"The schools will surely be faillures if students graduate knowing how to choose the right option from four bubble on a multiple choice test, but unprepared to lead fulfilling lives, to be responsible citizens and to make good choices for themselves, their families, and our society."

It took her long enough, but Diane Ravitch got it right. As a former supporter of NCLB, she sees the flaws now, and can bring an impressive voice and power to the discussion. For years we said it's impossible to have every student reading at grade level, for good schools to stay off the 'bad' list of failing students. We said testing does not measure the teaching and learning going on in our schools. We said this emphasis cuts the opportunities for students in onther disciplines that are not tested. NOW she's saying it too.

Ravitch brings her considerable clout and background to this discussion -- I learned so much about the history of school reform, of the experiments, the failures, the successes. I learned that the fight between phonics and whole language actually plays out in every discipline -- starting with the Social Studies Standards, shot down by Lynn Cheney, that noted educator (verbal irony!). She shows the reforms that seem to work, but are really smoke and mirrors.

"The most durable way to improve schools is to improve curriculum and instruction and to improve the conditions in which teachers work and students learn." Her strategy is clear: Teach a strong curriculum that includes the arts, science, civics, history,physical education. She says the countries who outscore us on those international tests don't narrow the focus as we have; they provide students with a rich educational experience, knowing if you do that, the testing will take care of itself.

Too bad she came to her conclusions so late...hopefully it won't be TOO late. I don't see a lot of change in the Obama Blueprint; in fact, that plan goes down the same murky path NCLB did -- but Ravitch will be there, warning us!