Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Letting the Papers Catch Up
Back from Monterey, where I finished 515th in a field of some 2,700. My absence apparently had a salutary effect on the state's newspapers. I return to discover the Los Angeles Times, the LA Daily News, and the Associated Press wire all ran stories on the hiring of former California Teachers Association President Wayne Johnson as a "consultant" by the United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA). Johnson's real job, of course, will be to run rampant while UTLA tries to take advantage of the chaos that is the management of the Los Angeles Unified School District.
The hiring of Johnson was reported in the EIA Communiqué two weeks ago, under the headline "Wayne’s World II!"
The hiring of Johnson was reported in the EIA Communiqué two weeks ago, under the headline "Wayne’s World II!"
Friday, October 27, 2006
How Sweet It Is
Assuage your guilt over contributing to childhood obesity this Halloween by distributing only union-made candy. I don't see these on the list but they're begging for an AFT endorsement.
South Dakota: Hotbed of Labor Unrest
Here's something you don't see too often - picketing in downtown Pierre, South Dakota. Professional staffers of the South Dakota Education Association walked the line outside the union's headquarters yesterday over a contract dispute.
The press report notes there was only a "handful" of employees, but that's the basis of the dispute. "The professional staff has been reduced from 10 to six over the past three years," said staffer Michael Brubaker.
SDEA is down to 5,251 active K-12 members, a three percent drop from 2004.
The press report notes there was only a "handful" of employees, but that's the basis of the dispute. "The professional staff has been reduced from 10 to six over the past three years," said staffer Michael Brubaker.
SDEA is down to 5,251 active K-12 members, a three percent drop from 2004.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Ohio Charters, Wisconsin Directors and Arkansas Beggars
* The Ohio Supreme Court rejected a teacher union-backed suit challenging the constitutionality of the state's charter schools. Union reaction:
"Ohio citizens are beginning to question the entire charter school movement. Study after study points to a flawed system regarding fiscal oversight, testing, sponsorship, academic accountability and other failed experiments." - Ohio Education Association President Gary Allen.
"The fundamental problem is the lack of oversight by public officials. Taxpayers have lost control of their education tax dollars." - Ohio Federation of Teachers President Tom Mooney.
In a dissenting opinion, Justice Alice Robie Resnick stated that the framers of Ohio's Constitution viewed competition among school districts as "inefficient, divisive and ineffective."
* The Racine Education Association in Wisconsin hired former Illinois Education Association Executive Director Clayton Marquardt as interim executive director, replacing the dismissed Dennis Wiser. Marquardt retired from his IEA position last year, but was contacted by the Racine union because he lives in the area.
It was also revealed that Wiser's contract was not renewed because of several disputes, including his use of compensatory time, and grievances he filed against REA concerning the union's failure to use the grievance process.
* Great Moments in Higher Education: "The chancellor of the University of Arkansas' flagship campus got down on his knees Wednesday and begged state legislators to fully fund his budget request and those of the other state colleges and universities."
"Ohio citizens are beginning to question the entire charter school movement. Study after study points to a flawed system regarding fiscal oversight, testing, sponsorship, academic accountability and other failed experiments." - Ohio Education Association President Gary Allen.
"The fundamental problem is the lack of oversight by public officials. Taxpayers have lost control of their education tax dollars." - Ohio Federation of Teachers President Tom Mooney.
In a dissenting opinion, Justice Alice Robie Resnick stated that the framers of Ohio's Constitution viewed competition among school districts as "inefficient, divisive and ineffective."
* The Racine Education Association in Wisconsin hired former Illinois Education Association Executive Director Clayton Marquardt as interim executive director, replacing the dismissed Dennis Wiser. Marquardt retired from his IEA position last year, but was contacted by the Racine union because he lives in the area.
It was also revealed that Wiser's contract was not renewed because of several disputes, including his use of compensatory time, and grievances he filed against REA concerning the union's failure to use the grievance process.
