All of us who are frustrated and occasionally outraged by current federal and state education policy owe a debt of thanks to Valerie Strauss of the Washington Post.
Her daily blog “The Answer Sheet” is a source of sustenance, information, and wisdom.
She has provided a regular outlet for teachers, researchers, and everyone else who has important things to say about high-stakes testing, privatization, the war on teachers, the politics of education, No Child Left Behind, Race to the Top, and almost everything else that is on the minds of education-minded people these days.
When my last book was published, I was very fortunate to be interviewed by Valerie on C-SPAN. I had never met her. The hour passed very quickly, as we enjoyed the conversation. Over the past two years, many of my articles have appeared on her blog. She helped me find my audience, as she helps educators everywhere know that they are not alone.
Thank you, Valerie, for all you do to encourage the people who dedicate their lives every day to educating the nation’s children. Thank you for your support for teachers, principals, and administrators. Thank you for understanding parents and children. Thank you for your wisdom, your courage, and your steadfastness.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
I agree Dr. Ravitch. Valerie Strauss is right up there with you, Anthony Cody, Gary Rubinstein, and Stephen Krashen, IMHO. I always enjoy reading her blog. It’s nice to know there are good people on the side of teachers.
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Your tribute to Valerie Strauss is well deserved. Her blog is truly indispensable for those of us who express skepticism toward corporate education reforms. That she has an outlet on a major newspaper’s website, indeed, one that owns a for-profit test prep company and for-profit online university, is a wonder. And yet, the Washington Post/Kaplan company gives her the space and opportunity to write columns that often undercut the corporate education reform editorial policies of the Post and the for-profit test prep business model of Kaplan. I’m not in the habit of complimenting major media corporations, but I have to give the Post/Kaplan credit for that. Would Rupert Murdoch and News Corp/ do this? Would Zuckerman do this? Does the NY Times?
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Hear, hear, Diane. I couldn’t have put it better. I have benefitted from Val’s generosity in sharing her space and have been gratified by her giving a voice to people like Marion Brady. Thanks for acknowledging her excellent work.
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Oh yes…thanks Valerie!
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Thanks Valerie. And thanks Diane for bringing this to our attention.
There are others who are doing good work. Lindsay Christ of NY1 had an interesting story about high poverty schools in NYC that nobody else covered. Juan Gonzalez of the NY Daily News has done a good job of keeping track of Eva Moskowitz.
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Valerie Strauss is outstanding. I’m glad to see her recognized. However, I worry about her future. Truly independent and dedicated journalists can find themselves unemployed quickly.
Look at the excellent work done by Michael Winerip at the New York Times; and look at the “pink slip” he received for his efforts. Clearly there was pressure behind the scenes; did Joel Klein or Michael Bloomberg call the NYT personally? Who knows, but it isn’t too far-fetched to imagine.
We readers have to make it clear when we really value a particular reporter—and make it clear to their management—we all know that the “reformers”, with their pockets stuffed with cash, will certainly be doing it on their end.
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Yes, absolutely. Many thanks to Valerie Strauss! Public education is very fortunate to have her on its side. Ever so grateful for you, too, Diane!
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