Posted on 05/05/2010 9:15:02 PM PDT by Libloather
On National Teacher Day, unions rail against school cuts
By Amanda Paulson – Tue May 4, 7:51 pm ET
On Tuesday, which was National Teacher Day, teacher unions and lawmakers highlighted the grim future looming for some districts that are being forced to ax teachers – among other school cuts – in order to balance their budgets.
The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) launched a “Pink Hearts, Not Pink Slips” campaign designed to bring attention to the 300,000 teachers, school staff, and college faculty who it says are in danger of losing their jobs this year. The campaign supports legislation that would provide an additional $23 billion in federal money to help avert layoffs.
“The level and magnitude of these cuts are unsustainable,” said AFT president Randi Weingarten in a press conference Tuesday morning. “It’s lunacy to be making cuts of this magnitude as we’re working on education reform to help all students learn.”
Rep. George Miller (D) of California and Sen. Tom Harkin (D) of Iowa also spoke about the legislation they’ve introduced: The $23 billion “education jobs fund” would be modeled after the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund, which was created last year with education stimulus money and helped many states with tough budget situations.
“Not since the Great Depression have our public schools faced the prospect of such massive layoffs,” Senator Harkin said. “This is not something we can fix in August, when the new school year begins. We have to head off this disaster now.”
But critics contend that the crisis is being exaggerated. In many cases, for instance, districts are required to notify teachers that they may lose their jobs, even if it is highly likely they will fire such large numbers. Also according to critics, more money is not the solution.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Here are my two cents: Frak both the Teachers Union and Unions, in general, kkthxbuhbye. =.=
Wonder how many of those 300,000 pink hearts losing their jobs this year have to do with inapproriate removal of pink panties, along with their pink slips...assuming they even wear slips any more?
Another way to avert layoffs is if each teacher would take a pay cut.
Once you catch herpes, you just can't get rid of it. This $23 B bill will be renewed each and every year, if passed.
Why give more money to schools who steal it?
The “education system” of today does a poorer job of teaching fewer students at a higher cost than in previous decades.
THAT is what is “unsustainable”.
Cut ‘em all to the bone! NO sports, art, music, drama....
Just core academics - you want something else for your kids? Pay for it yourself.
They never stop asking for more in the name of the ‘children.’ What they don’t realize is that most people now view school systems and their unions as the epitome of selfishness.
I have been seeing teacher’s union TV ads whining about a bill in the legislature that would allow people without formal education degrees to teach. I have a masters degree plus credits toward a doctorate and have been a college educator for more than 10 years yet according to the unions I am unqualified to teach in public school. However if I had a bachelors degree in education, no experience and was union member I would be qualified. Go figure.
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