It is with great sadness that we relay from the Coalition of Essential Schools in the USA that their founder Theodore R. Sizer passed away on October 21, 2009.

Ted Sizer was a major influence on the Australian National Schools Network and Big Picture Education. He launched the ANSN and worked closely with us over the years

In tribute, exemplifying his eloquence and passion, we're posting this edited speech made to the Australian National Schools Network

From the Coalition of Essential schools:

A New England native, Ted Sizer is widely recognized as a giant in the modern educational reform movement in the United States. His life and work has greatly influenced the instructional practices of schools, districts, states, and educators across the country and abroad for decades. His eloquent and fervent championing of progressive educational ideals has had a profound effect on hundreds of thousands of educators and students.

For more about the life and work of Ted Sizer, read on ( http://e2ma.net/go/6531100199/208031377/209178385/34621/goto:http://www.essentialschools.org/pub/ces_docs/about/org/execboard/ted_page.html ).

For memories and observations about Ted Sizers life and work from CES colleagues, written for "CES at 25: Changing Schools, Changing Lives," the Fall 2009 edition of Horace, read on ( http://e2ma.net/go/6531100199/208031377/209178386/34621/goto:http://www.essentialschools.org/pub/ces_docs/about/tribute.html )..