California Educator

February 2012

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Ravitch continued from page 24 "They're not going to stop me, and they're not going to shut me up," she said during a Sacramento reception with educa- tors, deans of nearby schools of education, and local and state officials. Corporate reformers have two goals in mind, she later told a rapt audience at the convention center: privatizing schools and "de-professionalizing" teachers. Although the Gates, Broad and Dell foundations have money and political power on their side, "what they don't have is the truth, or evidence that their reforms work," she said. Despite the backing of big-moneyed cor- porate reformers, proposals to fire teachers based on the test scores of their students don't address the fact that the teaching profession already loses 50 percent of new teachers in their first five years of employ- ment, nor do they take into consideration that "the new teachers might be worse than the ones that are fired," Ravitch said. Merit pay has also proved to be a failure. Ravitch cited a Vanderbilt University study that concluded merit pay alone does not raise student test scores and achievement. It hasn't worked in Washington, D.C., or in New York, which spent $56 million on a disastrous merit pay program. Despite the assaults on the teaching profession, Ravitch pointed to some posi- tive developments coming from the work of education advocates in California, includ- ing former Oakland teacher turned educa- tion blogger Anthony Cody, the "best voice for teachers in the nation"; Tom Torlakson, the "wisest state superintendent of public instruction"; and Jerry Brown, "the only governor in the nation who gives a damn about public education." But nothing will change, Ravitch said, unless teachers get involved. "Speak out, blog, write letters, use social media, run for office, and if none of that works, engage in direct action," she said. "It's time to organize, demonstrate and agitate." By Dina Martin ! Enjoy the rewards. Get something back for your everyday purchases. Use your California Teachers Association Visa® Card with WorldPoints® rewards from Bank of America, and you'll earn points you can redeem for cash, travel, merchandise, even unique adventures. Rewards for the things you buy anyway. Ongoing support for California Teachers Association. 1-877-518-9005 Use Priority Code VABBHYwhen calling. For information about the rates, fees, and other costs and benefits associated with the use of this Rewards card, or to apply, call the toll free number above, or write to P.O. Box 15020, Wilmington, DE 19850. Terms apply to program features and Credit Card account benefits. For more information about the program, visit bankofamerica.com/worldpoints. Details accompany new account materials. This credit card program is issued and administered by FIA Card Services, N.A. The WorldPoints program is managed in part by independent third parties, including a travel agency registered to do business in California (Reg. No. 2036509-50); Ohio (Reg. No. 87890286); Washington (6011237430) and other states, as required. Visa is a registered trademark of Visa International Service Association, and is used by the issuer pursuant to license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. FIA Card Services, WorldPoints, the WorldPoints design and Platinum Plus are registered trademarks of FIA Card Services, N.A. Bank of America and the Bank of America logo are registered trademarks of Bank of America Corporation. All other company and product names and logos are the property of others and their use does not imply endorsement of, or an association with, the WorldPoints program. ©2007 Bank of America Corporation T-709149-092107 BAD-11-07-10594 34 California Educator / February 2012

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