Archives for category: Corporate Reformers
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EduShyster: The Minnsanity of School Reform

By dianeravitch
March 26, 2013 //
14

You must read EduShyster’s description of “reform” in Minneapolis, which she calls “Minnsanity.” Folks, you can’t make this stuff up.

Is there a method in their madness? Do they have any evidence for what they are doing? If it fails and fails, and they do the same thing over and over, what do you call it?

Stories like these convince me that the unrealistic claims of reformers can’t go on forever. At some point, the bills come due. At some point, reality intrudes.

Policy must have some relationship to evidence. High expectations are well and good, but they are no substitute for evidence, proof, reality.

Categories Charter Schools, Corporate Reformers, Teach for America TFA

The Most Brilliant Post of the Day

By dianeravitch
March 25, 2013 //
20

If you read nothing else today, read this post by the blogger who calls himself Crazy Crawfish.

In a blinding flash of insight, he sees the pattern on the rug of the corporate reform movement.

I won’t say anything more.

Just read it.

Categories Accountability, Corporate Reformers, Education Industry, For-Profit, Louisiana

When Democracy Died in Camden, NJ

By dianeravitch
March 24, 2013 //
8

Jersey Jazzman reports that Governor Christie has decided to take control of the Camden school district.

Camden is the fourth school district in the state to be taken over.

Paterson, Newark, and Jersey City are already controlled by the state.

JJ writes:

“Let’s be clear: Paterson has been under state control for 24 years, Jersey City for 22 years, and Newark for 18 years. Golly, what do you think all these places have in common?”

He shows in a graph that these districts have very few white students. So what’s the goal?

“And so the plan is clear: take over the schools, starting where there aren’t many white kids. Starve them of funds, then declare them “failures,” and install your cronies. Thetakeover of Camden’s schools has been in the works ever since California billionaire Eli Broad installed his puppets into the NJDOE. Tomorrow is simply the culmination of a long-term plan.”

What has been the result of these state takeovers? From the point of view of the students, nada.

Again, quoting JJ’s powerful post:

“If anyone has any evidence that disenfranchising local citizens and local parents leads to better school outcomes, please let me know, so I can debunk it as a load of crap. No school district ever got better by taking the local community out of its decision-making process. It’s shameful that Chris Christie, a tool of the ruling class, dares to tell the parents of Camden that he knows better than they do what needs to be done for their children.”

Look at it this way. Instead of closing a school here or there, or a dozen or two dozen schools, the governor simply seizes the whole district. It is his to play with. Some democracy.

Categories Corporate Reformers, New Jersey, Privatization

NYC Parents and Students Mobilizing for Real Reform

By dianeravitch
March 24, 2013 //
9

As the mayoral election of 2013 approaches, New York City parents and students are speaking up about what is most important to them. They got hold of an old school bus, painted it blue, and are driving around the city to raise awareness among other parents and students.

The article linked here shows how parents and their children are trying to inform voters and the candidates about their opposition to high-stakes testing and their desire for a well-rounded education, including art and music.

The low point of the article–hilarious really–is when a spokesperson for StudentsFirst, which has no roots in New York City, pooh-poohed the parents’ and students’ concerns:

“Ms. Boyd of Students First New York dismissed the bus trip. “A lot of what they’re doing is political theater, rallying parents around issues that are nuanced and complicated with not a lot of explanation, and then going forward saying, ‘Look, these are parents’ issues,’ ” she said.”

Categories Accountability, Bloomberg, Michael, Corporate Reformers, New York City, Parents, Students, StudentsFirst

The Chicago Tribune’s Phony Poll Numbers on Reform

By dianeravitch
March 24, 2013 //
9

Yesterday I ran a post about an editorial in the Chicago Tribune. The editorial touted the results of a poll which the newspaper conducted in partnership with the Joyce Foundation. The poll purportedly supported privatization, merit pay, evaluation of teachers by test scores, and every other failed nostrum of the Rahm Emanuel-ALEC crowd.

But a Chicago parent group called PURE (Parents United for Responsible Education) says that the Tribune poll is a fraud. It underrepresented parents of children who attend public schools and it underrepresented African Americans. Based on PURE’s findings, the poll shows what white Chicagoans think that the children of black Chicagoans need.

According to PURE’s analysis, the poll was skewed towards privatization and it did not report its own findings accurately:

Who responded:

  • 50% of those polled were white. Less than 9% of CPS students are white.
  • 30% of those polled make more than $ 75,000 a year. 87% of CPS students are from low-income families that qualify for federal free or reduced lunches.
  • 43% of those polled do not know a Chicago Public School teacher or teachers’ union member. Really?

Of course, the Trib claims that results were “weighted” to assure a mix consistent with city demographics…but then, like Mayor Rahm, most of the white people in Chicago send their children to private schools.

Key results the Trib decided not to tell you about: 

  • The most popular answer to their question about what to do about underperforming schools was “devote more resources while keeping the staff intact” (37%). The least selectedanswers were “close the school and transfer students to a higher-performing school” (only 6%) and “allow an experienced nonprofit to come in and run the school” (18.8%) (question 24).
  • Nearly as many people think the CPS budget should be balanced by raising taxes on businesses as by closing schools. Oops! (question 31).
Categories Charter Schools, Chicago, Corporate Reformers, Education Industry, Privatization, Teacher Evaluations

A Wonderful Editorial Supporting Teachers: Please Read It

By dianeravitch
March 24, 2013 //
7

When I was in North Carolina last week, I spoke in Raleigh at an event pulled together on short notice by NC Policy Watch, a state watchdog for the public interest. As it happened, I spoke just a few days after State Senator Phil Berger introduced a horrendous piece of legislation that he claimed would produce “excellence,” by removing all job protections (i.e., due process) for teachers), by tying teacher pay to test scores (aka merit pay), and by removing any salary increments for those who earn a master’s degree or have additional years of experience. Everything tied to test scores. (The video is here.)

