Oakland teachers failed kids over grant

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 11/2/12 | Chip Johnson

[SmithL]

The Oakland Education Association might want to consider changing its name.

The teachers union was one of six unions in California that refused last week to support their school district application for millions of dollars worth of federal funding offered by the Race to the Top program. Without union support, the districts could not qualify for the grants, which - if won - would have paid for high-quality math programs for fourth-through-eighth-grade students.

Clearly the union placed the welfare of its membership above that of the students, so it's somewhat misleading that it calls itself an "education association."

The big sticking point for the association and other teachers unions, including San Francisco's, in not backing the application was a requirement in the federal program to use student test scores to evaluate teacher performance. Oakland and San Francisco were part of a consortium of eight California cities that were seeking the grant, but only the Sanger and Clovis school districts near Fresno persuaded their teachers unions to sign.

The lack of cooperation from these teachers unions is utterly selfish and contemptible.

[SmithL]

Union thugs!

[SmithL]

It’s for the children, doncha’ know?

[jagusafr]

Gee, just like the union utility workers in Jersey who are turning away emergency repair crews from nonunion states because “you can’t work in Jersey if you ain’t union”.

Breathtaking selfishness.

[Mr. K]

But I though only Republicans were evil?

[Sacajaweau]

High quality math programs??? Hell....I had to teach my granddaughter the times tables.

[Dr. Sivana]

I know the union motivation is different than my own, but I would just as soon these districts not spend so much energy applying for federal grants.

For starters, they make you dance to the feds' tune. The Unionistas and folks like us have different ideas of what the tune should be, but it is best played at a local level. Second, the money is often applied to put in yet another program with a brand new constituency, and what didn't even exist a few years ago quickly becomes an indispensible part of our society.

[vette6387]

“I know the union motivation is different than my own, but I would just as soon these districts not spend so much energy applying for federal grants. “

You are so right! We need the Federal Government completely out of the “Education Business.” And we need most, if not all “grant money” to stop. If we cut the money we send to Washington ( where they just take out a hefty cut for themselves) we could raise it locally and have much better control of it’s use. The National Teachers Unions need to be put out of business as well.

[Tax-chick]

the grants ... would have paid for high-quality math programs for fourth-through-eighth-grade students.

This seems to imply that they do not currently have high-quality math programs. Why is that, when they have curriculum chosen by the state's or district's top education professions, approved by the state, and taught by state-certified graduations of schools of education, every one a national hero?

[Liaison]

This is a biased POS “we are missing out of government funds” article. Race to the top is a federal DoEd/ Secretary Duncan boondoggle. Depending on the district and money involved up to 50% of the performance of the student is tied to the instructor. If the kids don't work and fail tests even the best teacher can be canned and pay bonuses can be statistically politically/ good-old-boy manipulated by the district. It mainlines all students regardless of need or issue (w/No Child left behind). It regulates what type of instruction is taught regardless of the students needs and learning type. Even in “right to work” states teachers are balking at this.

[loveliberty2]

Parents and good teachers care about improving the learning performance of children!

Teachers' unions are about protecting the employment rights of their dues-paying members!

The big-wig, excessively paid union leaders profess interest in "education." Their real interest is accumulating money and power to control a political agenda.

If Romney follows through with his campaign statements, and parents and concerned citizens will hold him to those statements, then perhaps good teachers will be rewarded at the local and state level for the excellent results they produce, and the NEA and AFT officials will find themselves expossed and sidelined in the process.

[loveliberty2]

Ooops! That last line should read, ". . .exposed and sidelined. . . ."

And, by the way, as someone long ago observed something to the effect that, "teaching and learning are so entertwined that one cannot claim that one happens without the other."

[TurboZamboni]

http://www.cafepress.com/libertymaniacs/9009248