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Women History Women History MakersMakers

EDCI658EDCI658

Fall 2006Fall 2006

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Marva CollinsMarva Collins

“The essence of teaching is to make learning contagious, to have one idea spark another”

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Marva CollinsMarva Collins Grew up in Atmore, Alabama at a time when Grew up in Atmore, Alabama at a time when

segregation was the rule segregation was the rule Attended a school where Black people were Attended a school where Black people were

not permitted to use the public library, and her not permitted to use the public library, and her schools had few books, and no indoor plumbing schools had few books, and no indoor plumbing

Graduated from Clark College in Atlanta, Graduated from Clark College in Atlanta, GeorgiaGeorgia

She taught school in Alabama for two years. She taught school in Alabama for two years. She moved to Chicago and taught in Chicago’s She moved to Chicago and taught in Chicago’s

public school system for fourteen years.public school system for fourteen years. Dissatisfaction with the education received by Dissatisfaction with the education received by

her two youngest children in prestigious her two youngest children in prestigious private schoolprivate school

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Marva CollinsMarva Collins Open her own school on the second floor of her Open her own school on the second floor of her

home. home. She took the $5,000 balance in her school She took the $5,000 balance in her school

pension fund and began her educational pension fund and began her educational program with an enrollment of her own two program with an enrollment of her own two children and four other neighborhood children and four other neighborhood youngstersyoungsters

Westside Preparatory School was founded in Westside Preparatory School was founded in 1975 in Garfield Park, a Chicago inner-city area 1975 in Garfield Park, a Chicago inner-city area

During the first year, Marva took in learning During the first year, Marva took in learning disabled, problem children and even one child disabled, problem children and even one child who had been labeled by Chicago public school who had been labeled by Chicago public school authorities as borderline retarded authorities as borderline retarded

At the end of the first year, every child scored At the end of the first year, every child scored at least five grades higherat least five grades higher

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Marva CollinsMarva Collins CBS program, 60 minutes, visited her school CBS program, 60 minutes, visited her school

twice twice The little girl who was labeled as borderline The little girl who was labeled as borderline

retarded graduated from college Summa Cum retarded graduated from college Summa Cum Laude Laude

Some Marva’s students entered the most Some Marva’s students entered the most prestigious universities in the country such as prestigious universities in the country such as Harvard, Stanford, and YaleHarvard, Stanford, and Yale

She was featured on Good Morning, America, She was featured on Good Morning, America, 20/20, Fox News, and many more programs 20/20, Fox News, and many more programs

A made-for-television movie titled, A made-for-television movie titled, The Marva The Marva Collins StoryCollins Story starred Cicely Tyson and Morgan starred Cicely Tyson and Morgan Freeman first aired in1 1982, and is still Freeman first aired in1 1982, and is still presented on televisionpresented on television

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Marva CollinsMarva Collins Some of her awards areSome of her awards are

The Jefferson Award for Benefiting the The Jefferson Award for Benefiting the DisadvantagedDisadvantaged

The Humanitarian Award for The Humanitarian Award for Excellence Excellence

Legendary Women of the World AwardLegendary Women of the World Award Many honorary doctoral degrees from Many honorary doctoral degrees from

universities such asuniversities such asAmherst, Dartmouth, Notre Dame, and Amherst, Dartmouth, Notre Dame, and Clark UniversityClark University

The prestigious National Humanities The prestigious National Humanities Medal from President Bush in 2004Medal from President Bush in 2004

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Marva CollinsMarva Collins Business organizations she has spoken toBusiness organizations she has spoken to

The National Girl Scouts The National Girl Scouts The National Retailers Association The National Retailers Association The National Dairy Association The National Dairy Association The European Division of IBM The European Division of IBM Xerox CorporationXerox Corporation The Million Dollar Roundtable The Million Dollar Roundtable The Young President’s Organization (YPO) The Young President’s Organization (YPO) The National Bankers’ AssociationThe National Bankers’ Association Anheuser-Busch,CAnheuser-Busch,C CoorsCoors she has trained executives of Long John she has trained executives of Long John

Silvers. Silvers.

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Marva Collins Program and Marva Collins Program and MethodMethod

Her educational program and method are Her educational program and method are based on the Socratic method emphasizing based on the Socratic method emphasizing logical analysis and sound reasoning skillslogical analysis and sound reasoning skills

Her reading materials deliver abstract ideasHer reading materials deliver abstract ideas She encouraged multiple interpretations not She encouraged multiple interpretations not

one correct answerone correct answer Her 4Her 4thth graders read Plato’ graders read Plato’ Republic Republic and and

reflect on the big question: “what is justice ?”reflect on the big question: “what is justice ?” She reads all the materials to be given to her She reads all the materials to be given to her

students in advance and develops an students in advance and develops an voluntary list called “words-to-watch” voluntary list called “words-to-watch”

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Marva Collins Program and Marva Collins Program and MethodMethod

