Teacher Unions' Divergent Vision on Education Reform Contrasts with Federal Goals

Strategic Insights -

As federal Education Department officials are set to announce the winning states in the second-round "Race to the Top" grant competition, a national narrative is emerging about the varying buy-in from state teacher unions. Education reformers are facing significant challenges due to the divergent views held by some teacher union officials, as illustrated by a collection of recent statements from union leaders. These statements highlight the stark differences in perspectives between reformers and union officials on key issues such as the role of business in education, federal education policy, charter schools, and performance evaluations.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Chicago Teachers Union President, Karen Lane, expressed her opposition to business involvement in education, stating, "The only people who can improve our public schools are professional educators. We want to put business in its place and out of our schools." (Chicago Tribune, June 12, 2010)
  • Tennessee Education Association President, Earl Wiman, criticized the federal administration's approach to education policy, describing it as "top-down" and stating that it has "aroused more frustration around federal education policy than I've ever seen." (The New York Times, July 4, 2010)
  • Buffalo Teachers Federation President, Phil Rumore, expressed concerns about funding for charter schools, saying, "I don't know whether it's being wasted or not," and adding, "The only thing I do know, they're draining millions more from us." (The Capitol (NY), June 2, 2010)
  • The National Education Association Resolution from 2009-10 stated that local school boards should be the only entities that can grant or renew charter applications.
  • NJEA President Barbara Keshishian criticized New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, saying, "You are determined to demonize and destroy the middle class workers who built this great state." (May 22, 2010)
  • The National Education Association Resolution from 2009-10 also called for local affiliates to negotiate policies that exclude performance evaluation from consideration in the RIF (reductions in force) process.
  • Virginia Education Association News reported that Angie Clevinger advocated for measuring achievement on a progress basis but opposed using student test scores to determine salaries. (May 2010)
  • The American Federation of Teachers-West Virginia White Paper from June 2010 stated that the number one priority for true education reform should be increasing teacher salaries, if the goal is to provide a highly qualified and certified teacher in every classroom.

Statistics:

  • The National Education Association no-confidence vote in Race to the Top was reportedly tight.
  • The Chicago Teachers Union has over 25,000 members, making it one of the largest teacher unions in the country.
  • The American Federation of Teachers-West Virginia has been advocating for increased teacher salaries and improved working conditions for over a decade.
  • The National Education Association has over 3 million members, making it one of the largest labor unions in the country.

Sources:

  • "Chicago Tribune, June 12, 2010"
  • "The New York Times, July 4, 2010"
  • "The Capitol (NY), June 2, 2010"
  • "National Education Association Resolution, 2009-10"
  • "NJEA President Barbara Keshishian, May 22, 2010"
  • "Virginia Education Association News, May 2010"
  • "American Federation of Teachers-West Virginia White Paper, June 2010"