I know, I know!
I’m on vacation.
But the hotel has wi-fi, and I have two devices and a serious addiction to this blog. Of course, I forgot to bring my able staff of 92 so you may spot more typos than usual, as the glare of the sun in the West Indies is pretty intense.
As a matter of record, I am not sorry to miss today’s snowstorm in NYC. But I will be back in a few days, ready to don the boots and triple layers of clothing. Ready to walk the 65-pound Mitzi in the slush after putting her snow boots on.
Meanwhile, here is a prediction: today is the day this blog hits 10 MILLION page views. It passed 9 million only five weeks ago. The blog started April 26, 2012.
That’s my metric, for which there are no bonuses or sanctions, just the pleasure I take in knowing that the blog has become a valuable information hub that helps educate all of us (including me).
This is how we will prevail: by educating ourselves and educating the public.
Step by step, we will tear down the status quo built by the Bush and Obama administrations, the Gates, Broad and Walton foundations, and we will together envision and build an education system that our children need and deserve. An education system that respects the individuality of every student, that treats them as humans, not data points, and that recognizes the potential and gifts that they have, instead of putting a number on them and processing them like chickens in a factory farm.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Amen! It’s not only a fight worth fighting, the very tapestry and texture of our country is at stake.
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I love your blog!! Cracking me up here……enjoy the sun!!
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As the old Isley Brothers tune goes, “fight the power!”
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Everyone is waking up…the R E V O L U T I O N Is starting..one by one, citizen to citizen, teacher to parent, parent to neighbor, taxpayers to elected officials.
Keep talking. Keep tweeting. Keep writing. Don’t stop.
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Yes, a million times!
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tell it, sister!
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Thank you Diane! Enjoy your vacation and know that there a thousands, if not tens of thousands of us out here fighting for our kids. We so appreciate your blog and to know that we are all fighting for that vision of education you so eloquently described.
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You know what, Diane?
WE LOVE YOU TOO!
You are the goddess who is immortalizing us mortals . . . . We can all go to live on Mount Olympus if we just don’t stop or back down! . . . . .
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Congratulations on both the milestone and for being on vacation!
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Diane – This is truly your day in the sun. May we bask in your glow.
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Vacation Time requires special tropical Oceanside Rum Drinks with little umbrellas & lots of mangoes. Rum may be duty free & could work wonders when slushing through yellow snow in NYC.
Enjoy!
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Diane,
What a milestone! It so important that this information get disseminated and your blog is doing a wonderful job of doing that.
There is one major issue that needs to be dealt with, and I would like your opinion on it. The new standards are in various forms of implementation across the country. Irregardless of all the opinions on the new standards, ultimately what gets taught is what is in a textbook/software program and the associated curricula. Those are the tools of the trade.
I truly believe that now is the time for open source textbooks and related software programs that can be used on a very low or no cost basis across the country.
In the medical arena, there is a new national patient-centered outcomes research network that is being funded by PCORI. This new research network has the potential to change how we do clinical research in the United States, and it is being viewed by PCORI as their legacy project.
There is nothing I can think of that would be a more important legacy project by you and by the NPE than to create open source educational materials.
News items come and go. Math, English and Science? Very little changes and the work on open source educational materials would be long-lasting.
I am very curious to learn about what the issues are with doing this and its feasibility? I am sure there are many current and retired educational professionals who would contribute to this project.
Look forward to hearing much more about this.
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It goes without saying, but I will: You rock.
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Thank you for helping to spread the word, as I too should be on vacation as I go to an empty school to write an IEP each day in the new way. The state only wants data, no insights into a child’s learning styles. This is new for me after being praised by the succeeding middle school teachers for my thorough thoughtful commentaries.
There is no time during the school day so here I go again to prepare for the upcoming IEPs and my TPEP observation that will determine if I am at Basic or Proficient. Ugh
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Things Louisiana natives do not know:
Dogs can have snow boots.
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Diane,
How do you get your dog to keep the boots on and even let you put the boots on without general anesthesia?
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Chris, my big mutt Mitzi is so patient, she lets me put the snow boots on. She must be smart because the sidewalks outside have lots of snow-melting salt, which burns her feet. I think she knows it. So she tolerates the boots.
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OK, (as always, Mercedes) you beat me to it…
Northern dogs have their own snow boots?!
There is such a thing as dog snow boots?!
Unknown to this GA girl, too.
Talk about learning every day 😉
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Working dogs walking on caustic or sharp materials wear safety boots.
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Chris,
I looked up rescue dogs and discovered quite an array of dog footwear.
Who knew…(well, several of you all, but not me!)