When teaching reading, Marva asks her When teaching reading, Marva asks her students to predict what is going to happen from students to predict what is going to happen from the title and from the earlier paragraphsthe title and from the earlier paragraphs

By posing questions along with the process of By posing questions along with the process of reading, she seeks to cultivate meta-cognitive reading, she seeks to cultivate meta-cognitive skills such as reasoning, providing evidence, and skills such as reasoning, providing evidence, and analyzinganalyzing

She always asks her students to justify their She always asks her students to justify their answersanswers

Her classroom management strategies are to Her classroom management strategies are to involve all her students in the class discussion involve all her students in the class discussion and to encourage self-discipline using reasoningand to encourage self-discipline using reasoning

She was against abuse of worksheet, workbook, She was against abuse of worksheet, workbook, or seatwork on the ground that these methods or seatwork on the ground that these methods do not encourage analytical thinkingdo not encourage analytical thinking

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Marva Collins QuotesMarva Collins Quotes Effective teaching, I firmly believe, requires Effective teaching, I firmly believe, requires

“repetition-drill,” “repetition-drill,” “repetition-“repetition-drill,” “repetition-drill,” “repetition-drill.”drill.”

One cannot plant a seed at night and have beans One cannot plant a seed at night and have beans the next morning. It is foolish to expect anything the next morning. It is foolish to expect anything that hasn’t been planted, nurtured, tended to, that hasn’t been planted, nurtured, tended to, fed, and cared for. fed, and cared for.

If a student of mine doesn’t respond to one If a student of mine doesn’t respond to one teaching approach, I’ll try many different ways to teaching approach, I’ll try many different ways to get my point across. I’d rather spend time get my point across. I’d rather spend time teaching than testing and labeling. teaching than testing and labeling.

If you can't make a mistake, you can't make If you can't make a mistake, you can't make anything anything

Trust yourself. Think for yourself. Act for Trust yourself. Think for yourself. Act for yourself. Speak for yourself. Be yourself. yourself. Speak for yourself. Be yourself. Imitation is suicide Imitation is suicide

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Marva Collins QuotesMarva Collins Quotes I have a dress code for staff and students I have a dress code for staff and students

in my school. Both are expected to arrive in my school. Both are expected to arrive each day dressed like professionals in the each day dressed like professionals in the one case, and, in the other case, come to one case, and, in the other case, come to school prepared to study and learn and school prepared to study and learn and practice the excellence that is required in practice the excellence that is required in the world of successful people. Certainly, the world of successful people. Certainly, we should teach children how one we should teach children how one dresses for work and how one should dresses for work and how one should carry oneself with pride and dignity. carry oneself with pride and dignity.

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Marva Collins QuotesMarva Collins Quotes I was in a Florida school last week where one of my I was in a Florida school last week where one of my

charges had kicked the principal, and she was walking charges had kicked the principal, and she was walking with a cane. He had bitten another teacher. When I with a cane. He had bitten another teacher. When I began the class I said, “I am honored that you would began the class I said, “I am honored that you would allow me to be your teacher today. Of course, I only allow me to be your teacher today. Of course, I only know how to teach bright boys and girls; good looking know how to teach bright boys and girls; good looking boys and girls, and I can tell that all of you are bright, boys and girls, and I can tell that all of you are bright, and you are, emphatically, good looking.” I added, and you are, emphatically, good looking.” I added, “However, if there happens to be any dumb children in “However, if there happens to be any dumb children in this class, you may leave now. If there are any ugly this class, you may leave now. If there are any ugly children in this class, you, too, may leave.” Continuing, I children in this class, you, too, may leave.” Continuing, I stated, “I only know how to teach bright, wonderful, stated, “I only know how to teach bright, wonderful, good-looking boys and girls.” Not one student left the good-looking boys and girls.” Not one student left the classroom. classroom.

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Marva Collins’s BooksMarva Collins’s Books Marva Collins' WayMarva Collins' Way, by Marva Collins with , by Marva Collins with

Civia Tamarkin Civia Tamarkin The Marva Collins method; a manual for The Marva Collins method; a manual for

educating and motivating your childeducating and motivating your child by Marva by Marva Collins Collins

Ordinary Children, Extraordinary TeachersOrdinary Children, Extraordinary Teachers, by , by Marva Collins Marva Collins

Values: Lighting The Candle of Excellence: A Values: Lighting The Candle of Excellence: A Practical GuidePractical Guide, by Marva Collins , by Marva Collins

A conversation with Marva Collins: A Different A conversation with Marva Collins: A Different SchoolSchool by Marva Collins by Marva Collins

Grandma, What Is Learning?Grandma, What Is Learning? by Marva Collins by Marva Collins Redeeming EducationRedeeming Education by Marva Collins by Marva Collins The School that Cared: A Story of the Marva The School that Cared: A Story of the Marva

