Ravtich's "Reign of Error"

Granted, I just picked up Diane Ravitch's new book but I am fascinated by her ability to clearly enumerate the many subtle and not so subtle ways that public education is under assault, largely due to the private sector getting into the field.  True, I'm but 30 pages into the text but there are plenty of juicy details concerning the various 'errors' taking place.

In general, Ravtich sees the private sector and the so called 'reformers' moving in the wrong direction.   According to Ravitch too many assumptions about the quality of schools, the testing agenda, accountability and the possibilities that the private sector offers are simply wrong.  I could agree with her more.

Let me point out a couple of ways that the privatizing craze is in full force.   Testing is but one of the vehicles where the privatizing forces are at work.   First is was the 'No Child Left Behind' legislation of 2002.   In order to get schools to meet their unrealistic goals of 'progess' a whole plethora of for-profit publications, think tanks and tutors blossomed.   Lots of money to be made here.

Now, almost every state has signed on to the Common Core Standard testing initiative.   Ravitch points out that this is going to be quite an expense as the states and districts are going to find that the CCSS is going online.   Some say that the estimate of the cost will run as much as $13 billion.   I wonder who will pick up the tab?   You can be sure that for-profit establishments will want a piece of that pie.

I look forward to sharing more of this book with you in the coming weeks.

Lots of errors being made!
Dick