Does this event (see invitation below) sound like fun or what? I don’t know about you, but the chief lobbyist for the for-profit “education” industry is exactly who I want to speak with about school reform. Har har. Oh, and I also most definitely want to speak with Harris “Shiller” Miller’s friend Frederick “Rick” Hess, last seen attacking the GAO for its scathing report slamming said for-profit “education” industry. The latest twist in that saga, by the way, is that the for-profit slimeballs actually sued the GAO for its report, which the GAO is standing by despite the harrassment by Miller et al. Anyway, if you want to hang out with Harris and “Rick,” here’s the invite. Enjoy! 😉
Back by popular demand, Deborah and I invite you and your spouse/friend/significant other to our next book party at our home, 1309 Summerwood Court, McLean, on Sunday, February 27, 2011, 7 to 9 PM, to meet education policy scholar and author Frederick M. Hess and to hear about his provocative new book, The Same Thing Over and Over: How School Reformers Get Stuck in Yesterday’s Ideas. In this year when the Administration and Congress are talking about possible changes to the major 2002 K-12 reform law, Rick’s book is not only fascinating, but very timely. Rick, the director of education policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute, explains that American schools have not changed since the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries and, as a result, are ill-suited to meet today’s challenges. Despite decade after decade of hyped reforms and nearly tripled real per pupil spending since 1970, we have yet to see any radical change in student outcomes.
The answer? Rick argues that this fundamentally nineteenth century system cannot be right for a twenty-first century world, and suggests that uniformity gets in the way of quality. He urges us to create a much wider variety of schools, to meet a greater range of needs for different kinds of talents, required by a vastly more complex and demanding society.
Richard Barth, CEO and President of the KIPP Foundation, has said, “Rick Hess is one of the most provocative people now writing about public education. Sooner or later he challenges everyone’s assumptions.” And, renowned education author and blogger Deborah Meier praised the book saying, “Half the time I’m agreeing with every word Rick Hess says, and wishing I had said it myself. The other half the time I’m provoked, stimulated, and arguing with him. Read him, argue with him, take him very seriously.”
Hors d’oeurvres and drinks will be served. Books will be for sale that Rick can autograph for you.
Please respond to my Executive Assistant Jackie McWilliams (jackiem@apscu.org) whether you will be able to attend, including the names of any others who will accompany you, for what we promise to be a fun and fascinating evening. Directions to our home will be emailed on February 24.
Deborah, Rick and I look forward to seeing you February 27.
Harris
Harris N. Miller
CEO/President
Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities
1101 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 900
Washington, DC 20036
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