CSEA: Anything but education
The items listed below are resolutions adopted at the 2007 National Education Association (NEA) convention. The local labor union, the CSEA, is subservient to the NEA. While local labor union leaders will try to distance themselves from these non-education issues, they will not explain why the local CSEA delegates voted in favor of them, all of which passed.
Notice the socialist nature of this labor union agenda. Notice that while we tax payers own our schools, they believe in forcing their extreme left-wing agenda down the throats of all tax payers and their kids. Notice that the labor union does not adopt resolutions related to education, and notice that it doesn’t even adopt resolutions relating to teachers except for a few social related resolutions. Keep in mind that this is the labor union that currently owns the D11 school board and will purchase the November board as well. This is a long entry, but worth the read to understand what this private organization is all about.
A-2. Educational Opportunity for All. The Association believes that all schools must be accredited under uniform standards established by the appropriate agencies in collaboration with the Association and its affiliates.
Craig: The private labor union wants to tell you what constitutes a good school. Great accountability that would bring.
A-14. Financial Support of Public Education. The Association believes that:
· Funds must be provided for programs to alleviate race, gender, and sexual orientation discrimination and to eliminate portrayal of race, gender, sexual orientation and gender identification stereotypes in the public schools.
· Full-day, every day kindergarten programs should be fully funded.
· Federal, state, and, as appropriate, local governments should provide funds sufficient to make pre-kindergarten available for all three- and four-year-old children.
Craig: And they claim to believe in local control?
A-15. Federal Financial Support of Public Education. The Association opposes any federal legislation, laws, or regulations that provide funds, goods, or services to sectarian schools.
Craig: They want federal funds for all public schools for sexual orientation education, but they don’t want non-public schools to receive a dime for anything, nor do they want federal accountability with their funds.
A-24. Voucher Plans and Tuition Tax Credits. The Association opposes voucher plans, tuition tax credits, or other such funding arrangements that pay for students to attend sectarian schools. The Association also believes that any private school or agency that receives public funding through voucher plans, tax credits, or other funding/financial arrangements must be subject to all accountability measures and regulations required of public schools.
Craig: Notice the anti-religious flavor of the labor union. How about subjecting the public schools to the same accountability as private schools, ie, how about making them compete in the open market for their students and dollars?
A-33. Federally or State-Mandated Choice/Parental Option Plans. The Association believes that federally or state mandated parental option or choice plans compromise free, equitable, universal, and quality public education for every student. Therefore, the Association opposes such federally or state-mandated choice or parental option plans.
Craig: The only thing missing is logic. Giving parents options is just the tool necessary to ensure that every student has the chance at a quality education.
B-1. Early Childhood Education. The National Education Association supports early childhood education programs in the public schools for children from birth through age eight. The Association also supports a high-quality program of transition from home and/or preschool to the public kindergarten or first grade. The Association also believes that early childhood education programs should include a full continuum of services for parents/guardians and children, including child care, child development, developmentally appropriate and diversity-based curricula, special education, and appropriate bias-free screening devices. The Association believes that federal legislation should be enacted to assist in organizing the implementation of fully funded early childhood education programs offered through the public schools. These programs must be available to all children on an equal basis and should include mandatory kindergarten with compulsory attendance.
Craig: Scary. Why are these socialists so eager to get their hands on our kids at such a young age? To teach them “diversity?”
B-8. Class Size. The National Education Association believes that excellence in the classroom can best be attained by small class size. The Association also believes in an optimum class size of fifteen students in regular programs and a proportionately lower number in programs for students with exceptional needs.
Craig: What they are saying is that small class sizes equates to more teachers which equates to more forced labor union dues which equates to more political funds for liberal democrats. For the record, the schools in D11 with larger classes (Martinez/Scott, etc) are performing at a higher level than those with smaller classes (Adams/Hunt, etc). Small class size does not equal better performance.
B-10. Racial Diversity Within Student Populations. The Association believes that to achieve or maintain racial diversity, it may be necessary for elementary/secondary schools, colleges, and universities to take race into account in making decisions as to student admissions, assignments, and/or transfers.
