This blog is about teachers having a voice: about teaching in public school, news about our local association, California Teachers' Asssociation, and of course, The National Education Association. This blog is nonpartisan. All views and opinions are welcome, and if you say we contradict ourselves, well.... Email me your comments at JPMCALEX@aol.com
Saturday, February 28, 2004
Ron Paige's apol from ed.gov:
"It was an inappropriate choice of words to describe the obstructionist scare tactics the NEA's Washington lobbyists have employed against No Child Left Behind's historic education reforms. I also said, as I have repeatedly, that our nation's teachers, who have dedicated their lives to service in the classroom, are the real soldiers of democracy, whereas the NEA's high-priced Washington lobbyists have made no secret that they will fight against bringing real, rock-solid improvements in the way we educate all our children regardless of skin color, accent or where they live. But, as one who grew up on the receiving end of insensitive remarks, I should have chosen my words better."
"It was an inappropriate choice of words to describe the obstructionist scare tactics the NEA's Washington lobbyists have employed against No Child Left Behind's historic education reforms. I also said, as I have repeatedly, that our nation's teachers, who have dedicated their lives to service in the classroom, are the real soldiers of democracy, whereas the NEA's high-priced Washington lobbyists have made no secret that they will fight against bringing real, rock-solid improvements in the way we educate all our children regardless of skin color, accent or where they live. But, as one who grew up on the receiving end of insensitive remarks, I should have chosen my words better."
Friday, February 27, 2004
The Bush biographer, Molly Ivins, also weighed in:
"Paige is upset with the National Education Association because it is lobbying to give states more flexibility and more money in meeting the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Law.
"If that makes the NEA a terrorist organization, what does it make the Utah legislature, where its House of Representatives voted 64 to 8 not to comply with any provisions of the law that were not fully financed by the federal government? And how are we to categorize the Virginia House of Delegates, which voted 98 to 1 to ask Congress to exempt Virginia from the law?"
"Paige is upset with the National Education Association because it is lobbying to give states more flexibility and more money in meeting the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Law.
"If that makes the NEA a terrorist organization, what does it make the Utah legislature, where its House of Representatives voted 64 to 8 not to comply with any provisions of the law that were not fully financed by the federal government? And how are we to categorize the Virginia House of Delegates, which voted 98 to 1 to ask Congress to exempt Virginia from the law?"
None other than Tom Osbourne, congressman from Nebraska and former Cornhusker Football coach had this to say about the NEA and teachers:
"Our teachers are hard-working, dedicated public servants who serve on the front lines of our society. I have worked extensively with the Nebraska State Education Association (NSEA) as well as the National Education Association (NEA). I have worked closely with the NSEA and its educator-members and the NEA here in Washington on many issues of mutual concern. Teaching is the most important job in the world. Our teachers deserve our appreciation and respect."
"Our teachers are hard-working, dedicated public servants who serve on the front lines of our society. I have worked extensively with the Nebraska State Education Association (NSEA) as well as the National Education Association (NEA). I have worked closely with the NSEA and its educator-members and the NEA here in Washington on many issues of mutual concern. Teaching is the most important job in the world. Our teachers deserve our appreciation and respect."
Tuesday, February 24, 2004
Well, in the later developments of this Ed sec story, Reg Weaver appeared on CNBC. The reporters were clearly anti-teacher union. Weaver responded that the NEA is the teachers. Who out there agrees with that? That is the next question.
Here's the statement from "nea.org" demanding the ED SEC. step down:
Statement by Reg Weaver,
National Education Association President,
on Remarks by
U.S. Education Secretary Paige
Education Secretary Rod Paige is wrong about the National Education Association.
We have heard from thousands of teachers and educators who came home from working in their schools on Monday only to hear themselves and their professional organization referred to as "terrorists" by the top federal education official.
Our members say that once again this national leader has insulted them, this time beyond repair, with words filled with hatred -- and merely because they raised legitimate concerns about the president's so-called "No Child Left Behind" law.
Our members remain dedicated to improving education for the millions of children in our public schools. We will continue to insist on fixing the law's inadequate funding and unworkable rules that stand in the way of a quality education for all children.
Our members say they deserve more than unfair labels and mean-spirited apologies. The administration must be made to understand the gravity of the charge leveled at 2.7 million patriotic American citizens.
And our members say that if the Bush administration cannot work with the public school employees who educate these children every day, then it is time to find new leadership who can.
Our members are the NEA, and on behalf of them, I ask President Bush to express his regret to the nation's educators and demand that Secretary Paige step down.
February 24, 2004
Statement by Reg Weaver,
National Education Association President,
on Remarks by
U.S. Education Secretary Paige
Education Secretary Rod Paige is wrong about the National Education Association.
We have heard from thousands of teachers and educators who came home from working in their schools on Monday only to hear themselves and their professional organization referred to as "terrorists" by the top federal education official.
Our members say that once again this national leader has insulted them, this time beyond repair, with words filled with hatred -- and merely because they raised legitimate concerns about the president's so-called "No Child Left Behind" law.
Our members remain dedicated to improving education for the millions of children in our public schools. We will continue to insist on fixing the law's inadequate funding and unworkable rules that stand in the way of a quality education for all children.
Our members say they deserve more than unfair labels and mean-spirited apologies. The administration must be made to understand the gravity of the charge leveled at 2.7 million patriotic American citizens.
And our members say that if the Bush administration cannot work with the public school employees who educate these children every day, then it is time to find new leadership who can.
Our members are the NEA, and on behalf of them, I ask President Bush to express his regret to the nation's educators and demand that Secretary Paige step down.
February 24, 2004
This has been the NEA's only response so far:
NEA President Calls
Education Secretary’s Comments
About NEA 'Morally Repugnant'
NEA President Reg Weaver issued the following statement regarding Department of Education Secretary Rod Paige's reference to the NEA as a "terrorist organization" today at a private meeting of governors at the White House.
Weaver said, "It is morally repugnant to equate those who teach America's children with terrorists. NEA is 2.7 million teachers and educators who are fighting for children and public education. Yet this is the kind of rhetoric we have come to expect from this Administration whenever one challenges its worldview."
NEA President Calls
Education Secretary’s Comments
About NEA 'Morally Repugnant'
NEA President Reg Weaver issued the following statement regarding Department of Education Secretary Rod Paige's reference to the NEA as a "terrorist organization" today at a private meeting of governors at the White House.
Weaver said, "It is morally repugnant to equate those who teach America's children with terrorists. NEA is 2.7 million teachers and educators who are fighting for children and public education. Yet this is the kind of rhetoric we have come to expect from this Administration whenever one challenges its worldview."
Monday, February 23, 2004
Let's start this blog off with a little discussion piece: today the Education Secretary of the U.S Dept of Education, Ron Paige, called the National Education Association a "terrorist organization." Of course he apparently apologized and said he had nothing against teachers; he was an educator himself.
It is one thing to disagree with what the NEA stands for, or object to the litigation about "No child left behind." But it is another to call a professional organization of 2.7 million teachers a terrorist organization. I guess the war on terrorism does start at home!
And funny this is the first comment I have heard from Sec. Paige in three years. I guess he has been so busy because he is making every public school district as great as the 90/90/90 schools he built at home in Houston.
It is one thing to disagree with what the NEA stands for, or object to the litigation about "No child left behind." But it is another to call a professional organization of 2.7 million teachers a terrorist organization. I guess the war on terrorism does start at home!
And funny this is the first comment I have heard from Sec. Paige in three years. I guess he has been so busy because he is making every public school district as great as the 90/90/90 schools he built at home in Houston.