* Great Moments in Higher Education: "The chancellor of the University of Arkansas' flagship campus got down on his knees Wednesday and begged state legislators to fully fund his budget request and those of the other state colleges and universities."
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
The Charter Labor Market
The Helix Charter High School in California won control of its own labor negotiations from the Grossmont Union High School District by incorporating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The story in the San Diego Union-Tribune explains why the school board was reluctant to hand over contract negotiations to the charter:
"Trustees also hesitated to approve the separate agreement because the school had agreed to a salary increase for teachers that was higher than what the district had proposed for teachers at other schools."
Upon their expiration of their contract next June, Helix's 105 teachers will decide whether to form their own union local or make some other arrangement.
"Trustees also hesitated to approve the separate agreement because the school had agreed to a salary increase for teachers that was higher than what the district had proposed for teachers at other schools."
Upon their expiration of their contract next June, Helix's 105 teachers will decide whether to form their own union local or make some other arrangement.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
To Tell the Truth
The North Carolina Association of Educators has an e-mail newsletter called Each One, Reach One, which is designed to spur enthusiasm for the union's political campaign operations.
Today's edition features an item headlined, "Go to the Polls and Vote: The Public Trusts Teachers to Make the Right Decisions!" It details the results of a poll that Harris Interactive runs annually asking, "Would you generally trust each of the following types of people to tell the truth, or not?" As usual, the 2006 version showed teachers near the top, with 83% of respondents trusting them to tell the truth. Only doctors scored higher.
"Toward the bottom of the list," the NCAE newsletter states, "were journalists (39%), members of Congress (35%), and pollsters (34%)."
Funny that it stopped there, because next lowest on the list was "trade union leaders" at 30 percent. Their trust numbers have declined from 37% in 1998.
So why can't you trust trade union leaders to tell the truth? Maybe it's because they won't even tell you that they finished near the bottom in the trust rankings.
Today's edition features an item headlined, "Go to the Polls and Vote: The Public Trusts Teachers to Make the Right Decisions!" It details the results of a poll that Harris Interactive runs annually asking, "Would you generally trust each of the following types of people to tell the truth, or not?" As usual, the 2006 version showed teachers near the top, with 83% of respondents trusting them to tell the truth. Only doctors scored higher.
"Toward the bottom of the list," the NCAE newsletter states, "were journalists (39%), members of Congress (35%), and pollsters (34%)."
Funny that it stopped there, because next lowest on the list was "trade union leaders" at 30 percent. Their trust numbers have declined from 37% in 1998.
So why can't you trust trade union leaders to tell the truth? Maybe it's because they won't even tell you that they finished near the bottom in the trust rankings.
Utterly Predictable
Monday, October 23, 2006
October 23 Communique' Is Up!
Click here to read:
1) Report on Charter Schools and Unions Misses the Point
2) NEA to Return to Puerto Rico?
3) Hawaii "Affirmation Vote" Ignored
4) Maryland Union Charges Candidates for Endorsement Mailings
5) Halle Berry to Play Teacher
6) NEA: 2008 Will Be the Big Enchilada
7) Scheduling Note
8) Last Week's Intercepts
9) Quote of the Week
1) Report on Charter Schools and Unions Misses the Point
2) NEA to Return to Puerto Rico?
3) Hawaii "Affirmation Vote" Ignored
4) Maryland Union Charges Candidates for Endorsement Mailings
5) Halle Berry to Play Teacher
6) NEA: 2008 Will Be the Big Enchilada
7) Scheduling Note
8) Last Week's Intercepts
9) Quote of the Week
Serendipitous Juxtaposition
If you go to page A3 of this morning's Washington Post, you can read a headline we have seen a hundred times before:
Political Backlash Builds Over High-Stakes Testing
with the subhead:
"Public Support Wanes for Tests Seen as Punitive"
and the paragraph:
"But teachers unions and some parents groups have argued that an overemphasis on the tests has reduced education to rote drills and needlessly heightened stresses on elementary students, and that the reported test gains have been illusory, overstated or short-lived."
