I was born July 1, 1938, at 12:01 am at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Houston, Texas. I was my parents’ third child. We lived in a tiny house on Dunlop Street. Five more children followed over the next 10 years. We would eventually be five boys and three girls.
I went to public schools from K-12. Then, encouraged by my rabbi and his wife, I applied to Wellesley and was accepted. Going east to college changed my life.
Birthdays make you think back on your life as you get older. When you are young, birthdays make you either want to party or think about the future.
I’ll save the look back for my memoirs, if I ever find the time.
I’m still looking forward. The struggle to save public education against privatization and to protect kids from test-mania will grow stronger. The opt out movement will spread across the nation. Researchers will continue to demonstrate the failed policies of high-stakes testing and privatization.
You can help. If you want to make a gift for my birthday, join the Network for Public Education. Give as generously as you can. The Network helps grassroots activists across the nation and connects them to allies.
Here is the contact information: The Network for Public Education. Open the link to learn how to contribute online and/or become a member. This organization is fighting for public schools, for students, parents, teachers, and all other citizens who care about the future of our democracy.
If you want to send a check, here is the address:
Network for Public Education
P.O. Box 44200
Tucson, AZ
85733
Happy Birthday ❣❣❣
Happy Birthday! Aging is the real standardized test!
Happy birthday champion of champions!
Sent from my iPhone
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Happy BIrthday!!!
Happy Happy Birthday! Thank you for everything you are doing for the cause!
Happy Birthday! Thank you for all you are doing on behalf of our kids.
Wishing you a VERY Happy Birthday, and many happy returns!
Happy Birthday! And thank you!
Happy Birthday, Ms. DR!
From the ATL … KSU
Sent from iPhone … Roland Wallace Jr {Learner-Doer-Teacher}
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Diane, here is my tribute to you on your birthday: you have been the voice of courage in the face of those who wish to monetize one of America’s treasures, a free, unbiased, comprehensive public education for all, regardless of race or status. Look at how many of your fellow citizens have joined you in this effort. Thank you for everything.
Happy Birthday!
As for NPE, I have donated (and might again today in honor of you), but I couldn’t find a link to join as a member. I found a link to use if I were the leader of another group which wanted to affiliate with NPE, but I’m not a leader of anything. Am I missing an individual member link somewhere?
As far as this, “I’ll save the look back for my memoirs, if I ever find the time.” I sure hope you do find the time someday. Would love to read it.
Mazel tov, Diane. And many more.
Happy Healthy Birthday Diane, and many more !
Buon compleanno, cara amica! I’m not far behind in the number of revolutions around old sol. Hurrah!
Enjoy your day Diane. Wishing you many, many, many more!
A Happy birthday indeed. In the Orthodox Church, there is a hymn of praise often offered on occasions such as this,consisting of one phrase which I think is most applicable to you on behalf of all of us:
“God grant you many years!”
Peace.
Happy birthday!
Wishing you a very happy birthday and a very fun year ahead!!
Happy Birthday Diane! Hope you have a fantastic day! Thank you for the work you do!
Happy birthday Diane! Miss you both
Happy Birthday, Diane, and many more! Thank you for all you do for public education. You are my hero.
Happy Birthday! Wishing good health and a wonderful year!
Happy, happy, happy birthday… & here’s a toast to many more!
may your birth anniversary be fun and enjoyable; may there be many more to come. Cheers!
“Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you!”
It’s gotta be true! And how come I knew?
Because a doctor said it!
¿😳?
Dr. Seuss. You were thinking, maybe, a goose?
😏
And many more “truer than trues”!
😎
Thanks, KrazyTA. I used read Dr. Seuss’s Happy Birthday to You book to my grandchildren to the point where I had memorized large chunks of it.
“There is no one alive who is you-ER than you!”
May your day be filled with love, laughter, and all good things!
Happy birthday and may you be granted many more! 🌻
Happy Birthday ! Thank you for all you do for teachers – you have lifted your voice with courage.
Happy Birthday! Thanks for your commitment to public education
Happy birthday, Diane. Enjoy your day. Your mark on history is a bright one that continues to grow. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and experiences through words and actions—you are an inspiration to me and to many.
Hope you have many happy, healthy birthdays .