😉
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Snow boots for dogs are not new. Mine had them in the early 60s. Putting them on the dogs was not the problem for us. Getting the dogs to walk was something else. They looked like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcMYcKhfbbo
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You guys have a lot of time on your hands . . . or a lot of boots on those paws . . . .
🙂
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Suggestion: include something like this this in future appearances:
“We need to educated for 2014, not 1995; we need creativity and initiation and soft skills, not math skills that are redundant to computer programs, etc. The common core is a program for the 1990s, and it’s needs to go away.”
Kudos on your work. Thanks!
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Testify!
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Ms Ravitch, with all due respect, “tear down the status quo”, you work for the status quo! In all your writings, posts, blogs etc, over many years, I have yet to see a visionary idea that you have put forth that goes beyond, “give schools more money, and don’t ask questions”.
I am intrigued now, what is the recipe to achieve this vision? What would you support? And attempt to say it while avoiding the words “more money” or “smaller class sizes”.
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Read a book: Reign of Error.
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What do you have against smaller class sizes?
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Dan,
The status quo is high-stakes testing and choice and ignoring the needs of children. Read the last dozen chapters of “Reign f Error” to learn what it will take to rebuild our schools and our society. Please do not write insulting comments. Inform yourself, and you won’t do it.
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Here’s some status quo:
http://www.publiccharters.org/bio/dan-quisenberry/
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There you go again, Mercedes, following the money. It never fails to enlighten.
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I just read Quisenberry’s bio (linked above) to my students.
One said, “He’s doing business, not education. He’s doing what he’s paid to do.”
Smart kid.
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The status quo can be easily defined as pushing charter schools that siphon public funds from neighborhood schools for 17 years = Dan Quisenberry.
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Dan Quisenberry serves as the president of MAPSA. Mr. Quisenberry is a veteran communicator with more than 20 years experience in governmental affairs, policy development and business management. As president, Mr. Quisenberry oversees all aspects of the association that promotes, protects and represents Michigan charters. He began his career working at the State Chamber of Michigan. Mr. Quisenberry joined MAPSA in 1997 after six years as general manager and legal administrator for a leading Michigan Law firm. MAPSA currently represents more than 90 percent of charter schools in Michigan and is recognized as the leading advocacy organization on behalf of charter schools in the state.
Another edutourist who never taught preaching to the real educators of America. You’re a dime a dozen, sir.
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“Mr. Quisenberry is a veteran communicator….”
Geez, you’d think he’d be better at it.
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edutourist, I love it!
Now, for clarity…
Are there subtle distinctions between the
Edufraud
Edupreneur
and the edutourist?
Perhaps we can create a 3 way Venn?
😉
Or perhaps we can make all three go away?
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I have more, but I don’t want to get kicked off the blog…ho ho ho!
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🙂
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Linda: I think you’re going to give the dime a bad rap.
😃
Dienne: just as articulate and on point as when “America’s Most Trusted Educator” [Dr. Steve Perry] tweeted “Strap up, there will be head injuries.”
LInk: http://jonathanpelto.com/2013/11/20/capital-preps-steve-perry-responds-defeat-tweeting-will-head-injuries/
And one should never forget that, in the midst of true tragedy, She Who Must Flee Debates wrote the immortal phrase “our most precious assets.”
Link: http://www.studentsfirst.org/pages/michelle-rhee-statement-school-shooting-tragedy-in-newton-connecticut
😡
Ang: how could you forget “eduapparatchik” and make a trio out of a quartet? How soon we forget that so much of the charterite/privatizer playbook comes out of the Potemkin Village Business Model for $tudent $ucce$$.
😒
But perhaps I overreact…
Please keep commenting, y’all, and I’ll keep reading.
😎
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Dan,
Why throw more money at public education when you can throw it at Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, and Iraq . . . . . ?
Or why not throw more money at offshore tax havens for more American Companies (some $200 billion dollars offshore that never come back to the states).
Or let’s throw more money at our tax system to give Facebook another $400 million dollar tax refund.
Or throw it at hedge fund managers who will pay an effective income tax rate of 13% to 14% while the rest of making about one four hundredth of a manager’s annual income pay about 33% to 38% . . . .
Please take your rhetoric and order yourself a bottle of Krug Clos Du Mesnil at your local yacht club. . . . and leave the serious business of education to the rest of the fair minded and sane masses.
That’s not to say that schools don’t have to manage money effeciently and that there are no limits, but right now, most public schools have seen a severe reduction in funding while income inequality is soaring and polarizing faster than Paula Deen can slop down a dish of melted, sugary butter . . . . faster than Dick Cheney can be defribillated . . . .
Go get a life . . . .
Or a heart.
Or some brains.
Whichever of those you think has the slightest potential to empower you . . . . .