But if you read to page A3, you probably also saw this headline on page A1:
Clauses and Commas Make a Comeback
with the subhead:
"SAT Helps Return Grammar to Class"
with these paragraphs:
"Those concerns, and a growing consensus among scholars that many high school graduates 'can't write well enough to get a passing grade from a professor on a paper,' drove the addition of a third section to the SAT, upending decades of balance between reading and math, said Ed Hardin, a content specialist at the College Board.
"The new section introduced a long-form essay and -- less publicized -- a series of multiple-choice responses that test how well students can assemble and disassemble sentences."
Are the results of standardized tests misused? Probably. Is test preparation crowding out a broader curriculum in some places? Certainly. But we seem to get an awful lot of stories like the one on Post page A3, while the page A1 story is a rarity. The phenomenon of tests "driving the curriculum" doesn't have to be a bad thing.
Political Backlash Builds Over High-Stakes Testing
with the subhead:
"Public Support Wanes for Tests Seen as Punitive"
and the paragraph:
"But teachers unions and some parents groups have argued that an overemphasis on the tests has reduced education to rote drills and needlessly heightened stresses on elementary students, and that the reported test gains have been illusory, overstated or short-lived."
But if you read to page A3, you probably also saw this headline on page A1:
Clauses and Commas Make a Comeback
with the subhead:
"SAT Helps Return Grammar to Class"
with these paragraphs:
"Those concerns, and a growing consensus among scholars that many high school graduates 'can't write well enough to get a passing grade from a professor on a paper,' drove the addition of a third section to the SAT, upending decades of balance between reading and math, said Ed Hardin, a content specialist at the College Board.
"The new section introduced a long-form essay and -- less publicized -- a series of multiple-choice responses that test how well students can assemble and disassemble sentences."
Are the results of standardized tests misused? Probably. Is test preparation crowding out a broader curriculum in some places? Certainly. But we seem to get an awful lot of stories like the one on Post page A3, while the page A1 story is a rarity. The phenomenon of tests "driving the curriculum" doesn't have to be a bad thing.
Friday, October 20, 2006
Big City Unions Regroup
* The Jewish Journal in Los Angeles declares victory in the UTLA Human Rights Committee Café Intifada dust-up (See Item #11).
* The New York Central Labor Council gives Brian M. McLaughlin a unanimous heave-ho.
* The New York Central Labor Council gives Brian M. McLaughlin a unanimous heave-ho.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
NY AFL-CIO Chief Proposes "Ethics Seminars"
OK, now it's beyond parody.
Steven Greenhouse of the New York Times spent time with a variety of New York labor officers to hear what they had to say about the racketeering indictment of New York City Central Labor Council President Brian M. McLaughlin.
* "We have to get union leaders and union members thinking all the time about organizing," said Ed Ott, the council's acting executive director.
* "We have to focus on what the labor movement is all about - working to make sure that the next generation of workers is better off than this generation," said Randi Weingarten, president of the United Federation of Teachers.
* "We have to find new ways to do things," said Stuart Appelbaum, a member of the labor council's board.
But these profiles in courage pale in comparison to New York State AFL-CIO President Denis Hughes. Here are two paragraphs from Greenhouse’s story:
Are we to understand that the old "ethical practices and procedures" allowed for theft, bribery, abuse of power and fraud? Will the seminar include helpful hints like "Don't Use Union Funds to Pay Your Country Club Membership Fee?"
Does Mr. Hughes really believe the problem was that McLaughlin wasn't devoting himself full-time to union duties? For a quarter-million dollars in annual compensation? It's more likely McLaughlin's stealing of campaign funds saved the labor council from losing more money to his schemes.
I direct you again to the text of the indictment. Outside of the money crimes and shakedowns, McLaughlin allegedly would redirect union workers - while they were being paid by contractors - to act as his personal serfs. Per the indictment:
Union workers also chauffeured around members of McLaughlin's family, picked up medication at the pharmacy, picked up his dry cleaning, picked up his shoes from a shoe-shiner, took his car to the car wash, and took his dog to the veterinarian -- all while they were on the clock for a contractor.
