Diane Ravitch

Diane Ravitch's keynotes come from years of experience and interest in education. She holds an honorary degree from eight colleges in the United States including Williams College, Reed College, Amherst College, the State University of New York, Ramapo College, St. Joseph’s College of New York, Middlebury College Language Schools and Union College.

Ravitch is a well-established author who has published 10 books since 1974. The most recent of these 10 books are: The Death and Life of the Great American School System: How Testing and Choice Are Undermining Education (2010), Edspeak: A Glossary of Education Terms, Phrases, Buzzwords, and Jargon (2007) and The Language Police: How Pressure Groups Restrict What Students Learn (2003).

In her long career, Ravitch has worked as Assistant Secretary of Education and Counselor to Secretary of Education Lamar Alexander in the administration of President George H.W. Bush. She was also a member of the National Assessment Governing Board, which oversees the federal testing program.