Julian Vasquez Heilig is a professor at the University of Texas who has a rare combination of gifts:
He is smart, he has a strong command of research skills, and he has a wicked sense of humor.
In these two posts, which seem to be the beginning of a series, he follows the money to see who is making big bucks at the public trough (he uses a different, anatomical term).
This one is about Sandy Kress, the architect of NCLB, who frequently writes opinion article about the virtues of standardized testing and the grand accomplishments of NCLB, but is seldom identified as a lobbyist for mega-testing corporation Pearson.
This one is about Teach for America, which collects millions from the federal government, state governments, school districts, foundations, and billionaires, while charging school districts who hire their recruits. Its most recent 990 form showed that it had raised close to a billion dollars in five years.
Follow Heilig’s blog. It never ceases to educate and/or entertain.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Please check out the comments, too. The cow haikus are great and beware of the udder and teat close ups! Love it, Julian!
Right now you can go to Jcrew and by a Tshirt that promotes the TFA organization and where TFA recieves 100% of everyone they sell. Not only that but this Tshirt sold out with in a few hours of it going on sale.
I have referred to Dr. Vasquez Heiling’s many times in my work to try to save us from being saved by TFA. The growth of this indoctrinating machine is astounding. It’s increased availability as a “scab” source is horrifying.
As we lose Tom Harkin I’m sick for public school teachers and all workers in this country who long for dignity & a voice in the workplace because the Democratic party does not stand up for workers any longer. These new, so called Democrats do not support unionized public school teachers & they don’t support unions. Booker, Cuomo, Emmanel & Obama have turned their backs on working people (teachers) with the policies implemented in public education. Democrats like Harkin are sorely missed by American workers.