9486 in the collection
Media continuing diss and myths on DC public schools just keep coming
Ohanian Comment: I admit I'm tired of the media puff pieces on Rhee and don't read them any more. Brannum makes a good point about who gets quoted in these articles.
by Robert Vinson Brannum
When it comes to writing about D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee and reforming D.C. public education, major newspapers appear only willing to focus on advancing Chancellor Rhee as an innovator who can by herself save public education for District of Columbia students. Ms. Lauren Smith, writing an article for the U.S. News & World Report, "D.C. Schools Chief Michelle Rhee Fights Union Over Teacher Pay" shows how the national media has become a part of a national effort to push education reform with biased reporting. The national media has taken not only to ignoring the people of the District of Columbia; it has seemingly decided to ignore contrary data.
It is amazing that editorial writers and reporters find it difficult to talk with District community education advocates about District public education. Ms. Smith's article fails to present a fair and balanced report by not quoting any official of the Washington Teachers Union or any local representative from any District of Columbia ward councils on education. Instead, Ms. Smith cites Mr. Jay P. Greene, a senior fellow, Center for Civic Innovation (CCI) Manhattan Institute as her source of expertise on District public education. Mr. Greene is also the endowed chair and head of the Department of Education Reform at the University of Arkansas.
CCI, based in New York City, reportedly supports charter schools and private school vouchers, something Ms. Smith conveniently omitted from her article. Ms. Smith's article was clearly biased to support Chancellor Rhee and equally wrong on her facts. Chancellor Rhee can hire "gifted teachers without having to fire teachers." Chancellor Rhee can and has fired "tenured" teachers. Clearly, Ms. Smith writing was to misrepresent facts and to continue burnishing a negative perception and inaccurate impression of District public school teachers.
This week, the U.S. News & World Report prints an article stating Chancellor Rhee's reform efforts has "influential supporters" with President Barack Obama and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. Last week, the editorial board of The Wall Street Journal printed an editorial questioning if President Obama and Secretary Duncan had Chancellor Rhee's "back" in reforming District public education. In writing about District public education, newspaper editorial boards and reporters, such as Ms. Smith have proven to be out of touch about District public education.
The more the people of the District learn the facts behind recent DCPS test score data, the more the public understands Chancellor Rhee is a failure. The more Chancellor Rhee speaks against the value of community participation in District public education reform efforts, and her willingness to give misinformation to the parents, the more Chancellor Rhee reveals her hostility to transparency, openness, possibly even speaking the truth to the people and to the Council of the District of Columbia.
Chancellor Rhee's reform efforts have been oversold and overrated in the national media. Moreover, Chancellor Rhee seemingly has a habit of accepting interviews primarily by reporters willing to write favorably about her. It is deeply unfortunate that editorial boards of major newspapers, or reporters are too lazy to conduct adequate research, or a few people residing in New York, Florida, Arkansas, Michigan, or California view Chancellor Rhee as a successful innovator. It is greatly disingenuous for the media and outsiders to ignore the fact primary stakeholders in District public education are the people of the District of Columbia. If this were Washington, North Carolina; Washington, New Jersey; or Washington, Missouri, Chancellor Rhee's tone and demeanor would be different, so too would the level of reporting.
Before other school districts like Detroit rush to implement the Rhee model for local public education reform, serious thought should be given to the community carnage she has created and distrust she has fostered. Is this the kind of reform needed for our children? Would or should any other school district undergoing reform seek to hire as an education reformer, someone who reportedly admits to being a failed classroom teacher?
Robert Brannum is a retired Air Force veteran and has taught in DC public schools. He is an active volunteer with community organizations in the areas of education, youth, economic development, politics, veterans and public safety.
— Robert Vinson Brannum
Examiner.com
2008-12-26
http://www.examiner.com/x-4274-DC-Ward-5-Community-Examiner~y2009m12d26-Media-continuing-diss-and-myths-on-DC-Public-Schools-just-keep-coming
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