[RavenATB]

"I have nothing against homeschoolers, and just because some of them have done bad things does not reflect on the vast majority.
And yet - here are the homeschoolers trying to portray ALL public school teachers as stupid and evil."

Here's the difference...

Public education as an entity, many public school teachers, and the NEA has disparaged home schooling for many years. And, there certainly are home schoolers who will disparage public education as a grotesque waste of money, manpower, and children's' lives and futures.

But, when a abusive or incompetent home school parent is identified...by whatever means...you seldom, if ever, see other home school parents rally to that parent's defense.

When incompetent or abusive teachers are identified the school system (often), many teachers, and the NEA expend huge resources to protect that teacher from consequence. If you pay dues to the NEA, some of your money is going to protect and defend teachers who don't teach, or who are incompetent, or who abuse kids. That makes EVERY teacher who pays dues into the NEA complicit in the problems children are suffering.

So, there is a logical argument to point the finger at every dues-paying member of the NEA. Even if an NEA member is competent and successful in the classroom, they're part of the damage the children are suffering across the broader spectrum of public education.

[Scotswife]

"Public education as an entity, many public school teachers, and the NEA has disparaged home schooling for many years"

Agreed.

"But, when a abusive or incompetent home school parent is identified...by whatever means...you seldom, if ever, see other home school parents rally to that parent's defense"

I don't know.
I'm getting rocks hurled at me here because I pointed out that some homeschoolers can be incompetent too.

"When incompetent or abusive teachers are identified the school system (often), many teachers, and the NEA expend huge resources to protect that teacher from consequence"

yes...agreed.

" If you pay dues to the NEA, some of your money is going to protect and defend teachers who don't teach, or who are incompetent, or who abuse kids."

I don't think people understand the dues situation.
They are confiscated from the paycheck whether the teacher joins the union or not. At least in our state they do.

"That makes EVERY teacher who pays dues into the NEA complicit in the problems children are suffering."

Like I said...many teachers have no control over this dues money - although I have noticed more news stories of teachers attempting to fight this legal battle.

So what I still see here is a desire to demonize public school teachers.

Really...I'm amazed at how so-called adults with so-called advanced degrees fail to exhibit any civility whatsoever.
Is anything ever accomplished by name calling?

My 4 yr. old exhibits more maturity than I'm seeing on some of these ridiculous posts.
(not referring to you BTW...just ranting)