% a few years back. True the principle in protected, BUT not the interest. When the new bank took over, my CD contract was cancelled and I received the new lower rate of 2%. It is the golden rule. Those that make the gold, make the rules.
I’m sure that if we all cashed in our annuities, we would not only lose the high interest but also some principal. Insurance companies are not FDIC.
Remember Madolf (sp) among others had that Ponzi scheme going for 30 or more years.
How do insurance companies make money if they don’t charge you a fee (usually). Because they buy less than the best investments and get a kick back.
All these companies are a slimy group. Over simplification? Maybe. Maybe not.
Prior to the crash, investment companies INVENTED derivatives. Basically, an investment insurance policy. By calling it a derivative, they avoided all the rules that cover insurance. Therefore, they bought bundles of mortgages and never bothered to read them because they were protected by a derivative and trusted the slime that sold them the investment. Company A gets derivatives from B. B buys them from A. Could a lot of mortgages go bad? Yes and welcome to 2008.
Why not be reckless? The government will bail them out. This is FREE insurance for them.
People call me cynical, socialist, communist, want too much government (people want a completely unregulated way of doing business and let the market take care of things.) I call myself a realist.
McCain was before Congress questioning derivatives in 2002 (It is on youtube). He got no where. Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac said things were just fine.
Banks sold mortgages so fast that they lost or never made out the right paper work. They opened store fronts and hired people to forge signatures of fictitious bank people and even phony notary republics. For minimum wage you had to sign 300 an hour. (60 Minutes TV) Since they had the paper work, the bank could then foreclose.
They got caught when one person noticed the paper work was dated 2 years AFTER she bought the house. She checked the signatures and found out none of those people ever worked at the bank. Names were chosen that were easy to write.
If you could not get a mortgage from a bank, you went to a mortgage company that INVENTED assets you did not have to qualify. Then sold bundles of mortgages to investment houses.
Are things different now? Not by much. Did not Sacs, 2010 (and went to court), actually betting against the same people they were selling products to? I forget the details, but they were betting against the products they were selling as investments.
I come up with this stuff all the time. People don’t want to talk to me. They say I should be happy with what I have (forget fighting for our pensions) and so forth.
This information is all out there. But people refuse to see the “gorilla” in the room.
It is all food (food stamps) and circuses (sports.)
I could write a book, but I would only be able to sell them from the trunk of my car. People don’t want to know.
My best investment, was to invest in myself and run a small business. Legally I was doing everything the big boys do. Just on a smaller scale and it worked pretty well.
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Joe,
Brilliant key line of yours… “First, design it to fail and then come up with a fix that you sell.”
This is it in a nutshell, one of the key crucial messages to unveil for the public in our campaign by crafting it in an accessible, visual and visceral way… public schools/ our kids for sale to privatizers who take our tax dollars, our children, our profession and give us/society no return… it is a take-away mentality to build corporate enterprises.
Think simple charts, Ross Perot style, visuals of empty wallets to hit the bottom line $ thinkers where it counts… and then think of how to visually and viscerally portray our kids as “lost” when they leave their communities. Somehow we have got to get this across simply, visually and viscerally so it packs a punch.
This is a huge part of what I envision for our “Public Schools Across America, Hands Across America” event.
Working on it… think about it, your ideas and others too…
Thanks,
Maureen
to
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Thanks Neil, for reaching across the Atlantic, keep standing your ground in the UK!
Maureen Reedy
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I am a former State Rep from Michigan and live near the first Charter School District. It is a disaster, yet the local paper reports it as the end all and be all of Education. There are many people here and across Michigan who would join you in a Day Of Action. Is there a significant date from history related to Public Education? Maybe that could be the date. What kind of pre-planning do we need?
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Please go read the latest DOE OIG report on the total lack of accountability of charter schools in Florida, Arizona and California. This report is DOE-OIG/A02L0002. You will see that you have the same problems in your state as are expressed in this study. It is a tool to use against them. I am willing to bet that the conditions in your state are the same as listed in this 3 state study.
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I know Mary and I agree that there are people from across our state that would join in a Day of Action. Marcie Lipsitt, (248-514-2101), willowgreen1@ameritech.net…My standing statement remains; Inaction is not an Option. The silence is not working.
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Squeaky Wheel gets the grease. If quiet you are giving them the go ahead full pedal. People in education and those who care had better wake up to the “War” going on here. Wake Up. It didn’t work with Hitler and it will not work here. Hitler could have easily been stopped early and everyone stayed quiet then look at the mess.
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Mary,
Thanks for your interest, Michigan folks have been awesome… I am in touch with a Michigan superintendent and current Michigan State Senator who are very interested in our Day of Action.
I just posted a lengthy reply to your question under New Comment so it didn’t get lost in the nesting and go on for pages.
It is awaiting moderation, keep an eye out for it.
Happy New Year,
Maureen
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Marcie,
Thanks for your contact info, I have it, see comment I just left below for Mary, it should be addressed to both Mary and Marcie!
Maureen
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Dear Maureen,
Good for you and I would like to join your team in the fight against these so-called reformers.
I plan to retire for the sy2013-2014 and will be moving to Parma Heights, Ohio. I know that many of the public schools in Cleveland are being replaced by these mediocre charter schools and the injustices continue to spread throughout Ohio. I hope that I have a chance to meet you and to make the same clarion call of “this land is our land”, too.
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Zulma,
So glad you are on board, see comment below!
I am up in Cleveland all the time, would love to meet you!
Maureen
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I am having trouble posting with the link included.
Diane, Maureen and friends:
Can we promote the United Opt Out Occupy the USDOE event…April 4th to April 7th.
There is a list of those attending and possibly speaking. Diane, you are listed. I hope that is accurate.
Apparently, when I try to include the link it will not post, so google United Opt Out and Occupy the USDOE, April of 2013.
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Linda,
Thank you for this info, will look up link after the New Year and we’ll spread the news. It is important I think to put together a master calendar of events around the country when planning possible dates for Public Schools Across America/Hands Across America.
Happy New Year,
Maureen
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Maureen,
I will be watching for your comment. I am sure Diane will post it quickly! I look forward to meeting you, sooner than later. I work closely with a number of legislative offices in the MI House & Senate and especially those on the Education Committees. I am happy to provide an introduction where you find it helpful. At my rally, Senator Hopgood (sits on Education!), Rep. Darany (sits on Education!) and Rep. Greimel (1000% supporter of public education and “all” children, and he will be the new Minority Floor Leader) all spoke. Rep. Hooker is Vice Chair of our House Ed Committee and he has not been in support of the MI bills that would have created more for-profit charters or the expansion of the EAA. He is one of the good guys, too!
