Join Randi and Me to Discuss Reopening of Schools

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1. fmindlin says:

   May 9, 2020 at 2:06 pm

   Hi Diane–the link says starting at 8 pm Eastern, not 7:30, and then it says ending at 9 AM! Now I’m really confused…🤔 *Fred Mindlin* *String Stories |Digital Stories* *Teaching Artist: Core Connected Learning*

   On Sat, May 9, 2020 at 11:01 AM Diane Ravitch’s blog wrote:

   > dianeravitch posted: “This Wednesday, Randi Weingarten and I will discuss > the reopening of schools, maybe other issues. We will talk for an hour > starting at 7:30, then answer questions for half an hour. Join us! ” >

   Reply
   • dianeravitch says:

     May 9, 2020 at 2:51 pm

     We start at 7:30 pm EST and end at 9 pm

     Reply
   • dianeravitch says:

     May 9, 2020 at 2:54 pm

     Thanks for catching the huge error!

     I will get it fixed.

     We start at 7:30 pm and end at 9 pm EST

     Reply
     • dianeravitch says:

       May 9, 2020 at 2:58 pm

       Correction:

       Randi and I begin to talk at 8 pm EST,end at 9:30 pm.

     • Robert Rendo, Educator says:

       May 9, 2020 at 5:15 pm

       Neither of my browsers allowed me to put in my last name. Can you confirm offline the you received my RSVP???

     • dianeravitch says:

       May 9, 2020 at 5:48 pm

       Robert, I will check

     • Robert Rendo, Educator says:

       May 9, 2020 at 7:52 pm

       TY, Diane. LOL . . . Now it’s “Robert”, having come from “Rendo”. . . .

2. LeftCoastTeacher says:

   May 9, 2020 at 2:12 pm

   I enjoyed seeing you on Samantha Bee’s show the other night too, fleeting though it was. Thoughtful entertainment. Wednesday should be more involved. Looking forward to it.

   Reply
3. caplee68 says:

   May 9, 2020 at 2:19 pm

   When students return, teachers will have no clue what levels they are on: https://savingstudents-caplee.blogspot.com/2020/03/when-kids-get-back-to-school.html

   Reply
   • RageAgainstTheEdu-Meddlers says:

     May 9, 2020 at 2:52 pm

     Levels? Can you cite some resources for math and science?

     Reply
   • GregB says:

     May 9, 2020 at 5:17 pm

     From 1st through 10th grade I went to a different school system in a different state every year. I had to figure it and my teachers had to figure me out. Somehow it worked, though many would dispute it. The worst education I ever got was the school where I spent my final three years. Where would I fit on that levels mindset?

     Reply
     • RageAgainstTheEdu-Meddlers says:

       May 10, 2020 at 9:16 am

       This type of edu-nonsense is the spawn of the data driven mindset.
       Thinking that intellectual growth and development in children is somehow a measurable, linear progression is a fool’s errand that too many educators have waste their time on.

     • dianeravitch says:

       May 10, 2020 at 10:00 am

       Rage:

       That’s an excellent point, succinctly put. Intellectual growth is not a “linear, measurable progression.” It comes in fits and starts. It is unpredictable. It can be encouraged and nurtured but not forced or produced by compulsion.

     • RageAgainstTheEdu-Meddlers says:

       May 10, 2020 at 10:04 am

       Intellectual growth and development is more like a reverse roller coaster ride. A lot of ups and downs, twists and turns, excitement and fear – but at the end you wind up at a higher point than when you started. The energy that drives the uphill struggle comes from two main sources: the home and the schools.

     • GregB says:

       May 10, 2020 at 11:34 am

       Yes, Rage. And learning never ends, or at least, it shouldn’t. Been spending much of the lockdown teaching myself about opera, which, as much I love music, I’ve never really understood or appreciated. Wonder if there’s a lesson plan for me so I can learn correctly?

4. Therese Kelleghan says:

   May 9, 2020 at 2:21 pm

   Diane,

   Have you seen the NYT Opinion piece, “Why I’m Learning More With Distance Learning Than I Do In School?” It is allegedly written by a 13 year old girl, a NY City public school student.

   I have googled her and can not find her online or in Facebook. I suspect foul play here. Is this an actual student, writing a spontaneous, grass roots response to her experience or is it a right-wing funded creation to capitalize on the difficulties that the pandemic is creating for public ed?

   Please use your resources to explore if this student actually wrote this piece with her own volition.

   I am happy to help as you see fit. I live in Chicago and am an educator.

   In Solidarity,

   Therese Kelleghan

   Reply
   • dianeravitch says:

     May 9, 2020 at 2:50 pm

     I assume The NY Times would not post a fraudulent piece.

     But her view is aberrant.

     The parents, teachers, and students I hear from are disgusted with remote learning. They say it’s boring.

     Reply
   • RageAgainstTheEdu-Meddlers says:

     May 9, 2020 at 3:02 pm

     If she’s for real, her writing and her views would make her an extreme outlier as an 8th grade student. Middle school kids are extremely social so I found it rather odd that missing her friends did not seem to be an issue; again, way outside the norm into the Asperger’s spectrum. I’d suggest filing this opinion piece under, “Never use an exception to prove a rule” as the vast majority of parents who are experiencing DL with their middle schoolers are not drawing the same conclusion as “Ms. Mintz”.

