Sara Stevenson, librarian at the O.Henry Middle School in Austin, frequently writes letters to the editor of the Wall Street Journal, refuting the opinion writers’ regular attacks on public schools and teachers. For as long as anyone can remember (meaning me), the WSJ has favored unlimited school choice, and it usually makes the case by sneering at public schools. Sara has already been honored by this blog as a hero for her constant vigilance on behalf of the common good. She doesn’t let the WSJ opinion writers get away with BS.
She has a letter in today’s WSJ, rebutting the claim that throwing money at schools (e.g., fully funding them) makes a difference.
“Regarding “Teachers on Strike” (Notable & Quotable, April 25): Jason Riley uses New York as the poster child for high spending in education with only middling test scores. However, Massachusetts ranks third in teacher salaries and number one in student test scores. I prefer that correlation to prove that you get what you pay for.”
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Throwing money at politicians seems to work.
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Yes, and when was the last time the Wall Street Journal complained about “throwing money” at the Pentagon, especially given the outcomes in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, etc…
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crucial point
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“US Dept of Education
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It’s teacher appreciation week! Consider emailing your superintendent or principal to share the ways a teacher has made a difference in your child’s life. Small gestures like this can mean so much”
Unless they’re on strike because your state’s public education system is collapsing due to the complete and utter neglect of government officials.
You have to almost admire their commitment to ignoring public schools while continuing to insist they work in “public education”. They work in “public education” with the exception of the schools 90% of families attend. Other than that it’s going great.
Clap louder, and thank a teacher. You’ll find one on a picket line.
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Succinct, even terse–an outstanding letter.
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the Th
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A the letters do add up. Thanks, Sara.
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Regarding “Teachers on Strike”:
“Contrary to the corporate media’s efforts to portray these teacher mobilizations as a reaction to Republican Party cutbacks, striking teachers have documented with mathematical precision that the most intense attacks on public education, social services, and teacher pay began with the Great Depression of 2008 and were implemented under the Democratic Party administration of Barack Obama.
Under Obama’s reign, 2008-2016, trillions in taxpayer dollars were transferred from working people to the ultra rich corporate elite—the 1 percent…
Teachers broke with the crippling arguments pressed forward by their local school boards and state and national union misleaders that they were compelled to retreat from their local contract demands based on the fact that local school boards have no funds to grant even modest improvements. The union tops’ fundamentally flawed strategic orientation was to lobby and/or to fund and help elect so-called progressive Democrats, who supposedly would more adequately fund public education.” Jeff Mackler
Another “gem” strategy…Damn testing and showcase test scores.
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Sara, librarians rock! ;0)
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