Quotes: "I Don't Live In Other Nations"

 

Ravitch: Interesting that top-performing and most equitable nations in world do not have vouchers or charters.

Fuller: I don't live in other nations I live here & I believe we need choice for poor families. If this is Diane u used to believe it too.

Exchange between Diane Ravitch and Howard Fuller, via Whitney Tilson.  See full Tilson clip below.

Fuller: Diane, how long has the traditional system been failing kids? Would u suggest it is now time to end it?

 

Ravitch: All kids regardless of race, income, etc should get a good education but poverty is a huge burden for children.

 

Fuller: No one in their right mind would say it is not a burden. It has always been a burden. It was for my mother &grandmother but my mother and grandmother knew an educ would give me any hope. When did some of y'all realize poverty is a burden?

 

Fuller: We are dealing with this issue as if it is breaking news. Come on now!!!

 

Ravitch: After 21 years of vouchers in Milwaukee, is plight of city's poor and African American families improved?

 

Fuller: I know u r not suggesting that the voucher program by itself was supposed to improve lives of the poor.

 

Ravitch: Since voucher students got state scores no better than peers in public schools, I can't see benefit to kids.

 

Fuller: It benefits the kids who are in good schools. The voucher program in MKE was supposed to give families choice. A measure of choice that families with $$ already had.  Because of the program some children have been able to access schools that have given them a good educ. -- an education that we hope will break the chains of poverty for them and their families. Let me be clear: an education in America guarantees u nothing. But I guarantee u that without it u will have nothing.

 

Ravitch: Some kids in Milwaukee public schools got better education than those in bad voucher schools.

 

Fuller: and some kids in good private schools got a better educ than kids in a poor traditional public school. Now what?

 

Ravitch: Don't you think that 21 years is a long enough time to reach a judgment about a novel treatment?

 

Fuller: Since when is providing choice a novel experiment?  Choice in America is widespread unless you are poor?

 

Ravitch: Interesting that top-performing and most equitable nations in world do not have vouchers or charters.

 

Fuller: I don't live in other nations I live here & I believe we need choice for poor families. If this is Diane u used to believe it too.

 

Ravitch: Howard, you have to read my latest book. And this: http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/Bridging-Differences/2012/03/the_pattern_on_the_rug.html

 

Ravitch: Howard, please read this report of British study relevant to this issue: http://www.educationnews.org/parenting/uk-study-parents-not-teachers-key-to-education/