The Hoax of the Privatization Movement and the Danger to America’s Public Schools
Diane Ravitch is not content that our schools are fine. Using a series of claims and realities, she answers four questions. First, is American education in crisis? Second, is American education failing and declining? Third, what is the evidence for the reforms now being promoted by the federal government and adopted in many states? Finally, what should we do to improve our schools and lives of children? First, is American education in crisis? In this claim, Ravitch details how our political leaders, the media, and corporate reform foundation leaders are the force behind the belief that American education is broken and in crisis. Critics point out that declining …show more content…
This according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Unlike standardized tests, the NAEP measures reading and math and is only administered to a random sampling of students. No one knows who will take it and unlike standardized testing, no one can prepare to take it. Students do not receive a test score, results instead reflect what they know and what they can do. Student achievement levels are measured as advance, proficient, basic, and below basic. According to NAEP results, schools across the country have made slow, steady and significant gains since 1992 in both reading and mathematics. She points out that there are many schools and districts that continue with low test scores and graduation rates. This, Ravitch points out, is that many of these schools have the two features that are not addressed by No Child Left Behind or The Race to The Top, poverty and a high concentration of racial minorities. Ravitch points out that our school system is not failing nor declining. Test scores are on the rise and the NAEP provides the evidence that students continue to make marked improvement. She does suggest that test scores are not the only way to measure academic achievement, but that we ensure our students read more, write more, participate in science projects, and engage in the …show more content…
The reality is that most schools fail because poverty often overwhelms even the best efforts. Schools alone, according to Ravitch, are not the cause. Schools fail because they lack the necessary resources to provide students with a system of equal educational opportunities. They cannot undo what society has done; neglect its root causes.
Ravitch provides a series of ideas on how to elevate the quality of education. Her proposals include:
• Provide high quality childhood education to all children
• Provide students with a full balanced, rich curriculum that includes art, science, history, literature, civics, geography, foreign languages, mathematics, and physical education
• Reduction in class size in order to improve student achievement and behavior
• Eliminate for profit charter schools and replace them with charter schools that collaborate with public schools in support of all students
• Provide student services that address the social, health, and emotional needs of students
• Eliminate high stakes standardized testing – instead provide assessments that demonstrate what students know and what they can
Diane Ravitch is not content that our schools are fine. Using a series of claims and realities, she answers four questions. First, is American education in crisis? Second, is American education failing and declining? Third, what is the evidence for the reforms now being promoted by the federal government and adopted in many states? Finally, what should we do to improve our schools and lives of children? First, is American education in crisis? In this claim, Ravitch details how our political leaders, the media, and corporate reform foundation leaders are the force behind the belief that American education is broken and in crisis. Critics point out that declining …show more content…
This according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Unlike standardized tests, the NAEP measures reading and math and is only administered to a random sampling of students. No one knows who will take it and unlike standardized testing, no one can prepare to take it. Students do not receive a test score, results instead reflect what they know and what they can do. Student achievement levels are measured as advance, proficient, basic, and below basic. According to NAEP results, schools across the country have made slow, steady and significant gains since 1992 in both reading and mathematics. She points out that there are many schools and districts that continue with low test scores and graduation rates. This, Ravitch points out, is that many of these schools have the two features that are not addressed by No Child Left Behind or The Race to The Top, poverty and a high concentration of racial minorities. Ravitch points out that our school system is not failing nor declining. Test scores are on the rise and the NAEP provides the evidence that students continue to make marked improvement. She does suggest that test scores are not the only way to measure academic achievement, but that we ensure our students read more, write more, participate in science projects, and engage in the …show more content…
The reality is that most schools fail because poverty often overwhelms even the best efforts. Schools alone, according to Ravitch, are not the cause. Schools fail because they lack the necessary resources to provide students with a system of equal educational opportunities. They cannot undo what society has done; neglect its root causes.
Ravitch provides a series of ideas on how to elevate the quality of education. Her proposals include:
• Provide high quality childhood education to all children
• Provide students with a full balanced, rich curriculum that includes art, science, history, literature, civics, geography, foreign languages, mathematics, and physical education
• Reduction in class size in order to improve student achievement and behavior
• Eliminate for profit charter schools and replace them with charter schools that collaborate with public schools in support of all students
• Provide student services that address the social, health, and emotional needs of students
• Eliminate high stakes standardized testing – instead provide assessments that demonstrate what students know and what they can