I announced a few weeks ago that I would slow down the blogging because I am writing a new book.
You may have noticed that my resolve weakened.
But it was not just a matter of resolve.
In the next few weeks, I am wrapping up my lecture schedule, and not planning to accept new dates. It is hard to write when I don’t have solid and continuous blocks of time to do it. Blogging is easy. Writing a book is not.
Here is my schedule. I am speaking at the University of Washington in Seattle on April 4.
On April 11, I am speaking for the Lannan Foundation in Santa Fe along with teacher Jesse Hagopian (from Garfield High School in Seattle).
On April 18, I am speaking at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo (this is a makeup date for a lecture that was scheduled for early March, but canceled when a major snowstorm grounded all fights out of New York City).
That’s it. That’s when my slate goes blank, and I turn my full attention to the book.
Given my disposition and self-knowledge, I will still post something every day. But fewer and shorter entries. Don’t stop reading.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Jesse Hagopian is one of my favorite persons. We need more teachers like him! Good luck with your book and I always read your posts.
YEP, all 12 steppers, even if they’re from Texas make excuses.
Thank you, Diane. Your blog is sanity for me and many others.
Safe travel and no unwanted delays. Seattle had a fine turnout for March for out Lives.
In Seattle, I will have advice for Bill Gates
I wish I could be in Seattle to hear you give advice to Pharaoh Gateses.
Is the Kalamazoo speech open to the public and if yes, when and where?
Yes, all these events are open to the public.
Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University, April 18
7:00pm-9:00pm: Main speaking event at Dalton Center Recital Hall
Oh, you have to. It’s just getting interesting! 🙂
“Eight Kentucky school districts — including those in Louisville and Lexington — are closed today as teachers stay home to protest the GOP legislature’s destructive “reforms” of their pension system. Oklahoma teachers are planning to strike on Monday despite winning a $6,100 pay raise. And Arizona teachers rallied at the state capital on Wednesday and are threatening to strike if their demands for major pay raises and restoration of education funding cuts are not met.”
I don’t recall this ever happening before- not state to state spreading like this. It’s really remarkable.
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2018/03/red-state-teacher-unrest-just-keeps-spreading.html
Agree. CNN reports: These teachers work up to 6 jobs. Now they’re fed ups and ready to walk out. https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/31/us/oklahoma-teachers-profiles/index.html
Diane,
Thank you for the update!!
Having written and published more than 20 books of my own and published more than 60 books for other authors; I will be cheering you on from the sidelines!
Kas Winters
I’d be wondering if you were NOT thinking, writing and influencing the country.
Will never stop reading! Thanks, Diane, for keeping the blog going. It’s my #1 go-to for REAL news–both education & political (because everything in politics affects education).
Greatly admire people who write books, especially those w/social impact. I have attempted to write as book & have gotten as far as a few short stories & some journaling (so lame).
Looking forward to your next book, & happy, healthy holidays to you & yours.
Ditto every single thing retiredbutmissthekids said!!
(even the part of about so-lame writing efforts, oh well)
Diane,
Please send me the details of your talk at the Univ. of Washington. I would like to attend if I can.
Thanks,
Barbara
Barbara Bennett, M.A. Educational Therapist • Educational Consultant • ADHD Coach
http://www.barbara-bennett.com
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Barbara,
I am speaking at Kane Hall, U. of Washington, Seattle, on April 4 at 7:30 pm.
The problem is not your resolve.
The problem is that there are too many issues and incidents which require a response!
If things were going well educationally in our country: supportive leadership at all levels, top notch schools for students of all ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds, testing that made sense, enough money for good facilities and to support all of the children in getting their basic needs met so that they could focus on learning, maybe you’d be able to blog less.
But then you’d probably take on the educational ills of the world!
Krbayne, if all those things were happening, I could relax, read more books, enjoy my grandchildren, and travel more. From your mouth to God’s ears.
Thank you, Diane.
Sadly, He gave us all we need to accomplish the job. In our country, literally, it is all at our finger tips. But those in power and those who vote make choices which do not benefit all of our children and all of our communities equally.
Which is why you continue to blog.
And, as you can see, we all love you for it.
Awww. I worry that if I stop bringing you the news that is not usually in your local paper or on national TV, you won’t hear about looming dangers or great victories.
Diane,
You are permanently indispensable.
Just to see your name in my inbox is enough some days – reminding me that you are still there for us, still fighting. Good luck with your book.
Thank you, Barbara. That means a lot.
Diane – CONGRATS!!!! We need your insight!!!
On that note …what is TURN?
