Ep 165. Diane Ravitch, Dr. John Deasy

Diane Ravitch and Dr. John Deasy join Tavis Smiley in the latest episode of season 8. Diane Ravitch, an educational historian and policy analyst, shares her insights on the current state of America's education system. Dr. John Deasy, the previous Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) superintendent and current CEO of the Reset Foundation, also talks about his experiences in the education sector.

During the show, Diane Ravitch criticizes the education policies implemented in the past few decades, stating that they have failed to produce meaningful outcomes. She believes that policies that focus on standardized testing and teacher evaluations have only led to the neglect of schools that serve underprivileged students. Dr. John Deasy echoes these sentiments and adds that the education sector needs to provide resources and support, especially to students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Both experts agree that current education policies have led to the creation of a "test and punish" system, which does not encourage learning and critical thinking. Diane Ravitch says that teachers are demoralized and students are disengaged because of the focus on testing. Dr. John Deasy adds that students need to be taught skills such as problem-solving and creativity in order to succeed in the workforce and the real world.

The guests also discuss the challenges faced by public schools in providing quality education to their students. Diane Ravitch talks about the lack of funding and support, especially for schools that serve students from low-income families. Dr. John Deasy shares his experiences working in a school district that serves a high number of disadvantaged students, saying that schools need to provide support services such as counseling and mental health care to these students.

Despite the challenges, both experts believe that change is possible. Diane Ravitch says that the education sector needs to prioritize the needs of students and teachers, not just policymakers and politicians. Dr. John Deasy adds that schools need to focus on providing personalized learning experiences to each student, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

The episode also touches on the topic of charter schools. Diane Ravitch has previously been critical of charter schools, arguing that they are not a solution to the problems faced by public schools. Dr. John Deasy, who has worked in both public and charter schools, shares his views on the matter as well. Both experts agree that there are good and bad charter schools, and that the focus should be on improving all schools, whether they are public or charter.

Overall, the episode provides a thought-provoking discussion on the current state of America's education system. The guests offer valuable insights and perspectives on the challenges faced by schools and students, as well as potential solutions to these problems. Tavis Smiley facilitates the conversation with his trademark incisiveness and astute commentary, making for a must-watch episode for anyone interested in education policy and reform.