A donation to Network for Public Education has just been made; there was nowhere to mention you as I would have made it in your honor. Yes, thank you for your tireless good efforts on behalf education.
Happiest of days!
Happy Birthday, Dr. Ravitch! The earth is a better place for all of us because of you. One of the things on my bucket list was meeting you, and I met you at your speaking engagement last December in Tucson. You are a wonderful speaker, writer, activist, and human being. I hope you have a wonderful day with Mary and that this will be a wonderful year for you, as well.
Happy Birthday, Diane. Have a fabulous day. Love and strength to you.
Happy Birthday!!! Thank you SO MUCH for everything that you are doing for our children and teachers!! You are SO awesome!!!
Have a wonderful birthday!
Happy birthday, Diane! Love your blog and NPE! You are a true champion for public education!
Happiest of birthdays, and many, many more on this road to democracy.
Happy Birthday, Diane! May this year continue to be a healthy and productive one. Thank you for all you do. Kisses from Baby Mia, too!
happy birthday Diane! It glads my heart to know that you continue to be out loose in the world!
Happy Birthday Diane! It glads my heart to know that you continue to be “out loose in the world”!
Happy Birthday, Diane! We will win.
¡Feliz cumpleaños!
From another early July (3rd) birthday to another.
Duane Swacker: according to the usual unconfirmed rumors…
Quality? Quantity? Apparently Bill Gates has found that, to a 98% chance of “satisfactory,” that your postings on Noel Wilson have diminished the quality and quantity of his measure-to-punish testocratic offerings.
So let me be the first to cough up a few drachmas down at Pink Slip Bar & Grille for a round of libations in your honor. And I pass along something the old Greek guy told me one night after the two of you had had a go at Noel Wilson. After you left the counter for a moment he leaned over and whispered to me that you were a “found man.”
¿? You know, riffing off one of his own quotes [you know how much he likes quoting himself]:
“To find yourself, think for yourself.” [Socrates]
Of course, being parsimonious in praise his mind suddenly cleared of all the ouzo he had been imbibing and he insisted I never let you know.
But I’m just a KrazyTA that can’t keep secrets forever.
Happy Birthday!/¡Feliz Cumpleaños!/Otanjoobi wa omedetoo gozaimasu!
😎
Diane, Happy Birthday. Thanks for all your hard work to keep us informed about Education in America. Noel Rice
I urge all to join NPE!
On June 22, I gave NPE a 20 dollar gift. I will throw in another 20 for your birthday. It is funny that when I was young(er), I thought that when I retired, I would totally leave teaching. However, I am more involved than ever. You made me truly understand the value and importance of public education. Once someone becomes a teacher, you remain one for your whole life. Happy birthday and may you have many, many more.
Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, Diane. I tried to join NPE online, but they won’t let me use my credit card because my husband already has a paypal account using it. I know there are ways for paypal to process cards without paypal accounts (Ebay). NPE should investigate. In any case, many happy returns. It is a good day to celebrate 77 years on earth. Happy birthday!
2Old2teach, I will check it out
Happy Birthday! Thank you for all you do.
Happy birthday, Diane.
Know how loved you are! And how significant you are to American society and culture.
Many happy wishes to come true for a woman with a beautiful mind!
Diane,
🎶Happy Birthday to You🎶 Can you hear me singing to you? No worries. May you enjoy your special day in the most spectacular way. Enjoy! Celebrate! Dance to the music! Continued blessings always!!!
Berta R.
P.S. My birthday’s tomorrow, 7/2, & I was born 12:01 AM as well. Thank You for your great advocacy for Public Education. I was Public Ed student, K – 12 in NYC/Bronx, NY and retired Public Ed teacher.
Happy Birthday! and thank you for all that you do. I am inspired and very grateful for your continued efforts on behalf of all of our children. I can’t thank you enough for not retiring from the fray!! We so need you.
!!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Sit back kick your shoes off turn the volume up relax because
IT IS YOURRRRRRRRRR BIRTH DAY.
Happy birthday, Diane, and many more.
Hooray and happy birthday! Wars like this are ugly things but you elevate us with a grand view of times past and present and a great hope for times future.