B-11. Racism, Sexism, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identification Discrimination. Discrimination and stereotyping based on such factors as race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identification, disability, ethnicity, immigration status, occupation, and religion must be eliminated. The Association also believes that these factors should not affect the legal rights and obligations of the partners in a legally recognized domestic partnership, civil union, or marriage in regard to matters involving the other partner, such as medical decisions, taxes, inheritance, adoption, and immigration. Plans, activities, and programs must -
· Increase respect, understanding, acceptance, and sensitivity toward individuals and groups in a diverse society composed of such groups as American Indians/Alaska natives, Asians and Pacific Islanders, Blacks, Hispanics, women, gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgendered persons, and people with disabilities
· " Eliminate discrimination and stereotyping in curricula, textbooks, resource and instructional materials, activities, etc.
· Foster the dissemination and use of nondiscriminatory and nonstereotypical language, resources, practices, and activities
· Integrate an accurate portrayal of the roles and contributions of all groups throughout history across curricula, particularly groups who have been under-represented historically
· Eliminate subtle practices that favor the education of one student over another on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identification, disability, ethnicity, or religion
· Encourage all members of the educational community to examine assumptions and prejudices, including, but not limited to, racism, sexism, and homophobia, that might limit the opportunities and growth of students and education employees
· Offer positive and diverse role models in our society including the recruitment, hiring, and promotion of diverse education employees in our public schools
· Coordinate with organizations and concerned agencies that promote the contributions, heritage, culture, history, and special health and care needs of diverse population groups
The Association encourages its affiliates to develop and implement training programs on these matters.
Craig: Don’t worry. With Tim Gill funding your D11 board, be prepared to see a lot of sexual orientation related changes in the district.
B-20. Education of Refugee and Undocumented Children and Children of Undocumented Immigrants. The Association supports access to financial aid and in-state tuition to state colleges and universities. The Association further believes that students who have resided in the United States for at least five years at the time of high school graduation should be granted amnesty by the Immigration and Naturalization Service, granted legal residency status, and allowed to apply for U.S. citizenship.
Craig: You spend millions of dollars each year educating children of illegal aliens in D11, and the labor union wants you to be happy about that. Keep in mind that the labor union blames these illegals for the poor performance of your schools.
B-35. Multicultural Education. The National Education Association believes that multiculturalism is the process of valuing differences and incorporating the values identified into behavior for the goal of achieving the common good. Multi-cultural education should promote the recognition of individual and group differences and similarities in order to reduce racism, homophobia, ethnic and all other forms of prejudice, and discrimination and to develop self-esteem as well as respect for others.
Craig: How about education on the great melting pot, the United States of America?
B-44. Family Life Education. The Association believes that programs should be established for both students and parents/guardians and supported at all educational levels to promote -
· The development of self-esteem
· An understanding of societal issues and problems related to children, spouses, parents/guardians, domestic partners, older generation family members, and other family members.
The Association also believes that education in these areas must be presented as part of an anti-biased, culturally-sensitive program.
Craig: There you go – self-esteem. Not self-esteem through education, mind you. The part about teaching students about “problems” related to family is where schools in some cities have begun turning students against parental authority. Watch out for this.
B-45. Environmental Education. The Association supports educational programs that promote -
· An awareness of the effects of past, present, and future population growth patterns on world civilization, human survival, and the environment
· Solutions to environmental problems such as nonrenewable resource depletion, pollution, global warming, ozone depletion, and acid precipitation and deposition
· The recognition of and participation in such activities as Earth Day
Craig: Who wants Al Gore in their child’s classroom?
B-47. Sex Education. The Association recognizes that the public school must assume an increasingly important role in providing the instruction. Teachers and health professionals must be qualified to teach in this area and must be legally protected from censorship and lawsuits. The Association also believes that to facilitate the realization of human potential, it is the right of every individual to live in an environment of freely available information and knowledge about sexuality and encourages affiliates and members to support appropriately established sex education programs. Such programs should include information on sexual abstinence, birth control and family planning, diversity of culture, diversity of sexual orientation and gender identification, parenting skills, prenatal care, sexually transmitted diseases, incest, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, homophobia.
Craig: They want a bigger role for the schools in this area, as well as Planned Parenthood, as well as the Gill Foundation.
B-55. Education on Peace and International Understanding. The National Education Association believes that educational strategies for teaching peace and justice issues should include the role of individuals, social movements, international and nongovernmental organizations. The Association also believes that educational materials should include activities dealing with the effects of nuclear weaponry and other weapons of mass destruction, strategies for disarmament, methods to achieve peace. Such curricular materials should also cover major contributing factors to conflict, such as economic disparity, demographic variables, unequal political power and resource distribution, and the indebtedness of the developing world.
Craig: In other words, USA=Bad; socialist countries=good.
