Our Skinny Award Dinner honoring Commissioner Betty Rosa on June 18 was a tremendous success! So many of her admirers attended to enjoy the company of other education warriors, and to sing the praises of our courageous, trailblazing education leader, who has defied the Trump administration's efforts to eliminate diversity and equity from our schools
I'm still putting together videos and photos of the event, but meanwhile, here is an Ode to Betty, from Fred Smith, testing expert and former DOE official, followed by comments sent by Diane Ravitch, who is recovering from surgery and radiation treatments, and finally my speech as well, in which I explain the origin of the Skinny Award name.
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Full Disclosure from Fred Smith: With apologies to her husband David, I must confess that I have a crush on Betty Rosa. I had the good fortune of meeting her at a Skinny Award dinner in 2012. We bonded over concerns about the state testing program. In 2010, Regent Rosa called out the program in the NY Times for generating results that were not believable and should not be released. And she stunned reporters in 2016 on the very day she became Regents Chancellor saying directly that she would have had her children sit out the exams. You could hear their jaws drop. But I digress. I offer this poem.
Why Do We Love Betty? Let Me Count the Ways.
She never seeks accolades, attention or glory,
Letting a lifetime of learning and leadership tell her story.
Betty fiercely fights for children and the common weal,Like Leonie, pursuing reforms with unflagging zeal.
As a Regent, she served 12 long years all for free,
And deserves a prize for doing hard time in Albany.
Facing complex issues and crises – making hard decisions
With wisdom, strength, and clear piercing vision.
She relies on research data to provide her the light
And has a sharp analytic eye that informs her insight.
Navigating the raging waters of Covid’s cruel years,
An epic maelstrom drowning us in oceans of tears.
Upholding the standards of quality education;
Charting multiple pathways to graduation.
Held may’ral control hearings at the legislature’s demand,
Then saw the pols spurn her findings. The public be damned.
Standing firmly against defiant religionists
And those trampling on the cultures of the indigenous.
A rare combination of toughness, know-how and grace
With a handle on budgeting and each legal case.
Managing well-chosen staff to fulfill vital roles;
And trusting task force members to accomplish their goals.
Brilliant at building consensus, giving credit to others,
Standing in the background has always been her druthers.
Let me propose a toast to our queen with a touch of mirth:
Here’s to Betty from the Bronx—who remains down to earth.
--With love, Fred
June 18, 2025
Diane Ravitch’s statement at the Skinny awards, 2025
Dear Friends, I am so sorry I can't be with you to celebrate our Beloved Champion, Betty Rosa. I cannot attend because I'm recuperating from the aftermath of two breast cancer surgeries and the radiation that follows.
I want to give a special shout out to my dear friend, Leonie Haimson and her tireless work to reduce class size. No one works harder than she does to improve the lives of teachers and students.
Thank you , Leonie, and thank you to everyone who supports Class Size Matters. I also want to pay tribute to my amazing friend Betty Rosa.
Betty has been a champion for children throughout her career, and especially now as our State Commissioner of Education.
She stood up bravely to the Trump administration and said a loud and unequivocal NO when they ordered her to certify that New York would not condone Diversity, Equity, and inclusion policies.
Betty said NO. Betty said the state would comply with civil rights law, and it does.
New York State has a diverse enrollment of students. That's a fact. New York State wants all schools to aim for equity and wants all students to be included.
Her example inspire others, as she inspires all of us. Betty will not be bullied by racists. I am so glad that Class Size Matters is honoring her again.
I wish that every state had a Commissioner of Education as principled, as courageous and as fearless as our own Betty Rosa. – Diane Ravitch
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