Dear Friends:

Those who have followed my writing for the past five years or so and those who agree with me that we as education professionals have been subject to a movement that has been a huge disservice to us as practitioners and to the children we teach will take heart by reading an article that is posted here.

Much to my surprise and delight, I learned this morning that the federal Commission on Equity and Excellence has issued a report which has roundly dismissed the reforms of the Bush-Obama era and has called for a fresh approach. The commission report has been issued by members who were appointed by Secretary Duncan, but I imagine that much to his surprise, instead of supporting the efforts he has been making the past four years, the report sides with those of us who have expressed deep and profound frustration with the reform efforts that have been taking place ever since the 1983 "Nation at Risk" report came out 30 years ago. In spite of the millions of dollars and the dozens of ill-fated and flimsy reform efforts mostly done without consultation with real-world teachers, this new report says that we have been doing the wrong things to the detriment of the very students everyone says they want to help.

I had to share this with those of you who might not otherwise hear about it. Please read the article and share it widely. I hope it makes your day like it just made mine.

Until next time.

Kitty