A Day of Action for Every Child in America!
Marcie
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I am all for a day of action. I have been pushing for that for children with disabilities for the past 7 years. One of my ideas was to have the parents of children with IEPs obtain a doctors note that would say that ‘Billy will not be in school today because his IEP is ill,” and then drive a day of action.
So here’s another thought. What about staging and filming a mock trial with a judge, lawyers, defendants, witnesses (actors to play Arne Duncan, Bill Gates, Eli Broad, Mark Zuckerberg, Chester E. Finn, President Bush, President Obama, Frances Perkins, etc., and real people who represent every necessary aspect of what public education has become and what it needs to be, and of course their would be children of all ages, socio-economic, ELL and with disabilities; a jury and Big crowd in attendance….and put Public Education in the year 2013 on trial?
We could expose the glaring truth about the for-profit, charters, Common Core that has decided literature does not matter; the ESEA waivers that have created nothing short of an education-Ponzi scheme; the insidious power of philanthropy that has nothing to do with reforming public education; the destruction of teachers and the teaching profession (teachers with endorsements and masters, earning less than $40,000 per year with their own children on free and reduced lunch, being paid as part-time and permanent subs; the focus on standardized tests that do not teach children how to learn, the egregious achievement gaps for students with disabilities (especially learning disabilities, ADHD, emotional impairments, visual and hearing impairments), and the complete failure to address children living in economically-disadvantged, illiterate, crime/drug-infested and homeless conditions.
We could have Diane as the educational historian testifying to the unraveling of public education and where, when and how it began to lose its way. We could then put this mock trial on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Blogs and send a copy to President Obama, every member of Congress, the media (TV, cable TV, newspapers, online feeds, radio and any venue that is identified) and anywhere else that is identified to drive attention and create a groundswell of action.
I apologize in advance for the ramblings of a passionate advocate, and will hope that my “ideas” make sense in theory if not in cohesive and articulately-driven words.
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Marcie,
You are awesome, your mock trial is an incredible idea, love the way you lay it out.
Never apologize for being a passionate advocate, now start writing the script!
Maureen
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Thank you, Maureen! Honestly, I feel like I have been writing the script for several decades. It is always getting the necessary individuals involved that poses the greatest challenge. I organized and executed my second special education rally on the steps of the MI Capitol this past August. There is a clip on YouTube. Watching the destruction of public education in America and the regression of views on children with disabilities has been painful beyond words…although those that know me are well aware that I am not often without words. Still, I feel like Chicken LIttle on mute and am so thankful for the loud and impactive voice of people like you and Diane Ravitch. I want to believe we can crack the “public education glass ceiling” and restore greatness to the delivery of education for every child in America. It will simply take an organized effort of individuals with an unwavering belief that public education is the foundation of America and the greatest civil right of every child living in this nation.
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Marcie,
I just watched your rally speech, you really pack a punch.
Thank you for writing, organizing, stepping up, speaking out and spreading the word and holding our legislators accountable, this is exactly what we need to be doing.
Thank YOU!
Keep on Keeping on,
Maureen
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And can I direct all to http://www.saveourschoolsmarch.org where you can find a growing coalition of public educations activists who are seeking to inform, support and connect all those willing to participate in active resistance and an effective voice in this battle against privatization. We have restructured and completed elections for a new Steering Committee and national officers and plied for 591c(3) status to help us move forward.
I am a member from Louisiana where our Coalition for Louisiana Public Education is being assisted by SOS in developing our on-line meeting/communication capabilities. There are significant actions and lawsuits being brought and won regarding various aspects of privatization. Louisiana successfully won a challenge to the constitutionality of the funding mechanism of our nre voucher law. We won some important aspects of our case against our new teacher tenure and evaluation law but have not halted it yet (50% student test score component and bogus value added metric) . Teachers fired after Katrina and more recently in Jefferson Parish on their battles. Chicago teachers have filed a civil rights lawsuit against school closings and a national coalition Fom 17 cities will meet with U.S.Ed in DC the end of January to prevent overwhelming evidence to warrant a moratorium on school closings and turnarounds where students and teachers are displaced.
Stand up and be counted. Children are losing out on their educations, teachers re losing thei livelihoods and love of teaching, parents are disenfranchised! We need to tell our stories. http://www.geauxteacher.net
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Educators stood up and cheered across the country when Louisiana became the beacon state for its recent Supreme Court decision ruling it unconstitutional to divert public funds to vouchers. Save our Schools is an incredible organization, legal challenges are the way to go… so glad SOS is supporting in a strategic way.
Chicago is getting it right with legal muscle and civil rights lawsuits, it is about time the civil rights of our kids and teachers were defended.
Thanks for all the great info and sources for contacts,
Maureen
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Count me in !!!! I will forward this message to teachers and parents to help us fight the good fight. Thank you for this glimmer of HOPE!
Marge
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Great Marge!
Spread the word far and wide, we will need everyone on board when it is time to get rolling.
Maureen
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Thank you, Maureen. I will do whatever I can to get the word out in Maryland.
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Awesome, we will need all hands, hearts and minds on deck when the time comes,
Maureen
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To: All,
I am a school board member for a unit school district in Illinois with over 50 percent free and reduced lunch. I very much appreciate Diane’s work. I will be sure public education is defended at every turn and administered for the benefit of all students.
Thanks Doug S. Sent from my iPad
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Doug,
Fabulous, first of all, thank you for representing our kids as a member of the school board and THANK YOU for defending public education at every turn, for the benefit of all of our kids.
We desperately need active advocacy on the part of our public school boards,
In appreciation,
Maureen
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I am reading Liu Xiaobo’s No Enemies, No Hatred and one of his themes is clear: in the face of monolithic government power, real change will only be effected from the ground up. A day of action heard from around the country would send one more message to those in power, that the “reform” movement’s desire to send much of America back to living conditions in the nineteenth century is not possible.
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Dear Maureen,
I’m a firm believer for an….. “in the streets”….. kind of catalyst for social change, like “Tahrir Square, Athens and Madrid.
Major victories for people’s social justice in this country; like women’s suffrage, labor rights, civil rights etc. didn’t come about through legislative reform until people pushed the issues with “action”.
