Here it is:
"This article is a Christmas gift from me to you.
Leon Wieseltier of The New Republic has written one of the most eloquent explanations of why we need teachers, schools, and universities.At a time when we hear hosannas to online learning, home-schooling, inexperienced teachers, the business model of schooling, for-profit schools, and the commodification of education, this is bracing reading."
The article that has the "eloquent explanation" Diane Ravitch's is praising calls homeschooling "the demented idea that children can be competently taught by people whose only qualifications for teaching them are love and a desire to keep them from the world—constitutes another insult to the great profession of pedagogy."
While there are those that agree that the business model of schooling, for-profit schools, and the commodification of education are not the best for our children, lumping online learning and homeschooling into this bucket throws an unnecessarily divisive wedge as our society should be coming together to do what is best for children. Ignoring the research that says those who are home educated generally out-perform their public schooled peers undermines the credibility of both Ravitch and Wieseltier and will make knowledgeable parents and educators think twice before following their advice.
When it comes to hearing those hosannas to online learning Ravitch should read up and learn about the amazing options that such learning brings to our children and take the time to find out why many students say they prefer it. People around the world now have free access to classes at places like MIT. Students who could not take classes in traditional schools now have the chance, and students who live in places were options were limited now have many more courses they can choose from.
Ravitch's ignorant and bold attack masked as a gift, has alienated a large segment of the population that knows better. The real gift Ravitch gave this holiday season was revealing her true colors for all to see.
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I invite you to comment with your thoughts below and join the conversation on Facebook where innovative educators have left more than 100 comments on this topic here.
Thanks for responding to this cavalier article. Ravitches' statement, "the demented idea that children can be competently taught by people whose only qualifications for teaching them are love and a desire to keep them from the world—constitutes another insult to the great profession of pedagogy," only underscores her complete lack of understanding about what homeschooling is or can be. Yes, there are some parents who think that but to lump everyone homeschooling parent into theis category is like saying that every public insitution only wants to indoctinate our kids into socialism. As a veteran of homeschooling (21 yrs) I have a well developed pedagogy, 2 Master's degrees and a total excitment about what the new world of education is bringing. As you stated, we now have access to amazing teaching. The virtual world, charters, magnets, UMS's, class days, TC's have opened up a wide world of educational possibilities. Which is great, because the world, and it's challenges are changing rapidly. We don't have time, or room, for those stuck in defending outdated models of education.
ReplyDeleteSo insightful. Thank you.
DeleteI have been having serious issues with Ravitch for several years now, and this just cements it for me. What rubbish. Way to make grow generalizations about the mysriad of people and their reasons for homeschooling.
ReplyDeleteShe is turning into the same charlatans that she rails against, making blanket, unsubstantiated statements designed to alienate and divide the education. Ridiculous.
Agree. I had previously admired and considered some of Ravitch's ideas. Unless she chooses to seriously discuss her bias against homeschooling and online learning, I will do what I can to ensure others are not poisoned.
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