Paul Thomas has been a consistent critic of the Obama education policies of standards, testing, accountability, choice, competition.
Rightly so, since those policies are no different from those of the Bush era, only worse.
He now wonders if the administration’s criticism of zero tolerance might be a hopeful turn.
But he does not note that the administration does not associate “zero tolerance” with “no-excuses” charter schools promoted by the administration.
The most important book on “no-excuses” charters was written by David Whitman, Arne Duncan’s speechwriter.
Duncan continues to praise “no-excuses” charters which practice zero tolerance.
The question Paul should be investigating is how often the President or the Secretary has condemned practice that their policies mandate, like teaching to the test.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
We know the answer to that question, Diane. They say one thing but their behavior says another. Playwrights watch behavior and know that dialogue is the baggage of a scene or an event… we watch what people do. I am a playwright and I watch the behavior so I have the answer.
Anyway, here is the link at OPED news where I post all the most critical links you offer your readers. Thank you!
http://www.opednews.com/Quicklink/Skepticism-or-Cynicism-for-in-Best_Web_OpEds-Accountability_Agenda_CRITICISM_Choice-140413-587.html#comment483195
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Thanks, Diane. I have confronted the Obama/Duncan “no excuses” issue:
http://digitalcommons.buffalostate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1034&context=jiae
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Our local truth telling magazine just had this article on its front page (Colorado is a “leader” in passing legislation to “save schools”):
http://www.westword.com/2014-04-10/news/teacher-lawsuit-against-dps/
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Let the politicians know just how strongly you feel about the CC testing madness that has enveloped our public schools like a toxic cloud. The powers that be will only act if their power is threatened. This is a political battle, pure and simple. They have the CA$H but we have the numbers
Easier than you might expect.
In 27 hours, 1,452 letters/emails have been sent to Washington DC by outraged parents and educators from all across the country. Read their comments and add your own feelings and experiences. There is a map that shows the distribution of signees when you mouse-over each state.
I just started this at Petition2Congress yesterday morning. It is very easy to sign, copies are automatically sent to President Obama, and your own senators and your House representative. Please take the time to read and sign the petition entitled:
STOP COMMON CORE TESTING.
Thank you.
http://www.petition2congress.com/15080/stop-common-core-testing/?m=5265435
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This is nothing more than Obama trying to shore up his increasingly disaffected political base amid dealing poll numbers, and in the run-up to the mid-term elections.
The man has spent his entire career being a Judas to the people he claims to represent; this is not likely to be any different.
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Sorry, that should be “declining,” not “dealing” poll numbers.
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To answer the question of the post:
Neither, I’m a realist when it comes to the Obomber. Didn’t vote for him either time. Vote third party!
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