With that said, I like the idea of a “Hands across America” and would certainly participate.
You’re right about needing to let the public understand about how the fundamental democratic right of public education is being undermined by corporations and their greed and contempt for working people and the poor.
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Love the “In the Streets, catalyst” analogy.
This is what it is going to take,
Thanks,
Maureen
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Senator Verdad of New York is wondering what took you so long? http://studentslast.blogspot.com/2012/11/over-educational-cliff.html #satire
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Senator Verdad,
I gather from your name “StudentsLast,” you seem to have a special affection for Michelle Rhee, take a look at this link, “Opposite Day at the Ohio Statehouse,” an homage to Michelle Rhee’s “Dream Team” whom I listened to for 3 hours of agony…
Maureen
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Maureen, you are the bomb. We need more people like you to take them on. This is a war for the future. Will it be the Darth Vader world or the Star Trek world? I prefer the Star Trek world as that is the one of benevelence not destruction. The corporatizers and privatizers are all about destruction and taking us back to the dark ages for their personal wealth and power benefit. This is unacceptable. Do not forget that Obama and Duncan are leaders in this evil endeavor and Obama has been since at least 1995 in Chicago. All you have to do is look up his “Real History.”
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George,
I am not giving up on the hope that President Obama will have the courage to change the trajectory of his administration’s Education Policy, maybe if we make some analogies from Privatization for Profit/Race to the Top to “A House Divided Cannot Stand,” since Lincoln is his hero…
Thanks,
Maureen
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An idea—- get all those parents to keep their kids out of school on test days and organize community dance, theatre, music and arts classes for them instead of a day filling in boxes.
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Robin,
Yes! Each year when my kids were in elementary school, my husband (also a teacher) and I wrote a letter to the principal excusing them from what were then called the
“State of Ohio Proficiency Tests.” We also requested that they not complete any of the massive practice homework test prep packets. Instead, they each picked a topic they were passionate about, raising bunnies, Egyptian pyramids, etc and they researched and created some type of project based on their research.
Parents have this right and need to exercise it, spread the word!
Thanks,
Maureen
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Wow, love this. What a wonderful experience for the children:^)
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Keep us posted on Maureen’s plans, Diane. I, for one, would love to participate.
I hope it is not too late to fix things. I do want to live to see a day when the Arne Duncans, the Eli Broads, the Michelle Rhees, and the Deborah Gists at the top of education today have looks on their faces similar to the one Sauron wore when he Ents trashing the war machine at the base of his tower. “They were supposed to keep sitting there quietly and doing nothing!”
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That should read, “when he saw the Ents”, of course.
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And, of course, “Sauruman”. Dammit.
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Ron,
Alright! We will need each and every one of us active and involved to bring this idea to fruition. Since you seem to be as big of a fan as I am of Michelle Rhee’s, here is a link to “Opposite Day in the Ohio Statehouse,” an homage I wrote to Rhee’s “Dream Team…”
Thanks,
Maureen
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Maureen, fantastic read! Thanks! Being from RI, I’m more in tune with the works of Deborah Gist than those of her former competitor Michelle Rhee, but the “Opposite Day!” theme is alive and well here. Even President Obama participated when he condoned the mass firings at Central Falls High School and then pointed to the Met school in Providence as an example of a GOOD school in RI (when the Met’s scores were lower than those of CF High)!
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Ron,
Boy, have I been hearing a lot from Rhode Islanders who have had it up to HERE! Deborah Gist seems like a Michelle Rhee “Mini Me.” The Central Falls HS debacle sounds like Opposite Day to me. I think we need an Opposite Day on our Public Schools Across America day, that should get the crowd going. And then, don’t forget, whatever the corporate ed “reformers” name something, it means the Opposite, ie. StudentsFirst is StudentsLast!
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Their major fear is the public finding out and understanding what they really are doing before it is too late. They will scramble to consolidate that power. This is how it always works. Unfortunately, it seems to take all those very young children, their teachers and administrators to get shot before the discussion seems to have changed away from teachers being the criminals of the world. War is a series of battles, we ate it in the beginning of the battles of WWII but by the end it was done on both sides of the world against real military powers, not like now. The truth is a powerful thing and if we do not deal with the truth and reality we are finished.
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George, I am a father AND a teacher. I did not mention it above, but as much as teacher activists are an important part of the solution, it will not be teachers to storm in like a force of nature and wreck the machinery of the education privatizers and profiteers.
It will be parents.
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Teachers must be a part of the solution. Teachers are not innocent bystanders when they are silent to the destruction of public education or special education. “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter…” Dr. Martin Luther King
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Oh, I agree. But every teacher rising up to challenge corporate education reform would be small potatoes compared to every parent rising up to do the same thing. And the parents are beginning to get wise.
In a way, the most important thing that teachers can do is make the parents more aware of what is happening to their children.
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Respectfully speaking, parents and teachers together will be a team that cannot be beaten. Yes, teachers need to educate parents on what is happening. Teachers also need to educate and write about abusive practices such as paying teachers with endorsements and masters Tier 1 salaries that are sending many away from the field and to jobs that allow them to provide for their families. Or the practice of hiring teachers part-time to avoid benefits. Then there are the districts hiring teachers as permanent subs and even part-time teachers to lower their costs. What kind of teachers will we have in our classrooms with practices such as these?
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It should be the combination of teachers, parents, students and the community that must join together in the long run to stop this destruction of “Real Public Education.” Students need to have more input into what goes on for them especially in high school. Many times students know more about what is going on and what is needed than the adults as it is their life. Basically, I agree with you but it is impossible if the teachers sit on the line like in L.A. rather as is being shown in Chicago with their teachers union leading all of the above against those who will destroy “Real Public Education” for all.
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I agree, parents, educators, students, superintendents, school board members, administrators… we are hearing from all parties on this blog too, very exciting.
I think it is really strategically important that Chicago is taking legal action on behalf of their teachers/students with the school closings and “turn arounds.” Look at what Louisiana is doing too, socking it to them in the court system resonates loud and clear.
Also, in Austin, Texas, parents went to the school board and with the support of key school board members, forced the non-renewal of their contract with IDEA Charters.
Lots of great actions being taken, from the OUTSIDE / IN!
