Just in: An email that says, this is the panel for the parent engagement discussion at Education Nation.
Maybe it is a joke.
· Rep. George Miller
· Randi Weingarten
· Doreen Diaz, Desert Trails Parent Union (parent trigger takeover school in California)
· Michelle Rhee
· Joel Klein
· Vanessa Bush Ford, Black Star Project/The National PTA
Diane Ravitch's blog 
There’s nothing to laugh about unless you count a snort of disgust.
“Perhaps I know best why it is man alone who laughs; he alone suffers so deeply that he had to invent laughter.”–Friedrich Nietzsche
Are you serious. I got an email from edmodo (a teacher/learner page design site) about this, and my first thought was an honest forum of experienced and well-positioned EDUCATORS, not policy pros or lobbyists. I sent a Facebook message with a question for the panel (the email suggested this). Here it is:
ME: For the town hall (I’m sorry I can’t make it, but I will watch): When will “reform” progress start to direct our public schools toward domestic and foreign models often used to cast critical light-models that rely less on lobbyist and for-profit testing intrusion and more on a social support of students and educators?
The response asked if it was for the panel. Randi, here it is, you’re probably the only one who would address it, if you are allowed, if it’s anything other than an orchestrated and controlled forum with some scripted “public” participation.
RESPONSE: “Is this a question you have for Teacher Town Hall panelists? Thank you for writing in.”
M: Yes! It IS a question for the panelists. I got an email about the Town Hall and submitting questions on the Facebook page, but the FB page is pretty busy and graphic. Thank you for writing back.
Randi, my question is above. I don’t trust that anyone on that panel other than possibly you wants to address it the Town Hall is anything other than an orchestrated and controlled forum with some scripted “public” participation.
I am getting ready to write another message questioning the philosophy behind/intended goals of this Town Hall. What prompted the event, what is the desired product/result? I will definitely be watching, maybe even recording it, but where are the critics of corporatized reform and money influence? At least those wiling to actively speak out against the involvement of non or minimal educators. I’m not laughing, I’m…well, it’s 2 words, and the second word is “off”.
and the one I just sent:
Is this REALLY your panel? Rep. George Miller, Randi Weingarten,
Doreen Diaz (Desert Trails Parent Union (parent trigger takeover school in California), Michelle Rhee, Joel Klein, Vanessa Bush Ford, (Black Star Project/The National PTA).
Is it wise or honest to load a Town Hall for teachers panel with people who are actively trying to undermine public schools and public school teachers ( Short term teacher to cheater-chancellor to inexplicable reform wonder-woman; private school to policy to worker for foreign smut journalism kingpin; politicians and well funded astro-turf activists…)?
I guess you can put that to the panel too, if those are truly the folks on it and you would like.
Also, is there a chance Brian Williams would host or moderate a forum with panelists critical of the reform movement/industry?
Thank you for your attention.
In related news, NBC has decided to invite a physician to its conference about healthcare, “Medication Nation.” http://studentslast.blogspot.com/2012/08/breaking-news-teacher-invited-to.html #satire
In those moments of desperation when I feel like all hope is lost, I wonder what would happen if we all just gave in and said okay, let’s see what happens. Let’s see how THE PUBLIC will respond to your innovative and bold reform. Let’s see which element of the public finally stands up and says enough – we get it.
I say turn every school into a charter. Then when the profits go south, teachers leave unless you unionize, and you can no longer “counsel out” students, some billionaire may come up with a novel idea–bring back the public schools.
If you have been following Randi Weingarten’s travels, her participation with corporate reformers on Education Nation not come as a surprise.
Arne Duncan just completed a one week Midwest “Education Drives America Bus Tour” where he promoted Race to the Top and corporate reform in public education. On Thursday Randi Weingarten joined him in West Virginia to promote Reconnecting McDowell which is a “collaboration of 87 public and private partners working to improve the schools and surrounding community, and it’s gotten a good share of national attention, in part because the 1.5 million-member American Federation of Teachers has taken the lead on the initiative. McDowell County is one of the poorest in the country, and this is the first time the AFT has taken on this kind of project.”
https://dianeravitch.net/2012/09/22/please-dont-laugh/#comments
As did Dennis Van Roekel, of the NEA. I left the following message on the NEA website:
Are you KIDDING? NEA is going on some feel-good tour with Arne Duncan, who has spent so much time forcing standardized tests on schools and bad-mouthing teachers? Is this what my dues money goes to? This is appalling.
Then, here was the CHARMING reponse to me and two other posters who were disgusted at the Arne Duncan love-fest:
Haha…you pro-NEA crybabies blow my mind. Thanks for cheapening the profession with your resistance to accountability and reform, driving away all the most talented teachers. Those of us who can stand on our own two feet hate you for what you’ve turned teaching into.
I love the disrespect from one group of teachers to another group. That is what the anti-union rhetoric has gotten us.
Sorry, this is the correct link for my quote:
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/rural_education/2012/09/duncan_visits_rural_mcdowell_county_on_nationwide_bus_tour.html
I’m going with the “its a joke” theory. How else could you explain a panel that is so incapable of providing a balanced assessment of the challenges facing American Education and the dangerous impact that anti-teacher, anti-union movement is having on the future of our nation. If its not a joke, god help us….
Randi’s a parent?? Who knew???? She is about to get creamed again on live TV. Idiot!!! But then in the few years this show has been on, there have never been any “real parents” like Rita and Leonie on this program.
And of course, a panel discussion titled “Education Nation” SHOULD be held in the middle of the afternoon – when teachers are teaching.
Unfortunately – you have to laugh to keep from crying…………
Who came up with the stupid title….should be Propaganda Empire!
We should keep a running list of suggested names for this media crucification of all public schools and teachers. You would think in light of Chicago they would have made some changes.
I cannot watch. I will be too busy teaching, planning, grading, mentoring, conferencing, collaborating, copying, calling, cleaning, inspiring, supporting, encouraging and that is before I bring home more work for after dinner.
If I lived near NBC headquarters I would be protesting in between….NBC = National Billionaires Club.
Why not throw Wendy Kopp on the panel to make this travesty complete? Shameless and arrogant is this!
Not to worry, they’ll all be sporting Spray-On Teacher Face®™ …
Based on the panel and on the message of “Won’t Back Down,” it sounds like “parent engagement” is the deformers’ new code for turning parents against teachers.
Would that it were a joke; as it is the potential damage is too devistating to be funny. Randi Weingarten’s participation is sadly not surprising what is, is that she continues to maintain any kind of support from AFT members. Sell out.