When I spoke in Sacramento last week about today’s failed fads in education, the town’s leading newspaper ignored my appearance. They ignored it even though I was introduced by Tom Torlakson, the state superintendent of education, and even though 1,000 people filled historic Memorial Hall.
Now I know why.
They published five stories about Shaq O’Neill!
I have nothing against Shaq. He is great. When I was in Argentina two years ago, the grand hotel Alvear Palace put us in a suite with a bed custom made for Shaq. No other rooms were available. Wow! Thanks, Shaq.
But some debate about where we are heading in education would not be a bad idea in Sacramento. None at all is a very bad idea.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Michelle Rhee’s husband is the mayor of Sacramento!
I concur with your concerns. It is unconsionable for a major newspaper in any locale not to cover an event pertinent to the ills of local and national society. Yes, cover Shaq because of his stature (pun intended), but editors are lax in their job to forego such an important issue as education.
Tomorrow’s leaders are sitting in a classroom somewhere.
Right on Lydia, who is mayor and who is the husband and whose school district has a lot of problems, well, Sacramento City, theirs. Losers, all. And you are a winner, so oil and water, and they cannot allow any promotion of someone like you to mess up their ideology just like in L.A. with the L.A. Times, Daily News and all television and much radio except the David Cruz Show on 1150AM KTLK. from 3:00-7:00 mon.-fri. This is why your rapidly growing blog and others like “Hemlock on the Rocks” are so important for our “Free Press.”
“They ignored it even though I was introduced by Tom Torlakson, the state superintendent of education, and even though 1,000 people filled historic Memorial Hall.”
I’m sure it was a politically motivated “oversight”, but it’s dumb. Long after that Mayor is out of power, the people who live and work there will still be there. It damages credibility and you can’t get it back once you’ve frittered it away.
All I can say is that it’s their loss. I don’t live in the Sacramento area, but I hope their subscribers let them know they have an obligation to cover outstanding authors like yourself.
Does Tom Torlakson support the idea that corporate America is taking over public education as discussed in Ravitch’s new book, Reign of Error? I think all teachers, principals and administrators need to read this book, as well as parents. I’ve learned so much by reading it, and have come to believe high-stakes testing must go and poverty must enter into all discussions that deal with “fixing” low performing schools.
This is really disappointing to hear. I’m not from Cali, but I did some research on the Sacramento Bee and they’re supposed to be a good progressive paper considering their history and ownership. I’m wondering if something really dirty is underfoot, like Lydia Kirkland and George Buzzetti mentioned above. Perhaps Rhee has too much influence, for example trading favorable press + no negative pieces for better access (to get the “real” scoop), or protection of a future career.
To the California readers, has the Sacramento Bee dropped off in quality lately?
Correction: The Sac Bee USED to be a progressive supporter of education. That was before Michelle Rhee’s husband and his obsession with keeping the Kings in Sac became the Bee’s obsession as well. I was rather shocked that there was NO mention of Diane’s visit. When she was here several years ago, there was some mention. Times are changing…
Thanks for the reply. So relatively recent (~2 years). I was just going by previous ownership, and I was originally guessing its downfall started in early 90’s. Your post really narrowed it down and put it in perspective.
Overall, that makes the snub even more disappointing, because the change was so fast…
Of course they did not mention it. The “news” media is owned by the big corporations who impose their views on the news, not only in education but everything else too.
Great tag line. Virtually every report coming out of mainstream media today should have the disclaimer, “Corporate views on the news”
Look at this report, though, Gordon! The Sacramento Bee just made itself irrelevant, as the narrative breaks through anyway. In Forbes, no less, and this story circles right back to Reign of Error. I quote,
“Even more telling, is the inclusion of Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfien, whose multi-billion dollar firm is engaged with a number of players in the corporate education/tech arena. Certainly there are divergent views among these bigwigs, but those promoting privatization loomed large in “Education Nation,”
“The takeaway is that NBC News is being used as a stalking horse for the privatization and monetization of education,” says Andrew Tyndall, publisher of the Tyndall Report, that has been analyzing news content for more than 25 years.”
http://www.forbes.com/sites/maxrobins/
Everybody who reads Forbes, you should go follow this new guy, Max Robins. Investors want to know which stocks to short, of course, and Forbes is picking up that ball.
