DNT Watch: Headline changes, but little else
By wildgoose on Jun 3, 2009 in Media Watch
Yesterday the Duluth News Tribune online version printed an article on Edison Schools which is listed in the search above. I am not sure if it was in the paper version or not, because I rarely read that except for the headlines when I see the paper, or on weekends. And yes, I do subscribe, weekends only, but I want to support the paper especially for the many fine people I know and care about who work there.
So in the search that I screen-shotted (if that’s a proper term) above I noticed two articles on the same report on Edison schools. The thing is … it’s the same article. So they changed the headline, good. But there is no retraction, no correction, and the article’s substance is essentially the same: no more analysis, interviews, or balance brought to the piece. I am not a journalist by any means, but for me, this doesn’t really pass the smell test. I mean there are, I suppose, a thousand or more families in this community involved in Edison schools and maybe a couple thousand more at other area and regional charter schools. That should be enough people who are affected to get the story out properly in a balanced and factual manner, shouldn’t it? And if not then I say don’t cover it at all because something this critical of an organization requires level headed reporting in order to be responsible.
A final note … anyone who clicks on the new “version” won’t see all of the critical comments from me and nearly a dozen other readers on the first piece. Naturally, they weren’t included in the update. Thin skinned much DNT?
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I think this very likely has nothing to do with thin skin. I think they just don’t have a firm grasp of how their own Web site works. Which I can sympathize with.
OK, maybe true. Good point, that makes me feel a little better actually. In fact, I hope that’s true. The alternative is somewhat disturbing.
Paul is right – there frequently are multiple versions (and frequently far more than two versions) of the same story floating around the site, with multiple comment threads.
The stories that are put up during the day are put up manually, and then the stories that appear in the paper override the “manual” stories overnight through a semi-automated system, but all stories show up in the archives, IIRC. Someone who’s still there probably has a better handle on how that works.
It should also be noted that other media outlets in Duluth referred to Minnesota 2020’s flimsy report as a “study,” while the DNT properly classified it as a “report.” Subtle, but significant.
Also, other media outlets refer to Minnesota 2020 as a “nonpartisan think tank,” while the DNT refers to it as a “progressive think tank.” Exactly what “progressive” means to the average person is difficult to say, but “nonpartisan” would be a big stretch.
Minnesota 2020 was founded by Matt Entenza, a former six-term state representative from St. Paul who was House Democratic leader three years ago and will likely run for governor in 2010.
Paul you really should be doing more reporting somewhere (if you want, that is). You have such a nuanced grasp on things and a clear way of expressing them to the lay person (like me) That’s what I crave, understanding rather than facts, or purported facts, as seems to be the case far to often in our mainstream media.
the DNT article also failed to acknowledge that Harbor City International School was one of the 15% of MN Charters to be on the “schools with no infractions” list. This “study” was the work of Matt Entenza (DFL), who is running for Gov. What is amazing to me is the fact that at a time when Charter Schools are gaining national and bi-partisan support, the state in which the movement started is throwing huge road blocks in the way of educational innovation. IMHO Accountability is welcomed and productive, witch hunts are NOT.
FYI, Education Minnesota (Teachers Union) and the St. Paul Federation of Teachers are listed as partners of Minnesota 2020. Charter Schools are not affiliated with unions. Charter Schools, by law, must have a majority of the school board be teachers at the school…innovative huh?
IMHO charter schools have become an effective tool of W. Bush style No Child Left Behind legislation whose real goal is to destroy public education and therefore end government spending on education, end integration of race and social economic classes through public education, and allow parents to create standards independent of what is in the best interest of their child or a well rounded education.
WOW! I’m a tool of George Bush? Cool! The reality, mrashley, is that the TQM driven, top heavy institutional edu-factories co-mismanaged through self-perpetuating animosities between EDU-ministrators and pay-the-dues-or-else labor unions, are whats destroying education in America. By NO MEANS am I an advocate of the failed, and un-funded, sham of NCLB. Are you really saying that parents dont know what’s best for their own kids? Are you really saying that the only hope for achieving the goals of an informed and educated populace is the status quo? Why are you so threatened? Something to worry about? Got anything better than the party line to give me? BTW *smooch*
I’m more interest in practical realities than theoretical hyperboles (in this case anyway, in other situations I do often love those fire-breathing passionate ideological stands).
I don’t think that GWB or NCLB had much to do at all with the Charter School movement. This started back when he was running his various businesses and sports franchises in the ground back in he 1980s.
Competition is good. And the school in my neighborhood was pretty bad and failing my student VERY BADLY in terms of educational standards, organization, safety and leadership when I initially made this decision to try the charter school. Perhaps due to some competition or perhaps due simply to some personnel changes that traditional public school has since been doing much better and this fall I seriously considered switching the kids back, but then I thought … I’m gonna stuck with the one that brung me here. The school that tried some innovation and blazign a trail, even if they made some mistakes in the process I admire that spirit. And that turned out to be the right decision as the school board has decided that that very excellent neighborhood school needs closing. I don’t have to other with an of that at Edison. And hopefully I never will.