Happy Birthday and thank you for all you are doing to try to save public education. I joined NPE today. I went through the New York City public schools at a time when they were good and they gave me a love of learning and of reading. I am a supporter of public schools but worry about the “school to prison pipeline” as well as the emphasis on testing and disciplinary methods instead of learning. Just heard Jonathan Kozol on NPR yesterday. A hero of mine.
Happy Birthday, and enjoy many more. You are needed.
Gift made! Happy birthday and many more
Happy Birthday! Thank you for standing up for children and their parents. You have given us a treasure of information and ammunition that we can use to protect our families. Knowledge is power.
Happy Birthday. Bravo for the path less traveled. And yes will join. Will be in Tucson July 10. It is my hometown and I went through public schools and u of a. Someday hope to exchange stories in person. Blessing today and for your new year.
Happy birthday. 1942 for me
May God be praise for gifting Diane to us to fight the woes of public education.
Happy Birthday, Diane!
Happy Birthday Diane! You are a national treasure and an icon of Truth, Justice and The American Way. (And I really do mean that—with acknowledgements to the old “Superman” TV show.)
You were the person who opened my eyes, a little over 4 years ago, when my child was a second grader in our local, and wonderful, public elementary school. I knew virtually nothing about K-12 education up until I read one of your pieces…and then another…and then another…and then one, then two of your books.
And then slowly I became more involved in our local school, joining the PTA board as their legislative director, making numerous trips to our state capitol to lobby legislators, getting to know local “education beat” reporters and educating my fellow parents, during one on one casual conversations, to starting a blog for parents, to featuring the first “PTA Film Series: What’s Happening In K-12 Public Education”.
And it continues…
You’re helping to spread the message, or as I call it “The Alternative Narrative” about what is happening in our schools and the dangers of privatization.
But I’m not at all certain that I would have ever gone down this road had it not been for your clear, cogent, and courageous writings and the knowledge and inspiration I derived from them.
So thank you, Diane Ravitch, for all you are and all that you do. Have a wonderful day of celebration and another successful year in which we’ll all continue to make progress in the fight to protect our students, our schools, our educators and our communities!
Now go out and have a ball!
Warm birthday wishes. Diane. You have much to celebrate! Sunny and Ted.
Sent from my iPhone
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Hope you’re having a great birthday, Diane. Enjoy.
Happy Birthday! Thank you for defending public education, teachers, and the teaching profession from the “privateers.”
Indeed. HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
You are younger than myself by 9 years
AND
I understand very well about growing older.
I DO look back and see so much that I did was so ignorant and yes, stupid. There was so VERY much for me to learn.
But
that is what education is about. Every expanding parameters of perception.
As has been said so many times:
Thank you for ALL that you do.
We all wish for you many more happy birthdays.
Hapy Brithday to a nice young lady …We arec ounting on you for many more.
Stay healthy, peaceful and happy!!!
Happy Birthday. I enjoy your blog for it’s content and history. I’m a new public school teacher, and it’s helpful to read your articles.
Happy birthday, Diane–the check is in the mail!
Happy birthday, and thanks for sharing your story! Thank you for everything you’ve done for us!
Happy Birthday, Diane!
Also, Diane, I particularly liked this part of your posting: “I went to public schools from K-12. Then, encouraged by my rabbi and his wife, I applied to Wellesley and was accepted. Going east to college changed my life.”
So many people I know ended up going to a college that they had never previously heard of due to the influence of an adult in their life who may have done nothing more than mention the name of that school.
I have good friends who ended up at Middlebury, Smith, Dartmouth, Hampshire and other very good colleges that did, quite literally, change their lives, as Wellesley did for you.
Now, when I meet young people in high school, middle school, or community college, I always mention my alma mater, Hampshire College, in Amherst, Massachusetts, where I received an excellent education as well as a solid foundation for every part of my life after commencement. And it did indeed, change my life, much for the better.
Happy Birthday, Diane, may you live to be a hundred…even longer ..(.lots more of your wonderful work to be done) ! Mazel Tov and Thank You!
Happy Birthday, Diane! Our Professional Development this summer is all done by Pearson employees from Texas and Mississippi. As a priority school, we have a huge federal grant, apparently. Don’t know if that is good or bad, but it’s the way it is. Hope you had great day! I would love to meet you again some day.
