Breaking News: New Group to Oppose Corporate (Education) Reforms

[Starry Messenger]

http://dianeravitch.net/2013/03/07/breaking-news-new-group-to-oppose-corporate-reforms/

<snip>

Today marks the public launch of a new network devoted to the defense and improvement of public education in the US. Led by renowned education historian, Diane Ravitch, the Network for Public Education will bring together grassroots activists and organizations from around the country, and endorse candidates for office, with the common goal of protecting and strengthening our public schools.

Diane Ravitch said, “The Network for Public Education will give voice to the millions of parents, educators, and other citizens who are fed up with corporate-style reform. We believe in community-based reform, strengthening our schools instead of closing them, respecting our teachers and principals instead of berating them, educating our children instead of constantly testing them. Our public schools are an essential democratic institution. We look forward to working with friends and allies in every state and school district who want to preserve and improve public education for future generations.”

<snip>

According to Anthony Cody, retired California teacher and columnist for Education Week: “As a teacher in Oakland I saw the effects of our obsession with tests first hand. Our students are learning less, and losing the chance to think for themselves as we put more and more pressure on them to perform well on tests. It is time for the millions of us who know better to challenge those who have put our schools on this path. This Network will allow us to learn from and support one another as we push for real school change.”

<snip>

The Network invites individuals to join as members and welcomes other organizations to become our allies, to fight with us to preserve and strengthen our public schools.

The group’s website is http://www.networkforpubliceducation.org
and the Twitter feed is at https://twitter.com/NetworkPublicEd

[xchrom]

1. du rec. nt

[Brickbat]

2. I was hoping at first this was a DU group, but this is even better. K&R.

[Starry Messenger]

4. It's a bunch of our favorite people!

I knew DUers would appreciate seeing this. I'm going to join today after school.

[HiPointDem]

3. +1

[Iwillnevergiveup]

5. Excellent!

We need a strong force to counteract the Michelle Rhee crazies.

Thanks for posting!

[annabanana]

6. 'bout time!. . . . n/t

[kag]

7. Wow, this is great, and a long time coming!

I went to the website and signed up almost immediately. Thanks for posting.

[davidthegnome]

8. K & R

Let's hope this picks up speed quickly. The corporate stranglehold over our educational system is despicable.

[We People]

9. Time for another kick! n/t

[Starry Messenger]

10. Thank you!

I just got home, nice to see people into this!

[freshwest]

19. Will be sharing this. Appreciate the link.

[Starry Messenger]

21. Thank you freshwest!

I knew I could count on DU friends! <3

[Starry Messenger]

11. kick for the evening crowd on the East Coast.

[Smarmie Doofus]

12. Incredibly good news.

The only national orgs we've had making the case against the oligarchs have been the two "teachers unions."

At best, let's say they're sluggish. At worst.... well, just leave it at that.

[Starry Messenger]

13. I'm feeling a bit more hopeful today about AFT militancy-

Randi just got arrested protesting school closures in Philly:



http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/07/randi-weingarten-arrested_n_2832306.html

I'm sincerely hoping this will translate into more direct action from the top about the crap we're enduring. I know I'm a pollyanna, but I need a life preserver!

[Starry Messenger]

16. Just saw this retweeted--

https://twitter.com/rweingarten/status/309648013503123456


Randi Weingarten
?@rweingarten
Vital New Group!!!"@AnthonyCody: Join the new grassroots Network for Public Education at its website: http://www.networkforpubliceducation.org "

[Zax2me]

14. Well, they need to do something. Because hello - status quo is broken -

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/03/07/officials-80-percent-of-recent-nyc-high-school-graduates-cannot-read/
Officials: 80 Percent Of Recent NYC High School Graduates Cannot Read

[duffyduff]

15. It's not a ed "reform" group in favor of charter schools, trashing teachers, etc. n/t

[madfloridian]

24. I do not believe that. I think it is spin.

There is nothing really in the link to prove it, just words.

Thank goodness for a group to dispute this crap. I plan to join and donate or whatever.

[jsr]

17. This is way overdue

[Starry Messenger]

20. Agreed.

I hope that it will gain momentum quickly. I've been looking for something like this for three years now.

[madfloridian]

25. Me, too. Recommended.

[Starry Messenger]

27. Yay!

I'm so glad they did this.

[marmar]

18. k/r

[Auntie Bush]

22. This is such good news.

All the testing is ridiculous. We need good public education!

[Starry Messenger]

23. +1

[Jasana]

26. I would hate to be a school kid today. This is long overdue. nt