I, like Rita, am a daily reader of Valerie Strauss and agree with her assessment.

Is one not allowed to correct the record and state supporting evidence as facts? I would hope that is not the case.

I don’t know how often you read Valerie Strauss’ column. I read it daily. Valerie frequently dedicates a column to a guest. In fact, the day before Dr. Ravitch’s remarks, Valerie, as you dramatically stated, “turned her column over” to Scott Lilly, the day before that, to Sam Chaltain and the day after, to yet another guest author named Slade.

Perhaps you did not realize this, which is why you made a grand issue of a common happenstance. Needless to say, it was not as was portrayed in your piece.

Dr Ravitch’s speeches, her book, her articles have provided mountains of evidence which some people simply do not want to hear. Facts are facts and I enjoy debates where facts are present.

Wherever you stand on the education reform debate spectrum, you must acknowledge Diane Ravitch’s courage, tenacity, and her integrity. Critics of hers would be foolhardy to ignore her massive following. Her message resonates with millions of educators, parents, business leaders.

Some critics as of late leave me with the impression that they simply dislike the most popular kid in the class!