Mary: I was in the library on a busman’s holiday yesterday and I was thinking we should start a page on Pinterest that says “Only Non-Pearson resources will be listed here.”
Happy birthday, Diane. You are a light in the darkness.
Happy Birthday! Lee
A very happy birthday to you, Diane. What a sweet post!
Happy birthday, Diane!
Happy Birthday, Diane. Thank-you for the gift you give us all – leading the fight to save public education.
I hope you had a splendid day filled with laughter and shared with those you love!
When we win this battle, we’ll carry you on our shoulders through the streets, champagne corks popping!
Happy Birthday!!! this week I was also remembering what you posted on your beneficence to Wellesley and hold you in admiration. I was a visitor in Houston where my sister raised 4 kids and on Fairdale St. stayed with a family across from your brother’s office.. when I shook his hand I felt special that I had “touched” Diane — a person whom I truly admire as an educational historian and a true professional ( think I told him how much I admired you). Happy Birthday … Thank you for all you are doing for the educational profession and for our kids and grandkids….
Happy birthday, Diane, and many happy returns. I appreciate that you continue to look forward and actively work towards improving the situation for teachers and students everywhere. Thank you.
I celebrate you, Diane! I hope you had a truly wonderful birthday and have a lot more birthday celebrations to come.
Many thanks for refocusing your raison d’etre later in your life on righting the wrongs of our government’s misguided, draconian education policies that are deleterious to children, teachers, communities and democracy. Future generations will be celebrating you for this!
Happy birthday Diane, and wish you many more happy years to come.
Happy birthday Diane and many, many more to you!
Happy Birthday!!
I hope that researchers will show how the new policies fail to improve education. My concern is how will the research be funded and recognized in educational journals.
For instance at the UW-Madison the DPI (department of public instruction) is a powerful institution that sets education policies in the State. It takes a courageous person to speak against or even to raise questions about the initiatives. For then one is viewed as an antagonist instead of a policy promoter of the DPI and finding funding sources to research that might show that the policies are not working is difficult.
Brandi,
There are still many researchers whose funding is not influenced by the corporate reformers.
Here is one possibility: a researcher at the University of Wisconsin might study the failure of teacher evaluation in Michigan or Ohio, or charter corruption in Arizona.
It is hard to find positive support for charters or vouchers except from those paid to advocate for them.
Belated Happy Birthday to you, Dr. Ravitch.
Thank you very much for your website where I have learned so many PRICELESS educational lessons from many educational gurus in your precious website.
IMHO, health is the true wealth in disguise. Knowledge beyond measurement is the true power. Practical working experience related to history, arts, and education is the true form of WISDOM. Most of all, your kindness and generosity in cultivating public the importance of PUBLIC EDUCATION as human right in any DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY. This has earned you the true public LOVE not only from educators, but also from parents, students and all retirees who support Public Education for all.
Dr. Ravitch, you have wealth, power, wisdom and love which you have earned from relentlessly cultivating people their human right/civility to have public education as a democratic living way in American society.
I sincerely pray God to bless you and your loved ones with as much happiness as you have brought to others on your birthday and everyday of the rest of your life on this Earth.
I also curse to anyone who dares to think about defaming you that this person and his/her loved ones will get in action whatever he or she just thinks to harm you and your loved ones.
Happy 77th Birthday to You. Tons of love and respect for your stand and support Public Education. May King
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycwcnpwQbjs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHsYtLvDxLk
Happy Birthday! Keep speaking out. I love your books. My mom and you have a few things in common. She is only two weeks older than you. She was the third child (in a blended family ). Also, we’re Jewish. I wish you many more happy birthdays!
I got my start teaching at a Jewish preschool in Salt Lake City. It was a wonderful experience. I am not Jewish but have deep respect for the Jewish people. Sorry to be late with your birthday wish. My family and self have been on vacation. We couldn’t get a signal up in the mountains. I too have followed NPE. That is how I connected with BAT’s. I am doing what I can in my small corner of Utah to fight for our rights as teachers and against the testing regime. In my state teachers who speak out can lose their license particularly if they speak with parents about their concerns. I wonder what happened to my right of free speech.