As mentioned a few weeks ago, thepjsta.org would soon be debuting two new series on our blog.  Today we bring you the first installment of our series “Know Your Friends” (KYF).  In this series we will highlight individuals and groups who are friends of public education.

Any list highlighting the friends of public education must start with the incomparable Diane Ravitch.  Ravitch is a historian of education and Research Professor of Education at New York University.  She served as Assistant Secretary of Education and Counselor to Secretary of Education from 1991 to 1993, under President George H. W. Bush.  She has authored several books, including The Death and Life of the Great American School System: How Testing and Choice are Undermining Education.

Over the course of the last several years Ravitch has been an outspoken voice against the privatization of public education and all that it entails.  She has used her platform as well known figure on the national stage to defend teachers and argue against the various “reform” measures that have been put in place to try and destroy the industry that we have made our livelihoods.

Ravitch’s blog has become a must read for educators at every level.  It is something that you should be reading on a daily basis as she highlights many of the important education stories happening around the country.  Over the course of the last year this blog has linked to hers on many, many occasions.  For a PJSTA member who has not been well read on this subject matter, it will help you to begin to understand the scope of what we are up against, as well as help you find ways to network with others around the country.  If you take education into account when you go to the polls every November, you will learn a great deal about where many politicians stand just from reading Ravitch’s blog.

Below is Ravitch speaking on corporate education reform.