Cloaking Inequity

Leave No Child Behind is a moniker appropriated from the military’s “Leave No Man Behind.” Perhaps the moniker belies the mindset of the authors of high-stakes testing and accountability policies, because we are in the middle of a “war” for public education with the privateers— those seeking to profit from our education system. (See Billionaires co-opt minority groups into campaign for education reform)

This past weekend I joined Dr. James Avington Miller, Jr, a public education advocate, activist, professor, teacher and independent scholar, on his radio show the “The War Report.” His show is about the corporate war on public education and the rising public resistance movement in the war.

Click here to listen to our discussion on the War Report.

 Here is what we covered:

• We began the show by talking about the birth of accountability. What is the story behind No Child Left Behind’s birth in Texas?
• For the first time I spoke publicly on my experiences in the Houston Independent School District’s Research and Accountability. I also tell Secretary Rod Paige what I really think.
• What did the Texas data actually say prior to NCLB? Was there a “Texas Miracle” that necessitated the import of Texas-style high-stakes testing and accountability to be the law of the land? (See also Accountability Texas-style: The progress and learning of urban minority students in a high-stakes testing context)
• Did President Barack Obama and Secretary Arne Duncan go a different direction than President George W. Bush for education? Are Republicans or Democrats bigger supporters of corporate education “reformers”? Are the Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) actually Democrats? (See also George H.W. Obama’s education platform: Republicans should be flattered and Democrats ashamed? and Breaking News: Sec. Duncan and Sec. Bennett are Kissing Cousins)
• We discussed the 100 year “war” between the administrative (corporate) reformers and the pedagogical (curriculum) reformers that culminated in the passage of No Child Left Behind. (See also Taylor v. Dewey: The 100-year Trickle-Down vs. Pedagogical Debate/Fight in Education Reform)
• Is No Child Left Behind-inspired accountability political and arbitrary? How do states deceive the public and federal government via test scores and accountability ratings? (See also “Oh, crap”: Accountability is Arbitrary and Political)
• Has No Child Left Behind actually slowed our nation’s progress towards the closing of the achievement gaps?
• How can someone buy their way into the United States by starting a charter school? (See also Q: Can I buy my way into US? A: Charters)
• And, finally, can Texas Governor Rick Perry count to 4?.. 🙂

Click here to listen to the archive of our discussion on the War Report.

For more TV and Radio discussions click here.

p.s. We are in discussions for having a series on Teach For America.

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