Today, a brave and brilliant teacher in Louisiana joins the honor roll as a champion of public education.
Mercedes Schneider is a teacher in St. Tammany Parish. She has a Ph.D. In statistics and research methods.
When she learned about the latest claim of a miracle in New Orleans, she determined to check the facts. At a time when so many teachers are frightened and intimidated, she was fearless. At a time when teachers in Louisiana are losing tenure and any job protections, she proceeded to publish her findings.
Dr. Schneider read that Leslie Jacobs, one of the original promoters of the charter movement in New Orleans, issued a press release claiming that the graduation rate in New Orleans now leads not only the state but the nation. The achievement gap has closed, she crowed.
Here is Dr. Schneider’s analysis.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
#MI Gov Snyder boasted that Michigan “EAA” is modeled after “New Orleans, post Katrina” in so-called “townhall” last night
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Does he have any idea what is going on in the EAA? Total chaos
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Snyder must love failure if that is his model and from what he has been doing that is where he is going.
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Thanks Diane, What a great way to start my morning. Finally the truth is being told. Sadly, not by the news media, but even better, by a brilliant educator. The spin doctors at our state department continue to hold New Orleans up as an example of what great things are happening here in Louisiana. But when one digs deep and uses “critical thinking skills” it is easy to see the deception. The problem is the complacency of the public. Most of those failing schools are filled with high poverty students. Mid and upper SES students move to the more affluent neighborhoods for better funded public schools or pay to attend private or parochial schools.
Nothing has changed since Katrina, the schools in this state are still segregated by both race and SES class. Jindal and White can spin it all they want. Their current agenda is creating what they want… A state of haves and have nots, and a corporate take over of our public systems of education, healthcare, corrections, etc., etc., etc. Louisiana is being sold off to the highest corporate bidder, piece by piece. Three more years of the emporer with no clothes, and Mr. White telling us how wonderful he looks.
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Interesting when you do a real analysis isn’t it? Thank you for being a brave educator in New Orleans. Paul Vallas helped to ruin Chicago, then Philadelphia and on to greater glory in post Katrina New Orleans with the Recovery School District. In this warped world the worse you are and the more damage you can create the higher you go. How do you go ahead with that methodology?
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The Dilbert Principle: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dilbert_principle
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OK…I read it..
I now understand why the Principals think they are supposed to incorporate Dilbert’s Principles…They are now officially “Dilbert Principals”…
Anyone can use any stats to make it fit.
.”Rubber Stats” are what the admin uses to fire the great minds and keep the Puppets.
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Diane, though I thanked you privately for this distinction, I want to also thank you publicly.
It is the love of Christ which compels me to write, and to speak, and to stand.
I value your encouragement in my endeavors. Thank you so much.
–Mercedes
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Thank you, Mercedes, for having the courage to write and speak.
Whatever the source of your strength, we need more of it.
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Thanks, Diane. God has given me the mind, the ability, and the will to put it all to valuable use.
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Mercedes,
Thank you for your revelations on New Orleans and such.
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My pleasure, George.
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Thank you for your witness.
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You are welcome, Harlan.
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