B-63. Standardized Testing of Students. The National Education Association believes that standardized tests should be used only to improve the quality of education and instruction for students. The Association opposes the use of standardized tests when -
· Used as the criterion for the reduction or withholding of any educational funding
· Results are used to compare students, teachers, programs, schools, communities, and states
· Scores are used to track students
· Students with special needs or limited English proficiency are required to take the same tests as regular education students without modifications and/or accommodations.
Craig: “Give us the money, but don’t you dare hold us accountable.”
B-75. Home Schooling. The National Education Association believes that home schooling programs based on parental choice cannot provide the student with a comprehensive education experience. When home schooling occurs, students enrolled must meet all state curricular requirements, including the taking of assessments to ensure adequate academic progress. Home schooling should be limited to the children of the immediate family, with all expenses being born by the parents/guardians. Instruction should be by persons who are licensed by the appropriate state education licensure agency, and a curriculum approved by the state department of education should be used.
The Association also believes that home-schooled students should not participate in any extracurricular activities in the public schools.
Craig: They know better than you what to teach your child. And they want you to have a license before you can homeschool, and even though your taxes fund your public school, they want to prohibit your child from participating in extra-curricular activities.
C-27. Student Sexual Orientation and Gender Identification. The National Education Association believes that all persons, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identification, should be afforded equal opportunity and guaranteed a safe and inclusive environment within the public education system. The Association also believes that, for students who are struggling with their sexual orientation or gender identification, every school district and educational institution should provide counseling services and programs that deal with high suicide and dropout rates and the high incidence of teen prostitution.
Craig: Yep, lets spend funds telling kids that although they were physically born as a boy, they might actually be something else.
D-21. Competency Testing of Licensed Teachers. The National Education Association believes that competency testing must not be used as a condition of employment, license retention, evaluation, placement, ranking, or promotion of licensed teachers.
Craig: After all, incompetent teachers put a lot of money into the labor union, too.
H-7. National Health Care Policy. The National Education Association believes that affordable, comprehensive health care, including prescription drug coverage, is the right of every resident. The Association supports the adoption of a single-payer health care plan for all residents of the United States, its territories, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Craig: And which article of the U.S. Constitution guarantees this “right?”
H-11. Statehood for the District of Columbia. The Association supports efforts to achieve statehood for the District of Columbia.
Craig: This one will really improve your neighborhood school.
I-1. Peace and International Relations. The Association urges all nations to develop treaties and disarmament agreements that reduce the possibility of war. The Association also believes that such treaties and agreements should prevent the placement of weapons in outer space. The Association believes that the United Nations furthers world peace and promotes the rights of all people by preventing war, racism, and genocide.
Craig: When has the UN ever accomplished any of this?
I-2. International Court of Justice. The Association urges participation by the United States in deliberations before the court.
I-3. International Criminal Court. The Association believes that the United States should ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and recognize and support its authority and jurisdiction.
Craig: Wow.
I-28. Freedom of Religion. The Association opposes any federal legislation or mandate that would require school districts to schedule a moment of silence.
Craig: Didn’t they mean “freedom from religion?”
New I. Global Warming. The National Education Association believes that global warming causes significant measureable damage to the earth and its inhabitants. The Association also believes that humans must take steps to change activities that contribute to global warming. The Association supports environmentally sound practices that abate global warming and its effects.
Craig: Last year, my daughter’s teacher could not explain how the glaciers melted oh those many years ago.
There you have it. The top priorities of the teacher’s labor union and their school boards, including your D11 board. Makes you feel all warm and fuzzy about sending your kids off to school.
Notice the socialist nature of this labor union agenda. Notice that while we tax payers own our schools, they believe in forcing their extreme left-wing agenda down the throats of all tax payers and their kids. Notice that the labor union does not adopt resolutions related to education, and notice that it doesn’t even adopt resolutions relating to teachers except for a few social related resolutions. Keep in mind that this is the labor union that currently owns the D11 school board and will purchase the November board as well. This is a long entry, but worth the read to understand what this private organization is all about.
A-2. Educational Opportunity for All. The Association believes that all schools must be accredited under uniform standards established by the appropriate agencies in collaboration with the Association and its affiliates.
Craig: The private labor union wants to tell you what constitutes a good school. Great accountability that would bring.
A-14. Financial Support of Public Education. The Association believes that:
· Funds must be provided for programs to alleviate race, gender, and sexual orientation discrimination and to eliminate portrayal of race, gender, sexual orientation and gender identification stereotypes in the public schools.
