Welcome! Why Education Firestorm?

Today, a firestorm is sweeping through public education.  Here are the major, national changes that are hitting all at once:

• new federal curriculum  (the Common Core)
• new federal testing regime (PARCC or SBA)
• new teacher evaluation regime

Simultaneously, these changes overlap with powerful movements to

• end teacher pensions
• weaken teachers unions
• privatize public education
• increase federal control over public education
• increase control of public education by foundations and wealthy individuals
• increase profits of companies in the education business

Have I forgotten anything?

In this block, I report on and evaluate this firestorm.