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I like Robin’s idea! All activities to feed our multidimensional students. The analytical, the concrete, the visual, the auditory, the tactile, the deaf, the blind, the comical, the wheelchair bound, the active, oh wait …we already have that in public school… when we don’t have to spend hours devoted to mindless bubble filling
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Yes, Robin has it right, see my note to her.
Each parent has the legal right to excuse their child from standardized testing!!
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Actually, in Maryland it doesn’t seem that we have any such right. I was getting pushback trying to get my child excused from the *practice* MSA next month (I was at least successful in that), let alone the real one in March. As far as I can make out, the only way she would not be tested is for her to remain out of school entirely for both the 2-week testing period and the makeup period following, so I think we’re looking at 3 weeks’ absence, which would be a truancy issue.
If anyone else has other details on how I can legally exempt her from this bull[poop], I’m open to details!
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Does she typically score well on standardized tests, and do you have a record of this? I’ve idly wondered what would happen if parents of such children threatened to keep them out of testing unless they got “a lil’ somethin’-somethin'” from the school.
Then again, these days it’s the teachers themselves who have their livelihoods on the line and not the schools, so…
Still, it might generate some negative press about the system.
As for your case, I’m no lawyer but it seems that if the law says that students do not need to take the test, it is the school’s job to come up with something else for them to do while they are present (as the law requires). If a school official says this cannot be done, ask them to put it in writing and sign it. See where that goes.
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She does score well on tests and her absence would bring down the school scores regardless. In MD, students not taking the tests are scored as ZEROES, and as far as I can ascertain, if my kid is in school she’ll be tested. They simply have NO spare staff available to provide alternate activities. I know: I was a substitute teacher there last year and spent 4 days proctoring. 😦 Additionally, if the school doesn’t get 95% of students taking the test, they are assumed to not have met AYP that year – and we just got a (half decent!) principal last year and don’t want her moved out. It’s a crappy rock-hard place dilemma.
I haven’t ruled out going to the county test coordinator for more information, but I also don’t feel comfortable pulling down the scores of my kid’s teacher or school. 😦
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At my school, we have a 96% graduation rate. 2,000 freshmen. 550 on the graduation stage. They have this formula of including night school graduates, summer school graduates, 5,6,7 year graduates, etc. that would not be on the stage in June. That must be some formula.
I don’t think it is a quantum leap to question anything they say are the rules unless you see it in PRINT. You may not be in a hard place.
I really doubt that AYP is based upon 95% taking the test. We hardly had 80% attendance on any given day (my number, not theirs, but I can see bodies). Test days are like field trip days. A day to be taken off.
We still had a crack at AYP, but did not bake it due to scores.
To set base leve years ago, 3 year students took the test. The next year, only those that had enough credit to be Juniors could take the test. The results were the same. But they tried.
You know what they say about statistics.
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If the information is good the stats are good. School districts tend to report to whatever agency what that agency wants to see and they tell different agencies different data on the same subject because they know no one talks to each other or compares the data. At LAUSD I found that in the 2010-11 year the California Department of Education (CDE) website for Average Daily Attendence (ADA) was 72,000 different than the ADA in the LAUSD Superintendents Budget. Now tell me how can that be? Typical, when you look close.
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Yep. Unfortunately, things have been set up so that those who might have the power to do something about the tests (does anyone?) are not affected by the tests themselves. If enough parents threatened to boycott the testing, it would only hurt other people who are similarly opposed to it. The ones pushing the test don’t really care — the results don’t affect them at all.
This is where the Educators for Accountability VAM assessment of Arne Duncan that Diane recently mentioned in a blog post really is an important idea.
But I really don’t think the people who are running the show at this point are going to listen to anything other than power, power that threatens them personally. It’s too bad, but it is what it is. We’re looking at a rising tide of strikes and worse in this country over the course of the next decade.
As I said, try to get something in writing from an official stating that your child’s school won’t have anything for them to do other than tests if they come in on a testing day and you’ve chosen to opt them out. Whether they agree or refuse, take the story up the chain of command a couple layers and make a stink. As a parent, you can get mad, jump up and down, and in general act very unreasonably and you will be listened to because they will have to listen to you. If it gets you nowhere, contact the local papers.
I do not mean to denigrate parents with the above, it’s just that parents do not have to be as careful about their words and actions in this fight, for a variety of reasons. They can more easily be, as I mentioned above, a “force of nature” — without suffering as many consequences. This is a good thing! We are going to need them.
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People at LAUSD very often are totally ignored until they put it into the public. Quite often a parent will come to the board of education and speak of the terrible things done to them and their child and if it is embaressing enough someone will come down and possibly take care of the problem. The real problem is that it ever got to that point in the first place. This is what happens in a corrupt organization. There is also the State Board of Education to take issues.
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I think this is a problem all over. In my state there has to be 95% participation rate or the school/district doesn’t meet AYP. I’m all for getting parents to opt out however it may only hurt myself ( as a teacher) and other teachers. We are going to need a lot of parents all across the nation to opt out to attract the attention of the media. Also in small schools like mine, there is nothing for students that opt out to do during the testing. . All teachers are giving the test. But I will still work on getting the word out. Hopefully 2013 will be a better year for public education. I am willing to do my part from rural central PA. Happy New Year!
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Parents can volunteer to monitor children in the library who should me allowed to read. They can read any books they choose. With the help of a few teachers you could even plan projects around a variety of topics….possible themes from the books made available to the kids. There are many options. Parents can propose them…teachers may even help you on the sly.
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No one can do big things by themselves. We need everyone to fight back and restore “Real Public Education.” You are right on.
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Some actions to take right now. Call The White House on a weekly basis. We have almost 2000 people doing it right now. http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/279621162140230/
And, we’re doing it at least until April when, I think, one of the biggest events will be taking place in Washington D.C. The Battle for our Public Schools. Dr. Ravitch will be there as well as soooooooooooo many other activists. Let’s learn from each other. Join us!!
http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/298659770235984/
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Awesome Stef,
Will start calling on Jan. 2nd, LOVE this!
Also, am working on putting a master calendar together of events going on to figure out timing for Public Schools Across America/Hands Across America event. Maybe it makes sense to piggy back on something like the DC event in April and orchestrate events in each state on that date…
Working on it, let’s keep sharing events, invitations and ideas…
Happy New Year,
Maureen
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Diane and Friends,
I love the “Time For Action” slogan for 2013!!!
