There Are a Few Things Missing From the NYT Review of Diane Ravitch’s New Book

First, hypocrisy. Ravitch spends pages lambasting the billionaires who she claims have a goal of privatizing the school system in order to profit from it – a ridiculous claim, prima facie.

— Ned Stanley (@NedStanley) January 21, 2020

The network she founded, the Network for Public Education, was funded by the national teacher unions (and @rweingarten will be appearing on her book tour; a stunning endorsement of this intellectual drought) as well as… shockingly… a billionaire philanthropist.

— Ned Stanley (@NedStanley) January 21, 2020

Also included in Brill's book is a look into how Ravitch was radicalized. His conclusion: she was very angry at @JoelIKlein for refusing to promote her domestic partner.

— Ned Stanley (@NedStanley) January 21, 2020

In this book and in the previous two, Ravitch offers nothing in the way of concrete suggestions to improve the education system for low-income children, and especially children of color. Her entire prescription is: "stop doing reform."

— Ned Stanley (@NedStanley) January 21, 2020

Even on NPE's website, there's a hilarious 'manifesto' where they propose solutions. (This was added years ago, when @Dyrnwyn, @citizenstewart, @k_huff1 and I pointed out that Ravitch was like the kid on the beach stomping out sand castles instead of building her own.)

— Ned Stanley (@NedStanley) January 21, 2020

Like I said.. hilarious.

— Ned Stanley (@NedStanley) January 21, 2020

Why has Ravitch done literally NOTHING to end poverty? Where are her mass fundraisers and calls to action? Where are her speeches and marches? Why isn't she mobilizing her network to end poverty?

— Ned Stanley (@NedStanley) January 21, 2020

And finally, we get to my one main gripe with @anniemurphypaul's review: nowhere within is there a mention of the national teacher unions.

— Ned Stanley (@NedStanley) January 21, 2020

They too, should be held to account. But I'm glad that finally, finally, finally – thanks to @anniemurphypaul and journalists like @EricaLG and @elizashapiro – Ravitch, her network, and her worldview finally are.

— Ned Stanley (@NedStanley) January 21, 2020

To close, I appreciate that Murphy Paul pointed out the many, many families (especially families of color) who demanded better school options for their children.

That Ravitch, a wealthy white woman, funded by billionaires, exercised choice and now denies others the same..

Well.

— Ned Stanley (@NedStanley) January 21, 2020