Some of the tests that Chicago teachers complained about, the tests on which their evaluations would depend, the tests at the heart of the strike—are administered by a subsidiary of Fox News.
Media Matters, a public-interest watchdog, pointed out that Fox News aired 89 segments about the strike in a one-week period without disclosing the financial ties between Fox News and Wireless Generation, both of which are part of Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation empire.
Full disclosure might also imply the need to disclose that Murdoch donates significant sums of money to charter schools and to Michelle Rhee’s StudentsFirst.
Then there is the fact that Joel Klein heads the education division of News Corporation. Klein is a member of Jeb Bush’s board and chairman of the Broad Center Board, and Rhee is on the Broad board, and so is Wendy Kopp, and so is her husband, and so is Margaret Spellings …
Such a tangled web of relationships, and all devoted to the same purposes: privatizing the nation’s public schools, selling technology to replace teachers, weakening unions and eliminating any rights that teachers have or had.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
In that “tangled web of relationships” are our educational heroes and we should rightly bow down and submit to them. Who are we to question why that web exists and why the heroes don’t have the student’s best interest in mind, especially when it comes down to making a profit??
So much for “transparency” in Fox News reporting. Sad, too. Full disclosure would likely have had little impact on their credibility, but hiding it will have huge impact on same.
Diane Ravitch’s blog post citing Wireless Generation begins with a false statement that has led to a series of misperceptions and misinformation that should be corrected here and elsewhere. Wireless Generation has no role in teacher evaluation at Chicago Public Schools. Ironically, that was made clear in the “source material” that was linked to the MediaMatters blog cited in Ravitch’s post – the very blog that initially spread this misinformation. In fact, the source material explicitly and clearly states that another vendor, and not Wireless Generation, is engaged in that work for CPS. Wireless Generation is proud of its long history of providing tools for teachers in the Chicago Public Schools, and of its more than a decade working with hundreds of thousands of educators nationwide. In the past week, we’ve seen inaccurate statements that confuse our formative assessments — which teachers use to inform instruction throughout the year — with teacher evaluations and high-stakes state testing of students. Another error relates to Wireless Generation’s acquisition by News Corp. in late 2010. Any statement that we are a “subsidiary of Fox News” has no basis. In fact, we are an independent company within the News Corp. education division. We provide digital tools that bring new technology and its benefits into the realm of education.
To be clear, all of these properties are owned by News Corporation.
“In the past week, we’ve seen inaccurate statements..”
Yes indeed, and these statements are all broadcasted on FOX News because this corporation knows nothing about public education!!! They don’t CARE enough to want to know about the TRUTH!!!!
“Fox News.” That’s what is wrong with the issue. We, responsible, professional, and ethical journalists don’t consider FOX nor their “commentators” as a “news organization.” Personally, I don’t know what is “Fair and balanced” of all these people say.
Ms. Lebow,
Your reply to Diane is a perfect example of why corporate reform companies have no place in public education! Maybe you didn’t get Brizard’s memo that the services your company does provide (student testing data) will be used in teacher evaluations at CPS.
Here’s another one for you:
“As the Indiana State Board of Education decides to hand over Indiana’s so-called “failing” schools to EdisonLearning, Charter Schools USA, and Rupert Murdoch’s Wireless Generation today, it is important to note that both Edison and Wireless
Generation have donated to Education Reform Idol Indiana supt. of public instruction Tony Bennett’s campaign chest. In fact, Wireless Gen. even lavished money on Mitch Daniels and Indiana Republicans, the month before Murdoch acquired the company.”
Doug Martin, FDL
Have I hit upon your definition of “conflict of interest,” yet?? Just wondering?? I seem to remember FOX News giving Mitch Daniels a lot of air time in discussing his education reform policies. Am I wrong? Did FOX give any air time to an Indiana educator???
One other noteworthy point: Wireless Generation recently joined ALEC
This is false. Check facts with the organization. Wireless Generation is not a member of ALEC.
Ms. Lebow,
You say that Wireless Generation is not a member of ALEC.
But Education Week says that News Corporation, which is the parent company of Wireless Generation, is a member of ALEC:
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/marketplacek12/2012/05/news%20corp_wireless_alec.html http://www.prwatch.org/news/2012/05/11531/rupert-murdochs-news-corp-alec-member
Is this not a distinction without a difference?
The Center for Media and Democracy says that Wireless Generation is a member of ALEC:
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/ALEC_Corporations
Was Wireless Generation a member of ALEC? Did it resign? Is News Corporation still a member of ALEC?
It would be helpful if you would clear this up for my readers.
And for your information, any assessments that Wireless Generation creates for states are used to evaluate teachers.
Diane Ravitch
The facts: The Center”s information incorrect re Wireless Generation. Ed week clarified that. The use of assessments is mischaracterized in this blog ; they are tools for teachers and inform classroom instruction. For a more accurate information on our products sought by schools in all 50 states readers may visit http://www.wirelessgeneration.com. Thank you
Fact: Wireless Generation is owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation, which also owns Fox News.
Is News Corporation a member of ALEC?
Was Wireless Generation a member of ALEC in past five years?
Did Wireless Generation make a presentation at the ALEC annual meeting in the past two years?
Let’s have all the facts, not just some.
All student assessments are now being used to evaluate teachers.