A reader posts a particularly egregious example of the deceptive tactics used by StudentsFirst to enroll new members. I long ago reported that Change.org had decided not to allow Michelle Rhee’s organization to lure the unsuspecting into signing a petition that seemingly supports teachers, but actually enrolls them as in an effort to eliminate collective bargaining rights, tenure, seniority, and any form of job protection for experienced teachers. That’s what Change.org said, but it never acted on this new policy. It’s still enabling Rhee’s deceptive recruitment..
Diane, you have informed readers of your blog several times that you inadvertently signed a Students First petition because you did not know it was posted by Michelle Rhee’s organization.
In Philadelphia, the school nurses posted a petition to restore 100 positions that have been cut because it means nurses now have 1500 students they serve rather than 750, and most schools only have a nurse two days a week as a result.
http://www.change.org/petitions/school-reform-commission-school-district-of-phila-restore-the-certified-school-nurse-ratio-to-1-nurse-to-750-students
When you sign the petition, you are taken to another petition which says vote on our petition “Good Teachers Deserve Decent Pay”. (I don’t know if this happens to everyone, it did to me.) In the fine print, it says this is a Students First petition. I’m sure many people click on it not realizing this is a vote in support of privatization.
By their deceptive methods, the deformers show their contempt for democracy. As far as they are concerned deception, lying, and stealing public property are OK as long as it promotes their privatization agenda.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
The same thing happened to me, but I was offered a petition titled:
Stand with StudentsFirst: Stop Bullying in Schools
Apparently they have more than one petition with which they snare unsuspecting, potential “members.”
This is the Rhee play book. Everything is trickery and deceit. She can’t say what she really wants because no one would buy it. Instead she laces her statements with flowery language that all would agree with….no bullying, everyone deserves a great teacher. She is out to strip teachers of all their dignity. She was a failure as a teacher and an educational leader….Rhee is just another shyster for the corporate takeover of our schools. TFA should hang their heads in shame.
Is it too obvious to point out the irony of a woman who taped kids’ mouths having an anti bullying petition?
And read about Campbell Brown’s appearance at an NYC public forum. Her husband is on the Board of Students first which she failed to mention up front.
http://gothamschools.org/2012/08/02/campbell-browns-abusive-teachers-war-preceded-twitter-spat/
Brown’s main concern was sexual abuse, but failed to mention the cases in a private school (Horace Mann). She was paraded out for Rhee’s main purpose to further degrade public school teachers.
She should have done her homework as those under suspicion may have been closer than she knew. Scroll down a little more than halfway and read under Controversy:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Johnson
How does one find out if they are on her list of members? I’m sure I’ve signed one of those petitions at one time. I definitely do not want to be listed as a part of her deceptive organization.
Not sure anyone knows or if it would matter. I am afraid to even go to the site as one click makes you a member. I suppose the only thing you could do is send a letter asking that your support be withdrawn. I think they just delete critical emails or any negative input.
Perhaps we could start a petition on change.org to have all of her deceptive petitions removed?
Great idea!
Don’t count on anything from change.org – they are pretty much as bad as she is – this from dailykos:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/10/23/1149092/-Change-org-sells-out-progressive-movement