Diane Ravitch is a self-described “public school activist” and an opponent of charter schools 1 who is the founder and president of Network for Public Education. 2 Ravitch has claimed that local public schools are the best choice for education and the glue of democracy 3 but sent her own children to private schools despite holding these policy views. 4
Ravitch does not think that separate education systems, such as privately managed and religious education systems, that are separate from public systems are good for democracy, 5 has written that she “loves” the controversial 1619 Project, 6 and supports the teaching of critical race theory. 7
She called Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) “DeFascist” for opposing drag queen story hour in public schools, 8 called labor union American Federation of Teachers (AFT) president Randi Weingarten “incredible,” 9 and supported COVID-19 vaccine mandates for teachers. 10 11
Career
Diane Ravitch is the executive director of the Network for Public Education (NPE), which she co-founded with Anthony Cody in 2013. 12 13 She also runs an education-focused blog 14 15 and was a research professor of education at New York University (NYU) from 1995 to 2020. 16
Previously, Ravitch worked at or was associated with conservative-leaning think tanks including the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation, the Hoover Institution, and the Manhattan Institute and advocated for conservative education policy but shifted her views on education policy between 2006 and 2007. 17 18
In 2011, Ravitch received awards from the Horace Mann League, the American Association of School Administrators, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, and the Teachers College at Columbia University. That same year she received the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Prize of the American Academy of Political and Social Science. 19 In 2010, she was selected by the National Education Association teachers union as its Friend of Education for the year. 20
From 1997 to 2004, Ravitch was a member of the National Assessment Governing Board, which oversees the federal testing program. She was appointed to this role by Clinton administration Secretary of Education Richard Riley. She also worked in several roles at the Brookings Institution from 1995 until 2012. 21
From 1991 to 1993, Ravitch was the Assistant Secretary of Education and Counselor to then-Secretary of Education Lamar Alexander during the George H.W. Bush administration, where she led the federal effort to promote the creation of voluntary state and national academic standards. 22
Ravitch is a member of the National Academy of Education and is the author of numerous books on education policy. 23
Advocacy Positions
Education Policy
Diane Ravitch is a self-described “public school activist” and an opponent of charter schools. 24 Despite holding these views, she sent her own children to private schools. 25 She has claimed that local public schools are the best choice for education and the glue of democracy 26 and alleged that school choice movements emerged from Southern efforts to resist the integration of schools following the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education. 27
Ravitch does not think that separate education systems, such as privately managed and religious education systems that are separate from public systems, are good for democracy 28 and believes anyone who leaves public schools should pay for their private choice. 29 She also opposes standardized testing in the United States because she believes standardized tests are a social construction of very limited value and that they only add to the privilege of those who she believes are already privileged. 30
Social Policy
Diane Ravitch supports the teaching of far-left critical race theory 31 and critical race theory-influenced concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). 32 In 2022, she hosted a “Critical Race Theory Summer School.” 33
Ravitch has written that she “loves” the controversial 1619 Project and recommends individuals read its writings. 34 She hosts an annual lecture series at Wellesley College and has invited 1619 Project author Nikole Hannah-Jones to speak on the project at this lecture. 35 Ravitch also supports the far-left Black Lives Matter movement. 36
Ravitch supported COVID-19 vaccine mandates for teachers, 37 38 has called labor union American Federation of Teachers (AFT) president Randi Weingarten “incredible,” 39 and called for the resignation of U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justices Clarence Thomas and Amy Coney Barrett. 40
She called Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) a tyrant, 41 calling him “DeFascist” for opposing drag queen story hour in public schools. 42 Ravitch has also attacked former President Donald Trump, saying he is a liar, a racist, a sexist, and a KKK sympathizer. 43
Personal Information
Diane Ravitch was born and raised in Houston, Texas. She received a bachelor of the arts from Wellesley College in 1960 and a Ph.D. in History from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences in 1975. 44 45
References
- “Diane Ravitch in Her Own Words.” Education Week YouTube Channel. Posted 2020. Accessed April 16, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZV12NZvleGo.
- “Mission.” The Network for Public Education.” Network for Public Education. Accessed April 14, 2023. https://networkforpubliceducation.org/mission/.