If you saw this stuff on The Sopranos, you'd snort in disbelief.
Steven Greenhouse of the New York Times spent time with a variety of New York labor officers to hear what they had to say about the racketeering indictment of New York City Central Labor Council President Brian M. McLaughlin.
* "We have to get union leaders and union members thinking all the time about organizing," said Ed Ott, the council's acting executive director.
* "We have to focus on what the labor movement is all about - working to make sure that the next generation of workers is better off than this generation," said Randi Weingarten, president of the United Federation of Teachers.
* "We have to find new ways to do things," said Stuart Appelbaum, a member of the labor council's board.
But these profiles in courage pale in comparison to New York State AFL-CIO President Denis Hughes. Here are two paragraphs from Greenhouse’s story:
"'We also want to have some ethical practices and procedures that make some
sense and have some real teeth,' said Mr. Hughes, who has pushed for ethics
seminars for state and city union leaders.
"Mr. Hughes declared that no future head of the labor council should
simultaneously hold a political office. 'This job requires full attention from
that individual,' Mr. Hughes said. 'You can’t have two full-time jobs and expect
to get it done.'"
Are we to understand that the old "ethical practices and procedures" allowed for theft, bribery, abuse of power and fraud? Will the seminar include helpful hints like "Don't Use Union Funds to Pay Your Country Club Membership Fee?"
Does Mr. Hughes really believe the problem was that McLaughlin wasn't devoting himself full-time to union duties? For a quarter-million dollars in annual compensation? It's more likely McLaughlin's stealing of campaign funds saved the labor council from losing more money to his schemes.
I direct you again to the text of the indictment. Outside of the money crimes and shakedowns, McLaughlin allegedly would redirect union workers - while they were being paid by contractors - to act as his personal serfs. Per the indictment:
"Some of these assignments included: doing major and minor construction
projects; installing and removing appliances; painting; changing light bulbs;
hanging picture frames; shoveling snow; hanging Christmas lights; fixing
plumbing; removing garbage; changing locks; cleaning out a barn; searching for
and capturing one or more rodents in McLAUGHLIN’s basement; and moving furniture and household items in Albany and Queens, using Company 3 equipment."
Union workers also chauffeured around members of McLaughlin's family, picked up medication at the pharmacy, picked up his dry cleaning, picked up his shoes from a shoe-shiner, took his car to the car wash, and took his dog to the veterinarian -- all while they were on the clock for a contractor.
If you saw this stuff on The Sopranos, you'd snort in disbelief.
New Jersey To Study the Creation of Mega-Districts
In an idea so monumentally bad even the teachers' union pans it, a special committee of the New Jersey legislature is studying a plan to consolidate the state’s 616 school districts into 21 county school districts, thinking that this will reduce New Jersey's notoriously high property tax burden.
It's conceivable that merging a 300-student school district with a 600-student school district might result in cost savings. It's folly to think that merging a 30,000-student district with a 60,000-student district will result in anything other than another bloated, yet politically powerful, government bureaucracy.
It's conceivable that merging a 300-student school district with a 600-student school district might result in cost savings. It's folly to think that merging a 30,000-student district with a 60,000-student district will result in anything other than another bloated, yet politically powerful, government bureaucracy.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
A Better Source of True Crime Stories
I've been reading the Continental Op stories by Dashiell Hammett for fun recently, but I'll be putting them down for tonight in order to read a much more entertaining story of crime, corruption and subterfuge. I'm speaking, of course, of the 186-page indictment of Brian M. McLaughlin, president of the New York City Central Labor Council, on 43 federal racketeering charges.
According to federal prosecutors, McLaughlin siphoned off $2.2 million from virtually every organization with which he was involved - from unions, from his own state Assembly reelection fund, and even from Little League baseball teams.
It comes as no surprise to me to learn that McLaughlin worked his way through the ranks of my old union, Local 3 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (he allegedly stole $140,000 from IBEW).
