Peter Cunningham launched a harsh attack on me and my forthcoming book, “Reign of Error.” I assume he has not read it as it won’t be available for a few more weeks. Some 200 comments were posted on his article, almost none supporting his intemperate accusations. One of them was a silly claim that I don’t want minorities to go to college, refuted here and in the book and many other places.
Kevin Welner, director of the National Education Policy Center, responds to Cunningham’s diatribe here.
Welner notes that Cunningham’s argument echoes the talking points of the far-right Heritage Foundation.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
“Welner notes that Cunningham’s argument echoes the talking points of the far-right Heritage Foundation.”
Yes, and isn’t it interesting that he used to work for the Obama administration. I’m sure glad we have the Democrats to protect us from those awful Republicans.
Peter Cunningham’s sophomoric attack on Diane clearly indicates just how unprofessional Arnie Duncan’s reign as Sec’y of Education has been.
His outright refusal to engage in conversation with those that are critical to Race to the Top and Common Core indicates a severe lack of credibility. He uses his social media accounts as a PR tool, never answering the concerns or questions of those whose careers his policies affect.
Cunningham has provided a glimpse into the inner workings of Duncan’s admin. Monitoring critics ( Nixon and Hoover style) and lashing out with unfounded accusations.
More proof Duncan needs to resign.
Cunningham’s statement is despicable but at least he knows how to be a “good” Press Sec’y–put the other side on the defensive, cherry-pick items in a “gotcha” mode, distort whatever necessary to diminish the adversary. Fortunately, Diane is a formidable opponent against whom the corporate side has no equal, no one with her stature, track record, ethical concern, and knowledge Diane brings to this terrible moment in our nation’s history. Smears, misreading, distortions show ideological weakness; their plunder of the public sector is immoral and indefensible. Diane has published many alternatives to the corporate privatization scheme on this blog and has highlighted proposals from others. When govt and corps. link up to monopolize power in society as they do now, critics are ignored and demonized, though Diane is one critic impossible to silence. The sorry Democrats have shifted to the right since 1972 when anti-war/feminist/civ rights forces lined up behind McGovern who lost big to Nixon(after a Dem Pres. Convention where bigwig Sen. Ribikoff(Ct)famously declared “No Broads!” in the platform meetings). Sorrier GOP also shifted far to the right. Absence of organized opposition left-of-center leaves an open road for the stealth coup underway now in America, corps. and govt. in control and plundering the public sector at will. Thing most feared by Obama/Duncan/Cunningham/Billionaire folks is the emergence of a left-of-center democratic opposition from below, which will finally turn the tide.
The biggest joke is that he tries to claim that you don’t care if minority children go to college. Seriously? I’m supposed to believe that charter CEOs care more? Look at the options provided for minority children in charter high schools and tell me that they are really promoting the best education for minority children. One of the worst things about charters is that they don’t provide any options for the children who actually don’t want to go to college. They don’t even graduate with a trade or special skill. The CEO makes a ton of money and the kids get nothing in return.
“ad hominem attacks on the secretary, cherry-picking data, setting up straw man arguments, taking language out of context and distorting its meaning, and ignoring sound evidence that conflicts with her point of view. ”
Never have I read, seen or heard one of these things from Diane.
This guy is nothing but a spin doctor and lackey for his corporate bosses.
Sharpen our pencils everyone, because we should all be busy refuting the spin masters come September 18th. Teachers have the first person accounts that hold the potential for demolishing their distortions. We describe using examples that sound real, have an authentic feel and are believable to parents because parents lived through the same nightmare with their kids. The narrative won’t be so easy for the plutocrats to negate.
Yes. Talk to parents. Connect in your communities. Spread the word. Set up book club meetings to discuss Diane’s book. Don’t stop. Never give up!
Yes we can, Arne!
The more correct your position is, the stronger your arguments are, the more convincing the data supporting for your point of view is how hard the pushback on you will be. Of course they have to lie and attack – because they don’t have any good legitimate arguments. You could wear their attacks as a badge of honor – although I know it’s not very pleasant.
@Dienne – love your comment “I’m sure glad we have the Democrats to protect us from those awful Republicans.”
Visting in Rockport MA on the summer vacation schedule my sister-in-law’s granddaughter was heading back to college in Missouri. Before she left I said “be sure to read Diane Ravitch’s books” and she pulled it out of her suitcase to show me she had the most recent one. I will send her info on your newest one, Diane. Keep up the work you are doing…. it is so important to all of us as it can be very lonely out here on the “front lines’ Thanks for all you do
(P.S. student’s mom is a charter school organizer but she attended public school and she sent her 2 daughters to public schools and State universities etc)
Speaking of poverty – CNN is launching a new series on the Opportunity/Wealth Gap and the author is taking votes from readers for thoughtful thinkers who cover this topic.
I’d say pointing him in the direction of either the Shock Doctrine or the parts of Dr. Ravitch’s books that point to this issue are critical.
Of course it may end up getting spun anyway….but at least we see that our democracy is recognizing the problem and demanding attention to it!
http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/19/opinion/sutter-inequality-must-reads/index.html?hpt=hp_t4
Cunningham’s scurrilous remarks skipped one vital criticism. “Diane’s mom wouldn’t spank her because it would cause brain damage.”
His school yard vituperation should be treated as such and will be by intelligent people who are used to reading and hearing this basic smear attacks. Cunningham is a Glen Beck with a larger vocabulary and a lower income from the far right wallets.
Cunningham’s points are quite valid. Enough said.
Approximately 200+ comments are overwhelming in support of Diane and disagree with you, but that is to be expected. Peter and Arne need some friends.
That pail must be getting pretty heavy. Whew! Enough said is right!
“Enough said.”
Well, that is a cogent, articulate, argument. You backed it with facts and extensive personal experience in the field being discussed.
Thank you for sharing.
We have all now changed our minds.
Hahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Thanks for the laugh. 🙂
Linda,
My pleasure.
A small repayment for all the heavy lifting you do in the comments here.
Thank you a thousand times over.
Yes, let’s “reinvent ed” without making any reasoned arguments (or arguments at all) for our proposed or implemented reforms. Par for the course in today’s ed reform, no?