I was immediately troubled by the lead-in to this story as well; “a progressive think tank has issued a report”. Which think tank? Where is it based? What are their affiliations? What are there credentials?
The article resembles a Rush Limbaugh story in its factual blandness. It reminded me of Limbaugh’s countless rants that begin similarly, “a university recently published a study on female intelligence” (Which turns out to be a one man online driving school in Pago Pago) or “Several scientists have now concluded that Dioxin is a valuable dietary supplement.”
The worst part for me was reading an article like this about my own son’s school, and not getting any info from the article which would assist me in researching the actual facts, as they did not see fit to print or speak any… GRRR!
*a north dakota paper based in duluth minnesota recently reported a severe decline in subscriptions. no one could be reached for comment.
The growth of charter schools well preceded anything to do with the stinky ex-admin. Minority parents in any city that has had innovative teachers working to get schooling rather than politics have chosen to get their kids into charter schools, where it’s happening for learning…mrashley, i disagree vehemently with just about everything you’ve said–in backward states like Texas and other southern places, charter schools might become tools for social conformity in a conservative vein, but those places don’t have an exactly strong record in their public school manifestations, no?
Harbor City and other accountable charter schools are the vanguard of social innovation, not retrograde as you suggest, and as a parent of a teenager and a six year old, I am absolutely ecstatic to see passionate and smart educational innovators making real education options available in this community of red plans and ridiculousness.
coming from a draconian public school “system” where there was absolutely no “choice” in where kids went to school, I’m all about exploring nontraditional schooling options for the kids. I went to a school with about 250 other kids…K-12, on the same campus no less. Arts program? HA! Music? Nonexistent. Literature? Yeah right, we’re talking about a school district smack in the middle of Texas farm country, populated almost entirely by fundamentalist Christians, so the reading lists were pretty picked over for content. Needless to say, I had to read Atlas Shrugged, Fear and Loathing and Tropic of Cancer on my own.
I look forward to exploring the different options my kids have in education…to me, it’s about giving my kids the leg up they need to be able to succeed.
I believe the proper past-tense term is “screen-shat.” As in a bear screen-shatted in the woods.
Baci-I’m not threatened by charter schools just because I work for a public school system.
I am well aware that charter schools were moving forward long before NCLB, they just work nicely as another tool to tear down public education.
We are continuing to tear apart what was once one of the world’s best education systems. Charter schools are part of that. Instead of fixing the problem some of the best, brightest, and most creative parents are leaving public education claiming it doesn’t meet their needs. I’m glad they find what they need in the charter schools for their kids, but this doesn’t help the community as a whole.
Does public education need change? Absolutely, but either change it from within or completey do away with it and go to a private education system.
I’m glad to move this from broadsides to constructive discussion. Please allow me the opportunity to make a correction in your statement. Charter Schools ARE public education. We receive public money to produce educational results for any resident of our state who chooses our school. We go to great lengths to insure that our learning community is open, inclusive and an agent of educational innovation. The main difference is that we ARE NOT location based districts, we ARE choice based learning communities. Charters are NOT the only answer, I consider them part of the spectrum of public education options. We’ve made the CHOICE to prioritize creative arts over team based athletics…OUR CHOICE…If it’s a priority to play hockey, then find a school where that’s important.
I’m having trouble with “progressives” who claim to be “pro-choice” except to when it comes to public education options.
I agree, the charter movement makes for odd bed fellows. Most of the staff and teachers I know at charter schools would call themselves progressive and well in the “liberal” end of the political spectrum, yet currently, our greatest proponents at the state level are of the conservative persuasion. Perhaps this is an example of how we can overcome bi-partisanship for the better of our kids. To be clear, I agree that a strong, vibrant and diverse American public education system is a right and crucial to maintaining an informed electorate and thus our democratic way of governance … charter schools are one element of that.
Sorry mrashley but your argument doesn’t convince me–it does help the community as a whole to have our kids learning to think. And charter schools are open to ANYONE in the community, not just to elite people with money–they are public schools.
Changing from within or doing away altogether are not the only two options–that kind of either/or thinking is precisely part of the problem with our educational system. Most problems have nuanced answers that allow for and require multiple responses. Laying down a line that says change it from within or get rid of it accomplishes nothing but line drawing–it doesn’t lead to creative social change.
I’ve got two children and it is my job (with the assistance of society) to raise them to be thoughtful, engaged participants in the society they live within–that means that if the socializing institutions my society has ossified into do not function adequately, then it is a fine idea for me to put my personal and communitarian efforts into alternatives that serve my children and the larger society better.