I complain about FL and realize what we are up against – I also, noticed the unions who are of TURN, they are not like the others… in fact, I think they sold out my particular union in Miami (many UTD names are on the list)
https://turnweb.org/members/
I am not sure what TURN is now. It was originally started by Adam Urbanski in Rochester.
That was many years ago. Maybe others who read this can tell you.
OnlyinMiami: I Googled TURN/Adam Urbanski (who has been a good guy) & also read your link. I am e-mailing NYC Educator (Arthur Goldstein) to see what he knows about this, & maybe he’ll post a reply, here, as I bet he knows quite a bit about TURN,
(Keep checking back, because it is holiday time, & can be hard to get in touch w/people.)
Thank you – all the connections with TURN & “Transforming Teacher Unions to Become Agents of Reform” bit concerned
success with your book, I’m certain you’ve been helpful to more than just me much appreciated
Did a little reading on TURN – I find it interesting- the Broad foundation and TURN … just asking questions because I don’t know – however, it seems the inner workings of some unions have changed – just questioning is all
Bingo “For example, TURN calls for “differentiated pay” for certified teachers—as opposed to a traditional steps-and-lanes salary schedule.”
no wonder why 20 year teachers in Miami are half way up the salary scale (no lie)…. MDCPS salary scale $41,000 – $72,720 (that is the official salary scale) – mid career teachers were frozen for years then transferred to this model based on flat percentage raises. Very depressing
http://www.schoolsmatter.info/2014/07/understanding-why-turn-cancer-has-to-be.html
Dear Diane, My news day for years now starts with dianeravitch.net– then & only then I turn to my tailored page at newsgoogle.com [if time left ;-)]. I will endeavor to become vastly informed in all other spheres during your downtime, & bring more to the convo when you finish your book!
Thank you, Bethree. There are many fabulous pieces in the archives. And good news, Gary Press is bringing out a published collection of the best posts on this blog over the past almost six years.
YAY!
I wanted to watch the Reign of Error on C-span, but it is not available anymore. Do you have an idea what happened to it? Their site says something about rights.
I don’t know. The best way to understand the book is to read it.
What? No Cliff Notes? 🤣😂🤣
I am not complaining about your blogging. I like it.
But I also enjoy reading your books.
Take as much time as you need! We appreciate EVERYTHING you do!!! You are amazing! thanks so much
Write that book (I’ll buy it, as I have all the others) but I do appreciate the links with your blog!
You will never stop….until we see your obit…My love and respect on this Easter…..BReagan
Billy R. Reagan
(713) 795-9696
(832) 215-8877 cell
Billy,
It is a Texan thing.
Dear Dr. Ravitch:
I respect you very much. This special respect goes the same way to many other contributors in your platform, like Dr. Edward Berger, Dr. Laura Chapman…
In regard to the post on March 28, 2018. “Edward F. Berger: As An Educator, I Have Held These Truths to be Self-Evident”. I spent time to understand the true meaning of deep learning. I found the link of the book about it.
http://www.deeplearningbook.org/contents/intro.html
I suppose to post this link in that post. However, I have read a reply from Dr. Chapman, senõr Duane E Swacker , and teacher Máté Wierdl . As a result, I hope that Dr. Berger with a near 8 decade of teaching experience will be carefully with the word “DEEP LEARNING” in his reference of a specific “today” educational writing.
IMHO, these words refer to machine learning about a single and repetitive task. These words cannot, and should not apply in K-12 system. Children are human beings. They have only a very short period of 12 years to be SENTIENT BEING of being empathetic = learn to be well rounded in all three aspects of body – mind – and spirit = physic-Ed – math and science – arts and literature.
There are 4 or 5 year for bachelor degree to experience certain major before go for other 7 or 10 years in “DEEP LEARNING” to be SPECIALIZING or FOCUSING in their own interest with their contentment.
Please note that the post on “Tim Slekar: Who Is Destroying the Teaching Profession in Wisconsin?” dated March 30, 2018 at 10:54 pm did not have a comment section, but it appears: (Oops! This page does not exist. Maybe you can try searching for it again.)
Thank you very much for your precious time, effort and dedication to bring people together and to share their views on how to support and to protect “PUBLIC EDUCATION”.
Lots of respect and love. XOXOXO. May.
You are blogging again because you want to keep AstraZeneca in business. Really Diane, the Orange haired monster is enough to make me double my dose of Prilosec . But being a masochist , I come to your blog to find another 1/2 dozen things a day to be angry about .
I wouldn’t have it any other way .The education wars are at the center of the battle to restore Democracy or simply slip into entrenched oligarchy. .
I too am looking forward to the book and will miss the blog while you are writing it.
Thanks but I will post once daily. If big things happen, more.