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Thank you so much for all you have done with this Blog!
As a concerned parent from NC and two children in elementary school we must continue to fight for our children. Their innonence should not be striped away for the sake of making the rich richer. High-Stake standardized testing should not be the tell all for what students can achieve. Students deserve the opportunity to be creative, treated as individuals and feel confident in what they learn. Their will should not be broken and learning should be engaging and exciting. This fight is worth fighting and we must not back down.
Diane enjoy your vacation!
Tera
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10 millions, WOW! Congratulations!! I predict that your blog, the best one in the entire nation, will reach 20 millions.
Let’s continue the fight by informing the masses. The 1%ers might have their money and influence but the 99%ers have the greatest weapon of all “by educating ourselves and educating the public.” Yes, prevail we will.
Enjoy that sun and your vacation!
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Right on Sista! Fight the bureaucracy. Teachers and parents need to stand up to the politicians and fight for what they want forAmerican children. They deserve it!
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A blog that represents our opposition gets few hits. When someone does write in defense of corporate “reform” it’s almost always a businessman or opportunist out to make a buck off of poor children; and almost never a teacher.
Yesterday, I was on vacation with my son and his family. My daughter-in-law, a Ph.D. from Stanford, remarked that she is the volunteer guide for my grandson’s “book club” in his fifth grade classroom. I said, “I’ll bet the teacher has quite a few people like you to help in the classroom and my daughter-in-law responded, “Oh, more than you’d imagine.”
The fact is that there is a huge difference in the education that affluent children receive and that of poor kids, especially poor children of color. And now, even those meager resources are being siphoned into private pockets. This is the true “status quo” of education in America, and one that needs to be confronted and defeated.
Thank you, Diane, for leading the fight for a strong public education system: one that provides a quality education for EVERY child.
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Keeping my powder dry 🙂
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Cheers from slushy NY. The weather promises to be more amenable upon your return. In the meantime, I’m raising a glass of rum punch to you 🙂
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Thank you, thank you…now go for a swim!
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Thank you, Diane…for being with us and on the side of all children. You are a true island of democracy during one of our nation’s dark moments. And thank you for never giving up in our fight, to protect our great nation and our beseiged system of public education. We will win this fight!
Enjoy your well deserved break.
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You are so right! Enjoy your vacation.
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Congrats on the page views and the well-deserved vacation. 🙂
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Diane, I went and listened to you at Harvard Yard back in the Fall. Never have I felt so validated and inspired as an educator. I asked what could one person do and you gave me a list. I had no idea that I had an ounce of activism in me. I wrote down your suggestions and have followed each one carefully. I have become stronger in presence and in voice through my union and have started working fiercely through the ” keeping The Promise” campaign. I have rallied up otherwise quiet and submissive teachers. Everywhere I go I discuss the “corporate agenda”. I have even invited our MA senator to my classroom to teach, (one of your suggestions) and he accepted. He will be teaching first grade with me in March! I use social media to get the word out and I am a BAT!!! I wanted to say thank you for lighting my fire within. I truly did not know it existed. I forgot to mention that several of us rallied and spoke at a charter hearing in my community and it was just announced today that the charters did not get approval!!! I have to believe that we had something to do with that! I once was told by a smart and kind teacher that if we can each light one candle in the heart of another, what a wonderful way to,spread kindness and truth. Thank you for lighting my candle and the candles of so many others. I will try to,do the same and keep working until all children have what they rightfully deserve. I hope our paths cross again. You are truly an inspiration of hope!
Sincerely, Robin. Newhall
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Thank you, Robin. Your words inspire me to fight harder, push myself more, and go beyond my limits.
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Wow…that was beautiful! You rock!
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Thank you, Robin, for your courage!
Yes, many teachers are “quiet and submissive,” but when they are aroused, watch out!
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Robin,
Your words speak for the millions who read this blog world wide and who seek a better future for children.
Thank you . . . .
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You do a great job and if I could I’d buy you a mai tai, enjoy the sun!
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Diane,
Since you can’t avoid your blog, a guess it is part of your vacation, so know you are enjoying yourself. But, I cannot resist bringing up your staff of 92!! Boy, are you flush with cash. Just think if you were President Obama the entire staff would accompany you. Call it living large.
Wish me luck 2nd Common Core public hearing on Thurs with NC General Assembly….hope we can bury this barnyard cat which seems to have more lives than Gates has billions!
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AJ Bruno, I hope you understand the staff of 92 is a joke. I have no staff other than a happy dog who makes me take a walk and a grumpy cat who annoys me while I write by jumping on my desk and knocking my papers to the floor.
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Ajbruno,
I would surmise Diane had to fire the nanny, the butler, the maid, the chauffer, the cook, and the governess as well.