· Full-day, every day kindergarten programs should be fully funded.
· Federal, state, and, as appropriate, local governments should provide funds sufficient to make pre-kindergarten available for all three- and four-year-old children.
Craig: And they claim to believe in local control?
A-15. Federal Financial Support of Public Education. The Association opposes any federal legislation, laws, or regulations that provide funds, goods, or services to sectarian schools.
Craig: They want federal funds for all public schools for sexual orientation education, but they don’t want non-public schools to receive a dime for anything, nor do they want federal accountability with their funds.
A-24. Voucher Plans and Tuition Tax Credits. The Association opposes voucher plans, tuition tax credits, or other such funding arrangements that pay for students to attend sectarian schools. The Association also believes that any private school or agency that receives public funding through voucher plans, tax credits, or other funding/financial arrangements must be subject to all accountability measures and regulations required of public schools.
Craig: Notice the anti-religious flavor of the labor union. How about subjecting the public schools to the same accountability as private schools, ie, how about making them compete in the open market for their students and dollars?
A-33. Federally or State-Mandated Choice/Parental Option Plans. The Association believes that federally or state mandated parental option or choice plans compromise free, equitable, universal, and quality public education for every student. Therefore, the Association opposes such federally or state-mandated choice or parental option plans.
Craig: The only thing missing is logic. Giving parents options is just the tool necessary to ensure that every student has the chance at a quality education.
B-1. Early Childhood Education. The National Education Association supports early childhood education programs in the public schools for children from birth through age eight. The Association also supports a high-quality program of transition from home and/or preschool to the public kindergarten or first grade. The Association also believes that early childhood education programs should include a full continuum of services for parents/guardians and children, including child care, child development, developmentally appropriate and diversity-based curricula, special education, and appropriate bias-free screening devices. The Association believes that federal legislation should be enacted to assist in organizing the implementation of fully funded early childhood education programs offered through the public schools. These programs must be available to all children on an equal basis and should include mandatory kindergarten with compulsory attendance.
Craig: Scary. Why are these socialists so eager to get their hands on our kids at such a young age? To teach them “diversity?”
B-8. Class Size. The National Education Association believes that excellence in the classroom can best be attained by small class size. The Association also believes in an optimum class size of fifteen students in regular programs and a proportionately lower number in programs for students with exceptional needs.
Craig: What they are saying is that small class sizes equates to more teachers which equates to more forced labor union dues which equates to more political funds for liberal democrats. For the record, the schools in D11 with larger classes (Martinez/Scott, etc) are performing at a higher level than those with smaller classes (Adams/Hunt, etc). Small class size does not equal better performance.
B-10. Racial Diversity Within Student Populations. The Association believes that to achieve or maintain racial diversity, it may be necessary for elementary/secondary schools, colleges, and universities to take race into account in making decisions as to student admissions, assignments, and/or transfers.
B-11. Racism, Sexism, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identification Discrimination. Discrimination and stereotyping based on such factors as race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identification, disability, ethnicity, immigration status, occupation, and religion must be eliminated. The Association also believes that these factors should not affect the legal rights and obligations of the partners in a legally recognized domestic partnership, civil union, or marriage in regard to matters involving the other partner, such as medical decisions, taxes, inheritance, adoption, and immigration. Plans, activities, and programs must -
· Increase respect, understanding, acceptance, and sensitivity toward individuals and groups in a diverse society composed of such groups as American Indians/Alaska natives, Asians and Pacific Islanders, Blacks, Hispanics, women, gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgendered persons, and people with disabilities
· " Eliminate discrimination and stereotyping in curricula, textbooks, resource and instructional materials, activities, etc.
· Foster the dissemination and use of nondiscriminatory and nonstereotypical language, resources, practices, and activities
· Integrate an accurate portrayal of the roles and contributions of all groups throughout history across curricula, particularly groups who have been under-represented historically
· Eliminate subtle practices that favor the education of one student over another on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identification, disability, ethnicity, or religion
· Encourage all members of the educational community to examine assumptions and prejudices, including, but not limited to, racism, sexism, and homophobia, that might limit the opportunities and growth of students and education employees
· Offer positive and diverse role models in our society including the recruitment, hiring, and promotion of diverse education employees in our public schools
· Coordinate with organizations and concerned agencies that promote the contributions, heritage, culture, history, and special health and care needs of diverse population groups
The Association encourages its affiliates to develop and implement training programs on these matters.
