Diane Ravitch was great this evening.

She spoke to an audience consisting of teachers and spoke largely about issues from her latest book, "Death and Life of the Great American School System." Out of everything that was said, I came away most devastated by what I learned in regards to Arne Duncan and the GOP. She indicated that this is not bipartisan reform but GOP reform. Specifically, that Arne Duncan urged Newt Gingrich to promote charter schools. Walmart was also mentioned as one of the big investors in the for profit charters.

Secondly, the Credo Study conducted by the conservative Hoover Institute, indicates that charter schools do not out perform public schools. In writing my notes, I missed the ratios. However, even the Hoover Institute suggests that it is wrong to evaluate teachers according to student test scores and 'diagnostics' is a more accurate determination of progress because all students are not proficient test takers. It was mentioned that unions were not problematic and she noted that schools in Findland had 100% test results with teachers who are unionized. Merit Pay will not work legislatively because it is punitive and she gave the analogy that if city government mandated that all crime in the city would cease and if any crime were to occur, all the police officers would be fired and be replaced by volunteers.

I'm sure I've left out some important factors but these are the things that stood out the most for me. My son came home after his classes to attend with me and I must credit him with taking great notes. I figured I'd post this tonight while it was still fresh and before I turned in for the evening.

Huffington will be there Oct. 13, 2010.

Great recap. That's interesting about the Hoover Institute, you'd think they would try to massage those numbers their way.