Joe Williams, tongue planted firmly in cheek, preempts the forthcoming explanations for McLaughlin's behavior.
According to federal prosecutors, McLaughlin siphoned off $2.2 million from virtually every organization with which he was involved - from unions, from his own state Assembly reelection fund, and even from Little League baseball teams.
It comes as no surprise to me to learn that McLaughlin worked his way through the ranks of my old union, Local 3 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (he allegedly stole $140,000 from IBEW).
Joe Williams, tongue planted firmly in cheek, preempts the forthcoming explanations for McLaughlin's behavior.
It's True; Video Games Can Be Educational
Ben Feller of the Associated Press reports the findings of the Federation of American Scientists that video games can be very educational. Feller even found an NEA guy who agrees. Well let me add to the chorus.
If your high school student is bored with the history of the Middle Ages, it's astonishing how much he/she can pick up after a couple of hours with Medieval: Total War. The ins-and-outs of economics, diplomacy, religion and, of course, warfare, are nothing compared to the realizations one can come to on one's own -- such as, if you decide to send one crusade, you're pretty much committed to sending several.
Next month, Sega will release a new version of the enormously popular 2002 PC game. You can download a demo version of Medieval II: Total War, which provides a tutorial utilizing the Battle of Hastings, plus try-it-yourself battles of Pavia and Agincourt. ("Once more into the breach!" you can hear Henry V cry.) If you'd like a smaller taste of what the game will be like, go to this page on IGN.com and check out one of the 30-second videos. I especially recommend the one that features the Turks.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
We're Back!
On Second Thought
The Ann Potter Wilson Foundation is offering $1.2 million to the Metro Nashville public schools on the condition the money be used to fund incentive bonuses for educators who improve student scores on standardized tests.
When the idea reached the Metropolitan Nashville Education Association, it was shot down. The union's rejection of the money prompted some anger, including this heated editorial from Tennessean columnist Gail Kerr.
Whether it was the anger, the editorial, or the fact that under some estimates MNEA members make up less than the half of the bargaining unit, union officers decided to reenter negotiations over the bonus plan.
This one may have repercussions beyond performance pay, so Intercepts will keep an eye on it.
When the idea reached the Metropolitan Nashville Education Association, it was shot down. The union's rejection of the money prompted some anger, including this heated editorial from Tennessean columnist Gail Kerr.
Whether it was the anger, the editorial, or the fact that under some estimates MNEA members make up less than the half of the bargaining unit, union officers decided to reenter negotiations over the bonus plan.
This one may have repercussions beyond performance pay, so Intercepts will keep an eye on it.
Monday, October 16, 2006
October 16 Communique' Is Up!
Click here to read:
1) Survey Finds 90% of Teachers Are Satisfied with Their Jobs
2) Leo the Lip
3) More on the UTLA Anti-Israel Brouhaha
4) I Have Seen the Fnords
5) Wayne's World II!
6) Fighting Street Theater with Street Theater
7) Last Week's Intercepts
8) Quote of the Week
1) Survey Finds 90% of Teachers Are Satisfied with Their Jobs
2) Leo the Lip
3) More on the UTLA Anti-Israel Brouhaha
4) I Have Seen the Fnords
5) Wayne's World II!
6) Fighting Street Theater with Street Theater
7) Last Week's Intercepts
8) Quote of the Week
Friday, October 13, 2006
Are School Bells Too Old School?
Student achievement is so high in some public schools that administrators have nothing to occupy their time except the harsh tone of school bells. Evidently some schools are switching to computerized ringtones.
If the old school bell is psychologically harmful, let's really free it up - as they did last year at Bonita Vista High School (See Item #7).
If the old school bell is psychologically harmful, let's really free it up - as they did last year at Bonita Vista High School (See Item #7).
Thursday, October 12, 2006
NY Wingnuts Go After UTLA's Duffy
"New York City Labor Against the War (NYCLAW) is deeply concerned that the leadership of United Teachers of Los Angeles (UTLA) has buckled to Zionist pressure by canceling its Human Rights Committee's forum in support of Palestinian rights."
