Friday, May 30, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Will NEA Superdelegates Swing to Obama?
There are, I have been told, 19 Democratic Party superdelegates who are associated with the National Education Association in some capacity. Some are already committed to a candidate, but others remained uncommitted throughout the campaign. One of the latter was Gail Rasmussen, vice president of the Oregon Education Association.
Yesterday Rasmussen declared for Obama "in honor of the support" he won from the state's voters in the May 20 primary. Of course, one must wonder if NEA's conditional recommendation of Obama was a factor in her decision, and whether the union's odd move will be a signal to others to start the exodus to Obama's camp.
Yesterday Rasmussen declared for Obama "in honor of the support" he won from the state's voters in the May 20 primary. Of course, one must wonder if NEA's conditional recommendation of Obama was a factor in her decision, and whether the union's odd move will be a signal to others to start the exodus to Obama's camp.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Wanted: Something Else to Protest
Remember this California story?
Layoffs expected for 14,000 state teachers
Or this press release?
Hundreds of Educators Protest More Than 18,000 Pink Slips And Condemn Governor’s Proposed $4.8 Billion in Cuts
Or this tale of woe?
Statewide teacher layoffs: It's 20,000
If you don't remember, don't bother trying. Here's today's story:
Layoffs expected for 14,000 state teachers
Or this press release?
Hundreds of Educators Protest More Than 18,000 Pink Slips And Condemn Governor’s Proposed $4.8 Billion in Cuts
Or this tale of woe?
Statewide teacher layoffs: It's 20,000
If you don't remember, don't bother trying. Here's today's story:
Districts tearing up teachers' pink slips
Most jobs restored for those facing layoffs
Months after massive protests and alarm over school layoffs began, only a
fraction of the teachers who received pink slips will lose their jobs.
Yesterday, the San Diego Unified, Poway Unified and Chula Vista
Elementary school districts became the latest to rescind layoff notices and
restore all permanent teaching positions.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
The May 26 Communique' Is Up!
Click here to read:
1) EIA Exclusive: NEA Conditionally Recommends Obama
2) Grand Rapids School Board Fights Fire with Fire
3) District Spending Data Updated for Six More States
4) Website Supports New Union Disclosure Requirements
5) Last Week's Intercepts
6) Quote of the Week
1) EIA Exclusive: NEA Conditionally Recommends Obama
2) Grand Rapids School Board Fights Fire with Fire
3) District Spending Data Updated for Six More States
4) Website Supports New Union Disclosure Requirements
5) Last Week's Intercepts
6) Quote of the Week
EIA Exclusive: NEA Conditionally Recommends Obama
The National Education Association PAC Council approved a conditional recommendation of Senator Barack Obama for the 2008 Democratic Party presidential nomination. The recommendation will only take effect if one of two things occurs before the next PAC Council meeting (June 29):
a) Senator Hillary Clinton withdraws; or
b) Senator Obama obtains the necessary number of delegates to win the nomination.
The PAC Council's decision was placed before the NEA Board of Directors during a conference call last week, but only 96 of the 184 voting members of the board participated. Despite the conditional nature of the recommendation, which in effect delays any NEA action until the race is decided, there was still opposition. However, the recommendation passed by a vote of 69-27.
I'll have analysis in today's communiqué and more details as they become available.
a) Senator Hillary Clinton withdraws; or
b) Senator Obama obtains the necessary number of delegates to win the nomination.
The PAC Council's decision was placed before the NEA Board of Directors during a conference call last week, but only 96 of the 184 voting members of the board participated. Despite the conditional nature of the recommendation, which in effect delays any NEA action until the race is decided, there was still opposition. However, the recommendation passed by a vote of 69-27.
I'll have analysis in today's communiqué and more details as they become available.
Monday, May 26, 2008
The Original Memorial Day
Today's Charleston Post and Courier recounts the tale of what is arguably the first Memorial Day, when black citizens of the city reinterred the "Martyrs of the Race Course."
Friday, May 23, 2008
Will No One Speak for Fido?