Believe me… will keep you ALL posted about “Public Schools Across America/Hands Across America”… this is our movement, we will need everyone to pitch in to make it happen… I really think it can work, don’t you?
On May 26th, 1986, almost 7 million people stood at the same time, on the same day, from Battery Park in NYC to the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA. and sang “We are the World,” to raise public awareness of the massive amount of hungry and homeless people in our country.
Imagine “Public Schools Across America,” at a central location in each state, on the same day, at the same time…. where we could all gather together… “This Land is Your Land, This Land is My Land…” educators, children, parents, school board members, superintendents, administrators, city officials, legislators… and CELEBRATE public education and also present the cold, hard facts of “Fake For- Profit Education “reform” to the public. The media could start in NYC, pan out across the country featuring our kids, our teachers, our parents telling their stories, giving testimony and stripping the smokescreen of privatization away for the public, across the country, ending in San Francisco, CA.
I love the comments, the energy, the passion, intellect AND the professional expertise that pours into this blog for our kids~their security, safety, their futures… for our profession, public education and our democracy.
I LOVE the mock trial idea, “in the streets” catalyst analogy, love the “Billy will not be in school today because his IEP is ill,” love the idea of keeping our kids out on testing days and engaging them in authentic, creative, inquiry-based learning activities… love the brother/sisterhood from Mark in the UK, love the Louisiana activists and Save our Schools organization…
Let’s do it… will be in touch… spread the word!
Maureen Reedy
Parent/29 year public school teacher
Columbus, Ohio
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How about April 15 – 17th ? There is a national gathering here in Arizona of the rich and powerful strategizing and networking to profit from the corporate take-over of public education. It’s called the Education Innovation Summit or “Davos in the Desert.” The event annually brings together the biggest players in education deform — governors, mayors, politicians, CEOS, venture capitalists, investors, charter school operators, and philanthropists who, according to a tweet from the event last year, plan to turn education into “massive wealth creation machines”.
Other tweets from the 2012 summit:
Adrian Fenty said “If we fire more teachers, we can use that money for more technology.” Wow. #eisummit
Jeb Bush has said: a) he does not read edu research. b) he does not care about anything that is not a test score.. #eisummit
Any of you up for coming to Arizona (April 15th – 17th usually has beautiful weather) to join me in protesting? April 15th – 17th is the week of the summit and the week of standardized testing here in Arizona. Hands across America to the Arizona Education Summit?
The Innosight Institute’s Michael Horn has called the event education’s “Davos in the Desert,” a phrase highlighting that, to the participants at least, this was a gathering of the global elite – the financially and politically powerful – who are now turning their eye to education, with its public funding crumbling, hoping to seize this opportunity to remake it, high-tech it and of course profit.
George Siemmens attended the 2012 event and called it the hub of corporate driven education change. He reported in his blog that the focus was money and noted that students were rarely mentioned and teachers and educators were repeatedly referred to negatively.
Any of you on this blog up for coming to Arizona April 15th to 17th to carry signs, do mock trials, protect our students, and bring attention to the event so the public learns what these profiteers are up to?
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If Diane, Maureen and others commit, I will commit to attending the April 15-17 gathering. We will want to plan for this to maximize the media attention and draw as many people as possible. Perhpas this will present an opportunity for children with IEPs in Arizona to have a day off school with a note from their doctors about their IEPs being ill. Perhaps we can have children in the economically disadvantaged schools out with the “for-profit virus”. There are endless possibilities and stakeholder groups that could be invited to join this effort. My email address is willowgreen1@ameritech.net and my phone number is 248-514-2101. The time for action is now. The call to action must be heard. Inaction is not an option; the silence isn’t working.
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This would be fabulous to orchestrate something on the same weekend to push back against the Opposite Day title of Education Innovation Summit, whatever they title something, it means the OPPOSITE!! (see link on Opposite Day in Ohio’s Statehouse w/ Rhee’s Dream Team~ http://www.plunderbund.com/2012/12/08/guest-post-by-maureen-reedy-students-first-spends-three-hours-in-opposite-day/
Also, am working on putting a master calendar together of events going on to figure out timing for Public Schools Across America/Hands Across America event. Maybe it makes sense to piggy back on something like the Davos event or DC event in April and orchestrate events in each state on that date…
Working on it, let’s keep sharing events, invitations and ideas…
Happy New Year,
Maureen
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Let’s absolutely keep working on a day of action; or week of action; or weekend of action. Let’s just commit to action and agree that inaction is not an option, and the silence is not working. Like everyone I need at least one-month’s notice to attend any event in any city. I take my son for medical every month from MI to Boston and the balance of the time I am buried in IEP team meetings and other special education meetings and advocacy. It will be important to watch for movement with the reauthorization of the ESEA and talks on the reauthorization of IDEA are already underway. I also agree that using our voices is critical. I regularly give out the U.S. Capitol operator lines, (202) 224-3121 & (202) 225-3121, along with the White House comment line (202) 456-1111. Back a few years when Verizon had ten free numbers the U.S. Capitol operator was one of my “friends and family.”
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I have emailed you but had no response to date. Everyone check Arizonaready.com for information. An article appeared in The Arizona Republic, Scottsdale Republic section, Z9, Wednesday, January 2, 2013 titled: ” New standards big part of Brewer’s education plan.” (Governor Janet Brewer put this plan in by Executive Order). I suggest checking this web because much information may be obtained regarding the “restructering of education” that most porbably relates to all states regardless if they are part of the “Core Standards”. I suggest checking (your state then …………ready.com. Also check your state constitution and all the laws that have been passed by the state that relates to Charter Schools. Arizona’s laws may be found under Title 15. All of this should be on our web in your state. I believe all states now post the Constitution and laws.
I believe the following is in compliance with the Federal Charter School Act (it has been a few years since I read it): so, double check:
Arizona State Legislature
15-183. Charter schools, application, requirements; immunity; exemptions; renewals of application; reprisal; fee; funds:……….
“O. A sponsor, including members, officers and employees of the sponsor, is immune from personal liability for all acts done and actions taken in good faith within the scope of its authority.
P. Charter school sponsors and this state are not liable for the debts or financial obligations of a charter school or persons who operate charter schools.” (Question : Are the taxpayers responsible? I asked this question years ago but never got an answer).
“Performance Funding Recommendations
Provide achievement payments to A, B, and C LEA’s (Local Education Associations my note for clarity).
Provide growth payments to LEAs who move up on the !-F scale
The smallest growth payments to A LEAs and the largest growth payments to to D and F LEAs.”