I teach at a public university. I work with students who come from all over the spectrum of elementary and high school education–public schools, private schools, charter schools. I repeatedly hear a version of the following from my college students:
“Why didn’t we learn these kinds of things in high school–hard, critical things–about the history of this country and the world? Why don’t we get to important stuff that is necessary for thinking critically and well about the world around us until we get to college?”
I think well-managed accountable charter schools (HCIS, for example) are doing excellent work for the community as a whole by helping the children of our community learn these skills sooner rather than later.
Baci, I’m assuming you mean “overcome partisanship” and not “overcome bi-partisanship.” I think you wrote the opposite of what you mean.
I just see charter schools as fullfilling the education for those kids who have motivated parents to get them there. Harbor attracts arts, East attracts hockey as you imply. Both are fine in my mind, but what about the middle 90% that are stuck in regular public education?
They are being left behind in public education. Elitism is still elitism, doesn’t matter if it carries a hockey stick or a brush. There are too many disadvantaged youth in our community and nation who cannot advocate for themselves and get the benefits of a charter school or a higher income public school. Charter schools are a small band-aid on the gaping wound of education in this country. It’s not going to help enough to make a difference.
You said it yourself, the biggest support for charter schools are among conservatives. They want this so they have places to indoctrinate ultra conservative values. It doesn’t hurt to let a few liberal charter schools operate, gives them something to rally against in the future.
For the record I am anti-teacher’s union and regret the money they take from me every year against my will.
And I absolutely don’t believe ALL parents know what is best for their children. Some do, many don’t.
Maybe in the end I don’t understand your side since I don’t live in Duluth. Your district looks like a mess from the outside.
Come on Baci…”The good of the many outweigh the good of the few, or the one.” Get back to being assimilated and help the collective out.
Charter Schools do have the advantage of getting their share of the district tax base without having to accept every student. But I thought we were bitchin’ about how “thin” the Trib was getting.
More young black and brown men live in prison cells vs college dorms.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21001543/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wor.....223709.stm
One of the best educational systems in the world Mr Ashley? Really? Not good enough. And I’ve gotta stop there because I feel some hot, self righteous bile boiling up inside me and I don’t want to contribute to that sort of tone.
I’d like to point out that unions form when there is poor management and ill-treatment of employees.
If every employer treated each and every employee the way we all should be treated (living wages, health care, pensions, job security), there would be no need for unions.
Because of unions, you now enjoy:
The 40-hour workweek
The 8-hour workday
Overtime
Sick Leave
Paid Vacation
Company-paid health insurance
Pensions
Safety and health protections
Grievance procedure for violation of worker rights
Fairness in promotions & assignments
Higher wages and fair treatment on the job
Right to respect from managers
Interesting, no?
To pin the blame on the unions, Baci, for destroying education in America, when in fact, it is the school boards, overconfidence in the “America is better than everyone else” idea, parents utilizing the education system as a substitute for parenting (instead of them parenting), and mismanagement of education and educational standards that has and is destroying education in America.
Tim K., “without having to accept every student.” is not true, this is one of the myths perpetuated by the anti-charter people. We have no admissions requirements or criteria other than being a resident of the state of Minnesota. We DO have a limit as to how large our student body can be, in the case of our school, the cap is 212 for grades 9-12.
I may be mistaken but, I’m pretty sure the only share of the district tax base we see is related to special education. We cannot levy.
Paul, you are correct, I meant “overcome partisanship”.
mrashley, I appreciate the need to work to bring about change in the greater educational picture, that’s why I’m an advocate for charter schools. Large districts are entrenched in the bureaucratic status quo and cannot attempt something innovative. Small community based agents of change need to blaze the way. And some will fail, there will be mistakes and there are bad people who take advantage of systems. When a group like MN2020 demonizes the entire charter school movement in MN because of the mistakes and mis-deeds of some it is obviously driven by the agenda of their “progressive” anti-charter constituency. Where is their “study” on financial irregularities of the major school districts? How much waste and graft is associated with the lumbering behemoths?
Good points Tamara. Very good points. See, it’s nuanced, isn’t it?
Which, I think takes us squarely back to my original premise that printing a story of this magnitude requires some real reporting and nuanced, balanced editing skill and finesse. Ongoing coverage really, and yes, I know the DNT has a regular education reporter and I don’t ever recall having any quarrels with her work, but this article wasn’t done by her for some reason.
Baci, got me going again. Dang thought I was done.
I have worked in the schools as an employee and as an outside contractor and I know this is harsh, but there actually really is a lot of waste. And more than waste there are some strategic blunders in efficiencies for example. And I think there is corruption, too, a small amount certainly, but it’s there. So it we’re gonna look at the “charter schools” we need to look at all of the schools. And I like Matt Entenza personally, but this is problematic, partisan and not all that helpful to focus on Charter Schools and just assume the others are all fantastically well run.
