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Sunday, September 22, 2013

An Indiana Parent Writes to NBC's Education Nation: Why Only Present One Side of a Public Debate? - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher

An Indiana Parent Writes to NBC's Education Nation: Why Only Present One Side of a Public Debate? - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher:

An Indiana Parent Writes to NBC's Education Nation: Why Only Present One Side of a Public Debate?

Several weeks ago I wrote a post asking if NBC News would once again be relying on the Gates Foundation for the "facts" to guide their discussions at this year's Education Nation extravaganza. NBC has released the list of panelists who will be the featured guests at its event, and it appears my concerns were well-founded. The list includes Goldie Hawn, M. Night Shymalan, Mitch Daniels, Bobby Jindal and Goldman Sachs president Lloyd Blankfein, but scarcely an actual working teacher to be found.
Particularly notable by her absence is professor Diane Ravitch, whose recent book, Reign of Error, has shot to the top of public policy best sellers in the past week. Dr. Ravitch was invited to sit in the audience, but not actually be a featured panelist, as she explains here. Ravitch posted an email address for someone named Isaac Norbe who is collecting RSVPs for the event. The email address is: EducationNationRSVP@nbcuni.com
A parent in Indiana, Cathy Fuentes-Rohwer, authored the letter below which she sent to that address. Messages can also be sent via the NBC News contact page here.
Dear Mr. Norbe,
I just read the line-up of participants for your Education Nation with absolute dismay. I am