Friedman Foundation Responds to Diane Ravitch
Yesterday education historian Diane Ravitch recognized the Friedman Foundation’s research on her blog, specifically our new survey showing where Americans rank the efficaciousness of seven education reforms.
However, I am concerned Ms. Ravitch believes “surprise (and, no doubt, embarrassment)” overcame our foundation given the results. We actually were quite encouraged by the findings.
Survey respondents ranked vouchers in the middle among seven offered education reforms. Not bad for a measure that currently affects just 0.9 percent of our country’s total student population.
Survey respondents ranked vouchers in the middle among seven offered education reforms. Not bad for a measure that currently affects just 0.9 percent of our country’s total student population.
As for the other reforms that ranked above vouchers, who doesn’t want smaller classrooms for students? And, in the 21st century, we certainly could use more technology in our schools along with accountability. But as we posed, who should drive those changes? Lawmakers and bureaucrats, or parents free to choose, using vouchers, and educators free to teach, not being dictated by standardized tests?
Although our opinions differ on school vouchers, Diane Ravitch and I have something in common: We both care about the education of our country’s children. I would welcome the opportunity to continue a dialogue with her about the ways to do that and discuss our other research and surveys on school vouchers.