Collins Preparatory School of CincinnatiCollins Preparatory School of Cincinnati, by P. , by P. Kamara Sekou Collins Kamara Sekou Collins

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Marva Collins Online Marva Collins Online ResourcesResources

http://www.marvacollins.com/biograhttp://www.marvacollins.com/biography.htmlphy.html

http://www.marvacollinspreparatory.http://www.marvacollinspreparatory.com/com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marva_Chttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marva_Collinsollins

http://www.usdreams.com/Collins90http://www.usdreams.com/Collins9091.html91.html

http://www.quotationspage.com/quothttp://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Marva_Collins/es/Marva_Collins/

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Lynn CheneyLynn CheneyThe Second The Second

LadyLady

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Lynne Cheney and History Lynne Cheney and History EducationEducation

"One of the important lessons we can "One of the important lessons we can learn is that freedom isn't inevitable. learn is that freedom isn't inevitable. This realization should make the liberty This realization should make the liberty we enjoy all the more important to us, all we enjoy all the more important to us, all the more worth defending." the more worth defending."

Lynne Cheney has loved history for as Lynne Cheney has loved history for as long as she can remember, and she has long as she can remember, and she has spent much of her professional life spent much of her professional life writing and speaking about the writing and speaking about the importance of knowing history and importance of knowing history and teaching it well teaching it well

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Lynne Cheney and History Lynne Cheney and History EducationEducation

she published she published American MemoryAmerican Memory, a , a report that warned about the failure of report that warned about the failure of schools to transmit knowledge of the schools to transmit knowledge of the past to upcoming generationspast to upcoming generations

She launched the James Madison Book She launched the James Madison Book Award Fund, which presents a yearly Award Fund, which presents a yearly award of $10,000 to the book that best award of $10,000 to the book that best represents excellence in bringing represents excellence in bringing knowledge and understanding of knowledge and understanding of American history to young peopleAmerican history to young people

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Lynn Cheney Lynn Cheney PublicationsPublications

She is author or co-author of eight booksShe is author or co-author of eight books Kings of the HillKings of the Hill (second edition, 1996, Simon (second edition, 1996, Simon

& Schuster), a book about political figures, & Schuster), a book about political figures, among them Henry Clay and Sam Rayburn, among them Henry Clay and Sam Rayburn, who played powerful roles in the House of who played powerful roles in the House of Representatives. She wrote this book with Representatives. She wrote this book with her husband, who was a Congressman from her husband, who was a Congressman from Wyoming from 1979 to 1989. Wyoming from 1979 to 1989.

Telling the TruthTelling the Truth (Simon & Schuster), (Simon & Schuster), analyzed the effect of postmodernism on analyzed the effect of postmodernism on study in the humanities. study in the humanities.

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Lynne Cheney Lynne Cheney PublicationsPublications

Children’s BooksChildren’s Books America: A Patriotic PrimerAmerica: A Patriotic Primer, released in May , released in May

2002, is an alphabet book for children of all ages 2002, is an alphabet book for children of all ages and their families that celebrates the ideas and and their families that celebrates the ideas and ideals that are the foundations of our country. ideals that are the foundations of our country.

A Is for Abigail: An Almanac of Amazing A Is for Abigail: An Almanac of Amazing American WomenAmerican Women, published September 2003, , published September 2003, tells the story of women's contributions to tells the story of women's contributions to American historyAmerican history

When Washington Crossed the Delaware: A When Washington Crossed the Delaware: A Wintertime Story for Young PatriotsWintertime Story for Young Patriots, released in , released in October 2004, is a straightforward yet elegant October 2004, is a straightforward yet elegant retelling of historyretelling of history

She donated her revenues from these books to She donated her revenues from these books to charitycharity

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Lynn Cheney Lynn Cheney PublicationsPublications

Our 50 States: A Family Adventure Across AmericaOur 50 States: A Family Adventure Across America America : A Patriotic PrimerAmerica : A Patriotic Primer Sisters Sisters

http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0811-07.hthttp://www.commondreams.org/views04/0811-07.htmm

““Let us go away together, away from the anger and Let us go away together, away from the anger and imperatives of men. There will be only the two of imperatives of men. There will be only the two of us, and we shall linger through long afternoons of us, and we shall linger through long afternoons of sweet retirement. In the evenings I shall read to sweet retirement. In the evenings I shall read to you while your work your cross-stitch in the you while your work your cross-stitch in the firelight. And then we shall go to bed, our bed, my firelight. And then we shall go to bed, our bed, my dearest girl.”dearest girl.”

