(Guest Post by Matthew Ladner)
Diane Ravitch fully endorses a line of thinking by our own Jay P. Greene. Money quote:
Greene ends his second post with a sage observation that ought to be pinned to the wall in every government office, every executive suite of every foundation, and every advocacy group:
‘Whether your preferred policy solution is based on standards and accountability, parental choice, instructional reform, or something else, the better approach to reform is gradual and decentralized so that everyone can learn and adapt. Your reform strategy has to be consistent with the diverse, decentralized, and democratic country in which we live. You won’t fix everything for everyone right away, but you should avoid Great Leaps Forward. Seek partial victories because with the paradoxical logic of ed reform politics total victory ultimately leads to total defeat.’
Jay P. Greene's Blog 
Perhaps she was thinking of the Churchill remark: “If Hitler invaded hell I would make at least a favourable reference to the devil in the House of Commons.”
Well it is plain enough why your thesis appeals so strongly to Ravitch- she loves the status-quo, makes lame excuses for its many failings, etc.
If gradual decentralization is something she really believes in, can we assume that she will gradually retire?