We turn to our favorite Connecticut blogger, Jonathan Pelto, for an analysis of the upset win of the insurgent slate in Bridgeport. Suffice it to say that the primary was a big loss for the corporate reformers who control the state.
Step by step, the tide is turning. As the public understands what is happening, they join our struggle to save public education.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
“As the public understands what’s happening.” Yes, these are key words. Until now the public hasn’t been aware of the Great American School Fraud but now the word is spreading.
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Again–Chicago-area residents: Paul Vallas will be speaking at Elmhurst College tomorrow (Thursday. 9/12) night, 7 PM, $10. Easy to get to!
Go–ask him LOTS of questions!!!
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Sorry I missed Diane. Not sorry to be missing Vallas even if his tickets are half the price of the ones for Diane!
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Generally, the deformers/privatizers lose at the ballot box. They “win” when educational issues are not the focus, say in gubernatorial race–Walker, Kasich. Every voucher referendum/initiative went against the privatizers. That said, we need to own some things clearly.
1. opposition to excessive standardized testing
2. enriched curriculum for everyone (Arts, music)
3. local control/opposition to a national curriculum
4. small class sizes
Schools exist to provide opportunity. Dividing up the pie in some ill-advised “competitive” system will have a negative net effect and compromise our opportunity function, even if there are good charter schools. We don’t own the results…for good and bad, those are owned by all of society and its institutions. In the lives of many of our most “poorly performing” students, their teacher and their school are the most functional elements in their “village.”
As has been said, whoever frames the argument wins it. Thanks, Diane, for your leadership and concern.
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