Yesterday, the blog recorded 69,817 page views.
This was a record for the blog.
The single most-read blog was the breaking news from Indiana, alerting readers that Governor Pence was trying again to strip the powers of Glenda Ritz. Over 30,000 people read that entry.
Information is power. Stay informed.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
gunna needa bigger server!!!
Congratulations, Dr. Ravitch. Keep up the great work you do!!
Wow! Please keep reminding us that information is power. I dont mean to be cynical, but the more I learn, the more powerless I feel. My enthusiasm is only tempered by the fact that I am meeting intelligent, engaged people and it hasn’t made a bit of difference in the 2nd largest school district in the country. I’ve accepted that my own children will not benefit from my efforts, but it’s hard to stay positive.
Karen, I’m positive you’re making a difference. Your children do benefit already, in many visible and also imperceptible ways, from the atmosphere of engagement and reason you’re creating and maintaining in your district.
From all us teachers to all you (and us) parents and grandparents: we need you around us in our communities, advocating for the kids in front of us right now. It does make a difference in all our minute-by-minute struggles for each and every one of them.
And to all you teachers out there, from all us (and you) parents and grandparents: put all your heart and mind into protecting and teaching every single child in your care right now. Don’t give an inch, and if administrators come at you for it, back them down.
Since information is power, could someone please help me with ideas on how to respond to our district’s newest idea, just delivered days ago: That all teachers in a subject area should not only give common assessments at semester time, but should also give common UNIT assessments.The assumption is that this will improve learning. I am in shock, as we here in Montana so far have had the freedom to tailor our instruction to the needs of our students. Also, our differences as teachers–until now–have been seen as strengths. Are there any studies that show the effects of regular common assessments on students and/or on teachers?
The past 10 years have been a trial of this idea, Jill, and the answer is that those common assessments have led to no noticeable gains. However, they have led to enormous distortions of curricula and of pedagogy and have basically, by ossifying received ideas, put a halt on true innovation in both.
That is as I suspected. And if you find a specific study, please post it. Thank you.
What a a great milestone! It is wonderful to have such a blog that makes connections all over the place with quality articles! Speaking of… I just read this link and LOVE it… this blogger rewrites MLK’s, “I Have a Dream” speech through the lens of Bill Gates and company! Take a read…
http://teachersletterstobillgates.com/
Forgot to mention the title, “I Have a Corporate Dream, Now It’s Your Nightmare – Bill Gates’ #MLKRedux”
artseagal: I heard it in person.
The charterite/privatizer version is priceless.
Oops! My bad… There is a price, a metric called $tudent $ucce$$, as in $1 billion for iPads.
Makes ₵ent¢ to those who can afford to send THEIR OWN CHILDREN to Harpeth Hall and Cranbrook and Sidwell Friends and U of Chicago Lab Schools and Delbarton School and the rest…
For the rest of us, we’ll stick with the MLK original.
😎
P.S. Congratulations to the owner of this blog!
Congratulations Diane. Job well done.
Share, share, share…I share this blog every day.
“Digital” Diane leads in the great tradition of reformers, Sojourner Truth and Susan B. Anthony!
Imagine if we could get that many (to bring one friend) and march on Washington….
I’d be there (from Phily) with several friends!
Diane, you could give the keynote.
There is going to be a march on Washington, July 28th. Talk to any BAT, we are planning a large group demonstration at the Dept. of Ed.
I have been telling everyone I know who is interested in excellent public education for all that this is the place to be. We all have to spread the word. Without Diane Ravitch and a few other truth-tellers, we would all be isolated from what’s going on nationwide in the attempt to privatize not only our schools into charters, but the curriculum and testing of those that are still public. How ironic that charter schools don’t have to follow the same rules as public schools. They have little or no accountability when it comes to curriculum and their use of our tax dollars.
GREAT!
Congratulations, Diane! Peg Portscheller Pathways to Results 2473 So Oakland Cir Aurora, CO 80014 Providing tailored and specialized consulting services to schools, districts, regional service agencies, state departments of education and non profits cell – 720-480-8688 fax – 720-748-6111 Man is so made that when anything fires his soul, impossibilities vanish.” –Jean de la Fontaine, French writer and poet
Huge congratulations, Diane. The revolution is mounting.
Hi Diane Congratulations and thank you. Phil Kaldahl Bellevue, Nebraska
BAT-TASTIC!!!
You have many loyal followers in Indiana and I reblog often to readers of Muncie Voice.
We used social media to get out the word about a “legislative fix” to protected taxes which just might save school bus transportation in Muncie and throughout the state. Information is powerful…ignorance is a choice, today.
Congratulation! And thank you! You are the best!
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Best news today. Congrats Diane. Sometimes I feel alone with all of the forces against public education. But knowing there are that many people informed on a regular basis makes me much more confident that none of us are alone and that we do have considerable numbers on our side. This is good news indeed!
“…none of us are alone…”
Yes, Janna, I agree. This is why Dr. Ravitch’s blog is so powerful.
Your regular blog readers have recommended your blog to many others and so on …
It’s a beautiful thing.
Thank you, Dr. Ravitch, for your tireless work.
Thank you from everyone in Indiana, Diane. We are the ALEC model state and every battle won here is a win for the entire country. With the legislature in session, it is a new assault every day. The newest battle with national implications is what is termed REPA III (third attempt) which would remove educational requirements for teachers, principals and superintendents. Badass Teachers Association will be having a mass action on that front tomorrow, Thurs., Jan. 30. I look forward to hearing you speak on Feb. 28, at Ball State. Kind regards, Kim Ferraro
Kim, I stand with the students, parents, and educators of Indiana against the bullies in the legislature and Governor Pence. Their time is running out.