The Manitoba Teachers' Society represents more than 13,000 education employees in Canada. The union is holding its convention this weekend and one proposed resolution seeks to meet the needs of delegates:
A resolution from a Carmen area school division up for debate at the
Manitoba Teachers' Society annual general meeting starting tomorrow is calling
for pet pay.
The resolution from the Prairie Rose School Division calls from members
attending Manitoba Teachers' Society events to be reimbursed for pet care.
It argues some members may have responsibilities beyond child care or
for dependant care that currently gets reimbursed.
The resolution says members could only claim for expenses when family
members can't take care of a pet.
It says that acknowledges not all pets can be left alone overnight for
extended periods of time.
The resolution estimates pet care costs at approximately 15 to 20
dollars night.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Eduwonk on the EIA Beat
Eduwonk displays an e-mail from a Washington Teachers Union (WTU) source that offers some details about the Parker/Saunders split. Andy Rotherham suspects AFT complicity, and while the national union has shown itself to be capable of such a scheme, it would be a deep plot indeed if AFT were behind Saunders. After all, Saunders just sued AFT President Ed McElroy as well as Parker.
To throw off the scent, perhaps? Nah, I don't buy it. Nevertheless, Andy is right to draw attention to this. If AFT reestablishes an administratorship over WTU, you can say goodbye to Michelle Rhee's program. Randi Weingarten's first act as AFT president will not be to get rid of DC teacher seniority.
To throw off the scent, perhaps? Nah, I don't buy it. Nevertheless, Andy is right to draw attention to this. If AFT reestablishes an administratorship over WTU, you can say goodbye to Michelle Rhee's program. Randi Weingarten's first act as AFT president will not be to get rid of DC teacher seniority.
Partial Solution
In yesterday's post about paying teachers not to teach, I noted that United Teachers of Dade President Karen Aronowitz was upset by the number of teachers who are acting as quasi-administrators for the district. She suggested they be sent back to the classroom.
Good for her. Maybe she can start the ball rolling by sending back to the classroom the 14 UTD employees who are being paid by the district to do union work, instead of teach.
Good for her. Maybe she can start the ball rolling by sending back to the classroom the 14 UTD employees who are being paid by the district to do union work, instead of teach.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
The Latest Media Wave: Paying Teachers Who Don't Teach
I've always been fascinated by the way a particular education issue will pop up at the same time in unconnected places. It's a different phenomenon from pack journalism, where news outlets are aware of other news outlets reporting on something, and then they report on it, too. These are independent stories on an underreported topic that suddenly appear all at the same time.
We've seen it happen with performance pay, school lunches and childhood obesity, and the shortage of minority teachers. The most recent media wave concerns paying teachers who don't teach.
The first and most prominent story on the problem, of course, is connected to The New Teacher Project report that revealed New York City was spending $81 million to pay teachers who weren't actually holding jobs. This caused a firestorm of debate in the city, rebuttals by the union, and Internet screaming by everyone. The controversy also revived discussion of New York City's "rubber rooms," which contain an entirely different set of teachers who don't teach.
A similar issue arose in Birmingham, Alabama, where the school board discovered it was paying almost $96,000 a year in supplements to 63 employees without knowing why.
The Detroit Public Schools has its own twist. The district has a $45 million deficit, partly because a number of teachers whose jobs were declared "excess" or "surplus" due to falling enrollment were never let go. That was good news for them, but bad news for the district because it wasn't receiving funds to pay them anymore. Other areas of the budget were raided to pay these teachers, until the house of cards started to collapse.
"The teaching staff should have gone down as we closed schools and lost students," said school board president Carla Scott, explaining that layoffs didn't keep pace with declining revenues. "For the first time in two years, we actually know what's going on. We should have been in crisis mode for the last 10 years."
There's enough ammo for all sides. In Miami, United Teachers of Dade President Karen Aronowitz wants to solve district budget problems by putting teachers back in the classroom.
''It's a dirty little secret that happens inside the schools,'' she said. "Sometimes, teachers will be assigned as team teachers and won't be in the classroom at all. Some teachers have additional planning granted to them, and then they become quasi-administrators.''
Aronowitz added, ''We have found, especially in elementary schools, that you may have three or four assistant principals. "That just doesn't make sense.''