There are cracks in the media facade, and you can trace them right here to this blog page. 7,000,000 and counting.
Link to actual story:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/maxrobins/2013/10/10/lloyd-blanfien-education-expert-nbc-news-thinks-the-goldman-sachs-ceo-is-one/
Here’s Allen’s e-mail to Tilson –
It’s for all to read at Whitney’s blog –
In my view, the corporate reformers know they are failing. As a result, they are circling the wagons and turning on one another. They have ZERO results based on their own “data” and undisclosed financial ambitions with related conflicts of interest.
I was on LOL mode as I read Allen’s views in her message to Tilson on Khan Academy, Bill Bennett, Rocketship and Amplify!
“PS A big THANK YOU to all in the states who wrote with their perspective and support. I read your notes and will be in touch soon!
PSS I don’t think you fully appreciate who our awardees are and what they’ve done for the movement for excellence in education. No one would even be having a conversation about school options had Bill Bennett not articulated such a principle first and publicly as Secretary of Education in 1985! As for Barbara Dreyer, not only would online learning not exist, but there would be no Rocketship, no Khan Academy and no Amplify. History is an amazing teacher if you take time to learn it.”
http://edreform.blogspot.com/2013/10/my-response-to-dear-whitney-are-we.html
From the Desk Of
Jeanne Allen
Dear Whitney:
It’s late. I’m home bound on a train from Philly from an extraordinary set of discussions about saving Catholic schools as one of the important options that should remain available to our kids, the least advantaged among them, especially. But I just had to write you.
Before reading your second tirade on online learning, I read the following Facebook post from my oldest son, a TFA educator in Boston. He wrote:
“I was told by one of my students today that she couldn’t do her homework over the weekend because she was kicked out of her house. She then asked me where I lived and if I would be willing to take custody of her because of how rough things are at home. So much going on at home with all these kids I’m glad I can be there in the classroom to help them work toward college and beyond.”
That’s what it’s about, isn’t it? Who has time for these tirades against a method of learning for one group??!
I think you probably need to read my piece again, Whitney. You seem to confuse my words and interest in talking about real issues with waging a discussion about one company.
It is neither my job nor my interest to work on rebutting your claims. It’s not my mission nor is it a fruitful use of my time. Why do you have so much of it, I wonder?
I raised issues about truth and validity of your assertions, as making unsubstantiated claims about online learning is simply irresponsible.
No, it’s not because I or the Center seeks or receives contributions from such organizations, though after 20 years of work I find the suggestion amusing that you’d assert that any funder actually dictates what I say or do.
In fact, K12 and Connections are among dozens of education organizations who fund major education events – like those held by groups on whose boards you’ve served! I’m grateful to they and the other funders who are helping us celebrate our 20 years! (Reminder to all reading this – it’s next Wednesday, Oct 9th, http://www.edreform.com more info!)
Their generosity has made it possible for us to fund the participation of 30 outstanding and pioneering advocates whose contributions are responsible for the substance of this very debate.
I had hoped you’d join us but alas, you’ve answered none of our appeals to attend, or to support our event next Wednesday. But I would gladly take your money too, even if you are wrong about stuff. As my good friend Howard Fuller has often pointed out when people attack funding sources of his good works, if their funds help him get the job done he’s more than happy to accept.
Alas some of us who do non-profit work have to sing for our supper but it doesn’t mean we only sing the tune of those who feed us. Just ask CER’s tried and true funders how often we do what they most want. Ask those who say no. It’s the reason we’ve remained small all these years, though strong in results.
As we celebrate 20 years I’m grateful that I stand with integrity and pride knowing that only principle moves us, and that allegations and assertions to the contrary are the cry of those who have no other legs upon which to stand.
Continue your campaigns for or against issues, people and work. I’m happy to applaud anyone who does so well but will not permit weak arguments, innuendo or opinion to stand unchallenged, no matter who says them or how big their megaphone is. Life is just too short.
Cordially –
Jeanne
PS A big THANK YOU to all in the states who wrote with their perspective and support. I read your notes and will be in touch soon!
