CAT Tracks for March 6, 2010 RUBY, THE DINOSAUR

True to my vow, I have been reading "The Death and Life of the Great American School System" (Subtitled "How Testing and Choice Are Undermining Education") by Diane Ravitch.

I'll admit to some disappointment...in addition to the fact that nobody died a violent and gruesome death in the first chapter. There is much repetition in the dissections of various failures by so-called reformers in New York City, San Diego, New York City again, Ohio, Washington DC, along with No Child Left Behind in general. So much boasting by the reformers, so much inflicted devastation upon educational professionals, so little documented success.

However, the first two pages of Chapter 9 - What Would Mrs. Ratliff Do? - brought a tear to my eyes...

Ahhh, the good old days!

Then, toward the end of the chapter, one of the simplest, most power paragraphs that I have ever read on the "secret" to successful teaching...

And, in conclusion, a tribute to Mrs. Ratliff by a grateful student...

Next up, Diane Ravitch takes on "The Billionaire Boys' Club"...Eli Broad, Bill (& Melinda) Gates, and the Walton Family.