So begins an open letter to UTLA President A.J. Duffy, which goes on to mention, "In April 2002, while Israel butchered hundreds of Palestinian refugees in Jenin, AFL-CIO president John Sweeney spoke at a 'National Solidarity Rally for Israel.'"
Never let facts get in the way of a good rant, boys.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Unified School District is seriously considering appointing a retired Navy admiral with no education experience as superintendent. Who knew NEA was so far ahead of its time?
So begins an open letter to UTLA President A.J. Duffy, which goes on to mention, "In April 2002, while Israel butchered hundreds of Palestinian refugees in Jenin, AFL-CIO president John Sweeney spoke at a 'National Solidarity Rally for Israel.'"
Never let facts get in the way of a good rant, boys.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Unified School District is seriously considering appointing a retired Navy admiral with no education experience as superintendent. Who knew NEA was so far ahead of its time?
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
New Jersey Salaries: Come See For Yourself
State officials in New Jersey have released the salaries of more than 1,500 public school administrators, and the average comes to $121,397.
"This distorts the public perception of how we spend $20 billion on education in this state," said Barry Galasso, director of the New Jersey Association of School Administrators.
He's right. I'm sure the public perception was that the money was spent on the kids.
"This distorts the public perception of how we spend $20 billion on education in this state," said Barry Galasso, director of the New Jersey Association of School Administrators.
He's right. I'm sure the public perception was that the money was spent on the kids.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
October 10 Communique' Is Up!
Since brevity is the soul of wit, and since you haven't got time to read all the education news out there, EIA brings you Nano-News, all of this week's top stories in byte-size portions.
Click here to read:
1) Washington Education Association to Organize Pre-K Teachers
2) Tucson Union Complains Pay Raise Money Used to Reduce Class Sizes
3) California Unions Try to Rerun Last Year's Campaign
4) NEA Sends $325,000 to Maine to Fight TABOR
5) New Professional Educator Groups Pop Up
6) LA Times Editors Out of Straws
7) School Choice Black Market Hits Massachusetts
8) "You Don't Say" Headline of the Week
9) Dubious Achievement of the Week
10) Kansas City Star Runs Ad for Unions Disguised as News Story
11) Bagels and Knishes for Everybody!
12) $450 Each for NYSUT'S 403(B) Members
13) Money for Nothing
14) Last Week's Intercepts
15) Quote of the Week
Click here to read:
1) Washington Education Association to Organize Pre-K Teachers
2) Tucson Union Complains Pay Raise Money Used to Reduce Class Sizes
3) California Unions Try to Rerun Last Year's Campaign
4) NEA Sends $325,000 to Maine to Fight TABOR
5) New Professional Educator Groups Pop Up
6) LA Times Editors Out of Straws
7) School Choice Black Market Hits Massachusetts
8) "You Don't Say" Headline of the Week
9) Dubious Achievement of the Week
10) Kansas City Star Runs Ad for Unions Disguised as News Story
11) Bagels and Knishes for Everybody!
12) $450 Each for NYSUT'S 403(B) Members
13) Money for Nothing
14) Last Week's Intercepts
15) Quote of the Week
And It's Only 90 Miles Away
The schools are well-funded and have small class sizes, the teachers are well-trained, the students have a 100 percent literacy rate, and the local teachers' union expresses full support. Why aren't we emulating this system?
Well, maybe it's because the sources are suspect, and then there's the part about indoctrination, lack of political freedom, and human rights violations.
Maybe those 2,700 people who fled in boats last year were just school voucher recipients.
Well, maybe it's because the sources are suspect, and then there's the part about indoctrination, lack of political freedom, and human rights violations.
Maybe those 2,700 people who fled in boats last year were just school voucher recipients.
Friday, October 06, 2006
Buon Viaggio!
