Pinch Me: Ravitch, et al. Announce New National *REAL* Reform Org:

[Smarmie Doofus]

Network for Public Education

>>>Our mission is to protect, preserve, promote, and strengthen public schools and the education of current and future generations of students. We will accomplish this by networking groups and organizations focused on similar goals in states and districts throughout the nation, share information about what works and what doesn’t work in public education, and endorse and rate candidates for office based on our principles and goals. More specifically, we will support candidates who oppose high-stakes testing, mass school closures, the privatization of our public schools and the outsourcing of its core functions to for-profit corporations, and we will support candidates who work for evidence-based reforms that will improve our schools and the education of our nation’s children.>>>

Lots of prominent names involved: Haimson, Cody, etc.

http://www.networkforpubliceducation.org/

Let's hope they're serious about the last sentence in the above excerpt. If they are, it would imply that NPE will actively OPPOSE pols who take big $$$ to advocate for Gates, Koch, Walmart, and the crew.

Pinch me, someone. I've long felt that *exactly* this was missing. Resistance to privatization and corporate control has overwhelmingly been left to scattered, regional or ideology-driven groups. (Or worse, to the suspiciously compliant national teachers unions.) We need to be united at a national level. It appears that just happened

Ouch. Enough with the pinching. But this is reeeeeaaaallly good news.

[Starry Messenger]

1. It was the first thing I saw this morning on FB.

I posted in GD, if anyone would like to k&r there! </recwhore> http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022472322

I got home from school and signed up to be a member. This is exactly what I've been hoping for for years too. I hope the unions work in coalition with this group. This could really be a great thing. I'm allowing myself to be excited.

[Smarmie Doofus]

2. 47 recs ! For an Ed Post?! You are on FIRE, Stars! n/t

[Starry Messenger]

3. I know, I came home and checked DU and almost cried with shock!

I figured it would be on the 3rd page!

[LWolf]

4. I look forward to working with this group.

I want to find a list of candidates who oppose high-stakes testing; I will support them with everything I've got.