PSS I don’t think you fully appreciate who our awardees are and what they’ve done for the movement for excellence in education. No one would even be having a conversation about school options had Bill Bennett not articulated such a principle first and publicly as Secretary of Education in 1985! As for Barbara Dreyer, not only would online learning not exist, but there would be no Rocketship, no Khan Academy and no Amplify. History is an amazing teacher if you take time to learn it.
CER, since 1993, is the leading voice and advocate for lasting, substantive, and structural education reform in the U.S. Additional information about the Center and its activities can be found at http://www.edreform.com.
Great tag line. Virtually every report coming out of mainstream media today should have the disclaimer, “Corporate views on the news”
+1
Good article on Slate
quote: “Why I Stopped Writing Recommendation Letters for Teach for America
By Catherine Michna
“Mr. Rhee” has power with the paper. They have no shame.
Re: Sacramento. Just remember that the mayor is married to Ms. Rhee.
Not surprising. Boise Idaho inherited Mr. Ehlert from the Sacramento Bee. http://www.linkedin.com/pub/robert-ehlert/b/67b/801 Now we are subjected to editorials about why the Common Core is good. In addition, the Albertson Foundation sponsors Idaho Education News BUT is not mentioned as a sponsor when the former editorial page editor gets published in the Statesman. It appears many newspapers have been bought. Do they even report the news anymore?
Diane I am not surprised by this, having read lots of local coverage of their mayor’s (an ex NBA “star” who comes up to about Shaq’s armpits) muscle and political swagger trying to keep the Sacramento franchise from moving to Seattle. He has learned his new game well, as a neoliberal Democrat mayor (sound familiar?), and it is his town, sorry to say…
Michelle Rhee & Kevin Johnson education reform’s first couple
Rhee has emerged as the leader of an unlikely coalition of politicians, philanthropists, financiers and entrepreneurs who believe the nation’s $500 billion-a-year public education system needs a massive overhaul. She has vowed to raise $1 billion for her national advocacy group, StudentsFirst, and forever break the hold of teachers unions on education policy.
…by forging alliances with political conservatives, evangelical groups and business interests that favor turning a large chunk of public education over to the private sector.
[The Laura and John Arnold Foundation, funded by John Arnold, a hedge-fund manager and major Democratic donor, has pledged $20 million over five years.]
Rhee now splits her time between Nashville, Tennessee, where her daughters attend public school, and Sacramento, California, where her new husband, former NBA star Kevin Johnson, is the mayor…
Kevin has his own foundation:
Mayor Kevin Johnson [Chair of the US Conference of Mayors Task Force on Public Education, Secretary Duncan’s Mayor Advisory Council and National Council of Black Mayors]
is a sought-after player in the education reform movement. …Johnson’s image as a Christian social conservative has gained him access to right-wing groups and school choice proponents on both sides of the aisle.
Read more: http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/02/being_kevin_johnson.html
———-
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/15/michelle-rhee-education-a_n_1519720.html
The Rheeject isn’t the “leader” she’s the leading spokesman.
And she’s a North Korean plant set up to destroy American public education so that the Great Leader can take his place in the pantheon of living gods.
Progressives have taken a new definition and therefore should be renamed Neoliberals.
These are Democrats who hate public school teachers and blame us for all the ills in the world. And we used to think that was a “Republican” thing. Not any more.
Dear Diane, I believe the Seattle Times shamefully ignored your visit to Seattle too.
Sue Peters
Maybe Shaq wasn’t the only pro ball player to get in the way of a mention. After all, Sacramento is also Michelle Rhee’s new “hometown,” thanks to that hard driving mayor she’s married too and all those charter schools they’ve been pushing across the USA.
The Bee hasn’t been critical of any of that stuff, although I don’t read them regularly.
30 Years ago Apple Introduced the Macintosh with a SuperBowl Commercial promising how the MAC would prevent Orwell’s 1984. Now Apple is a mega Corporation and the ancestor to the MAC, the iPAD has become the favorite tool of the takeover of Education.
Have you been living on Mars? This is a common practice of the “Bee” and points out the folly of having a one-newspaper town: you only get one side of a story. It is nationally known that the “Bee” is strictly a liberal rag. Think what it would be like if we didn’t have TV and the Internet: we would only get what the “Bee” wanted us to get.