I think the fact that this problem is widespread is a sad commentary on a badly bureaucratized public school system. But I'm not going to get all polemical about it. If you want a polemic, here's a polemic.
We've seen it happen with performance pay, school lunches and childhood obesity, and the shortage of minority teachers. The most recent media wave concerns paying teachers who don't teach.
The first and most prominent story on the problem, of course, is connected to The New Teacher Project report that revealed New York City was spending $81 million to pay teachers who weren't actually holding jobs. This caused a firestorm of debate in the city, rebuttals by the union, and Internet screaming by everyone. The controversy also revived discussion of New York City's "rubber rooms," which contain an entirely different set of teachers who don't teach.
A similar issue arose in Birmingham, Alabama, where the school board discovered it was paying almost $96,000 a year in supplements to 63 employees without knowing why.
The Detroit Public Schools has its own twist. The district has a $45 million deficit, partly because a number of teachers whose jobs were declared "excess" or "surplus" due to falling enrollment were never let go. That was good news for them, but bad news for the district because it wasn't receiving funds to pay them anymore. Other areas of the budget were raided to pay these teachers, until the house of cards started to collapse.
"The teaching staff should have gone down as we closed schools and lost students," said school board president Carla Scott, explaining that layoffs didn't keep pace with declining revenues. "For the first time in two years, we actually know what's going on. We should have been in crisis mode for the last 10 years."
There's enough ammo for all sides. In Miami, United Teachers of Dade President Karen Aronowitz wants to solve district budget problems by putting teachers back in the classroom.
''It's a dirty little secret that happens inside the schools,'' she said. "Sometimes, teachers will be assigned as team teachers and won't be in the classroom at all. Some teachers have additional planning granted to them, and then they become quasi-administrators.''
Aronowitz added, ''We have found, especially in elementary schools, that you may have three or four assistant principals. "That just doesn't make sense.''
I think the fact that this problem is widespread is a sad commentary on a badly bureaucratized public school system. But I'm not going to get all polemical about it. If you want a polemic, here's a polemic.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
We Await Instructions from Our Overlords
Here's the Associated Press headline:
"Nevada teachers union reach deal with casinos to raise room tax"
Let's review our lesson plan from Civics 101 (updated): There's the executive branch, the legislative branch, the judicial branch, the casinos and the teachers' union. The legislative branch is in charge of appropriating money from the taxpayers to fund the workings of government, subject to the veto powers of the executive branch. If the amount of money does not satisfy the teachers' union, it will seek to extract funds from the casinos, subject to the veto powers of the casinos.
In case of a stalemate, the teachers' union and the casinos will meet secretly in an appropriate venue to hash out the details. At the moment of decision, white smoke will emanate from Harrah's, after which the paeans will receive word of their fate and await their assigned tasks.
I don't think we'll be seeing a Richard Dreyfuss lecture about this.
"Nevada teachers union reach deal with casinos to raise room tax"
Let's review our lesson plan from Civics 101 (updated): There's the executive branch, the legislative branch, the judicial branch, the casinos and the teachers' union. The legislative branch is in charge of appropriating money from the taxpayers to fund the workings of government, subject to the veto powers of the executive branch. If the amount of money does not satisfy the teachers' union, it will seek to extract funds from the casinos, subject to the veto powers of the casinos.
In case of a stalemate, the teachers' union and the casinos will meet secretly in an appropriate venue to hash out the details. At the moment of decision, white smoke will emanate from Harrah's, after which the paeans will receive word of their fate and await their assigned tasks.
I don't think we'll be seeing a Richard Dreyfuss lecture about this.
Monday, May 19, 2008
The May 19 Communique' Is Up!
Click here to read:
1) NEA and AFT: Different in Difference
2) UTLA Wants to Raise Dues by 38%
3) District Spending Data Updated for Seven More States
4) Education May Be the Last Friend He Has
5) If Three's a Trend, Is Four a Movement?
6) Scheduling Note
7) Last Week's Intercepts
8) Quote of the Week
1) NEA and AFT: Different in Difference
2) UTLA Wants to Raise Dues by 38%
3) District Spending Data Updated for Seven More States
4) Education May Be the Last Friend He Has
5) If Three's a Trend, Is Four a Movement?
