In a hotly contested election for the State Senate seat of convicted Dean Skelos, Todd Kaminsky appears to be the winner by a slim margin. The absentee ballots are not yet counted, but if Kaminsky’s lead holds up, he will be a member of the State Senate. StudentsFirst poured nearly $1.5 million into defeating him and trying to elect the candidate from the Republican machine. This election should make clear that StudentsFirst can be beaten and that they are a front for the Republican Party.
Kaminsky’s victory is a victory for the leaders of the Long Island opt out movement, who strongly supported his candidacy and the legislation he proposed as a member of the Assembly. Kaminsky wants to decouple test scores from teacher evaluation, which would reduce the absurd pressure to raise test scores and the time lost by the arts and other subjects. Parents want their children to have a well-rounded education, not a test-prep curriculum.
The parents of Long Island have become a political force to be reckoned with, and a shining example for parents across the nation. Parents united can never be defeated. Not even by big money.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
:))))))
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Every time StudentFirst, Campbell Brown or any other Ed Reform group or individuals make an endorsement, it is imperative that their Republican connection be called out.
Their belief that the GOP’s ideology is the best suited for public education needs to be hung in neon around their necks.
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Great to read.
Still looking for the public servant who loses his or her office because of education policy positions.
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Diane
Money vs United . Always the money is going to loss . The war world 2 the United defeat those powers Evils . The media is the worts enemy and stronger weapon . Media should change and that it . Over here in down sought thoses corrupts charters have not chance to keep growing . God proved Justices always win and Evils aparently are favorite but ADSOLUTLY NOT .
Thanks you Diane . God use you to spread my Sight o SOS . By my self thoses sujets are in trouble . I can tell they hate me , as KKK HATE MLK .
Polices cruel arasment was stopped thanks God they are in trouble . The last visit to my house 2 weeks ago . 2 detectives try me to sight a paper House evation is a crime and pushing to sight a paper agains my rifgts , the Chaters owners members . Chair members is the mayor city . Polices arasment is eminent , badges hired . FDLE now are nice with me . Please don’t file a law sue to the city of hialeah. Of course I’ll as another to private owners of charter school is nothing but problems . They owners are KKK vs an underdog parent . I promos them . I’ll be the next MLK of that place called . CHATER SCHOOLS HEA . HONOR – LOYALTY – RESPECT THAT IS TO FOOL PARENTS KIDS AND INSULT INTELIGENCE . CHATER = CORRUTION . THEY HONOR = THE HORROR . LOYALTY = LAWBRAKERS .
HONOR + LOYALTY + RESPECT = STAND UP AND FIGHT EGAINS EVILS . THEY ARE HIRING BEJAINDS THOSES
WORDS .
WE NEED TO SHOW , STAND UP . UNITE THEVER LOSS . I NEED HELP FROM EVERYWHERE IN UNITED STATE OF AMÉRICA .
STATE OF FLORIDA ARE ANOTHER STATE OF USA .
RITGHT ?
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Off-topic, but it looks like Rahm Emanuel isn’t trying very hard to regain his popularity: https://preaprez.wordpress.com/2016/04/21/the-mayor-take-out-his-revenge-on-chicagos-outspoken-principal/
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Great (long) piece on ed reform in Chicago:
https://www.jacobinmag.com/2016/04/chicago-public-schools-charters-closings-emanuel/?utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=socialnetwork
I didn’t know that Rauner was involved in every aspect of it right from the start.
They really might as well as have elected Rauner mayor.
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Cleveland Plain Dealer interviews the ed reform lobby pick for Ohio public schools.
In the entire interview, “district schools” are mentioned only once – the rest is about charters and vouchers:
http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2016/04/charter_school_founder_and_for.html
93% of Ohio students attend public schools. How does he forget to mention 93% of students?
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My son’s school gave the kids time outside to play between testing sessions this year.
Opt out has really changed the whole debate, in a good way. We’ve gone from test prep rallies and robotic canned recitations of the value of testing that came directly from a script drafted at the state ed agency to a recognition they’re small human beings and they need to run around outside between testing sessions.
I don’t think it matters whether the ed reform “movement” addresses their obsession with testing. No one is looking to them for “leadership” anymore.
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It’s encouraging to hear situations where principles overcome $$$$$ during the election process.
In otherwords – on occasion common sense triumphs over special interests groups who slant the truth to favor their own bottom line.
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