- “Tweet.” Diane Ravitch Twitter. Posted January 27, 2023. Accessed April 16, 2023. https://twitter.com/DianeRavitch/status/1618845337330020352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1618845337330020352%7Ctwgr%5Ee39e5c7f27399420cfffd0e4c4fa861c0d1f085e%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fmedia%2Fformer-doe-official-called-hypocrite-pushing-public-schools-despite-sending-kids-private-school
- Nelson, Joshua Q. “Former DOE official called ‘hypocrite’ after pushing public schools despite sending her kids to private school.” Fox News. February 1, 2023. Accessed April 16, 2023. https://www.foxnews.com/media/former-doe-official-called-hypocrite-pushing-public-schools-despite-sending-kids-private-school.
- “Diane Ravitch – Reign of Error.” The Brainwaves Video Anthology YouTube Channel. Posted May 12, 2015. Accessed April 16, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZK3HC0R7ZGk.
- “Tweet.” Diane Ravitch Twitter. Posted August 9, 2022. Accessed April 16, 0223. https://twitter.com/DianeRavitch/status/1556958185424044032.
- Ravitch, Diane. “States and Districts Impose Bans on “Critical Race Theory”” Why They Should Not.” Diane Ravitch’s blog. August 28, 2021. Accessed April 16, 2023. https://dianeravitch.net/2021/08/28/states-and-districts-impose-bans-on-critical-race-theory-why-they-should-not/.
- Ravitch, Diane. “DeFascist War on Drag Queens Frightens the Performing Arts in Florida.” Diane Ravitch’s blog. April 13, 2023. Accessed April 16, 2023. https://dianeravitch.net/2023/04/13/defascist-war-on-drag-queens-frightens-the-performing-arts-in-florida/.
- “Ravitch Takes Education Privatizers To Task. ” AFTHQ YouTube. Uploaded 2014. Accessed April 16, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nq-Tkvdzdqg.
- “Tweet.” Diane Ravitch Twitter. Posted August 8, 2021. Accessed April 16, 2023. https://twitter.com/DianeRavitch/status/1424428613500383248.
- “Tweet.” Diane Ravitch Twitter. Posted December 13, 2021. Accessed April 16, 2023. https://twitter.com/DianeRavitch/status/1470502173691854850.
- “Mission.” The Network for Public Education.” Network for Public Education. Accessed April 14, 2023. https://networkforpubliceducation.org/mission/.
- “About The Network for Public Education.” Network for Public Education. Accessed April 13, 2023. https://networkforpubliceducation.org/about-npe/.
- “Diane Ravitch’s blog.” Personal Website. Accessed April 14, 2023. https://dianeravitch.net/.
- “Board of Directors and Staff.” The Network for Public Education. Accessed April 14, 2023. https://networkforpubliceducation.org/board-of-directors/.
- “Diane Ravitch.” Diane Ravitch Website. Accessed April 16, 2023. https://dianeravitch.com/.
- “About Diane.” Diane Ravitch Website. Accessed April 16, 2023. https://dianeravitch.com/about-diane/.
- “Ravitch Takes Education Privatizers To Task.” AFTHQ YouTube Channel. Uploaded 2014. Accessed April 16, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nq-Tkvdzdqg.
- “Board of Directors and Staff.” The Network for Public Education. Accessed April 14, 2023. https://networkforpubliceducation.org/board-of-directors/.
- “Diane Ravitch – Reign of Error.” The Brainwaves Video Anthology YouTube Channel. Posted May 12, 2015. Accessed April 16, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZK3HC0R7ZGk.
- “About Diane.” Diane Ravitch Website. Accessed April 16, 2023. https://dianeravitch.com/about-diane/.
- “Diane Ravitch – Reign of Error.” The Brainwaves Video Anthology YouTube Channel. Posted May 12, 2015. Accessed April 16, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZK3HC0R7ZGk.
- “About Diane.” Diane Ravitch Website. Accessed April 16, 2023. https://dianeravitch.com/about-diane/.
- “Diane Ravitch in Her Own Words.” Education Week YouTube Channel. Posted 2020. Accessed April 16, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZV12NZvleGo.
- Nelson, Joshua Q. “Former DOE official called ‘hypocrite’ after pushing public schools despite sending her kids to private school.” Fox News. February 1, 2023. Accessed April 16, 2023. https://www.foxnews.com/media/former-doe-official-called-hypocrite-pushing-public-schools-despite-sending-kids-private-school.