6) Scheduling Note
7) Last Week's Intercepts
8) Quote of the Week
Storm in the Windy City
I'll have more on this in the communiqué later today, but I thought I'd give you a head start by linking to this biting report on internal matters from a Chicago Teacher Union delegate.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Preparing Students for Yesterday's World
Middle and high school students in Rialto, California, were treated to the fifth annual edition of the Collective Bargaining Institute, a program put together by union reps, including some of the same folks who brought you the fictional Yummy Pizza Company (for some background, see fourth bullet here).
The purpose of the program seems to be to prepare kids for the 7% of American private sector jobs that are unionized. I wonder if anyone teaches them that mastering math and science could lead to billions of dollars and the creation of 10,000 jobs.
The purpose of the program seems to be to prepare kids for the 7% of American private sector jobs that are unionized. I wonder if anyone teaches them that mastering math and science could lead to billions of dollars and the creation of 10,000 jobs.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Oversupply and Underdemand
Back in 2003, Sacramento High School was closed and reopened as a charter school (under an organization run by Kevin Johnson, likely to be the city's next mayor). The Sacramento City Teachers Association (SCTA) sued, and under a settlement with the school district a new high school was to be opened to replace Sacramento High, even though Sacramento High was still there.
Well, after much planning and the expenditure of $26,000 in research costs, the school board decided to locate the new school on the site of a closed elementary school. However, the first phase of renovation and reconstruction is on hold because the district has managed to entice a grand total of 12 students to attend.
So, although the legal settlement requires the creation of a new school, the board won't spend the additional $1 million for building renovation and the hiring of a principal until demand reaches 150 students.
The SCTA president is a bit chagrined, though steadfast that the school needs to be built. It's enough to drive you to road rage.
Well, after much planning and the expenditure of $26,000 in research costs, the school board decided to locate the new school on the site of a closed elementary school. However, the first phase of renovation and reconstruction is on hold because the district has managed to entice a grand total of 12 students to attend.
So, although the legal settlement requires the creation of a new school, the board won't spend the additional $1 million for building renovation and the hiring of a principal until demand reaches 150 students.
The SCTA president is a bit chagrined, though steadfast that the school needs to be built. It's enough to drive you to road rage.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Iowa Governor Vetoes Scope of Bargaining Bill
Iowa Gov. Chet Culver (D) on the union-backed bill to expand the scope of public sector collective bargaining in the state:
"While I have always been a strong supporter of workers rights and collective bargaining, a close examination of House File 2645 shows that it is not in the best interests of the taxpayers of Iowa to let this legislation become law. It is vaguely written with the potential for far reaching, unintended consequences that could obligate the citizens of Iowa to substantial new public expenditures. Therefore, I will veto the bill."
Story here. Iowa State Education Association reaction here.
"While I have always been a strong supporter of workers rights and collective bargaining, a close examination of House File 2645 shows that it is not in the best interests of the taxpayers of Iowa to let this legislation become law. It is vaguely written with the potential for far reaching, unintended consequences that could obligate the citizens of Iowa to substantial new public expenditures. Therefore, I will veto the bill."
Story here. Iowa State Education Association reaction here.
Win One, Lose One
The 32 teachers and support workers of the Construction Careers Center have voted to join AFT's St. Louis local. They are the first charter school employees in Missouri to unionize.
Meanwhile, the 150 school support employees of the Greencastle-Antrim School District voted against joining the Pennsylvania State Education Association.
Meanwhile, the 150 school support employees of the Greencastle-Antrim School District voted against joining the Pennsylvania State Education Association.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Ya Think?
"Calif. teachers union wields influence over budget process" - Associated Press headline.
Monday, May 12, 2008
The May 12 Communique' Is Up!