I trust the above needs no explaining to this blog group. Waive the laws and then cut the funds to high performing schools that will eventually make them fall in the C, D, & F groups, the state comes in and eventually these schools are turned over to privatizers (corporate vested, or foundation interest usually both combined llike the computer companies who formed foundations to promote their vested interest i. e. profit. Never mind that computerized education has negative results, just keep up the propoganda against schools and teachers and eventually all our public schools are in the hands of vested interest. We must remember that this “plan” destroys representative government at the local level. Arizona’s plan allows three Legislators to serve on the committee, but only as non voters. It now appears that our Legislators have lost any constitutional input into our state educational system with the governor,s “executive order”. The chariman of her committee operates charter schools in Arizona. Conflict of interest???
Check your laws in every state. One might ask why this was done. It was done to train children for the global workforce. Our children will be placed in a career path according to the needs of the corporate projected workforce. That is the bottom line!
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I suggest you rapidly go read the Sept. 2012 DOE OIG report on the total lack of accountability at any level in Florida, Arizona and California concerning charter schools. This audit number is DOE-OIG/A02L0002. This is dangerous to put in their face when they say everything is beautiful. It was already tested in California at the last State Board of Education meeting after a powerpoint on how wonderful everything was in California with charter schools and accountability. I read part of the report and asked if they knew about this report and they said they did. This means they knew their own people were not telling them the truth and they said nothing. Do this in your state also since it is named.
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Maureen- Like many on the blog I look forward to hearing from you. I am in. I will help in any way that i can on any project that will fight to restore, reinvest, reinvigorate and reinvent “public” education for EVERY child across America’s shores. I will say until my voice is (temporarily) gone that “Inaction is not an option. The silence is not working.” There is a sick elephant in the U.S. Department of Education, State Departments of Education, and LEAs and ISDs across the U.S. There is uncomfortable conversation that few are willing to have. Well….these conversations must be had if we are to reclaim greatness in public education and give our children the education they need and deserve.
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I may have to move to Ohio to vote for Maureen if she ever runs again!
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Their messaging has been good and the other side has been bad. Is this on purpose?
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George,
Our messaging was pretty darn good after knocking on 13,000 doors, we were connecting and in lead. Then the ORP and Rhee dumped 1.5 million in 2 weeks against us, the underbelly and big money won out.
BUT… maybe it is for a reason and we can have more influence from the outside/in!
Happy New Year,
Maureen
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I am trying to educate the teachers in my small rural area. The charter schools are hurting us but it seems that people here, namely administrators, only care because of finances. Our district’s money follow those students here in Pennsylvania, charter school heaven. I’m not sure how many are aware of the bigger picture. I’m trying to save public education everywhere because I believe in it. I have very grandchildren in this state and in another and the privation of public schools across the nation has to be stopped. I’m joining all of you in this battle. I’m doing what I can from rural central PA. I am so thankful for people like Diane and Maureen and the many dedicated others that are leading us. SOS
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I am trying to educate teachers in my area too. (very rural central PA) Sadly, some of them have almost become desensitized to all the testing craze. We test kindergarteners the first week of school and they cry from the anxiety. When I’ve expressed outrage over this some of the teachers have said but when they retest them a couple of months later
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I am trying to educate teachers in my area too. (very rural central PA) Sadly, some of them have almost become desensitized to all the testing craze. We test kindergarteners the first week of school and they cry from the anxiety. When I’ve expressed outrage over this some of the teachers have said but when they retest them a couple of months later they see growth. I am shocked. Is it as easy for parents to opt out of standardized testing as it is being promoted? In our state for the PSSAs ( the state test) parents may only opt out for religious reasons and a college professor has recently told me for moral reasons also. So what do they write on the letter?
You are right that teachers need to be involved but we need to educate parents too. I am trying to do my best from my small piece of the world. In my area there is large concern from the school administration and the school board about charter schools because they are taking students and the money follows the students and that hurts our small district financially. However I don’t think the people in this area are looking at the big picture that standardized testing, charter schools, online education etc and all of it together is leading to the mass privation of our public schools. I’m joining you in your battle. Thank you for people like Diane and Maureen and others like your for leading the charge. SOS
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I am trying to educate teachers in my area too. (very rural central PA) Sadly, some of them have almost become desensitized to all the testing craze. We test kindergarteners the first week of school and they cry from the anxiety. When I’ve expressed outrage over this some of the teachers have said but when they retest them a couple of months later they see growth. I am shocked. Is it as easy for parents to opt out of standardized testing as it is being promoted? In our state for the PSSAs ( the state test) parents may only opt out for religious reasons and a college professor has recently told me for moral reasons also. So what do they write on the letter?
You are right that teachers need to be involved but we need to educate parents too. I am trying to do my best from my small piece of the world. In my area there is large concern from the school administration and the school board about charter schools because they are taking students and the money follows the students and that hurts our small district financially. However I don’t think the people in this area are looking at the big picture that standardized testing, charter schools, online education etc and all of it together is leading to the mass privation of our public schools. I’m joining you in your battle. Thank you for people like Diane and Maureen and others like your for leading the charge. SOS
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Cheryl,
It is scandalous that ‘Kindergarten’ – literally the ‘children’s garden’ should have been hijacked by the obsessive testing mentality. Does no one equate their tears with the inappropriateness of measurement of stage in life that is all about exploration and fun? That an improvement can be measured may simply reflect a reluctant submission to testing rather than any real gain.
Compare with Finland where children in kindergarten are allowed to develop social skills in a test free environment.
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I agree that Finland has the right approach however, we are too caught up in data, data data! Remember we are a data driven education/nation! So we must test these students as soon as they enter our doors. However I have been reading some great blogs and articles on being data-informed and that makes a lot more sense. But as someone pointed out in an earlier reply about the debate over fiction and non-fiction, all of these are just symptoms of the greater disease – the takeover/destruction of public education. That is what we can’t take our eyes and ears away from. I think as someone said in a post on another day it would help if we could get some celebrities to help our cause. Any luck on that front?
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It irks me to no end that we have to test these students, all along knowing in our hearts and mind that it’s not best practice. Here’s the school psychologist who has studied best learning strategies, all of a sudden championing these testing follies. I guess they have to in order to save their jobs. We are also spending all this time prepping for the test, If we don’t, we receive a poor rating. How crazy is this???? I receive a positive rating for implementing techniques that are abusive and founded to have no value to students.