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Lynn CheneyLynn Cheney Dated Dick Cheney since high school and Dated Dick Cheney since high school and

married in 1964married in 1964 They had two grown daughters Mary and They had two grown daughters Mary and

Elizabeth and four grandchildrenElizabeth and four grandchildren http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/1http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/1

04-1706213-4831947?url=search-alias%3D04-1706213-4831947?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=lynn+cheneystripbooks&field-keywords=lynn+cheney

http://archive.salon.com/politics/feature/20http://archive.salon.com/politics/feature/2000/08/01/mary/index.html00/08/01/mary/index.html

http://www.whitehouse.gov/mrscheney/bio.http://www.whitehouse.gov/mrscheney/bio.htmlhtml

http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0811-07.htm811-07.htm

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Diane Ravitch Diane Ravitch

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Diane RavitchDiane Ravitch

Diane RavitchDiane Ravitch is a historian of education, is a historian of education, an educational policy analyst, and former an educational policy analyst, and former United States Assistant Secretary of United States Assistant Secretary of Education who is now a research professor Education who is now a research professor at New York University's Steinhardt School at New York University's Steinhardt School of Educationof Education

She was born in 1938 in Houston, Texas, She was born in 1938 in Houston, Texas, where she went to public schools. She is a where she went to public schools. She is a graduate of Wellesley College, has a Ph.D. graduate of Wellesley College, has a Ph.D. from Columbia University, and lives in from Columbia University, and lives in Brooklyn, New York CityBrooklyn, New York City

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Diane RavitchDiane Ravitch Assistant Secretary of Education (1991-1993) to Lamar Assistant Secretary of Education (1991-1993) to Lamar

Alexander during George H. W. Bush administrationAlexander during George H. W. Bush administration She led the federal effort to promote the creation of She led the federal effort to promote the creation of

state and national academic standardsstate and national academic standards She was a member of the National Assessment She was a member of the National Assessment

Governing Board from 1997 to 2004 (Appointed by Governing Board from 1997 to 2004 (Appointed by Secretary of Education Richard Riley in 1997 and Secretary of Education Richard Riley in 1997 and reappointed in 2001)reappointed in 2001)

From 1995 until 2005, she held the Brown Chair in From 1995 until 2005, she held the Brown Chair in Education Studies at the Brookings Institution and Education Studies at the Brookings Institution and edited Brookings Papers on Education Policy edited Brookings Papers on Education Policy

Before entering government service, she was Adjunct Before entering government service, she was Adjunct Professor of History and Education at Teachers Professor of History and Education at Teachers College, Columbia University national academic College, Columbia University national academic standards standards

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Diane Ravitch Published Diane Ravitch Published WorksWorks

The Language Police: How Pressure Groups Restrict The Language Police: How Pressure Groups Restrict What Students Learn (2003) What Students Learn (2003)

Left Back: A Century of Battles Over School Reform Left Back: A Century of Battles Over School Reform (2000) (2000)

National Standards in American Education: A Citizen's National Standards in American Education: A Citizen's Guide (1995) Guide (1995)

What Do Our 17-Year-Olds Know? (with Chester Finn, What Do Our 17-Year-Olds Know? (with Chester Finn, Jr.) [1987] Jr.) [1987]

The Schools We Deserve (1985)The Schools We Deserve (1985) The Troubled Crusade: American Education, 1945-The Troubled Crusade: American Education, 1945-

1980 (1983)1980 (1983) The Revisionists Revised (1978)The Revisionists Revised (1978) The Great School Wars: New York City, 1805-1973 The Great School Wars: New York City, 1805-1973

(1974) (1974)

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Diane Ravitch Published Diane Ravitch Published WorksWorks

Edited fourteen books some of them areEdited fourteen books some of them are The American Reader (1991) The American Reader (1991) The Democracy Reader (with Abigail The Democracy Reader (with Abigail

Thernstrom) [1992]Thernstrom) [1992] Learning from the Past (with Maris Learning from the Past (with Maris

Vinovskis) [1995]Vinovskis) [1995] New Schools for a New Century (with New Schools for a New Century (with

Joseph Viteritti) [1997]Joseph Viteritti) [1997] She has written more than 400 articles and She has written more than 400 articles and

reviews for scholarly and popular reviews for scholarly and popular publications publications

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Diane Ravitch’s International Diane Ravitch’s International InfluencesInfluences

She has lectured in Poland, the former She has lectured in Poland, the former Czechoslovakia, the Czech Republic, Romania, Czechoslovakia, the Czech Republic, Romania, the former Soviet Union, Hungary, the former the former Soviet Union, Hungary, the former Yugoslavia, Germany, Japan, Nicaragua, and Yugoslavia, Germany, Japan, Nicaragua, and throughout the United States.throughout the United States.

Her lectures on democracy and civic education Her lectures on democracy and civic education have been translated by the USIA into many have been translated by the USIA into many languages, including Polish, Lithuanian, languages, including Polish, Lithuanian, Latvian, Russian, Belarussian, and Ukrainian. Latvian, Russian, Belarussian, and Ukrainian.