Craig: Don’t worry. With Tim Gill funding your D11 board, be prepared to see a lot of sexual orientation related changes in the district.
B-20. Education of Refugee and Undocumented Children and Children of Undocumented Immigrants. The Association supports access to financial aid and in-state tuition to state colleges and universities. The Association further believes that students who have resided in the United States for at least five years at the time of high school graduation should be granted amnesty by the Immigration and Naturalization Service, granted legal residency status, and allowed to apply for U.S. citizenship.
Craig: You spend millions of dollars each year educating children of illegal aliens in D11, and the labor union wants you to be happy about that. Keep in mind that the labor union blames these illegals for the poor performance of your schools.
B-35. Multicultural Education. The National Education Association believes that multiculturalism is the process of valuing differences and incorporating the values identified into behavior for the goal of achieving the common good. Multi-cultural education should promote the recognition of individual and group differences and similarities in order to reduce racism, homophobia, ethnic and all other forms of prejudice, and discrimination and to develop self-esteem as well as respect for others.
Craig: How about education on the great melting pot, the United States of America?
B-44. Family Life Education. The Association believes that programs should be established for both students and parents/guardians and supported at all educational levels to promote -
· The development of self-esteem
· An understanding of societal issues and problems related to children, spouses, parents/guardians, domestic partners, older generation family members, and other family members.
The Association also believes that education in these areas must be presented as part of an anti-biased, culturally-sensitive program.
Craig: There you go – self-esteem. Not self-esteem through education, mind you. The part about teaching students about “problems” related to family is where schools in some cities have begun turning students against parental authority. Watch out for this.
B-45. Environmental Education. The Association supports educational programs that promote -
· An awareness of the effects of past, present, and future population growth patterns on world civilization, human survival, and the environment
· Solutions to environmental problems such as nonrenewable resource depletion, pollution, global warming, ozone depletion, and acid precipitation and deposition
· The recognition of and participation in such activities as Earth Day
Craig: Who wants Al Gore in their child’s classroom?
B-47. Sex Education. The Association recognizes that the public school must assume an increasingly important role in providing the instruction. Teachers and health professionals must be qualified to teach in this area and must be legally protected from censorship and lawsuits. The Association also believes that to facilitate the realization of human potential, it is the right of every individual to live in an environment of freely available information and knowledge about sexuality and encourages affiliates and members to support appropriately established sex education programs. Such programs should include information on sexual abstinence, birth control and family planning, diversity of culture, diversity of sexual orientation and gender identification, parenting skills, prenatal care, sexually transmitted diseases, incest, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, homophobia.
Craig: They want a bigger role for the schools in this area, as well as Planned Parenthood, as well as the Gill Foundation.
B-55. Education on Peace and International Understanding. The National Education Association believes that educational strategies for teaching peace and justice issues should include the role of individuals, social movements, international and nongovernmental organizations. The Association also believes that educational materials should include activities dealing with the effects of nuclear weaponry and other weapons of mass destruction, strategies for disarmament, methods to achieve peace. Such curricular materials should also cover major contributing factors to conflict, such as economic disparity, demographic variables, unequal political power and resource distribution, and the indebtedness of the developing world.
Craig: In other words, USA=Bad; socialist countries=good.
B-63. Standardized Testing of Students. The National Education Association believes that standardized tests should be used only to improve the quality of education and instruction for students. The Association opposes the use of standardized tests when -
· Used as the criterion for the reduction or withholding of any educational funding
· Results are used to compare students, teachers, programs, schools, communities, and states
· Scores are used to track students
· Students with special needs or limited English proficiency are required to take the same tests as regular education students without modifications and/or accommodations.
Craig: “Give us the money, but don’t you dare hold us accountable.”
B-75. Home Schooling. The National Education Association believes that home schooling programs based on parental choice cannot provide the student with a comprehensive education experience. When home schooling occurs, students enrolled must meet all state curricular requirements, including the taking of assessments to ensure adequate academic progress. Home schooling should be limited to the children of the immediate family, with all expenses being born by the parents/guardians. Instruction should be by persons who are licensed by the appropriate state education licensure agency, and a curriculum approved by the state department of education should be used.
The Association also believes that home-schooled students should not participate in any extracurricular activities in the public schools.
Craig: They know better than you what to teach your child. And they want you to have a license before you can homeschool, and even though your taxes fund your public school, they want to prohibit your child from participating in extra-curricular activities.