Union Democracy in LA a Little Late
If you're worried about what the members will think, don’t ask them until after the deal is made and becomes law.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Great Day in the Education Press
It's either feast or famine for decent news stories in the education world, but today was a virtual horn of plenty:
* Deal Is a Lesson in Education Politics - Bob Sipchen of the Los Angeles Times delivers a Grade-A+ column on the new structure of the Los Angeles Unified School District. Quote of note:
* Opting In, Opting Out - Syndicated columnist James J. Kilpatrick describes the agency fee lawsuit that will be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court, and provides this 40-year-old quote of note from Justice Hugo Black:
* Come Home, Wayward Angelenos - David Zahniser of LA Weekly describes the dichotomy of area politicians pleading with parents to "come back" to their local public schools, while the politicians send their own kids to pricey private schools. Is the flight to charters a case of "follow the leader?" Quote of note from UTLA President A.J. Duffy:
"They've gotten the imagination of people... That's why I think we need a moratorium." That's not a quote I'm expecting to see on CTA’s charter school teacher organizing web site.
* Wiser alternative: Racine Education Association parts ways with executive director - Brent Killackey of the Journal Times reports that Dennis Wiser, an REA executive director associated with labor peace in the once-fractious district, was fired with one year left on his contract. When Killackey asked REA President Betsy Kippers about the dismissal, she provided this quote of note:
Good job, everyone! Keep it coming!
* Deal Is a Lesson in Education Politics - Bob Sipchen of the Los Angeles Times delivers a Grade-A+ column on the new structure of the Los Angeles Unified School District. Quote of note:
"Hear enough stories about just how hard it is to fire an utterly incompetent
teacher, and you begin to wonder why the public tolerates unelected union power
brokers in their children's lives at all."
* Opting In, Opting Out - Syndicated columnist James J. Kilpatrick describes the agency fee lawsuit that will be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court, and provides this 40-year-old quote of note from Justice Hugo Black:
"Our government has no more power to compel individuals to support union
programs than it has to compel the support of political programs. And the First
Amendment, fairly construed, deprives the government of all power to make any
person pay out one single penny against his will to be used in any way to
advocate doctrines or views he is against."
* Come Home, Wayward Angelenos - David Zahniser of LA Weekly describes the dichotomy of area politicians pleading with parents to "come back" to their local public schools, while the politicians send their own kids to pricey private schools. Is the flight to charters a case of "follow the leader?" Quote of note from UTLA President A.J. Duffy:
"[The charters] have seized upon the moment and are riding this horse as long
and as far as this horse will carry them," Duffy said. "They've gotten the
imagination of people, and it's difficult to stop the train. That's why I think
we need a moratorium."
"They've gotten the imagination of people... That's why I think we need a moratorium." That's not a quote I'm expecting to see on CTA’s charter school teacher organizing web site.
* Wiser alternative: Racine Education Association parts ways with executive director - Brent Killackey of the Journal Times reports that Dennis Wiser, an REA executive director associated with labor peace in the once-fractious district, was fired with one year left on his contract. When Killackey asked REA President Betsy Kippers about the dismissal, she provided this quote of note:
"Our negotiations with him are a private issue. We are a private sector
employer."
Good job, everyone! Keep it coming!
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Teacher Turnover in North Carolina
I wanted to highlight this article from the Charlotte Observer, not because it proves anything one way or the other about teacher turnover, but because it provides actual empirical data! Untainted by advocacy! It's only for North Carolina, but nice to have nonetheless.
Enforcing the Law
Some readers find it strange that I oppose "no-strike" laws for teachers. But my reasoning is simple: You should never pass a law that you cannot or will not enforce.
Which brings us to NEA's "Joint Action Plan to Address School Dropout Crisis."
There are about a million education policy people out there who are going to examine this and then bury you with paper on it, so I'll stick to one observation. Of the 12 Dropout Action Steps, the first one listed is designed to grab your attention, so that you don't instantly dismiss the familiar other steps that call for smaller class sizes, $10 billion, and involving the community. That first step reads:
"Mandate high school graduation or equivalency as compulsory for everyone below the age of 21. Just as we established compulsory attendance to the age of 16 or 17 in the beginning of the 20th century, it is appropriate and critical to eradicate the idea of 'dropping out' before achieving a diploma. To compete in the 21st century, all of our citizens, at minimum, need a high school education."