     Reply
     • retiredbutmissthekids says:

       May 9, 2020 at 3:15 pm

       As a retired middle school teacher, I know those can be some of the cruelest years: “mean girls” (& boys) galore. Perhaps this student was bullied or picked on in school, so at-home learning is a better fit for her. However, not the best for the majority of students so, of course, should not become the “new normal.”

     • RageAgainstTheEdu-Meddlers says:

       May 9, 2020 at 4:45 pm

       She did not mention being bullied but complained about the daily disruptions resulting from unchecked behaviors. Sh had little good to say about her teachers.

     • Robert Rendo, Educator says:

       May 9, 2020 at 5:18 pm

       The child is entitled to her POV. I don’t agree with it, and she remains a clear outlier.

       I’m not saying technology should not be used in learning. It’s a question of how to, to what extent, and that it never replaces real live human interaction and teachers.

5. BEVERLY L. OUDERKIRK says:

   May 9, 2020 at 3:48 pm

   How do I connect with you and Randi Wednesday night

   Reply
   • dianeravitch says:

     May 9, 2020 at 7:23 pm

     The link is here:

     https://networkforpubliceducation.org/diane-and-randi/

     Go there and you will find a form to sign up.

     Only 100 people are permitted in the Zoom session.

     Reply
6. joe prichard says:

   May 9, 2020 at 7:28 pm

   A question I would ask…will there be any problem with confusion regarding charter schools? I believe there is obfuscation going on in St. Louis….they are lumping charter schools—which have grown to 12000 students during the 12 years of state takeover, and resulting disenfranchisement. Now with the former 33,000 non-franchisement students down to 20,000 with losses to charters, you can go to the slps site, and missouri state education site and be invited—The Student Recruitment and Student Placement offices look forward to assisting families interested in attending a Saint Louis Public Schools Magnet or Choice school—-perhaps because those doing the placements are uncomfortable using the word “charter”. Magnets are not charters, but they are not always explained just what they are. ……My question……will there or should there be confusion about calling charter school students?

   Reply
7. joe prichard says:

   May 9, 2020 at 7:36 pm

   two sentences to correct: Now with the former 33,000 non-CHARTER students down to 20,000 and…..will there or should there be confusion about RE-OPENING charter school students? (charters are now referred to as choice schools)

   Reply
8. JH says:

   May 9, 2020 at 10:15 pm

   No. Choice schools are just that, a choice within the district rather than a traditional feeder pattern. Magnet schools are just that – officially designated magnet schools that enroll students from the county as well as the city. And, charters are charter schools

   Note too, yet another charter in St. Louis closed this week – shut down by the State for poor academic performance.

   Reply
   • joe prichard says:

     May 11, 2020 at 2:19 pm

     And, charters are charter schools……oh yeah? Note this. Gateway Science Academy of St. Louis
     Gateway Science Academy
     #2 in Best Charter High Schools in Missouri
     B+Overall Grade
     Public, Charter9-12

     SLPS Magnet and Choice Schools Feeder Patterns 2018-19 School …
     https://www.slps.org/…/ 201819%20MagnetChoice%20ALL%20Schools%20Feeder%20Patterns.pd…
     File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat
     Gateway STEM Academy. Give my regards to Fethullah Gulen.

     Gateway Science Academy St. Louis – Elementary School by …
     es.gsastl.org
     Gateway Science Academy St. Louis Elementary is managed by Concept Schools. Concept Schools is a nonprofit charter management organization that provides a high-quality, STEM-focused and college-preparatory education through a network of charter schools while offering exceptional programs, comprehensive services, and opportunities to partner in education.

     Reply
     • joe prichard says:

       May 11, 2020 at 2:21 pm

       It is a good school….but the terminology and connection to Gulen remains intentionally muddled.

9. GregB says:

   May 9, 2020 at 11:53 pm

   Please watch the opening segment of tonight’s SNL. It provides a lot of talking points for you and Randi (the U. of Phoenix reference especially).

   Reply
   • dianeravitch says:

     May 10, 2020 at 12:16 am

     Thank you. I was watching Funny Girl. I’ll watch the SNL rerun.

     Reply
10. Montana teacher says:

    May 10, 2020 at 2:09 am

    My big question is this:

    When schools open up, will class sizes be

    A) Smaller, due to coronavirus social distancing requirements and common sense; or

    B) Larger, due to reduced tax collections and possible layoffs and furloughs?

    The NEA just said to expect larger class sizes, but schools in Europe that are re-opening have smaller-than-normal class sizes.

    I’d personally love to see all the staff people who do not have a student load in our district (literacy coaches, etc) have their own classrooms of 15 students each.

    Reply
    • RageAgainstTheEdu-Meddlers says:

      May 10, 2020 at 7:53 am

      This is THE question! Under normal circumstances, public schools are the ultimate petri dishes. There will be no vaccine by September and the second wave is a near certainty. State budgets will be eviscerated with much of the financial pain inflicted on the schools. Slashed programs, skeleton staffs translates into enormous class sizes that exacerbate social closeness. This is a conundrum wrapped in dilemma surrounded by a quandary. If you are a public school administrator reading this, I’d like to say good luck but that clearly won’t be enough to navigate this disaster.

      Reply