Click here to read:
1) McCain Polls Unusually Well Among NEA Members
2) Everyone Take One Step Forward: Van Roekel, Eskelsen Declared Elected
3) Let's Face It: Most People Don't Care About Education Policy
4) Lessons in Media Management
5) District Spending Data Updated for Five More States
6) Labor Disclosure Reports Will Include Individual Benefits
7) Charter School Schadenfreude
8) Headline of the Week
9) Last Week's Intercepts
10) Quote of the Week
1) McCain Polls Unusually Well Among NEA Members
2) Everyone Take One Step Forward: Van Roekel, Eskelsen Declared Elected
3) Let's Face It: Most People Don't Care About Education Policy
4) Lessons in Media Management
5) District Spending Data Updated for Five More States
6) Labor Disclosure Reports Will Include Individual Benefits
7) Charter School Schadenfreude
8) Headline of the Week
9) Last Week's Intercepts
10) Quote of the Week
Friday, May 09, 2008
The Tide Is Turning
John Merrow's public education and journalism credentials are impeccable, which is going to make it especially difficult for the teachers' unions to dismiss out of hand his commentary on the relationship between student performance and teacher performance.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Union Scuttlebutt
If you don't get enough of that here, head over to this post on Alexander Russo's District 299 blog for a virtual cornucopia of tales from the depths of the Chicago Teachers Union. You'll need to work your way through all the comments, but it's worth it.
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
North Carolina Election Footnote
Lost in the national importance of the North Carolina Democratic primaries was the defeat of North Carolina Association of Educators President Eddie Davis in his bid to win the party's nomination for state superintendent of public instruction. Incumbent June Atkinson won by a margin of 53%-47%.
I guess the union will have to control the North Carolina public school system the old-fashioned way - from the outside.
I guess the union will have to control the North Carolina public school system the old-fashioned way - from the outside.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Vermont NEA Executive Director Saves His Job
The saga of Joel Cook apparently has a happy ending. The executive director of Vermont NEA, whose future with the organization was the subject of much internal bickering, has been offered a new contract.
"The new contract will contain clear expectations for Joel and a clear process for the Board to follow," Vermont NEA President Angelo Dorta informed union officers in an e-mail message.
"The new contract will contain clear expectations for Joel and a clear process for the Board to follow," Vermont NEA President Angelo Dorta informed union officers in an e-mail message.
At Least He Didn't Wear a Bikini
Monday, May 05, 2008
The May 5 Communique' Is Up!
Click here to read:
1) Almost 96 Percent Underestimate Education Spending
2) Signature Blocking Amnesia in Nevada
3) The Latest in District Border Enforcement: Bounty Hunters
4) Three's a Trend
5) Last Week's Intercepts
6) Quote of the Week
1) Almost 96 Percent Underestimate Education Spending
2) Signature Blocking Amnesia in Nevada
3) The Latest in District Border Enforcement: Bounty Hunters
4) Three's a Trend
5) Last Week's Intercepts
6) Quote of the Week
For Your Reading Pleasure
A little something for everyone this morning. In the pages of the Washington Monthly, Richard D. Kahlenberg is the latest in a long string of people to predict a resurgence in the organized labor movement. He's wrong, but you'll want to read his essay anyway.
On the other hand, you can head over to the Sacramento Bee and read a short interview with Jaime Escalante, who will be receiving an award today at the state capitol. He hasn't changed.
Friday, May 02, 2008
Will This Work?
From the Los Angeles Times:
"Despite opposition from teachers unions, the state Senate voted to allow additional bonuses to be negotiated for experienced and credentialed science and math teachers who take assignments at 2,509 poor-performing schools, including 307 campuses in the Los Angeles Unified School District."
This looks like a good idea, but if the unions oppose it, why would any of them negotiate it into a contract?
"Despite opposition from teachers unions, the state Senate voted to allow additional bonuses to be negotiated for experienced and credentialed science and math teachers who take assignments at 2,509 poor-performing schools, including 307 campuses in the Los Angeles Unified School District."
This looks like a good idea, but if the unions oppose it, why would any of them negotiate it into a contract?
Thursday, May 01, 2008
News Breaks Slowly in Vermont
The Burlington Free Press reports this morning that Vermont NEA executive director Joel Cook may not be with the organization very much longer due to internal differences over his contract.
This may come as shocking news to Vermont teachers... unless of course they subscribe to the EIA Communiqué and read the story 17 days ago.
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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