Oh wait. . . . I meant Michelle Rhee. . . .. Not Diane.
Sorry for the mix-up . . . .
Oops.
Now how did that happen?
🙂
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Awesome work on your blog and enjoy the rest of what I hope is an awesome vacation!
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I’m on vacation, too, at a health retreat in Vermont. By coincidence, the first time I came here was during April Vacation 2012! At that time, I remember how impossible it seemed to explain the attack on public education to other nice New Englanders.
Those ten million page views are a big reason that I find a very different situation this time around. Everybody understands that there is a for-profit corporate attack on public schools, which is hurting all the people inside them, and all the communities around them. And everybody I meet is on board to stop it in its tracks.
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“John Arnold @JohnArnoldFndtn 36m
Common Core getting attacked by extremists of both political parties these days.That’s evidence it is good policy. ”
Why do people continue to say things like this? It’s demonstrably untrue.
“Centrists” in both political parties supported the deregulation of the financial sector and the invasion of Iraq. Both were disastrous “policy”.
It’s such a dumb thing to say, and the people who say it are supposed to be wildly sophisticated and very smart.
One PROBLEM with ed reform is “both Parties” support it. There’s absolutely no push-back against any of it. Ed reform would be IMPROVED if there were some doubters. It’s kool aid drinking at this point.
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@JohnArnoldFndtn you are seriously out of touch if u believe that but I don’t suppose you associate w/public school parents, tchrs, students
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@Chiara Duggan… well there is an actual “breath of fresh political air” running for the mayor of DC (and I do believe he label’s himself as a democrat). This would be Andy Shallal. He is anti corporate “ed reform” and believes in community connection to public education. I don’t think it is political hype as his career trajectory has proven he supports many ideas that favor people over bottom line corporate interests. Read up on him.. he owns successful restaurants that are venues for poetry and literary readings and support the arts (called busboys and Poets) in the DC region.
http://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/andyshallal/pages/391/attachments/original/1392565438/Shallal_for_Mayor_-_Education_-_White_Paper_on_Education_-_Feb._14.pdf?1392565438
I hope for DC’s sake that his words are real and if elected his actions words would support his words.
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dianerav: you earned 10 million views the old fashioned way—you earned them.
And the success of your blog gives the lie to all the charterites/privatizers and their edubully enforcers and accountabully underlings that only you and a very few others were for a “better education for all” —
For as one of those old dead Greek guys noted over two thousand years ago:
“A decent boldness ever meets with friends.” [Homer]
😎
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Your writing keeps teaching me and giving me hope. Thank you.
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You go girl!!
Now, go enjoy that beautiful clear water!
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Dig those toes in the sand and soak up that sun, we’ll all be here when you come back. Thanks for the blog that makes us feel like we’re sitting in your living room talking to you.
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I long for the days when we start kibbiitzing with each other over the necessities of a vibrant public school system that is under local control. When we have beaten back the hoards of data demons and put to flight the billionaire boys club and their corporate sycophants, will we be able to play nice with each other? You have given us a little latitude to vent our frustration. I hope you get the chance to remind us that there is no silver bullet but many ideas that deserve a hearing. Thank you for venturing into cyberland. This blog has truly provided a life line to those of us who were/are sinking.
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Thank you, 2Old2teach. Those days will come again. The billionaires will get bored and find a new hobby. Maybe yachting or polo ponies.
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Diane, although we miss you please take time to enjoy your vacation . You are just going to get busier and busier when you return.
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Brava!
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Thanks for these sunny words. As I watch my younger sons (Sam, 12; Josh 9) work on their homework every day, they are my thoughts as well. Sm is not in his seventh year of opting out from the CPS tyrannical tests, and the re-growth of the Resistance the Opt Out movement will eventually make him comfortable with the work he’s done all these years. But we still have long long to go and lots lots to do. While we must talk about the Big Picture, it’s also these little pitchers, er “pictures”, that count (I couldn’t resist; baseball season is approaching and both sons, like their older brother, pitch as well as other stuff…). They are still forced to do too much test prep as the months of testing in Chicago approach, but here in Chicago, as in so many other places, the Resistance is stronger than it’s been for more than a decade. And this time we will not only win our battles, but also, finally, this particular war for democracy, public education, justice — and our “little pictures.”
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Rest, relax and enjoy. This blog has given me a way to educate the educators! — For that I will be forever grateful!
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Dear Diane,
You started this blog on my son’s 10th birthday, and through it you’ve dramatically and positively changed the course of his education, his life, and those of his younger sister.
I will be eternally grateful to you for this.
Thank you.
Suzanne (a mom in Georgia)
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