Her books have been translated into many Her books have been translated into many languages, including Chinese, Arabic, Spanish, languages, including Chinese, Arabic, Spanish, Swedish, and Japanese Swedish, and Japanese

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Diane Ravitch Diane Ravitch She was elected to membership in She was elected to membership in

the National Academy of Education (1979) the National Academy of Education (1979) the Society of American Historians (1984) the Society of American Historians (1984) the American Academy of Arts and Sciences the American Academy of Arts and Sciences

(1985)(1985) the Eleanor Roosevelt Fellow of the American the Eleanor Roosevelt Fellow of the American

Academy of Political and Social Sciences Academy of Political and Social Sciences (2002) (2002)

She was selected as a Phi Beta Kappa Visiting She was selected as a Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar in 1984-85, the first person chosen Scholar in 1984-85, the first person chosen from the field of education studies from the field of education studies

She was awarded the Henry Allen Moe prize in She was awarded the Henry Allen Moe prize in the humanities by the American Philosophical the humanities by the American Philosophical Society in 1986Society in 1986

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Diane RavitchDiane Ravitch In 1988, she was designated an "honorary In 1988, she was designated an "honorary

citizen of the state of California" by the State citizen of the state of California" by the State Legislature in recognition of her contributions Legislature in recognition of her contributions to the state's history curriculum and its human to the state's history curriculum and its human rights curriculum rights curriculum

In 1989, she received the Wellesley College In 1989, she received the Wellesley College Alumnae Achievement Award in 1989Alumnae Achievement Award in 1989

She was honored as a Literary Lion by the New She was honored as a Literary Lion by the New York Public Library in 1992York Public Library in 1992

The Library of Congress invited her to deliver The Library of Congress invited her to deliver lectures in 1993 in honor of the 250th birthday lectures in 1993 in honor of the 250th birthday of Thomas Jeffersonof Thomas Jefferson

She received the Leadership Award of the She received the Leadership Award of the Klingenstein Institute at Teachers College in Klingenstein Institute at Teachers College in 1994 and the Horace Kidger Award of the New 1994 and the Horace Kidger Award of the New England History Teachers Association in 1998. England History Teachers Association in 1998.

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Diane RavitchDiane Ravitch In 2004, she received the Leadership Award of the In 2004, she received the Leadership Award of the

New York City Council of Supervisors and New York City Council of Supervisors and Administrators.Administrators.

In 2005, she received the John Dewey award from the In 2005, she received the John Dewey award from the United Federation of Teachers of New York City; the United Federation of Teachers of New York City; the Gaudium Award of the Breukelein Institute; and the Gaudium Award of the Breukelein Institute; and the Uncommon Book Award from the Hoover InstitutionUncommon Book Award from the Hoover Institution

In 2006, the Kenneth J. Bialkin/Citigroup Public In 2006, the Kenneth J. Bialkin/Citigroup Public Service Award was conferred on her. Service Award was conferred on her.

She was awarded an honorary degree, Doctor of She was awarded an honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, by the following institutions: Humane Letters, by the following institutions: Williams College; Reed College; Amherst College; the Williams College; Reed College; Amherst College; the State University of New York; Ramapo College; St. State University of New York; Ramapo College; St. Joseph's College of New York; Middlebury College Joseph's College of New York; Middlebury College Language Schools; and Union College. Language Schools; and Union College.

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Diane RavitchDiane Ravitch Her most recent book Her most recent book The Language PoliceThe Language Police

(2003) was a criticism of both left-wing and (2003) was a criticism of both left-wing and right-wing attempts to stifle the study and right-wing attempts to stifle the study and expression of views deemed unworthy by expression of views deemed unworthy by those groups. (See political correctness & those groups. (See political correctness & multiculturalism)multiculturalism)

The book asserts that "pressure groups from The book asserts that "pressure groups from the political right and left have wrested the political right and left have wrested control of the language and content of control of the language and content of textbooks and standardized exams, often at textbooks and standardized exams, often at the expense of the truth (in the case of the expense of the truth (in the case of history), of literary quality (in the case of history), of literary quality (in the case of literature), and of education in general" literature), and of education in general"

Publishers Weekly wrote: "Ravitch contends Publishers Weekly wrote: "Ravitch contends that these sanitized materials sacrifice literary that these sanitized materials sacrifice literary quality and historical accuracy in order to quality and historical accuracy in order to escape controversy”escape controversy”

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Diane RavitchDiane Ravitch

Her critique of Multiculturalism and Her critique of Multiculturalism and her calls for higher standards in her calls for higher standards in public life have drawn fire. public life have drawn fire.

