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Friday, July 27, 2012

Character Assassination? « Diane Ravitch's blog

Character Assassination? « Diane Ravitch's blog:


Character Assassination?



 Earlier today I posted a letter that appeared on the NYC parent blog, in which Students First was offering a gift to anyone who posted the most comments on blogs.  I made no reference to the person who wrote the letter.
Apparently it has been reprinted elsewhere, including the blog of Coach Bob Sikes blog  in Florida. Coach Bob got a response from the letter writer at StudentsFirst. She said she was the target of a well funded campaign of hatred and character assassination, apparently because her letter had been circulated.
I don’t know who assassinated her character. I find her reaction odd because she may be a fine person but the organization she represents spends millions to vilify teachers and unions and to urge legislatures to take away any job protection for academic freedom. It also just released an ad that not so subtly ridicules obesity and gays while presenting a humiliating and inaccurate portrait of American students and teachers to the world.
I wish StudentsFirst would consider the harm they do to hardworking educators.

Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee - Trying to Buy Love ?

Rhee offering gift cards for blog comments

Also, starting right now, there will be a monthly contest for the best rapid response. The more comments you leave on blog posts, the more times you can enter! Post a polite and persuasive pro-reform comment and email me the link so I can check it out. 

That's all you have to do!

At the end of the month (August 26th at midnight) I will announce the winner. Not only will that winner get a gift card to the restaurant or store of choice, but he or she will also be promoting the cause of real and transformative change in public schools! What could be better?