Diane Ravitch, an author and historian at New York University, critiques the charter school movement in her latest discussion. She explains her journey from supporter to skeptic, emphasizing how charter schools drain resources from public education. Ravitch explores the detrimental effects of billionaires' investments in education and the misinformation spread by 'Waiting for Superman.' She also highlights the dedication of teachers in underfunded schools and calls for a systemic rethink of educational equity and support.
Charter schools have failed to deliver on their promise and drain resources from public schools.
Charter schools selectively admit high-performing students, neglecting the needs of vulnerable students.
Standardized testing narrows the curriculum and fails to provide useful diagnostic information about students.
Deep dives
Criticizing the Promise of Charter Schools
Diane Ravitch criticizes the charter school movement, stating that charter schools have failed to live up to their promise of saving poor kids from failing public schools. She highlights the many scandals associated with charter schools and argues that they have become competitors to public schools rather than collaborators. Ravitch claims that charter schools have become selective, opting to admit only the best-performing students or those without disabilities, ultimately failing to address the needs of the most vulnerable students. She asserts that the charter school movement is largely driven by billionaires and accuses them of misguided philanthropy.
Disillusionment with Charter Schools and Critique of Billionaires
Diane Ravitch discusses her disillusionment with charter schools and expresses her criticism of billionaires who support charter schools. She argues that charter schools have not delivered on their promise to close the achievement gap and have instead become a drain on resources for underfunded public schools. Ravitch believes that billionaires, instead of supporting charter schools, should be investing in other essential services like healthcare and addressing poverty, which she believes has a direct impact on educational outcomes. She also criticizes the lack of accountability and oversight in the charter school sector, citing instances of corruption and financial scandals.
Testing and Accountability Issues in Education
Diane Ravitch criticizes the emphasis on standardized testing in education. She argues that standardized tests are flawed and do not provide useful diagnostic information about individual students. She highlights issues of ambiguity and subjectivity in test questions and answers, as well as the delayed feedback on test results. Ravitch contends that testing has led to a narrowing of the curriculum, with a focus on test preparation rather than holistic education. She calls for a shift in priorities, advocating for reduced class sizes, increased investment in resources for underprivileged students, and a more comprehensive approach to addressing the social and economic challenges that impact student achievement.
Critique of Charter Schools
The podcast critiques charter schools, arguing that there is no evidence to support their effectiveness. The speaker highlights how charter schools were promoted through propaganda and misinformation, using national test scores in misleading ways. The podcast also discusses the right-wing agenda behind charter schools, linking them to larger efforts to defund public education and promote voucher systems. The speaker emphasizes the need to strengthen and improve the public school system rather than relying on charter schools as a solution.
Challenges in Public Education
The podcast addresses the underlying social issues affecting public education, such as poverty, homelessness, and lack of access to medical care. The speaker argues that focusing on these issues is a more effective way to improve education outcomes than relying on charter schools or vouchers. The podcast highlights the dedication and hard work of public school teachers, who often face challenging circumstances and lack of resources. The speaker also criticizes the portrayal of teachers in certain documentaries and the demonization of the teaching profession. Overall, the podcast calls for addressing societal problems and providing support for public schools to make them the best in the world.
Author and historian Diane Ravitch of New York University talks about her book, Slaying Goliath, with EconTalk host Russ Roberts. Ravitch argues that the charter school movement is a failure and that it drains needed money from public schools.
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