You Can't Have He Said/She Said Coverage if Only One Side Puts Out a Press Release

Linda Borg:

PROVIDENCE — Two versions of Rhode Island’s state of education were on display Tuesday night.

The first, by state Education Commissioner Deborah A. Gist, was an upbeat report on the state’s various accomplishments. The second, by Providence students, was a profound criticism of the state Department of Education’s philosophy and policies.

Minutes before Gist gave her annual State of Education speech before a joint meeting of the Rhode Island House and Senate, the Providence Student Union presented its “first annual State of the Student address.”

Don't underestimate the significance of simply moving school reform out of the realm of things all Serious People support in the media.