The words "mandate" and "compulsory" mean nothing without the word "enforcement." It's relatively easy to enforce attendance laws for 16-year-olds because almost all of them still live with a legally responsible adult. Who's going to make 20-year-olds go back to school? If they refuse, what will you do? Fine them? Lock them up?
And NEA doesn't call for compulsory attendance until age 21, it calls for compulsory achievement - the attainment of a high school diploma. Unfortunately, should NEA's idea ever come to pass, attendance and achievement will become equivalent. The number of high school graduates would definitely increase, but Verizon will still have trouble finding competent customer service representatives.
Which brings us to NEA's "Joint Action Plan to Address School Dropout Crisis."
There are about a million education policy people out there who are going to examine this and then bury you with paper on it, so I'll stick to one observation. Of the 12 Dropout Action Steps, the first one listed is designed to grab your attention, so that you don't instantly dismiss the familiar other steps that call for smaller class sizes, $10 billion, and involving the community. That first step reads:
"Mandate high school graduation or equivalency as compulsory for everyone below the age of 21. Just as we established compulsory attendance to the age of 16 or 17 in the beginning of the 20th century, it is appropriate and critical to eradicate the idea of 'dropping out' before achieving a diploma. To compete in the 21st century, all of our citizens, at minimum, need a high school education."
The words "mandate" and "compulsory" mean nothing without the word "enforcement." It's relatively easy to enforce attendance laws for 16-year-olds because almost all of them still live with a legally responsible adult. Who's going to make 20-year-olds go back to school? If they refuse, what will you do? Fine them? Lock them up?
And NEA doesn't call for compulsory attendance until age 21, it calls for compulsory achievement - the attainment of a high school diploma. Unfortunately, should NEA's idea ever come to pass, attendance and achievement will become equivalent. The number of high school graduates would definitely increase, but Verizon will still have trouble finding competent customer service representatives.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Weeding Out
Sacramento Bee columnist (and pretty damn fast runner) Daniel Weintraub illustrates for us once again why the antics of the California state government would have Tolstoy shaking his head in disbelief.
More Whining About Homework
If you need any more evidence that a lot of ink can be spilled over a total non-issue, here’s another story on the homework burden, this time in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. The New York Daily News already ran its story, so today it’s featuring reader response.
I'm not sure why the major media are carrying the water for Alfie Kohn's latest nonsense, but I have to admit that cover photo is a priceless example of manipulation. Just the right image to stop the soccer moms in their tracks.
I'm not sure why the major media are carrying the water for Alfie Kohn's latest nonsense, but I have to admit that cover photo is a priceless example of manipulation. Just the right image to stop the soccer moms in their tracks.
Monday, October 02, 2006
October 2 Communique' Is Up!
Click here to read:
1) CleverSpin's Bill for AFT: $481,000
2) Teacher Union Wars in Puerto Rico Not Done Yet
3) Cash, Staff and Autonomy Brought Buffalo into NYSUT Fold
4) Union Vote Hits the Van in Fort Wayne
5) Last Week's Intercepts
6) Quote of the Week
1) CleverSpin's Bill for AFT: $481,000
2) Teacher Union Wars in Puerto Rico Not Done Yet
3) Cash, Staff and Autonomy Brought Buffalo into NYSUT Fold
4) Union Vote Hits the Van in Fort Wayne
5) Last Week's Intercepts
6) Quote of the Week
Every Teacher's Dream
Hey, teachers. Ever wish you could swap yourself out during a particularly tough day? Here are a few who can do just that.
About me
- I'm Mike Antonucci
- Writer, consultant, Air Force veteran, marathoner, specialist in military history, intelligence, cryptanalysis and the Byzantine Empire. Some small reputation for writing about public education and teachers' unions.
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