Obama scapegoats teachers, continues Bush education policies

[inthebrain]

Obama scapegoats teachers, continues Bush education policies


By Tom Eley
11 March 2009

In an address before the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, President Barack Obama indicated that he would continue the essential features of the educational policy of his predecessor, George Bush.

Obama said his goal was "to finally make No Child Left Behind live up to its name by ensuring not only that teachers and principals get the funding they need, but that the money is tied to results." To achieve this, Obama emphasized an increasing rigidity for standardized testing of students, and the linking of both pay for teachers and educational funding to these test results. Just as Bush had done, Obama claimed that such "performance incentives" will improve the delivery of education to students.

Nothing could be further from the truth. As abundant experience with No Child Left Behind has made clear, linking school funding and teacher pay to student performance on standardized exams—tests whose pedagogical value is dubious at best—undermines those working class and minority school districts that are in need of the most assistance.

Among several other rightwing reforms he enunciated in his speech, Obama called on state legislatures to lift quotas on the formation of "charter schools"—publicly funded institutions that compete with the preexisting public schools for students and resources. In Chicago—where Obama's secretary of education, Arne Duncan, worked as the school system's "Chief Executive Officer"—the advance of the charter school has led to the closure of numerous " low-performing" schools in poor neighborhoods.

The speech was notable for Obama's scapegoating of teachers for the failures of the American educational system. Obama said that improvement in education requires "states and school districts taking steps to move bad teachers out of the classroom."

This will require an attack on the workplace rules and seniority system that have long governed teaching. " Let me be clear," he continued, "if a teacher is given a chance but still does not improve, there is no excuse for that person to continue teaching. I reject a system that rewards failure and protects a person from its consequences." While he finds the "courage" to bully public school teachers, Obama has no difficulty in rewarding the failure of the financial executives who have triggered the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression.




http://www.wsws.org/articles/2009/mar2009/obam-m11.shtml

[paulsby]

1. nice illogic

saying that obama is "scapegoating" teachers.

this meme has legs imo.

[ixion]

2. education is one of our only ways out of this mess... it's a pity

Obama is continuing that horrid NCLB. I'm really not sure how that constitutes "reform."

[marshall]

29. They need to get some "real" people in to help make these decisions

Having wealthy people who can affor to put their own children in expensive private schools (and almost unamimously choose to do so) is as problematic as having rich middle aged men making decisions about abortion law. They have nothing invested in the decisions being made, it's all theoretical to them. They need people who are public school teachers, administrators, or parents who actually have children in public schools making these decisions.

[checks-n-balances]

37. I thought Michelle Obama said they would change or scrap NCLB

I thought she stated that several times on the campaign trail. That was one of the things I felt most hopeful for with regard to Obama.

[femmocrat]

3. And yet, the spineless NEA still "supports" his plans.

:puke:


Actually they said (paraphrasing) that he did not tie merit pay to student achievement. They are maintaining that he *really meant* higher pay for national certification. I don't think he made it clear at all.

And I am still wondering what are these "unnecessary" courses or classes he was referring to? Anyone know?

Charter schools, accountability, high-stakes testing, merit pay..... the only thing missing is vouchers.

[madrchsod]

4. i agree with everything tom eley wrote

[Mari333]

5. bad form!! christ, obama is looking more and more bush lite every day

reminds me of the days when clinton disappointed me.

[ProSense]

6. World Socialist Web Site? What about the AFT and the NEA?

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.

President Obama's vision for 21st century America centers on strengthening education

NEA president welcomes "cradle to career" plan outlined by President Obama


WASHINGTON - March 10, 2009 - President Barack Obama today expanded on earlier remarks about his vision for education in America in the 21st century. His "cradle to career" agenda would expand and improve quality early childhood education; get rid of "off-the-shelf" tests; support teachers through professional development and mentoring; provide resources for reducing dropouts; demand greater accountability for charter schools; support for the inclusion of critical thinking skills in standards, and increase financial aid for college students. President Obama made similar remarks during his historic inaugural address, and, more recently, while addressing a joint session of Congress.

The following statement can be attributed to NEA President Dennis Van Roekel:

"We welcome the vision President Obama is presenting for strengthening public education in the 21st century. He's off to a solid start, making the largest investment of federal funds in the history of public education with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

"His 'cradle to career' proposal mirrors what NEA and its 3.2 million members have been advocating, including reforming No Child Left Behind, requiring universal preK, ensuring access to high- quality early childhood education programs and child care opportunities to help students enter kindergarten ready to learn, making science and math education a national priority and increasing college access and success.

"We, like President Obama, advocate for improving professional development and mentoring for new and less effective teachers; a national investment in recruiting some of the most talented individuals into the field of teaching, as well as investing in scaling up innovative teacher preparation and induction models; and raising teachers' compensation based on their knowledge and skills.

"We believe President Obama's five-pillar plan-which encompasses universal preK to higher education and everything in between-gets us closer toward the goal of great public schools for every student. We look forward to working with President Obama and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to transform public education to prepare students to compete in a global economy."

NEA is working to improve teacher quality through promotion of National Board for Professional Teaching Standards expansion and support of Teacher Working Condition Surveys. NEA also is partnering with the National Governors Association, the Council of Chief State Schools Officers, and ACHIEVE to create higher quality standards that include 21st century skills and content.

