Payola Policy: NCTQ Prepares its Hit on Schools of Education

[proud2BlibKansan]

Our political system has deteriorated to such a degree that policymaking in the education arena has come to resemble the selection of "hits" chosen for airplay by 1950s DJs. Back in the day, the main mode of advertising to promote the sale of records was to have the songs played on the radio. The "Payola" scandal occurred in the 1950s when it was discovered that many of the DJs were routinely making decisions about what to play not based on the quality of the music, but on bribes they were receiving from record companies. Today, our lawmakers work in much the same fashion, with campaign cash leading to laws, and lobbyists, and a growing sector of non-profit groups playing supporting roles.

These are not overnight operations. This a process for those determined to get what they want, and willing to pay the price. This week Diane Ravitch shared with us the story of the National Council on Teacher Quality. Ravitch is an unusual informant - she was on the inside of the conservative movement, so she has a perspective few of us share. According to Ravitch, NCTQ was created by the Thomas B. Fordham (TBF) Foundation because

We thought (schools of education) were too touchy-feely, too concerned about self-esteem and social justice and not concerned enough with basic skills and academics. In 1997, we had commissioned a Public Agenda study called "Different Drummers"; this study chided professors of education because they didn't care much about discipline and safety and were more concerned with how children learn rather than what they learned. TBF established NCTQ as a new entity to promote alternative certification and to break the power of the hated ed schools.

The NCTQ receives funding from dozens of foundations, such as the Broad Fund. And the work of NCTQ continues to seek to reshape schools of education. Their current project is to "evaluate" all 180 schools of education in the country. In advance of this evaluation, they have released a report titled: "What teacher preparation programs teach about K-12 assessment." The report highlights as models districts that have won the Broad Prize, such as Charlotte-Mecklenburg:

more . . . http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/living-in-dialogue/2012/05/payola_policy_nctq_prepares_it.html

[HiPointDem]

1. The detail & scope of the 1% assault on public education is breathtaking. As is the corruption at

its heart.

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. It's a war they've been waging for at least 30 years

Honestly the only thing that surprises me about all of this is that so many more teachers have finally figured it all out. I thought this day would never come.

[salin]

3. Started with the early Reagan era report "A Nation at Risk"

now we really are a nation at risk - but it the causes behind the risk have nothing to do with education.

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. That's correct.

Diane Ravitch says education has been in crisis mode for as long as she can remember. We seem to need a crisis to justify new programs and additional funding.