Archive for July 2017

A Department of Education’s 2016 regulation concerning teacher preparation and funding of it, is not sitting well with NEA teacher union president Lily Eskelsen. Paul Stephan has the story in the Regulatory Review.  A little-discussed, 2016 U.S. Department of Education regulation, “Teacher Preparation Issues,” is quietly changing what colleges and other institutions that train teachers need to report to…

In many schools taxpayer dollars are used to fund union officials who earn credit as if they were working, and they are working: for the union, not the schools.  The Fairness Center in Harrisburg, PA, and American for Fair Treatment are filing a lawsuit in Pennsylvania to stop the practice.  Michael Carroll has the story…

Teachers in the Empire State must, by law, either join or pay forced dues in every school district, teacher union power is very strong and pervasive. Charter schools were designed to allow more flexibility in all aspects of education reform, including how teachers are hired and trained.  And teacher union officials, while co-opting charter schools…

Larry Sand has once again hit the nail on the head with his scathing review of California’s latest attempt to keep union officials happy.   Check out the story in citywatchla.com Jerry Brown’s ‘Trailer Trash’ Supports Forced Unionism RIGGING THE RULES-The public employee unions, especially the teacher union variety, are very jittery over the prospect that the Janus case,…

Hailed as a victory for school reform, NEA president Lily Eskelson Garcia has declared she will not work with Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. Check out the details in Wall Street Journal Opinion section. “The president of the National Education Association has had enough. On Sunday Lily Eskelsen Garcia told her delegates that though she knows “how…

Teacher union officials’ greed has led some schools to have to extract money from their budgets in order to fund teacher retirements. This action adds to the pile that belies their claims that all for the students. A headline on nea.org this morning: Sacrificing Children for Tax Cuts, Senate GOP Leaders Unveil Health Care Bill. Then there is…

Larry Sand takes on teacher union naysayers and their myths on charter schools, in the California Policy Center. The National Education Association, falling right into line with state affiliate CTA, relentlessly bangs the “no accountability” drum, and repeats the age-old saw that charters “drain money from traditional public schools (TPS).” NEA has crafted a new policy toward charters…

Union staff members who picket their union employer at NEA’s annual convention. Mike Antonucci has the story in Intercepts. A note: for the first time in 19 years, Mike has not met the requirements for a press pass to the convention, but continues to report off site. Employees of the California Teachers Association have been negotiating for…

LeVar Burton, NEA’s Friend of Education for 2017, clearly believes in private school choice, while NEA teacher union officials are working to eradicate the concept. Mike Antonucci’s short but hits a bull’s eye with this one. LeVar Burton, NEA’s Friend of Education for 2017, clearly believes in private school choice, while NEA teacher union officials are working…