The public has been sold a bill of goods about what is needed to improve our schools.
We see misinformation on television. We hear it from our leaders in both parties.
It is hard to explain the real issues in our schools when the media bombards the public with the corporate reform narrative.
Once in a while, some insightful journalist breaks through the media blanket.
Here is some good news: I just came across an article posted a while ago by someone who totally gets what is going on.
The author refers to Race to the Top as a “marketing” ploy for failed ideas.
He calls it a “race to the bottom,” tied firmly to Bush’s bad ideas.
It was posted on the popular blog site of Jonathan Turley.
Keep singing.
So will I.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
I also call it the “Race to the Bottom” and Michelle Rhee’s group ” Students Last” as that is what they are and what it is. Go look at Barack’s and Michelle’s real background in Chicago and you will see that this is where they always have been since at least 1995. Every wonder why they always say “community organizers?” They don’t want to tell you what they really did which led to this. Why be surprised?
RTTT is what makes me upset that the NEA backed Obama in the summer of 2011, without at least making him court the vote. Then again, it didn’t really matter who was elected (HRC/Obama/McCain/Romney); RTTT was going to happen regrdless.
Great article. But I have given up hope that any progress will be made for the duration of Obama’s term in office. I say this partly because of a development regarding the Guantanamo prisoners. It’s been reported that Congress gave the President the authority to release prisoners on a case-by-case basis. After given that authority the President closed the position held by someone charged with determining which prisoners could be released. Not a single prisoner has been released. Incredible! Only when it was revealed recently that the prisoners are being force fed because of a hunger strike did Obama address the issue of the Guantanamo prisoners. It seems Obama ignored the plight of these people so long as the public was no longer paying much attention. What really disturbed me was the reasons he gave for closing it such as how costly it was to maintain it. I would’ve like to hear why it was morally wrong and violates some of the principles this nation is founded on.
My sense is President Obama is a man without strong moral convictions. He will push only when pushed by public outcry. If he’s not concerned about people being locked up interminably without being charged why should he worry about some teachers losing their jobs and students not getting a good education with experienced educators? He will vote for which ever way he senses the winds are blowing. Right now the winds from the Billionaire Boys Club are what’s guiding Obama, and it’s not good.
Diane, over 1,000 students walked out of class today at Lincoln Park High School, part of Chicago Public Schools, to protest the firing of 8 veteran teachers. The school is a top performer in the state and has a highly coveted IB program. Next year it will be one of Mayor Emmanuel’s wall-to-wall IBs and they are booting some of the best/veteran and higher paid teaching staff. I’m running out the door to pick up the little ones but I’m sure there is press coverage of this.
As Chris Smither wrote and Emmy Lou Harris sang:
There is a way subtle changes come to stay
Barely noticed and hardly known
One day you’ll say “My situation’s locked away”
But by tomorrow, you’re all alone
It seems so sudden, but it’s not, it’s only grown
From a seed that long ago was left forgotten in the snow
And has a way with slow surprises on its own
It’s hard to show, but like a boulder rolling slow
Or a rumble deep in the ground
Things whisper low, and by the time I really know
What’s been moving, they’ve settled down
Too late to see they’re shifting ’round
Too late to say “There’s bound to be another way”
It’s all been said and done without a sound
This comes to me, now that I begin to see
It’s not dramatic, it’s nothing grand
I used to be half the whole of you and me
Now I’m the limit of half a man
Seems so simple, nothing much to understand
You walked out and closed the door, said “I don’t live here anymore”
Now nothing’s hanging heavy in my hands
The extensive quotes in that article come from Bruce Dixon of Common Dreams and the Black Agenda Report. He, along with Glen Ford, another disaffected black progressive journalist, have some keen insights into corporate education “reform” and Obama’s role in privatization:: http://blackagendareport.com/?q=category/education-public-education/public