I don’t know about HCIS, but Edison gets the same per capita allocation that the public schools get- therefore, whether you know it or not, it comes from taxpayer dollars. And I stand by my statement about selectivity. Charter schools have a much easier time unloading violent students than the regular public schools. If HCIS has its own policy that is more like the public schools- good for them. But state and federal laws on compulsory education have tied the hands of public schools in this area (topic, not geography). ANYWAY, can we please get back to bashing the Trib?
TK, I see….yes, we get per-pupil $$ from the state of MN. We are district 4085. District 709 tax levies are associated with the local school district.
And for the record, we do not have any easier or more difficult time unloading “violent” students. It’s a problem that’s the same at every public school, charter schools ARE public schools.
with that guys I’m sure you’ll be able to answer for me any questions you may have. I’m pretty sure you all know my stance.
SCHOOLS OUT FOR SUMMER!!
My beef isn’t with charter schools in particular, rather the fact that we’ve starved public education through various political scams throughout the years. The same folks who hate the New Deal (still! after all these years!) also hate public education. If public schools were funded AS THOUGH WE CARED, there would never have been a need for charter schools. It’s the same with a lot of other issues in this great land of ours- health care, crime, poverty- you name it. And yes, it isn’t just the money. It’s also the political will to do it right in the first place. Why is it that we all have to go off in our own little corner to do our own version of this or that, when we could come together and hammer it out into a workable system for all. Ooops! I’m sounding a little anti-America….
I think this conversation is really interesting and maddening too. I am a teacher at Washburn Edison Middle School and think we have a fantastic school with a devoted staff! It bothers me that there is so much criticism of charter schools (which are public schools, I will remind you)especially knowing how much we the teachers care about the kids and how much time and energy is spent making our school a great place for them to be. We accept all kids and have similar if not more diverse demographic than most of Duluth Public Schools. Right now I find Matt Entenza’s “think tank” really irritating. He is not trying to enlighten the public but rather trying to find the smallest reasons to make goods schools look bad in the public eye and the DNT and local TV news do not help by reporting only a slice of the whole story. He has dedicated a big part of his career denigrating charter schools.
Why would it ever be wrong to educate kids? I just don’t get it.
I just wanted to thank PDD for providing a forum where I could trade arguments and constructive debate with people I respect entirely, like Tim K and mrashley…..even though they are dead wrong….hehe
I taught at the Edison school system in Duluth. While many of the teachers I worked with were brillant, it was one of the most horrible experiences of my life. During my tenure, the Edison school system was run very poorly – and I know what you all are thinking, but I’ve also taught at many schools in 709 and did not have any where near the same bad experience. I wasn’t suprised by the DNT article about Edison AT ALL. That being said, it isn’t fair to lump other charter schools in the same boat as Edison…. That’s my 2 cents.
I’m hesitant to enter this debate because it’s really all so tiring. Like my colleague Mary from upthread, I am here educating students.
Instead of arguing about charter schools, I just wanted to say that I’ve been very happy working for Edison for a number of years now. I’ve worked for a traditional union public school, an independent school, and now a charter school, and I feel that the issues with all three have been comparable, just as the goal and mission of all three have been to do what’s best for the education of the students.
Also, fwiw, Duluth Edison Charter Schools gave their own press release that answered many, if not all, of the points in that report.
Humans need education. They start out as little ignorant unintelligent wads of flesh. Only by massaging them with information and experience can we bring about intelligence, logic and progress.
The things humans do not need is war.
Schools are incredibly worthwhile. Accountability for government funds is as well. So, while we are analyzing these schools for every penny they spend we ignore war profiteers and these silly million dollar bombs, billion dollar planes, spying on innocent people, and downright disrespectful interrogation at airports.
Check out this chart http://www.wallstats.com/deathandtaxes/
Very little money goes to schools and a lot of money goes to military.
We have a fundamental problem of fear. We used to fear everyone but ourselves, but now we fear EVERYONE. I sincerely believe that if we had a very small standing military we would not be overrun, we would not have more terrorist attacks and we would have more than enough money to do whatever we wanted (schools, transportation, health care, less taxes). We have been plagued with retaliation, vengeance, anger, bigotry and hate. So, my solution to 9/11? Ignore it. Yes, it takes a big man, but for 3,000 dead we’ve now taken over countries that we cannot maintain. Thousands of our precious soldiers have died and been maimed. What is the cost of 3,000 people when it comes to vengeance? Apparently a lot more than 5,000 people. If we are looking to save human life, war is not the answer. Education is.
good education (that teaches critical thinking skills) doesn’t come cheap. … and neither do good newspapers!
I like the part where baci says parents know what’s best for their kids. I agree.