Earlier today, I posted
a story about a brave principal in Oklahoma, Rob
Miller, who is under investigation by the State Education
Department for encouraging parents to opt out of a field test. The
parents said they did it on their own.
Principal Miller said he obeyed the law. It was clear that he would not let the State
Superintendent Janet Barresi, a member of Jeb Bush’s dwindling
Chiefs for Change, Intimidate him.
I just received the following communication from Mr. Miller. He is a man of courage. He belongs
on our honor roll. He responds here to those who sent him words of
support.
He writes: “I am very humbled that Diane chose to post
this story. We truly have a State Superintendent in Oklahoma who is
out of control. Thanks to all for your words of support and
encouragement! I also want everyone to know that my district
leadership and BOE are 100% supportive. This is clearly an attempt
by one of Jeb’s Chiefs for a Change to silence a critic. Thank you,
David for sending a response to our SDE. I think Barresi needs to
know the size of the army she is about to engage with.
Collectively, we are impossible to stop. And, Teresa, I truly am
proud to be called a Bad Ass!”
Note to John Merrow: Yes, there are
heroes in education. They are fighting for our kids. They are
fighting for good education. They are fighting for
integrity.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Even more brave…Rob is a middle school principal. Not a supt.
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Glenda, my error. I fixed it. Not the first, nor the last. The perils of a fast writer on a slow train from DC to NYC, not proof reading.
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Bravo.
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“Chiefs for a Change.” Love it! Sounds a lot like America’s army of novices who join Teach for Awhile.
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I am humbled again, Diane! I am especially proud of my parents, led by PTA President Deedra Barnes, for their courageous stand against the SDE. It’s ironic how our State Superintendent touts parental choice when it suits her purpose, like advocating for vouchers, charter schools, or parent trigger legislation. Yet when a group of parents decide to opt their child out of an unnecessary state field test, she becomes enraged.
I also appreciate the promotion, but I’m still a middle school principal. I absolutely love my job and am blessed to work with an incredible group of quality educators. As this story reveals, we also have fantastic parents and students!
Thanks again for adding your powerful voice to this conversation. You inspire and embolden me and thousands of others across this nation. We have just begun to fight!
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It’s only a matter of time before this starts happening more and more throughout the country. Yes, there really are no “choices”. They will shut down a neighborhood public school and then suddenly the only “choice” in the neighborhood is a new charter. Keep up the fight!
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Thanks, Rob.
There are many thousands of parents and teachers supporting your battle for real parent choice: the choice to opt out of a pointless test.
Sorry for the promotion. My bad. I corrected it.
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Rob, stay strong for the students and teachers. You inspire me as I stand up to the reformers in a neighboring state where the nonsense started. I’ve learned that the reformers are on the defense as a result of NO educational background with greed as their primary motive.
Parents reject high stakes testing and common core – so the reformers have nothing. As we know, it’s about the money and the corporate contracts. As a result, Jeb and Janet are circling the wagons in Oklahoma from Florida.
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By the way, I didn’t intentionally write “Chiefs for a Change” , just an autofill issue with my iPad.
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Hats off to Mr. Rob Miller!
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Thank you for your courageous Badassness
Thank you to your parents!
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Principal Miller,
Are there more like you in Oklahoma? Thank you for showing school leaders across the country what leadership, courage and integrity look like.
In New Jersey we have our own ChIef who has kept our Superintendents and Principals in line. Perhaps your courage may onsire others here.
Good in riding out the onslaught that may be headed your way.
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Mr. Rob Miller of Jenks Middle School is a HERO with Super Powers!!
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Good job Sup. Stay the course. Begin as Milwaukee Public Schools did by eliminating the letter grade and then follow through with a whole new system of education and assessment. Here are some thoughtshttp://savingstudents-caplee.blogspot.com/2013/10/anopen-letter-to-milwaukee-public.html
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http://savingstudents-caplee.blogspot.com/2013/10/anopen-letter-to-milwaukee-public.html
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Beautiful. I wish the superintendent in our local school district AND in surrounding districts would show that kind of courage. Most just capitulate without firing a shot. Yes, it is difficult and we must remember that throughout history those who stood for truth paid a price, often a very heavy price for their courage but as President Kennedy pointed out in “Profiles of Courage”, without that courage our country would never be the country which it is. Statesmanship, not politicians are what is needed not only in government but in all parts or our society, MOST especially in our schools and I might add in editorial staffs of “news” outlets.
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I have had two children go through Rob’s school, and I would vouch 100% for his love of teaching. I have seen him at numerous events in the school system, ostensibly on his own time.
Many principals are simply working their way up the ladder, using this position as a stepping stone to their next promotion, hopefully in the administration offices. I don’t fault these ambitious people, for I have climbed the corporate ladder myself. But I do appreciate Rob’s obvious dedication to his students. He relates well with the majority of the students, and their parents as well.
I was pleasantly surprised to learn that he is not only amazing with students, but he also is a great speaker. After hearing him speak regarding the volume of student testing we deal with in Oklahoma, I began to do my own research. He had whetted my appetite in parent politics!
Thank you, Rob, for your service to our schools, to our country, and to our children!
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