When Public Goes Private, as Trump Wants: What Happens?

Diane Ravitch on the future of charter schools and public schools under President-Elect Trump.

Published: Nov 18, 2016
Length: 19 minutes (4,752 words)

The Myth of Chinese Super Schools

Diane Ravitch on the politics of education reform and testing in America, and a review of Yong Zhao’s book on China’s history of testing: Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Dragon: Why China Has the Best (and Worst) Education System in the World.

Published: Nov 2, 2014
Length: 16 minutes (4,094 words)

School ‘Reform’: A Failing Grade

Steven Brill’s book is actually not about education or education research. He seems to know or care little about either subject. His book is about politics and power, about how a small group of extremely wealthy men have captured national education policy and have gained control over education in states such as Colorado and Florida, and, with the help of the Obama administration, are expanding their dominance to many more states. Brill sees this as a wonderful development. Others might see it as a dangerous corruption of the democratic process.

Published: Sep 29, 2011
Length: 17 minutes (4,393 words)

The Myth of Charter Schools

Some fact-checking is in order, and the place to start is with “Waiting for Superman”‘s quiet acknowledgment that only one in five charter schools is able to get the “amazing results” that it celebrates.

Published: Oct 18, 2010
Length: 17 minutes (4,420 words)