A detailed critique of a PBS-run education documentary
This is a detailed critique of a three-part documentary called “School Inc.,” which was aired recently by some PBS stations across the country. Written by Diane Ravitch and Carol Burris, the critique looks at some of the claims made in the documentary about traditional public schools — which they say presents a distorted view — and explains why this debate matters at a time when President Trump and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos are pushing school choice policies.
“School Inc.” was created and narrated by Andrew Coulson, the late director of the Cato Institute’s Center for Educational Freedom and a researcher and author who promoted the idea that free markets and the profit motive would improve education in the United States. He was a strong proponent of school tax credit programs that use public money to fund private education. The three hours of programming was funded by foundations that support the same thing.
I ran a short post about the programming last month, which you can read here, and at that time, a PBS spokesman said in an email that “School Inc.” is “an independent production that reflects the personal viewpoint of series creator Andrew Coulson” and that it was part of the mission of the network to “offer programs that reflect diverse viewpoints and promote civic dialogue.” The email also said that PBS has “high editorial standards” that ensure “that the creative and editorial processes behind the programs offered on PBS are shielded from political A detailed critique of a PBS-run education documentary - The Washington Post:
