"American education is not a 'race to the top'," said Ravitch, where there are winners that cross the finish line, and losers that bring up the middle and the rear. Her words harkened to Kozol's expressed fear the day before, that President Obama's Race to the Top and turnaround strategies will dishonor him in history.
Ravitch told the 450 person gathering that "We know what works!" She cited performance assessments, where students apply skills and knowledge to demonstrate their understanding. She called for a curriculum that "includes the arts, music, science, and active, project-based learning that inspires a sense of purpose and passion in young people."
Today the action moves to the Whitehouse, where teachers, parents and students will carry their demands forward:
- Equitable funding for all public school communities
- An end to high stakes testing used for the purposes of student, teacher and school evaluation
- Teacher, family and community leadership in forming public education policies
- Curriculum developed for and by school communities
Members from Parents Across America, including a strong California contingent, will be leaders in today's protest www.parentsacrossamerica.org . Speakers will include Jonathan Kozol, Diane Ravitch, Mary Stone Hanley, Deborah Meier, Pedro Noguera and Linda Darling Hammond.
Join in on our blog and add your voice to the conversation about what works, and your ideas for necessary new directions in public education!
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