She is independent politically and She is independent politically and was appointed to public office by was appointed to public office by both Republican president, George both Republican president, George H. W. Bush and Democrat president H. W. Bush and Democrat president Bill ClintonBill Clinton

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Diane Ravitch QuotesDiane Ravitch Quotes

Behind this disagreement are two different Behind this disagreement are two different assumptions: I assume that our education assumptions: I assume that our education system should aim to educate everyone who system should aim to educate everyone who comes to school; the other side says that ability comes to school; the other side says that ability is distributed along a bell-shaped curve and is distributed along a bell-shaped curve and that we should not be overly concerned about that we should not be overly concerned about the laggards because we will always need the laggards because we will always need people to pick up the trash and sweep the people to pick up the trash and sweep the streets. I confess that I get confused at this streets. I confess that I get confused at this point because the current argument favoring point because the current argument favoring low or no standards is coming from people who low or no standards is coming from people who claim to be on the left.claim to be on the left.

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Diane Ravitch QuotesDiane Ravitch Quotes Some evidence recently surfaced, which Some evidence recently surfaced, which

suggests that suggests that a democratic society pays a democratic society pays a price for widespread ignorancea price for widespread ignorance. The . The Princeton ReviewPrinceton Review, best known for its test , best known for its test preparation services, analyzed the preparation services, analyzed the vocabulary used by the presidential vocabulary used by the presidential candidates in the campaign debates of candidates in the campaign debates of 2000 and compared it to the vocabulary 2000 and compared it to the vocabulary levels used in earlier campaign debates.levels used in earlier campaign debates.

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Diane Ravitch QuotesDiane Ravitch Quotes The The Princeton ReviewPrinceton Review obtained transcripts obtained transcripts

of the Gore-Bush debates, the Clinton-of the Gore-Bush debates, the Clinton-Bush-Perot debate of 1992, the Kennedy-Bush-Perot debate of 1992, the Kennedy-Nixon debate of 1960, and the Lincoln-Nixon debate of 1960, and the Lincoln-Douglas debate of 1858. It analyzed these Douglas debate of 1858. It analyzed these transcripts using a standard vocabulary transcripts using a standard vocabulary test that indicates the minimum test that indicates the minimum educational level needed for a reader to educational level needed for a reader to understand a document. This test is understand a document. This test is ordinarily used to evaluate textbooks and ordinarily used to evaluate textbooks and other educational materials.other educational materials.

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Diane Ravitch QuotesDiane Ravitch Quotes The results? In the debates of 2000, George W. The results? In the debates of 2000, George W.

Bush spoke at a sixth-grade level (6.7); Al Gore Bush spoke at a sixth-grade level (6.7); Al Gore spoke at a high seventh-grade level (7.9). In 1992, spoke at a high seventh-grade level (7.9). In 1992, challenger Bill Clinton scored in the seventh grade challenger Bill Clinton scored in the seventh grade (7.6), President George Bush in the sixth grade (7.6), President George Bush in the sixth grade (6.8), and Ross Perot at a sixth-grade level (6.3) ((6.8), and Ross Perot at a sixth-grade level (6.3) (I I am also confused why the left presidents scored am also confused why the left presidents scored higherhigher))

Our contemporary politicians, who found it Our contemporary politicians, who found it necessary to speak to us as sixth and seventh necessary to speak to us as sixth and seventh graders, compared unfavorably with Kennedy and graders, compared unfavorably with Kennedy and Nixon, both of whom spoke in a vocabulary Nixon, both of whom spoke in a vocabulary appropriate for tenth graders. And they, in turn, appropriate for tenth graders. And they, in turn, looked sophomoric when compared to Abraham looked sophomoric when compared to Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas, whose scores, Lincoln and Stephen Douglas, whose scores, respectively, were 11.2 and 12.0respectively, were 11.2 and 12.0

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Diane Ravitch QuotesDiane Ravitch Quotes That may be a tough question to answer briefly. I That may be a tough question to answer briefly. I

would say that it (9/11) must be treated as the worst would say that it (9/11) must be treated as the worst terrorist act in all history, the worst single loss of terrorist act in all history, the worst single loss of life on American soil other than in one Civil War life on American soil other than in one Civil War battle. The event itself must be described in its true battle. The event itself must be described in its true horror. The perpetrators of the evil must be horror. The perpetrators of the evil must be identified clearly and their affiliation with radical identified clearly and their affiliation with radical extremist Islam must be explained. The explanation extremist Islam must be explained. The explanation must show how this form of extremism seeks to must show how this form of extremism seeks to create a theocratic society that threatens our most create a theocratic society that threatens our most basic values; that it is non-democratic, does not basic values; that it is non-democratic, does not believe in women's equality, does not tolerate believe in women's equality, does not tolerate freedom of speech or expression, seeks to impose freedom of speech or expression, seeks to impose religious rule over all institutions. That it is anti-religious rule over all institutions. That it is anti-modern and is a threat not only to us but to world modern and is a threat not only to us but to world peace and development. peace and development.

