Comments on: Diane Ravitch explains why she changed her mind about reform

By: Trey Wardle

Trey Wardle — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:26:59 +0000

I think you could pick up that comment and use it as a blog post. What you wrote is great advice any way that you look at it.

By: Mary Hudson, PhD

Mary Hudson, PhD — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 14:31:32 +0000

It is wise to learn from Dr Ravitch’s great knowledge and ability to render that knowledge accessible to everyone. The New York City public school system is in dire need of reform, but not of another educational fad or panacea. Dr Ravitch is correct in placing emphasis on a more coherent, rich and educationally sound curriculum. What is also needed, more than everything else, is the admission that the system is largely dysfunctional, at least in terms of educating our most vulnerable children. If we continue to cover up our failures, we will continue to harm those children. We the adults – the DOE, its administrators, the teachers, parents — everyone — must first admit that there is a big problem before we can solve it. If we do not, we will continue to warehouse vast numbers of high school students who are completely unprepared for high school work, and who come to school to socialize with their friends but refuse to engage in the learning process. This is the shameful truth that we are hiding.

We need professional, reasoned debate, not recriminations and name-calling. For the sake of our children, we the adults must step up and take responsibility.

By: NYC Educator

NYC Educator — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 22:43:19 +0000

And of course I wasn’t referring to Diane Ravitch.

By: NYC Educator

NYC Educator — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 22:41:32 +0000

Alas, angry souls bereft of ideas or imagination must spout ad-hominem nonsense. It’s virtually an industry in these United States, with troglodytes ruling the airwaves, and real news increasingly a quaint memory.

By: KitchenSink

KitchenSink — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 15:07:06 +0000

I have to admit, my eyes glazed over at this reading, distracted by all the rude talkers behind me…but a code of ethics for teachers is a great idea.

If we had such a thing it would solve a lot of problems…but now all we have to do is agree on what goes in it!

By: Diana Senechal

Diana Senechal — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 13:08:20 +0000

To commenter “ugh”: not only is your comment rude, but it shows lack of comprehension. Diane Ravitch said nothing about a “code of teachers.” She did bring up a code of ethics–a commitment to those things that constitute a good education. This is essential. If we want good schools, we must define what good education is and commit ourselves to it. Without that, we will fall prey to one misguided reform after another; slogans and flawed models will take the place of good ideas.

By: ugh

ugh — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 08:11:27 +0000

Ugh. she’s way past her prime, and it shouldn’t be a surprise that her ideas are too. Her best idea is to have a “code of teachers” to teach what they think is important? really? what in the world would that mean? How would we know if it was working, another code?

By: Diana Senechal

Diana Senechal — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 12:54:04 +0000

What a beautiful reading.