AFT statement on President Obama's education vision

[ProSense]

March 10, 2009

Statement by Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers, On President Obama's Remarks Today To the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

WASHINGTON—We embrace the goals and aspirations outlined today by President Obama when he called for providing all Americans with a comprehensive, competitive education that begins in early childhood and extends through their careers. The president's vision of education-and the AFT's-includes world-class standards for all students, new and better tools for teachers, greater effort to recruit and retain good teachers, and competitive teacher salaries with innovative ways to reward teaching excellence.

We also fully support the president's call for shared responsibility for education-among public officials, school administrators, parents, students and teachers. Teachers want to make a difference in kids' lives, and they appreciate a president who shares that goal and will spend his political capital to provide the resources to make it happen.

As with any public policy, the devil is in the details, and it is important that teachers' voices are heard as we implement the president's vision. The AFT stands ready to work with the president to make America the leader in public education.

[Captain Hilts]

1. This issue is more complicated than that. nt

[ProSense]

2. I suspect the

teachers' union would know, don't you?

[Captain Hilts]

5. There is more than one national teachers' union. And they're not pleased...

with the choice of secretary of Ed.

But, anything is better and I'm glad to see their positive note.

[ProSense]

10. What does the choice of Ed Sec. have to do with the AFT statement? n/t

[billyoc]

3. Maybe you should tell the president of the teachers' union all about it.

:eyes:

[Captain Hilts]

6. The Nation has noted how Duncan supports giving the military greater access to public schools...

"Duncan, a basketball buddy of Obama's, has been called a "budding hero in the education business" by Bush's former Education secretary, Rod Paige. Just as the test-crazy nightmare of Paige's Houston served as a national model (when it should have been a cautionary tale) in 2001, so Duncan would bring to Washington an agenda based on Renaissance 2010, which Chicago education activist Michael Klonsky describes as a blend of "more standardized testing, closing neighborhood schools, militarization, and the privatization of school management."

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20081229/kohn?rel=hp_currently

[billyoc]

7. Oh, sorry, forgot the contact info:

Randi Weingarten
American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO
555 New Jersey Ave. N.W.
Washington, DC 20001

Phone:
202/879-4400

[Captain Hilts]

8. I have done a LOT of work with the teachers unions and have friends that belong.

Some progressives think we should keep an eye on him.

No more, no less.

[billyoc]

11. Fair enough.

[AnneD]

4. Teacher's voices have been all but ignored...

at most levels of gov. but especially the national level for the last 8 years. No child left alive is our pet nickname for government education reforms of the last 8 years (actually since we live in Texas, we've suffered a bit longer).

[firedupdem]

9. Glad the teachers union is willing to wor.k with the President and

ensure teachers voices are heard. Sounds like they are open to working together to get it done. The devil is in the details and it sounds like all the details haven't been finalized.

[ProSense]

12. Much to the dismay of some people. n/t