Advocating Against the Advantages of Public Education: An Explanation
In the realm of K-12 education discourse, Education Week Opinion has found itself at the centre of a heated debate. The publication of two opinion pieces, "The U.S. Department of Education Could Be Dismantled. This Is Good News" (June 25, 2025) and "Let DEI Practices Die. Replace Them With Something Better" (June 5, 2025), has sparked controversy due to their contentious nature.
The articles, penned by Donna Garner and Antonia Cortese respectively, espouse policy perspectives that run counter to many fundamental values of public education. Critics argue that these pieces seek to harm the institution of public education and our most marginalized students, raising ethical questions about Education Week's responsibility.
Jeffrey Garrett, a prominent figure in the education sector, has weighed in on the matter. As the Founder of the JM Garrett Learning Group and a Co-Host of the podcast "All of the Above", Garrett is no stranger to the education landscape. Based in Los Angeles, Calif., Garrett has expressed concern over the platforming of right-wing opinion pieces that normalize beliefs that not all students should be valued equally, that the rights of only some communities are to be protected, and that public education should be gutted.
Education Week Opinion, in its defence, welcomes submissions from a range of perspectives within the K-12 education community. However, if these controversial pieces were to be published, Garrett suggests they should receive critique and context to understand the ideas for what they are.
The publication of these opinion pieces has also been linked to trends promoting certain right-wing viewpoints. This has led to concerns that Education Week may be enabling dangerous authoritarian policies like "patriotic" education, book bans, and forbidding the teaching of truthful history to children.
As the debate continues, it remains crucial for platforms like Education Week to uphold their responsibility to not simply platform all ideas, but to foster informed and respectful discourse that serves the best interests of all students.
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