How the media distorts the
issues in the public school debates.
Reporters who are not experts on schools too often rely upon the wisdom of selected
“spokespersons” and other elites.
They have been sold a
framework of a corporate view of
accountability. Corporate sponsored networks and think tanks such as the the Thomas
B. Fordham Institute, the Broad Foundation, the Bradley Foundation, the Pacific Research Institute, and the Olin Foundation provide
“experts” prepared to give an opinion on short notice to meet a reporters
deadline. Most reporters assume
that these notables are telling the truth when in fact they are promoting a
particular propaganda such as in the film “Waiting for Superman”. Who do they not talk with? They fail to interview experienced
teachers and professionals who have worked for decades to improve the quality
of inner city schools.
The Obama Administration’s
appointment of Arne Duncan was symptomatic of the problem. He represents the kind of corporate/media approach to
reform. So, reporters can go
to the corporate funded foundations and provide “balance” by asking the
appointees of the government- they get the same story. In particular recently they have been
turning to the Gates and Broad Foundations or the conservative Democrats for Education Reform and
Michelle Rhee.
What the foundations and the Billionaires Boy’s Clubs are
saying is fundamentally misleading.
They are deliberately distorting the story. However reporters think that these foundations have smart
people so they must know what they are talking about. See Diane Ravitch. The Death and Life of the Great
American School System: How Testing and Choice Are Undermining Education.
2010.
