Detroit: Top Students At Charter School Face Punishment for Critical Graduation Speeches; by Diane Ravitch

  At graduation, the top students at Universal Academy in Detroit spoke critically of the school, and now their diplomas arebeing withheld.  The school might have been proud of their graduates for showing independence and critical thinking, but no, they are being targeted for putting a spotlight on problems at their school, which sits on the western edge of Detroit. In their speeches they argued that the school employs too many long-term substitutes, and raised concerns that students face punishment or retaliation if they speak up. The letters they received said that they had committed acts “of dishonesty and deceit.” The letters told the students to meet with administrators, noting that they “have every right to bring an attorney…”