More Ravitch

Diane makes a profound point in her book, "Reign of Error," about what corporate America - in terms of education - dislikes about our contemporary schools.   They don't like unions, they say we are failing, our kids are behind those of other countries and more.   So they have a whole shopping list of what is wrong with schools.

Ms. Ravitch also notes that there are other concerns that corporate America neglects to comment on.   Those so called reformers rarely protest budget cuts to education nor do they weigh in on the growing influence of poverty on children and families living in such dire straits.   They do not complain about increased class sizes faced by the students and teachers nor do they complain about the budget slashing that cuts art, shop, physical education, music, FACS programs.

These reformers close their eyes to for-profit charters that siphon funds from the classroom and they don't voice any concern about the idea of testing pre-kindergarten or kindergarten children.   I have rarely heard complaints coming from 'reformers' concerning the fact that Education Service students are often disproportionately excluded from a good number of charters compared to the regular neighborhood public school.

So take it with a grain of salt.   The next time you hear 'reformers' talk about what they dislike about American schools, check to see if they also dislike some of the above.

Thanks,
Dick