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Diane Ravitch Online Diane Ravitch Online ResourcesResources

http://www.dianeravitch.com/http://www.dianeravitch.com/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diane_Rhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diane_R

avitchavitch http://www.hoover.org/pubaffairs/http://www.hoover.org/pubaffairs/

dailyreport/archive/2866856.htmldailyreport/archive/2866856.html http://www.nationalreview.com/http://www.nationalreview.com/

interrogatory/interrogatory/interrogatory091603.aspinterrogatory091603.asp

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Deborah Meier Deborah Meier “I wouldn’t give the same test to everyone. I would rather test students in the same way that we test most things, by having good conversations”

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Deborah Meier Deborah Meier Deborah Meier has spent more than three Deborah Meier has spent more than three

decades working in public education as a decades working in public education as a teacher, principal, writer, advocate, and teacher, principal, writer, advocate, and ranks among the most acclaimed leaders ranks among the most acclaimed leaders of the school reform movement in the U.S.of the school reform movement in the U.S.

Meier was born in New York City in 1931Meier was born in New York City in 1931 Was educated at Antioch College (B. A.) Was educated at Antioch College (B. A.)

and the University of Chicago (M. A.)and the University of Chicago (M. A.) She began her teaching career in She began her teaching career in

Chicago, New York, and Philadelphia as Chicago, New York, and Philadelphia as an elementary and Head Start teacher an elementary and Head Start teacher

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Deborah MeierDeborah Meier For 20 years, Meier helped revitalize public For 20 years, Meier helped revitalize public

schools in New York City’s East Harlem districtschools in New York City’s East Harlem district In 1974, Superintendent Tony Alvarado asked In 1974, Superintendent Tony Alvarado asked

Meier to test her theories in a new elementary Meier to test her theories in a new elementary school in Harlem’s District 4, where test scores school in Harlem’s District 4, where test scores were the lowest in the citywere the lowest in the city

She founded Central Park Elementary School She founded Central Park Elementary School (CPE), a highly successful alternative school (CPE), a highly successful alternative school emphasizing active learning based on Dewey’s emphasizing active learning based on Dewey’s progressive thoughtsprogressive thoughts

Within the next dozen years, Meier opened two Within the next dozen years, Meier opened two other Central Park elementary schools and, in other Central Park elementary schools and, in collaboration with the National Coalition of collaboration with the National Coalition of Essential Schools, the Central Park East Essential Schools, the Central Park East Secondary SchoolSecondary School

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Deborah MeierDeborah Meier Give teachers autonomyGive teachers autonomy Give parents voicesGive parents voices Her school reached a graduation rate of 90% and Her school reached a graduation rate of 90% and

became a model for Small School Collaborativebecame a model for Small School Collaborative Meier is currently the principal of the Mission Hill Meier is currently the principal of the Mission Hill

School, a K-8 pilot elementary school recently School, a K-8 pilot elementary school recently established in Boston’s Roxbury communityestablished in Boston’s Roxbury community

Received a MacArthur Fellowship and several Received a MacArthur Fellowship and several honorary degrees form from Bank Street College honorary degrees form from Bank Street College of Education, Brown, Bard, Clark, Teachers of Education, Brown, Bard, Clark, Teachers College of Columbia University, Dartmouth, College of Columbia University, Dartmouth, Harvard, Hebrew Union College, Hofstra, The Harvard, Hebrew Union College, Hofstra, The New School, Lesley College, SUNY Albany, New School, Lesley College, SUNY Albany, UMASS Lowell, and Yale UMASS Lowell, and Yale

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Deborah MeierDeborah Meier Meier documented her story and experience at Meier documented her story and experience at

Central Park East Secondary School in Central Park East Secondary School in The Power The Power of their Ideas: Lessons for America from a Small of their Ideas: Lessons for America from a Small School in HarlemSchool in Harlem (1995) (1995)

Will Standards Save Public Education?Will Standards Save Public Education? (2000) (2000) In Schools We Trust: Creating Communities of In Schools We Trust: Creating Communities of

Learning in an Era of Testing and StandardizationLearning in an Era of Testing and Standardization (2002)(2002)

With Ted and Nancy Sizer, With Ted and Nancy Sizer, Keeping School: Letters Keeping School: Letters to Families from Principals of Two Small Schoolsto Families from Principals of Two Small Schools (2004) (2004)

Co-edited with George Wood, Co-edited with George Wood, Many Children Left Many Children Left BehindBehind (2004), all published by Beacon Press (2004), all published by Beacon Press

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Deborah Meier QuotesDeborah Meier Quotes The standardization movement is not based The standardization movement is not based

on a simple mistake. It rests on deep on a simple mistake. It rests on deep assumptions about the goals of education and assumptions about the goals of education and the proper exercise of authority in the making the proper exercise of authority in the making of decisions– assumptions we ought to reject of decisions– assumptions we ought to reject in favor of a different vision of a healthy in favor of a different vision of a healthy democratic society democratic society

By shifting the locus of authority to outside By shifting the locus of authority to outside bodies, it undermines the capacity of schools bodies, it undermines the capacity of schools to instruct by example in the qualities of mind to instruct by example in the qualities of mind that schools in a democracy should be that schools in a democracy should be fostering in kids–responsibility for one’s own fostering in kids–responsibility for one’s own ideas, tolerance for the ideas of others, and a ideas, tolerance for the ideas of others, and a capacity to negotiate differences capacity to negotiate differences

