Mercedes Schneider reviews Michelle Rhee’s time in office as chancellor of the D.C. Public Schools. She concludes that Rhee was a failure. She wanted principals and teachers to be accountable to her while she was accountable to no one.
Schneider concludes that Amanda Ripley’s adulatory TIME cover story about Rhee as the person who would “fix” D.C. Schools and show the rest of the nation what to do was the basis of Rhee’s rise to national prominence. Schneider challenges both Rhee’s record and Ripley’s undeserved praise.
Schneider ends by challenging Ripley to write another story ifor TIME about how Rhee failed to accomplish her goals in D.C. and as CEO of StudentsFirst. Time for a correction. Will Ripley do it?
Diane Ravitch's blog 
I agree, but the editors, of a news magazine not Ripley decide what’s written, who writes it, and whether it appears. So it’s the editors who should be lobbied.
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Terrific article by Matt Bruenig in Salon:
“Michelle Rhee’s real legacy: Here’s what’s most shameful about her reign”
http://www.salon.com/2014/08/22/michelle_rhees_real_legacy_heres_whats_most_shameful_about_her_reign/
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Excellent article Cosmic! Thanks!
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Sit while you wait.
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Arthur Goldstein: what you said.
When it comes to Amanda Ripley doing John Merrow one better and actually admitting that she was an unpaid intern working for the former DCPS Chancellor—don’t hold your breath either.
What has this country come to that Amanda Ripley makes former Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara [FOG OF WAR] look like an exemplar of repentance, self-reflection and self-criticism?
It must be that tsunami of “low expectations” that originates in the charterite/privatizer movement.
😧
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Amanda Ripley is an ignorant lying shill, but she didn’t leave 50,000 America and untold numbers of Vietnamese dead. Let’s maintain a little sense of proportion. Of course, your statement could have well been tongue in cheek, and if so, I stand corrected.
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john a: I guess I will, as I am wont to do, break ranks with the self-styled “thought leaders” of the “new civil rights movement of our time” and—
Gratefully accept your comments are being absolutely essential to making it clear what I was, and wasn’t, intending to convey.
Yes, a sense of proportion is critical in such matters. And I give you most krazy props for not letting this pass.
And along with krazy props I will let you have a few fresh flashlight batteries so when you are doing your CCSS ‘closet’ reading and the lights go out, you won’t be stuck for hours in the dark in the middle of the Gettysburg Address—of course, you won’t find the causes of the Civil War anywhere in there even with a box full of fresh batteries, but that is a decontextualized discussion for another time…
I sit corrected.
😎
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You do mix humor, some dead pan, with serious analysis, which provides me with with some respite from following amazing lies of the ed ‘deformers'” Blitzkrieg Bop (with apologies to The Ramones). Long ago I gave up reading, CCSS” in the “closet”, or otherwise. If you are of the persuasion you will remember this saying “”Das gelt ist drek”. Thatjust about all I can say about CCSS. Keep up the super writing/reporting.
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“Das gelt ist drek”
A motto for the Common Core!
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my distinct pleasure. go gently over the waves.
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If Time magazine does another article on Rhee, it will be the tragedy of how this hard-working, well-intentioned crusader was brought down by the teachers’ unions and other forces of evil. Either Time lied or Time was lied to and didn’t know it. Time will not admit that either one could ever happen.
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There is not a snow ball’s chance in hell that either Ripley or her editors will respond positively to Schneider’s challenge. Simply put, there is no ‘upside’ for Ripley or the magazine. Their editorial position is ideologically/politically driven, not driven by facts. As usual Mercedes Schneider, hits the proverbial ball out of the park. For that, in itself, we are grateful.
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I’m guessing that Time will be writing next about the brand new upstart who will miraculously make every child “college and career ready” (even the poor ones). Her name? M. Johnson, of course!
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Are folks wondering what Scotts lawn products company will have Michelle Rhee Johnson address? Manure, maybe?
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So-called reform means never having to say you’re sorry…
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Say sorry to who,m? She’s sits alone on her throne.. Le droit de seigneur.
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Well, Ripley could start by apologizing to the teachers, children and parents of Washigton, DC, who were most directly affected by Rhee’s scorched earth policies.
Well, she could, but we all know she won’t.
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agreed. her apology and a token ( that dates me) will get her on the subway. Wait, Rhee does not ride the subway., or for that matter take any public transportation.
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While true and useful, it wouldn’t sell enough magazines.
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And while they are at it, they should write another cover story about Cami Anderson too.
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Wow. The vitriol in these comments is depressing.
I know I’ll only make things worse by responding. But I like to hope against all odds that there is still room for reasonable conversation.
Just so you know, I am not an advocate for Rhee or for anyone else. Moreover, it is surprising that anyone thinks that the Time story helped Rhee. One could argue it did just the opposite.
And for the record, I have a child enrolled in DC Public Schools, so I am intimately aware of the progress it has made–and the challenges it still faces.
I believe in the enormous potential of kids across this city — and the country. And I think most of you feel the same way. So let’s try to be civil to one another.
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If she’s a REAL reporter she will. If not, she’s just another hack.
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