C-27. Student Sexual Orientation and Gender Identification. The National Education Association believes that all persons, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identification, should be afforded equal opportunity and guaranteed a safe and inclusive environment within the public education system. The Association also believes that, for students who are struggling with their sexual orientation or gender identification, every school district and educational institution should provide counseling services and programs that deal with high suicide and dropout rates and the high incidence of teen prostitution.
Craig: Yep, lets spend funds telling kids that although they were physically born as a boy, they might actually be something else.
D-21. Competency Testing of Licensed Teachers. The National Education Association believes that competency testing must not be used as a condition of employment, license retention, evaluation, placement, ranking, or promotion of licensed teachers.
Craig: After all, incompetent teachers put a lot of money into the labor union, too.
H-7. National Health Care Policy. The National Education Association believes that affordable, comprehensive health care, including prescription drug coverage, is the right of every resident. The Association supports the adoption of a single-payer health care plan for all residents of the United States, its territories, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Craig: And which article of the U.S. Constitution guarantees this “right?”
H-11. Statehood for the District of Columbia. The Association supports efforts to achieve statehood for the District of Columbia.
Craig: This one will really improve your neighborhood school.
I-1. Peace and International Relations. The Association urges all nations to develop treaties and disarmament agreements that reduce the possibility of war. The Association also believes that such treaties and agreements should prevent the placement of weapons in outer space. The Association believes that the United Nations furthers world peace and promotes the rights of all people by preventing war, racism, and genocide.
Craig: When has the UN ever accomplished any of this?
I-2. International Court of Justice. The Association urges participation by the United States in deliberations before the court.
I-3. International Criminal Court. The Association believes that the United States should ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and recognize and support its authority and jurisdiction.
Craig: Wow.
I-28. Freedom of Religion. The Association opposes any federal legislation or mandate that would require school districts to schedule a moment of silence.
Craig: Didn’t they mean “freedom from religion?”
New I. Global Warming. The National Education Association believes that global warming causes significant measureable damage to the earth and its inhabitants. The Association also believes that humans must take steps to change activities that contribute to global warming. The Association supports environmentally sound practices that abate global warming and its effects.
Craig: Last year, my daughter’s teacher could not explain how the glaciers melted oh those many years ago.
There you have it. The top priorities of the teacher’s labor union and their school boards, including your D11 board. Makes you feel all warm and fuzzy about sending your kids off to school.
posted by Craig Cox | 3:52 PM
4 Comments:
I wonder if the Gazette will have a story on this list of priorities? NOT! Karl Marx would be very proud of the NEA, and the CSEA, and anyone who supports this socialistic propaganda. All of us should be asking, how did we let this happen and what must we do to stop it?
Well, they hit every politically correct item out there, didn't they? It's just that political correctness has nothing to do with kids which explains the lack of any meaningful resolutions to improve the quality of education in the public school system. (Small class size doesn't cut it, for the reasons you noted, Craig.)
As to a couple of the items, I saw a teacher at a school board meeting get up and indignently tell the board, "How dare you question what I do in the classroom!" Unbelievable. Some teachers really do believe that that are free from accountability no matter how poorly they perform, and no matter how many kids they affect with their poor classroom instruction.
And, you can't help but notice the disgust the NEA has for parents who teach their kids at home. Is it because these kids are routinely winning spelling bees, geography bees, etc? Is that why they don't want home schooled kids participating in any school activities? Are they afraid they're being shown up by mere parents teaching their kids?
The union needs to go - or at least this version. They are clearly a roadblock to improving education. If other organizations truly dedicated to teacher issues are out there, meaning ones that are actively looking for ways to improve education for kids, to support teachers in developing better skills and things like that, that would be okay, but it is clear from your post that the NEA is not that organization.
Our 1st grader just signed up for cross-country track and there are over 80 kids from our school participating. When asked why the kids aren't wearing the school t-shirt to the meet to identify the school they're representing, we were told that the district doesn't want the kids to be aware which schools the winners and losers are from. Are they kidding? We thought we were above the Discovery Canyon school, which is against the whole 'tag' concept, but apparently not. No real life lessons learned here.
Mr. Cox,
You missed the biggest impacting one which is H.1 - encouraging all association members to be politically active. Not just a simple get out and vote, but addressing much deeper involvement in the democratic (that's a SMALL "d" for Pete's sake!!) process.
Thanks for taking the lid off this and enlightening us. Maybe others will check it out and have their lightbulb go on, too!
Post a Comment
<< Home