- “Tweet.” Diane Ravitch Twitter. Posted January 27, 2023. Accessed April 16, 2023. https://twitter.com/DianeRavitch/status/1618845337330020352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1618845337330020352%7Ctwgr%5Ee39e5c7f27399420cfffd0e4c4fa861c0d1f085e%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fmedia%2Fformer-doe-official-called-hypocrite-pushing-public-schools-despite-sending-kids-private-school.
- “Tweet.” Diane Ravitch Twitter. Posted April 7, 2023. Accessed April 16, 2023. https://twitter.com/DianeRavitch/status/1644521901644034048.
- [1] “Diane Ravitch – Reign of Error.” The Brainwaves Video Anthology YouTube Channel. Posted May 12, 2015. Accessed April 16, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZK3HC0R7ZGk.
- “Tweet.” Diane Ravitch Twitter. Posted July 18, 2022. Accessed April 16, 2023. https://twitter.com/DianeRavitch/status/1549183619440295937?s=20&t=GdTW0WWAeY_VlDmdUMwLCw.
- “Diane Ravitch in Her Own Words.” Education Week YouTube Channel. Posted 2020. Accessed April 16, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZV12NZvleGo.
- Ravitch, Diane. “States and Districts Impose Bans on “Critical Race Theory”” Why They Should Not.” Diane Ravitch’s blog. August 28, 2021. Accessed April 16, 2023. https://dianeravitch.net/2021/08/28/states-and-districts-impose-bans-on-critical-race-theory-why-they-should-not/.
- “Tweet.” Diane Ravitch Twitter. Posted March 25, 2023. Accessed April 16, 2023. https://twitter.com/DianeRavitch/status/1639685749216780288.
- “Tweet.” Diane Ravitch Twitter. Posted July 15, 2022. Accessed April 16, 2023. https://twitter.com/DianeRavitch/status/1548098605226999811.
- “Tweet.” Diane Ravitch Twitter. Posted August 9, 2022. Accessed April 16, 0223. https://twitter.com/DianeRavitch/status/1556958185424044032.
- “Tweet.” Diane Ravitch Twitter. Posted April 16, 2022. Accessed April 16, 2023. https://twitter.com/DianeRavitch/status/1515306028971216896.
- “Tweet.” Diane Ravitch Twitter. Posted October 19, 2016. Accessed April 16, 2023. https://twitter.com/DianeRavitch/status/788936848219529216.
- “Tweet.” Diane Ravitch Twitter. Posted August 8, 2021. Accessed April 16, 2023. https://twitter.com/DianeRavitch/status/1424428613500383248.
- “Tweet.” Diane Ravitch Twitter. Posted December 13, 2021. Accessed April 16, 2023. https://twitter.com/DianeRavitch/status/1470502173691854850.
- “Ravitch Takes Education Privatizers To Task. ” AFTHQ YouTube. Uploaded 2014. Accessed April 16, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nq-Tkvdzdqg.
- “Tweet.” Diane Ravitch Twitter. Posted June 24, 2022. Accessed April 16, 2023. https://twitter.com/DianeRavitch/status/1540542629213048833.
- “Tweet.” Diane Ravitch Twitter. Posted August 28, 2022. Accessed April 16, 2023. https://twitter.com/DianeRavitch/status/1563748090854756353.
- [1] Ravitch, Diane. “DeFascist War on Drag Queens Frightens the Performing Arts in Florida.” Diane Ravitch’s blog. April 13, 2023. Accessed April 16, 2023. https://dianeravitch.net/2023/04/13/defascist-war-on-drag-queens-frightens-the-performing-arts-in-florida/.
- “Tweet.” Diane Ravitch Twitter. Posted January 20, 2021. Accessed April 16, 2023. https://twitter.com/DianeRavitch/status/1351985698870587392.
- “Board of Directors and Staff.” The Network for Public Education. Accessed April 14, 2023. https://networkforpubliceducation.org/board-of-directors/.
- “Diane Ravitch – Reign of Error.” The Brainwaves Video Anthology YouTube Channel. Posted May 12, 2015. Accessed April 16, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZK3HC0R7ZGk.