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I am currently reading “Measuring Up” on the matter of testing by Daniel Koretz. It appears to be balanced – not a polemic for or against testing. He is professor of Education at Harvard, and taught at elementary and secondary school. He is also an expert on testing. From what I can deduce so far, just 20 pages in, testing is necessarily a proxy for a deep evaluation because it is short, and narrow in scope for obvious time constraints. A pupil may have slept badly the night before, may be fearful of exams etc.
His conclusion is that the hard and fast numbers that pop out the other side are too precise and mishandled by all and sundry. A grade of ‘C’, for example, should probably be offered as a range ‘B’-‘D’.
But the heavy use of results damages what the tests measure and marginalises what is not tested.
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We do need something very visual and visceral as Maureen stated. Something that will get a lot of parent’s attention. Remember we are fighting giants Billionaires and corporations. If we had just had the funds for a commercial during a major football game and got the word out about opting out, something very visual that will leaves an impression – maybe kindergartners crying during a standardized test and asking parents if they know how they can opt out and spell it out to them what to say and do. We don’t have that kind of togetherness, backing and funding yet. I’m just throwing out an idea that we can’t do trying to back Maureen’s point. But it is going to take something huge to get the attention of the politicians away from those that are lining their pockets.
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Now is indeed the time for action. I teach in a small suburb in Texas but am willing to do whatever is needed in my area. I can be reached at http://lisamyers.org.
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Thanks Lisa,
Will be in touch, all hands on deck when we get ready to roll, have you read what happened in Austin , Texas with non renewal of IDEA charters? Go Austin parents, teachers and school board, AWESOME!!!
Happy New Year!
Maureen
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Yes, I read about it online, and my hope in the collective voice was renewed! I’ve written a widely shared letter called “To America from a Teacher” that seems to have validated a lot of teachers who have read it. Please feel free to use it in any way that may be helpful in this collective effort. The letter is at
http://lisamyers.org/2012/12/17/to-america-from-a-teacher/ and its follow-up is at http://lisamyers.org/2012/12/31/a-follow-up-to-dear-america-from-a-teacher/
Thank you so much for hearing us!
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I want to help too. I believe we need to start by informing the public. My guess is that the average American has no idea his schools are being privatized by the same people who brought us the Wall Street Debacle. There is tremendous power in numbers and that’s what we have but have yet to organize. Thanks for what you are doing.
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Linda, I totally agree and have said for years, “if only parents knew…”
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Mary, Linda, Lisa, Ann, … and other Public Education Patriots,
Great! Great! Great!
I am so inspired by our growing group interest in Public Schools Across America/Hands Across America ~
Together, we are going to figure out a way to pull this off!
I am collecting emails for those interested, please email if you want to be in the loop:
maureen.reedy@gmail.com (I wish I was more tech savy!)
I have pitched our idea of Public Schools Across America/Hands Across America to Parents Across America and have a conference call with them next week.
• You ask about pre-planning, that definitely is key…
• First, each of us needs to think of any contacts in our state/region whom you think would be interested in helping to organize.
• Start a list so that when we are ready to roll with a definite framework beyond the conceptual phase, we are ready with key contacts in each state.
• Think of anyone in the public education universe who is pro-public ed that you know; Mary, I’ll bet you have great contacts in the Statehouse being a former State Rep…..
We need teachers, superintendents, state school board members, local school board members, administrators, etc., parents, legislators, council members, PARENTS are HUGE, any well known folks whom are reputable and known to be public ed supporters ~ writers, singers, actors, etc.
• Start imagining the event itself… “order of the day” so to speak…. the messages need to be visual, visceral, vivid and emotionally, logistically accessible to the general public. We are seeking an audience that is not just preaching to the choir …. we are seeking to educate, convince and connect our cause to the general public while bringing down the for-profit education emperors/empresses with no clothes… and we all know who they are!
• My idea is to state by state, the same afternoon, same time, across the USA…. rise up as a collective and…
• Celebrate Public Ed with key stories, testimonies from students, teachers, parents AND • Present the cold, hard facts of privatization to the general public to bring down the smokescreen created by Waiting for Superman and Rhee, etc.
• For example, the following link to an article I wrote resonated hugely with general public in Ohio because it had cold, hard facts about Ohio’s charters which the general public tax payer parent/citizen DID NOT KNOW…
• Think of Lisa Meyers, “Letter to America:”
https://dianeravitch.net/?s=Letter+to+America
Lisa’s letter had and can continue to have, a HUGE impact on unveiling for the unseeing, privatization brainwashed public what has happened to teachers and MUST STOP, for our Kids’ sake… for our country’s sake… for our democracy.
Please email so we can get our group up and running,
THANK YOU Friends, THANK YOU Diane,
and here is to a Happy New Year for Public Education,
Maureen Reedy
maureen.reedy@gmail.com
Parent/29-year public school teacher
Columbus, Ohio
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I will do whatever I can to help save our public schools in Arizona. and the USA. I had hoped to have a bumper sticker ready by the first of the year, but the people I was working with apparently do not see the importance of preserving public education and representative government (local school boards), so “they????” have decided the bumper sticker will only relate to private education. Of course this is , in my opinion, a diversion from the real issue. As a former candidate for State Superintendent of Public Instruction 1982 and 1986, I still have a few political connections in Arizona. Needless to say, ALEC and the Heritage Foundation were not among my supporters, then or now. This state reeks of Privatizers of the people’s property. The present governor’s administration actually sold our capitol building, senate and house of representative building along with many others that I’ve been unable to ascertain because of the political agenda in Arizona….but we can picket and we can march, and I’m with you as long as I can stand.
We can all order our own bumper sticker that says “Charter Schools Destroy Representative Government and Education”. (or Children). I’m ordering mine tomorrow and not waiting until April to make a statement! After researching the “core assessments/curricula” one can only note more and more dumbing down of our citizens, teachers and children. If private education wishes to become a part of this “government” hoax, then let them. In my opinion, they bought into the hoax long ago with the method and mastery learning curricula. The others hooked into Bushes’ Faith Based Initiative that actually destroyed seperation of church and state. They took the money from the grants, so they became part of the government agenda. Fools!
