If there was ever a symbol of decadence, greed, and heartlessness in 2025, it must be the “Great Gatsby” party that Trump provided for his uber-rich friends at Mar-a-Lago in the midst of the government shutdown. At the same time, 42 million Americans were wondering if their food stamps (SNAP) would be available for the […]| Diane Ravitch's blog
How low can they go? MAGA television host Megyn Kelly denied yesterday that Jeffrey Epstein was actually a pedophile. People she knows told her that when a man has sexual relations with a 15-year-old, it’s not pedophilia. She seems to agree. After all, she says, a 15-year-old is way different from a 5-year-old. Here’s the […]| Diane Ravitch's blog
With the government shutdown over, staff at the U.S. Department of Education return with fear for what lies ahead. Before the election, I assumed that Trump could not shutter the Department because he would never get Congress’s approval. Some Republicans would stop him. That’s why he never sought Congressional endorsement. But it never occurred to […]| Diane Ravitch's blog
This is the latest parody interview by the irrepressible Randy Rainbow. It takes place while the East Wing of the White House is demolished in the background. As usual, Randy treats his viewers to a full dose of gay humor with his song “Big Phony Schmuck.”| Diane Ravitch's blog
Ohio’s public schools have been victimized repeatedly by its Republican legislatures and governors. Charter schools, online schools, and vouchers have ripped off taxpayers and siphoned funds from public schools. Last week, public school voters said enough. At the national level, the 31 candidates field by the rightwing Moms for Liberty were defeated. Every one of […]| Diane Ravitch's blog
Josh Cowen is a prominent scholar of education policy. He spent 20 years as a voucher researcher and eventually concluded that vouchers are a failure. In every state that adopted and expanded vouchers, he found, the overwhelming majority of vouchers were claimed by parents whose children were already enrolled in private and religious schools or […]| Diane Ravitch's blog
Former President Barack Obama met the annual honor flight of veterans on Veterans Day. This is a flight full of veterans, all-expenses paid, to visit D.C. and tour memorials to their service. The veterans on the flight were stunned to see President Obama and hear him on the PA system. He thanked each veteran with […]| Diane Ravitch's blog
The extended shutdown of the Federal government was caused by the Democrats’ efforts to save the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare. Unless Republicans agree, the price of subsidies for these policies will soar. Many who can’t afford the health insurance are likely to drop their policy and have none at all. Republicans have wanted […]| Diane Ravitch's blog
Oklahoma legislators are debating whether to follow the lead of Mississippi by adopting a phonics-based reading curriculum and requiring the retention of 3rd graders who can’t pass the reading test. Mississippi has been hailed for the dramatic rise in its 4th grade reading scores, which was initiated by the Barksdale Foundation in 1999 with a […]| Diane Ravitch's blog
The National Governors Association is led this year by Colorado Governor Jared Polis, a cheerleader for charter schools who launched two of his own. The NGA, at Polis’ instigation, chose K-12…| Diane Ravitch's blog
According to three advocates for cursive writing, it is a powerful tool for learning. While many predicted its demise after the widespread adoption of typing and computers, it is indeed making a co…| Diane Ravitch's blog
Several days ago, Politico wrote about the scurrilous text messages shared by Young Republican leaders. When Vice President jD Vance was asked about the chat, he said in effect, “Boys will be…| Diane Ravitch's blog
John Thompson, retired teacher and historian in Oklahoma, listened to a two-part podcast about Oklahoma education by Hanna Rosin of The Atlantic. He reports on what he heard, based on his in-depth …| Diane Ravitch's blog
If you read only one article about what happened to the students, teachers and schools in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, this is the one. Ashana Bigard is a parent of students in New Orleans. …| Diane Ravitch's blog
Curtis Yarvin is the guru for a number of major political figures on the right, including Vice President Vance and tech billionaire Peter Thiel. He is hostile to democracy and holds racist views. Y…| Diane Ravitch's blog
Two scholars–Kimberlé Crenshaw and Jason Stanley–explain why Trump is censoring exhibits at the Smithsonian. He has also imposed censorship of signage and exhibits at other federal site…| Diane Ravitch's blog
10 posts published by dianeravitch during October 2025| Diane Ravitch's blog
Pete Hegseth, the Secretary of Defense, summoned hundreds of generals and admirals to an in-person meeting to lecture them. Hegseth spoke to them condescendingly to remind them that he is Secretary…| Diane Ravitch's blog
A site to discuss education and democracy| Diane Ravitch's blog
John Thompson, historian and teacher in Oklahoma, Reviews John Merrow’s ADDICTED TO REFORM: In “Addicted to Reform: A 12-Step Program to Rescue Public Education”, John Merrow lets…| Diane Ravitch's blog
