Democrats Step On NCLB Running Into Teachers' Arms

RealClearPolitics ^ | July 11, 2007 | By Ruben Navarrette

[.cnI redruM]

It's no surprise to see presidential candidates pandering to contributors. But what is disappointing is how far some of them will go to take care of those who take care of them.

Imagine being so eager to please the money crowd that you'll try to destroy a reform measure that is reasonable and helpful, especially when the help is going to the same folks you claim to represent. That's what happened recently when the major Democratic presidential candidates made a pilgrimage to the annual convention of the National Education Association, the nation's largest teachers union with 3.2 million members, and -- one by one -- bashed the No Child Left Behind law. ---snip----

In an apparent bid to regain GOP support, Education Secretary Margaret Spellings is reportedly pushing for vouchers to be included in the renewed version of No Child Left Behind. That should have been in the law all along.

Still, the NEA is going to come unglued. I can just see the buttons. Say, if the teachers are looking for slogans, how about this one: "A child is more than a paycheck."

[.cnI redruM]

Ruben, you're killing me. I saw your byline and was ready to rip into another one of your racist diatribes. I even had the tagline ready to describe you. "Pat Buchanon with a sun tan."

Then, being the dastardly villain that you are, you actually wrote something logical and intelligent. Curses, foiled again!

[RoadTest]

The NEA is about “No Teacher Left Behind”.

[ClaireSolt]

It is shocking to me that some districts just defy the research and refuse to use phonics. They want the money though. It is a little like defying immigration law with sanctuary policies. Not exactly a perfect union.

Have you heard about the radical math they are teaching in NYC? The word problems support the radical political agenda.

[jch10]

When I was teaching, I never voted for whomever the NEA backed.

[.cnI redruM]

Tell me about it!

[af_vet_rr]

NCLB does suck. The federal government cannot and should not be trying to fix what are local issues.

Hell, if Clinton had proposed it, Republicans would have been against it.

[em2vn]

Pat Buchanan with or without a tan has proven to be correct on many issues during “W”s administration, even if he was unpopular for voicing his opinions.