Going Dark … but not out of the light

When one writes in light, the expression “going dark” has real meaning. Since early 2012, I have been in the light, sorting through and sharing thousands and thousands of blogs, Tweets, FB sites, and correspondence from educators and those who believe the future of America requires free public comprehensive schools.

I believe in free education for all. I do not believe in schools for profit. I am dead-set against public tax dollars going to religions for inculcation. I abhor the takeover of our schools to push political ideologies. The awful idea that corporations can run schools is ludicrous. I believe that if democratically elected school boards are bypassed, or fail to function well, children are deprived of access to the American Dream.

I spent over 5 years researching and writing, Vital Lies: The Irrelevance Of Our Schools In The Information Age.  It is about where we are, how we got this way, and where we need to go. I have focused on the pulse of America and find that the so-called education reform movement does not represent the interests or the needs of students or our society. The primary drive that motivates “education reform” is access to the education tax dollars citizens pay. They are for profit, not for kids.

I’m taking a break and may be directing my time into another book – #12, histerical fiction, I’m thinking.  On Feb 7, Jo and I head to Mexico for three weeks in Nayarit and Jalisco. That will give me time to examine options. My gut feeling right now is that I will stay dark and let others fight the education battles. In this past 2 years, I have connected with a great American woman who is able to get Americans thinking and fighting to save the most remarkable education system in the world. Sure the system needs to evolve, but you do not fix something by killing it or taking it over for nefarious purposes.

If anyone who follows me has not read, Diane Ravitch’s, Reign Of Error: The Hoax Of The Privatization Movement And The Danger To America’s Public Schools, or her book, The Death And Life Of The Great American School System, then you probably do not have children and you are not involved in education or things to do with the future of our country. Diane Ravitch’s books are pivotal works – that means her books place pertinent information into the course of our society and the future pivots around that information.

So many educators and concerned parents do not read. “I just don’t have time,” I’m told too often.  After gleaning through many sources, I conclude that these citizens are responsible for the BAD that has happened to hundreds of thousands of children and to America. We have failed to meet our obligations as Citizens. Every parent must understand what a public school with a full curricula will do for their child, and reject partial schools. Every educator must educate their community and be an active citizen. Education is not about going into a classroom and shutting the door to keep out reality.

I have been asked to compile my WordPress blogs and the best of my FaceBook comments.  I will do that. At best, the information will give an insight into over a year tracking what is happening to or for our children. Our time in Mexico will help me adjust to having 4 – 6 hours a day free. Hours when I am not exploring the world through Social Media.

After an amazing meeting last week in Sedona, with amazing Citizens, we came to realize that educators  and parents need to share their achievements and the programs that are working for kids and communities. There are some really fine sites that share this information – I am hoping more energy is put into what is right – what is working – than that siphoned-off by those who want to destroy the American education system. Hasta Luego, my very special friends,

Ed Berger, Ed.D.