The majority of our citizens will be educated in what is known as public education, and that should be our main concern because the privatizing, charter/choice school agenda destroys representative government. Plus, the money changers hope to make a profit off the backs of our children with their workforce training agenda that is at the heart of restructuring education. That is the bottom line! But, the American people have the last word, so let us speak out loud and clear.
The teachers MUST take a stand and not depend on their union leaders because these leaders sold them out long ago. Cut off the dues and this will stop them in their tracks. Form your own local school groups and stand against the evaluation of teachers with students tests results. I have never heard of such a stupid thing in all my years of educaton, teaching and research. Any fool knows this is not valid, and the student’s test are almost worthless unless one considers the error factor written into every standardized test. Three years of student’s standardized tests might give an estimate of grade level achievement on what is measured which is not much. I think after reflecting on this email, the best thing to do is burn all the tests, cut off all foundation money to the schools, cut off all privatizing of our schools, and let the teacher’s teach what the parent’s and most teachers want; a basic, solid, creative, academic education for children.
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You are great and do you know Fran Rice?
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George, if this question is to me “do you know Fran Rice?” No, but anyone in AZ that is on our side I’m willing to contact. Ann
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Ann,
Let’s keep in touch. DNAmartin@cox.net
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Fran lives in Arizona and is one of the top people in the world in special education. She has been at it for 40+ years and know the complete history and what they are doing.
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Diane,
Your blogging reply nesting is causing entries to be very narrow and span many pages. It might be worth looking a fix for this.
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You are right. That is very hard to read. I will ask others who know more about the technical stuff than me if there is a fix.
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Mary, Linda, Lisa, Ann, George, Cheryl, Neil, Marcie, Ron, Robin, Stef, Joe, Ms. Cartwheel Librarian … and other Public Education Patriots,
Great! Great! Great!
I am so inspired by our growing group interest in Public Schools Across America/Hands Across America ~
Together, we are going to figure out a way to pull this off!
I am collecting emails for those interested, please email if you want to be in the loop:
maureen.reedy@gmail.com (I wish I was more tech savy!)
I have pitched our idea of Public Schools Across America/Hands Across America to Parents Across America and have a conference call with them next week.
• You ask about pre-planning, that definitely is key…
• First, each of us needs to think of any contacts in our state/region whom you think would be interested in helping to organize.
• Start a list so that when we are ready to roll with a definite framework beyond the conceptual phase, we are ready with key contacts in each state.
• Think of anyone in the public education universe who is pro-public ed that you know; Mary, I’ll bet you have great contacts in the Statehouse being a former State Rep…..
We need teachers, superintendents, state school board members, local school board members, administrators, etc., parents, legislators, council members, PARENTS are HUGE, any well known folks whom are reputable and known to be public ed supporters ~ writers, singers, actors, etc.
• Start imagining the event itself… “order of the day” so to speak…. the messages need to be visual, visceral, vivid and emotionally, logistically accessible to the general public. We are seeking an audience that is not just preaching to the choir …. we are seeking to educate, convince and connect our cause to the general public while bringing down the for-profit education emperors/empresses with no clothes… and we all know who they are!
• My idea is to state by state, the same afternoon, same time, across the USA…. rise up as a collective and…
• Celebrate Public Ed with key stories, testimonies from students, teachers, parents AND • Present the cold, hard facts of privatization to the general public to bring down the smokescreen created by Waiting for Superman and Rhee, etc.
• For example, the following link to an article I wrote resonated hugely with general public in Ohio because it had cold, hard facts about Ohio’s charters which the general public tax payer parent/citizen DID NOT KNOW…
• Think of Lisa Meyers, “Letter to America:”
https://dianeravitch.net/?s=Letter+to+America
Lisa’s letter had and can continue to have, a HUGE impact on unveiling for the unseeing, privatization brainwashed public what has happened to teachers and MUST STOP, for our Kids’ sake… for our country’s sake… for our democracy.
Please email so we can get our group up and running,
THANK YOU Friends, THANK YOU Diane,
and here is to a Happy New Year for Public Education,
Maureen Reedy
maureen.reedy@gmail.com
Parent/29-year public school teacher
Columbus, Ohio
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Time For Action Update…
Hello Friends and Patriots for Public Education,
Parents Across America, Public Schools Across America and NEIFPE (Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Education) are joining together for the first 4 state regional planning meeting for Preserving Public Education on February 23rd in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Featured speaker:
Indiana State Superintendent Glenda Ritz, newly elected pro-public education superintendent! Read more about Supt. Ritz here.
Evite below:
http://publicschoolsacrossamerica.eventbrite.com/#
Attention public education supporters in:
OHIO MICHIGAN INDIANA ILLINOIS
Would you like to join with others in our 4-state region in coordinated, collective action to support our public schools?
Parents Across America, Public Schools Across America and NEIFPE (Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Education) invites you to “Public Schools Across America,” a 4-state Regional Action Planning Meeting.
These are exciting times! Across the country, there is a rising chorus of protest against corporate-style school reform. Parents, teachers, students, principals, superintendents, scholars, school board members, civil rights lawyers and other concerned citizens are voicing opposition to the privatization of our schools which threatens the future of our children and the fundamental democratic principles upon which our system of public education is based. With “Public Schools Across America,” we hope to create a model for coordinated regional action in support of public education which may be expanded and replicated across the U.S.
• Who: You are invited! And please share this invitation with others interested in regional joint action in support of public education (even if they are not in our region – as long as they are able to get themselves to Ft Wayne).
• What: The first “Public Schools Across America” Regional Action Planning Meeting.
• Where: Ft Wayne, IN, chosen because it is located within a reasonable drive from all 4 states, and is FULL of public education activists!. We will meet at the Plymouth United Church of Christ, conveniently located at 501 W Berry Street in Ft. Wayne.
• When: Saturday, Feb 23, 2013 from 12 noon to 5 pm (snacks provided).
• Why: To share our concerns about attacks on public education, how we have addressed them locally, and to consider joint activities across our 4 state region and potentially across the United States to strengthen public education.
Thank you for all you do in support of our public schools and our children. Hope to see you in Ft. Wayne!
Julie Woestehoff, executive director, Parents United for Responsible Education (Chicago)
Co-founder of Parents Across America
E-mail: pure@pureparents.org
Maureen Reedy
Co-Founder, Public Schools Across America
Public school parent & 30 year public school teacher
Ohio Teacher of the Year, 2002
Email: Maureen.reedy@gmail.com
NEIFPE (Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Education)
http://neifpe.blogspot.com/
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