MARQUETTE— Diane Ravitch, former U.S. assistant secretary of education, will present “Is There Any Hope for Public Schools?” at Northern Michigan University. Her talk is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, in the Great Lakes Rooms of the University Center.

            Ravitch is a historian of education, education policy analyst, research professor and author. She’s written many books about school system reform. Ravitch’s most recent book is The Death and Life of the Great American School System: How Testing and Choice Are Undermining Education, which came out in 2010. Her blog can be found at dianeravitch.net.

            Admission is free for NMU students with ID and $2 for the general public. Tickets will be sold at the door.

            This event is sponsored by Platform Personalities, Upper Peninsula Center for Educational Development, the NMU provost, the School of Education, Leadership and Public Service; English Department, the history and music departments, the student activity fee and a a private donor.