While there I learned that it takes a teacher in North Carolina fourteen years of teaching to reach a salary of $40,000 a year.

When I hear stats like this, I grind my teeth thinking of the pundits and think tank gurus who collect six-figure salaries advocating that teachers should be cut down to size and have their benefits reduced and their salaries tied to student test scores.

I loved my time in Raleigh. The cherry blossoms were in bloom (it was snowing in New York), the audience was enthusiastic, and the best gift of all was this wonderful editorial that I received in my email today. When there are editorial writers like this one, a man who clearly understands the futility of what is now called “reform,” and the damage that the so-called “reformers” are doing to the education profession and to our nation, my faith is renewed that the privatizers and teacher-bashers won’t win. At some point and it will not be long, the public will get it too.

Categories Corporate Reformers, North Carolina, Teacher Evaluations, Teacher Tenure, Teachers and Teaching

Governor Malloy Abandons Equitable Funding Plan in Connecticut

By dianeravitch
March 23, 2013 //
16

In this important article, civil rights attorney explains how Governor Malloy switched sides on the funding formula for Connecticut public schools.

What hypocrisy! As mayor of Stamford, he was a plaintiff in the lawsuit. As governor, he now opposes the views he once espoused.

Lecker writes:

“As Stamford’s mayor, Dannel Malloy was an original plaintiff in the pending school funding case, The Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Education Funding v. Rell, and led the charge to win just and equitable funding for Connecticut schools. Now, Governor Malloy is trying aggressively to get the case dismissed. In doing so, he has exposed his 2012 education reforms as empty promises compared to what Connecticut’s children really need.

“The plaintiffs in CCJEF v. Rell charge that the state is violating the constitutional right of Connecticut’s children to an adequate education by depriving school districts of billions of dollars. Consequently, schools, especially in Connecticut’s neediest districts, cannot afford basic educational tools such as a sufficient number of teachers, reasonable class size, adequate school facilities, services for at-risk children, electives, AP classes, even books, computers and paper.”

Now Governor Malloy claims, with no evidence whatever, that his corporate reform plan focused on testing, accountability, rewards, and punishments, will do the job instead of equitable funding.

What hypocrisy!

Categories Connecticut, Corporate Reformers, Teacher Evaluations

The Mysterious “Network Leaders” of Louisiana

By dianeravitch
March 23, 2013 //
8

Louisiana teacher Mercedes Schneider has uncovered a curious puzzle. When five veteran administrators are hired by the state superintendent as “network leaders,” at high salaries, then disappear from view, where did they go? What do they do?

Categories Bloomberg, Michael, Corporate Reformers, Louisiana

Rhee Buddies Still Run DC Schools

By dianeravitch
March 22, 2013 //
4

Most observers of the DC political scene think that Adrian Fenty lost to Vincent Gray because of the unpopularity and divisiveness of Michelle Rhee. A month after Gray wi, Rhee resigned and went on to create StudentsFirst, which has collected millions of dollars, mostly spent to elect Republicans in state legislatures.

Rhee may be out of DC, but her hand-picked team still runs the district. Gray may have won, but he dared not offend the city’s power structure by bringing in his own team.

Rhee’s deputy Kaya Henderson replaced her. Now Mayor Gray has chosen another Rhee clone to be his Deputy Mayor for education.

A reader sends this commentary and links to DC news:

“Greetings from DC. Just a few items that got my blood boiling.

“DC Mayor Gray – Appoints former TFA’er Abigail Smith as Deputy Mayor for Education

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/gray-names-abigail-smith-deputy-mayor-for-education/2013/03/21/d24decb2-923d-11e2-bdea-e32ad90da239_story.html

“A little background on: (previous Bill Turque article)

“Smith was a major player in some of Rhee’s most controversial initiatives, such as the 2008 closure and consolidation of 23 schools and Capital Gains, the now-defunct program that paid cash to middle schoolers in exchange for good grades and behavior.”

Also PG County Executive Seeks Control of Schools:

http://washingtonexaminer.com/p.g.-county-executive-rushern-bakers-school-reform-bill-moves-from-maryland-house-to-senate/article/2525100

Most prophetic comments: a press release from PG County BOE:

“Mr. Baker’s proposal reduces public oversight of schools and voids the rights of our parents, students and labor unions,” the statement says. “The bill resembles that of the D.C. school takeover by former D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty. However, similar to the District, the bill falls short and fails to address the core issues facing our community.”

Categories Corporate Reformers, Rhee, Michelle

Wharton Professor: The Skills Gap Is Bunk

By dianeravitch
March 22, 2013 //
6

How many times have you heard Arne Duncan or some corporate easer complain that they have to outsource jos because Americans lack the skills that their industry needs?

A new book by Wharton School of Professor Peter Capelli debunks th claim in his new book “Why Good People Can’t Get Jobs?”

Andrea Gabor reviews the book here. It sounds like a good read and sharp rebuke to those who continue to bash our public schools.

Categories Corporate Reformers, Duncan, Arne, Economy, Education Industry, Higher Education
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