Rick Hess: "Dante" Ravitch's Abhorrent Attack on Ben Austin

Rick Hess (educator, political scientist, author, and host of "Rick Hess Straight Up" on Education Week) responds to recent, off-color comments made by Dr. Diane Ravitch.

For the full story (with links), visit Hess' "Straight Up" blog on EdWeek.

"DANTE" RAVITCH'S ABHORRENT ATTACK ON BEN AUSTIN

Calling Out Diane 'Let Them Eat Cake' Ravitch

Diane Ravitch has, in the last 36 hours posted two particularly offensive blogs which represent new lows for those of us who care deeply about public education and education reform. Links to the two posts which we are calling out are here:

http://dianeravitch.net/2013/05/25/parent-revolution-forces-out-excellent-principal/

http://dianeravitch.net/2013/05/25/wondering-about-ben-austin/

Response from Parent on Defamatory Claims: "I am deeply offended and insulted"

From Cynthia Ramirez, Lead Parent Coordinator, Desert Trails Parent Union

Late this afternoon, the San Bernardino County Sun, one of our local newspapers, published an outrageous story that has no basis of truth. As someone who has been involved with the Parent Trigger campaign in our community from the beginning, I am deeply offended and insulted our volunteer efforts of the past two years are being twisted and diminished.

Statement on Defamatory Claims

Today, we received a news report about a parent involved in a Parent Trigger campaign supported by our organization claiming Parent Revolution organizers “offered to pay parents to promote the ‘parent trigger’ movement nationwide.” Any allegations that Parent Revolution staff promised financial support or assistance are unfounded, defamatory, and quite frankly ludicrous on their very face.

The Story of Weigand Avenue Elementary

Parents of the Watts-based Weigand Avenue Elementary School have worked for years to achieve positive change for their children's school. The day for change appears to have finally come!

Click on the title above for the story of Weigand Avenue Elementary.

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Weigand Elementary parents unanimously endorse district ‘Public School Choice’ plan to transform failing school (Letter to Teachers Attached - English/Spanish)

LOS ANGELES – Thursday, May 23, 2013 – Members of Weigand Avenue Elementary Parents United today unanimously endorsed the ‘Public School Choice’ (PSC) plan by the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) as a key foundation for turning around their failing school.

Additionally, parents unanimously endorsed a letter to go to every Weigand Elementary teacher asking them to join parents in working together on improving the school.

Weigand Elementary Parent Union will vote tomorrow to endorse School District Plan transforming failing school

Yesterday, members of Weigand Parents United - the community organization of parents at Weigand Avenue Elementary School - announced a vote scheduled for today to endorse a 'Public School Choice' plan proposed by the Los Angeles Unified School District to turn around their failing school.

For more, check out the official press statement below.

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Education News: By Removing Principal, Parent Trigger Shows Real Parent Empowerment

Matthew Tabor from Education News reports on last week's major victory for the parents of Weigand Avenue Elementary School.

Weigand parents successfully petitioned the second-largest school district in the US with the nation's first ever 100% in-district transformation under the Parent Trigger process.

Matthew writes on what this victory means for parents and parent empowerment advocates in California and across the nation.

(Photo) Weigand Parents Love Their Teachers

Yesterday – Tuesday, May 14 – the Los Angeles Unified School Board approved the first ever in-district reform petition to transform the failing Weigand Avenue Elementary School in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles. The new arrangement will be in place for the 2013-2014 school year.

The LAUSD Board vote follows recent verification by the district of the Weigand Parents United Parent Trigger petition signed by 61% of eligible parents at the school.

Los Angeles School Board Approves Historic Weigand In-District Transformation Option

Los Angeles Unified School District Board approves first ever in-district reform arrangement to transform failing Weigand Avenue Elementary School

LOS ANGELES – Tuesday, May 14, 2013 – The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Board today approved, by 5-2, the first ever in-district reform petition to transform the failing Weigand Avenue Elementary School in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles. The new arrangement will be in place for the 2013-2014 school year.

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