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Deborah Meier QuotesDeborah Meier Quotes The coalition of experts which produced The coalition of experts which produced A A

Nation at RiskNation at Risk were wrong when they were wrong when they announced the failure of American public announced the failure of American public education and its critical role in our education and its critical role in our economic decline. Constructive debate economic decline. Constructive debate about reform should begin by about reform should begin by acknowledging this misjudgment. But it acknowledging this misjudgment. But it should then also acknowledge the even should then also acknowledge the even bigger crisis that schools have played a bigger crisis that schools have played a major part in deepening, if not actually major part in deepening, if not actually creating, and could play a big part in creating, and could play a big part in curing. This crisis requires quite a curing. This crisis requires quite a different set of responses, often in direct different set of responses, often in direct conflict with standardization.conflict with standardization.

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Deborah Meier QuotesDeborah Meier Quotes An understanding of this other crisis begins An understanding of this other crisis begins

by noting that we have the lowest voter by noting that we have the lowest voter turnout by far of any modern industrial turnout by far of any modern industrial country; we are exceptional for the absence country; we are exceptional for the absence of responsible care for our most vulnerable of responsible care for our most vulnerable citizens (we spend less on child welfare–baby citizens (we spend less on child welfare–baby care, medical care, family leave–than almost care, medical care, family leave–than almost every competitor); we don’t come close to our every competitor); we don’t come close to our competitors in income equity; and our high competitors in income equity; and our high rate of (and investment in) incarceration rate of (and investment in) incarceration places us in a class by ourselves. All of these, places us in a class by ourselves. All of these, of course, effect some citizens far more than of course, effect some citizens far more than others: and the heaviest burdens fall on the others: and the heaviest burdens fall on the poor, the young, and people of color.poor, the young, and people of color.

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Deborah Meier QuotesDeborah Meier Quotes What is quality teaching?What is quality teaching?““Teaching that engages — or reengages — Teaching that engages — or reengages —

kids and their curiosity about the world, kids and their curiosity about the world, gets them asking questions and gets them asking questions and subjecting their own and other people's subjecting their own and other people's ideas to tough testing, that calls upon ideas to tough testing, that calls upon the best habits of mind and imagination, the best habits of mind and imagination, that makes perseverance seem obvious that makes perseverance seem obvious and natural, that widens their horizons and natural, that widens their horizons in terms of subject matter, people, and in terms of subject matter, people, and places”places”

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Deborah Meier QuotesDeborah Meier Quotes

How do race and class play out in relation to How do race and class play out in relation to teaching quality? teaching quality?

““For significant conversations to take place we For significant conversations to take place we need a teaching force that reflects the diversity need a teaching force that reflects the diversity of learners — that is able to grapple with the of learners — that is able to grapple with the various perspectives and difficulties that we various perspectives and difficulties that we experience as learners in our society. How experience as learners in our society. How things "seem to be" through the eyes of males things "seem to be" through the eyes of males vs. females, blacks vs. whites, the well-off vs. vs. females, blacks vs. whites, the well-off vs. the poorly off is critical to developing schools the poorly off is critical to developing schools that take advantage of our children's multiple that take advantage of our children's multiple strengths.” strengths.”

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Deborah Meier QuotesDeborah Meier Quotes

What I wanted was to create What I wanted was to create thoughtful citizens — people who thoughtful citizens — people who believed they could live interesting believed they could live interesting lives and be productive and socially lives and be productive and socially useful. So I tried to create a useful. So I tried to create a community of children and adults community of children and adults where the adults shared and where the adults shared and respected the children’s lives respected the children’s lives

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Deborah Meier Online Deborah Meier Online ResourcesResources

http://www.deborahmeier.com/http://www.deborahmeier.com/ http://www.pbs.org/kcet/publicschool/http://www.pbs.org/kcet/publicschool/

innovators/meier.htmlinnovators/meier.html http://www.pbs.org/merrow/tv/trust/http://www.pbs.org/merrow/tv/trust/

interviews.htmlinterviews.html http://bostonreview.net/BR24.6/meier.htmlhttp://bostonreview.net/BR24.6/meier.html http://bostonreview.net/BR24.6/meier2.htmlhttp://bostonreview.net/BR24.6/meier2.html http://schoolredesign.net/srn/server.php?idx=545http://schoolredesign.net/srn/server.php?idx=545 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deborah_Meierhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deborah_Meier http://www.rethinkingschools.org/archive/20_02/http://www.rethinkingschools.org/archive/20_02/

debo202.shtmldebo202.shtml http://www.missionhillschool.org/dmeier/deb.htmlhttp://www.missionhillschool.org/dmeier/deb.html