There will be a demonstration at the U.S. Department of Education from April 4-7.
One of the speakers will be Mark Naison, who teaches African-American studies at Fordham University.
Here he explains why he will be there:
I am coming to Washington because our public education system is being systematically dismantled by people whose power derives solely from the unprecedented concentration of wealth in a small number of hands. Without the Gates, the Broads, the Waltons, the Bloombergs and the hedge fund executives, the three bulwarks of current Education Reform policy- privatization, universal testing and school closings- would have never gained traction because they are unsupported by research and are abhorred by most educators.. What we are facing is not onlythe degradation of the teaching profession and the transformation of the nation’s classrooms into zones of child abuse, but an attack on what little democracy we have left in this country. Therefore, I am not only coming to Washington defend the integrity of the profession I have dedicated my life to, but to join a movement which is one of the most important fronts of resistance to Plutocratic Rule
I also come to Washington, as a scholar of African American History, and a long time community activist, to strip the false facade of “Civil Rights” legitimacy from policies which promote increased segregation, push teachers of color out of the profession, open our schools to profiteering by test companies,and promote narrow workforce preparation as a substitute for the creation of active citizens who can change the world. So I will not only be calling out the billionaires and those who are directly on their payroll, but those who call themselves “progressive- who give aid and comfort to those policies, either because of the hope of political gain or a deficit of courage.. ,
Diane Ravitch's blog 
OT, but need some help.
Sorry to post off-topic, albeit somewhat tangential, but I could use some help from those of you far more knowledgeable about charter studies than I.
As you may have noticed, I’ve written letters frequently to the editor of the Portland Press Herald to rebut the pro-charter propaganda they print in their editorials and op-ed pages. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Maine politics and educational policy, our state is struggling to preserve its public schools in the face of an onslaught by our Tea Party-ALEC toady governor and his lackey Commissioner of Education.
So far, out legislature has limited charter inroads to a pilot-level ten school maximum. Recently, the governor was dealt a sever setback when the charter commission–headed by a Republican no less–refused to grant approval for a K12 charter. And just a few days ago, Portland awoke to read about a highly embarrassing power struggle at a newly approved brick-and-mortar charter that threatens the school’s viability.
Not to be outdone by reality, our governor has scheduled a big dog-and-pony show featuring key recent ex-lobbysits for ALEC. And today’s Press Herald just happens to include an op-ed singing the praises of “choice” and how much Mainers want “choice” and “competition” but can’t get it because of the public schools. The authors, only one of whom lives in Maine, refer to “12 random-assignment studies” and “23 empirical studies” that show the superiority of charter schools.
Is any reader here familiar with the studies? The best studies I’ve seen fall squarely against any claim of charter superiority. And of course there’s growing dissatisfaction with communities that have tried charters, like Milwaukee. But I’d love to know more about this claim, so I can write a strong rebuttal.
Thanks!
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Great speech, Diane — could you possibly link to the original source? Thanks!
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http://withabrooklynaccent.blogspot.com/
Mr. Naison is a shining light in this time of destructive policies.
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Inescapable irony: Resegregation of the public schools by the educational policies of the first black president.
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Thank you Mr. Naison for adding your very insightful voice and wisdom to this crisis in America. It is a voice that needs to be heard loudly in Washington. As a child of the sixties and seventies, who once believed this country was slowly moving forward, now I ask, what has happened to America?
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Where can I find more information about the demonstration in Washington?
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Yes, as I wrote below, my father may be interested in attending. Diane?
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FWIW my father is a recently retired National Board Certified teacher who won a presidential award in teaching.
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Here’s why I’m going–Rick Meyer
Imagine this! Thousands of teachers, children, and other supporters of public education are at the plaza in front of the Department of Education in Washington DC. In the center of the crowd is a table. It is our table. It is the table around which we sit in order to make policy decisions about the futures of our teachers, students, schools, and communities. Silence spreads throughout the larger crowd so that all may hear what is discussed at the table; those seated at the table are teachers, students, community members, and more.
“This is our table,” says a ten year old who has traveled to Washington DC for the first time in her life. “This is the table where I am heard, my friends are heard, and the voices of my community are heard.” The crowd surrounding the table erupts into applause, whistling, and shouts of support. “In my school,” she continues, “the teachers listen to us and develop curriculum that reflects who I am, where I come from, and what I want to know. In my school, families are welcome, my family’s language is welcome, and our beliefs are honored.” Once again the crowd rejoices in a voice from the table that tells the truth. Other voices are heard, too. Passionate, caring, and informed voices of parents, teachers, teacher educators, and the many diverse communities that constitute the richness and uniqueness of every classroom and school.
Now imagine a member of the crowd, who happened to turn towards the building in front of which we stand, and noticed the Secretary of Education at a window looking down. “Mira!” she shouts. The crowd’s attention is turned towards the building. Someone in the crowd has a bullhorn and addresses Mr. Duncan, saying, “We don’t want a seat at your table! Take a seat at our table! Listen to us!” The crowd absorbs those last two commands and initiates a chant, in unison, thousands of voices rising into the April sky in Washington DC.
“Take a seat at our table! Listen to us!” And, as if by some miraculous power, the crowd reaches a group consciousness of the significance of this moment. For too many years, we have been offered seats at the table inside that building, only to have our voices and thoughts dismissed. For too many years our ideas have been marginalized. For too many years, perfunctory shakes of the head by those insiders saying, “Of course we understand,” and “How can we help make things better” have falsely led us to believe we were heard. But we weren’t. Today, this crowd realizes, it is time for us to take ownership of this table. It is time for them to request a seat at our table, a table at which their lies and excuses will not be tolerated.
“Take a seat at our table! Listen to us!”
And to take this fantasy to its climax, I offer this: Stepping away from the window, looking around at his associate and assistant secretaries, Mr. Duncan realizes it’s over. The sham is over. It’s ended. As news of the table scenario goes viral, it becomes clear that a nation of teachers, children, and an informed public have seen this emperor as completely naked. We know the work we need to do to live the hope and promise of public education. He needs to go find another job.
That’s why I’m coming to DC in April. To raise my voice. To be in the presence of the table that truly matters. To reclaim (or perhaps claim for the first time) the possibilities of what can and should happen in public schools and in a country that is truly democratic.
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Mr. Naison, what I have found most shocking was how easy it has been for corporatizers to take over schools with large populations of poor and minority students. These privatized schools are offering children LESS!!! I’ve seen it with my own eyes. The teacher turnover is unbelievable, the curriculum is narrow, and the lunch food is shockingly bad. Why have the communities allowed this to happen? I want people to know that just because the CEO is a minority it does not mean he is out to do what is best for the children. People have found a cash cow while exploiting children.
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Yep, call out those progressives along with the plutocrats. If we are not to be ruled by those with money, by whom are we to be ruled? The poor? Just asking.
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Seriously, can we learn more about this demonstration? My father may be in DC on the dates given and is interested in possibly taking part. Thanks!
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