You still haven't provide proof.

[femmocrat]

10. At least AFT sounds a little less laudatory than NEA.

"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" -- oh yeah, did anyone actually ask the teachers about any of this???

[Deja Q]

14. Whoops. Hadn't seen the WS web site...

[LWolf]

33. I can't speak for the AFT.

The NEA has been ambivalent, at best. While Reg Weaver has never had the balls to come out in opposition to Obama's education agenda, many of the membership hasn't been so accomodating. He was booed at the NEA convention for his plans for merit pay.

Relations between Obama and educators have never been exactly warm. A temporary truce, if anything.

In that infamous FOX interview in which he was asked, "As a president, can you name a hot-button issue where you would be willing to buck the Democratic Party line and say, 'You know what? Republicans have a better idea here?'" Obama brought up education, charter schools, and merit pay, and admitted that "sometimes I've gotten in trouble with the teachers' union on this."

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,352785,00.html

I think he should have gotten in a lot more trouble than he has. I'd like my association to take a stronger stand in opposition.

Meanwhile, I'd point out to all those jumping on the teacher-bashing bandwagon: we vote. We are a large bloc, we have good memories, and we vote, too.

Most of us don't wait for Reg Weaver to tell us how to do so.

[sallylou666]

7. NCLB Sucks

NCLB has been a disaster and I can't believe that he wants to continue it. :banghead:

[steelmania75]

8. NCLB needs to be either removed or reformed dramatically NOW!

[Bodhi BloodWave]

11. And reform it is exactly what obama is planning

What i don't understand(not directed to you specifically) is how many people see one word(in this case NCLB or merit pay) and then automatically starts complaining and disregarding the plans/ideas without actually looking under the 'hood' so to speak to check exactly how it works.

The way i see it, if there is something set up that can work with some serious reform then its better to actually do the reforming rather then scrap it all and start from scratch(specially if there were 'some' useful parts to the old way)

[ProSense]

13. Even more perplexing is

being outraged and surprised that Obama is doing exactly what he said he would do. He's been talking about this plan for since 2007. Suddenly the plan he campaigned and won on is "scapegoating" teachers. Silly.

[inthebrain]

15. Where did Obama mention merit pay on the campaign trail?

He certainly didn't mention it when he wanted the Teacher's Union vote.

[ProSense]

16. "He certainly didn't mention it when he wanted the Teacher's Union vote." So you had no idea?

2007

2008

Edit to add info from Whitehouse.gov:

Reward Teachers: Obama and Biden will promote new and innovative ways to increase teacher pay that are developed with teachers, not imposed on them. Districts will be able to design programs that reward with a salary increase accomplished educators who serve as a mentors to new teachers. Districts can reward teachers who work in underserved places like rural areas and inner cities. And if teachers consistently excel in the classroom, that work can be valued and rewarded as well.

From Obama's recent speech

Here is what that commitment means: It means treating teachers like the professionals they are while also holding them more accountable – in up to 150 more school districts. New teachers will be mentored by experienced ones. Good teachers will be rewarded with more money for improved student achievement, and asked to accept more responsibilities for lifting up their schools. Teachers throughout a school will benefit from guidance and support to help them improve.

And just as we have to give our teachers all the support they need to be successful, we need to make sure our students have the teacher they need to be successful. That means states and school districts taking steps to move bad teachers out of the classroom. Let me be clear: if a teacher is given a chance but still does not improve, there is no excuse for that person to continue teaching. I reject a system that rewards failure and protects a person from its consequences. The stakes are too high. We can afford nothing but the best when it comes to our children’s teachers and to the schools where they teach.

[Bodhi BloodWave]

17. Well, there is this instance for one, his speech back in September

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=5244829&mesg_id=5244829

[inthebrain]

19. I skimmed over it but I didn't see anything about Merit Pay

in there.

Could you point to specific area where he mentions it?

[ProSense]

23. There was in the links I provided.

Why are you ignoring those?

[Political Tiger]

9. Impeach him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:tinfoilhat:

[Deja Q]

12. Cool. Tell the kids and they'll wilfully turn in bad grades.

Well, maybe or maybe not...

Teachers are not the sole cause of the problems in our society. From what I've read, their hands are often tied.

All that's not to say some teachers are legitimately bad, but the situation simply is not THAT myopic or one-sided.

[Metta]

18. another bad move. Arne Duncan is a shill for corporate, anti-union, schooling.

Happy karma to the both of them. They inherit part of the suffering they cause.

[tonysam]

21. Duncan was a horrible pick.

Obama could scarcely have done worse.

[Metta]

24. Agreed. Corporate cronyism. I knew by this pick that O wasn't a dyed in the wool liberal.

Dispite voting against the war. He does have some hard conservatives around him who are routinely giving him bad, anti-people advice.

[inthebrain]

25. Obama wasn't a senator when the war started

Impossible for him to vote against it.

[Metta]

27. Hm, I'm mistaken. Thanks.

... didn't know.

[tonysam]

20. This Was One of the Things That Most Bothered Me About Obama

All of his rhetoric about NCLB, for example, was little different from Bush's. Contrast that with Joe Biden's opinion.

He speaks to the Chamber of Commerce and the Business Roundtable, both of which want to destroy public education by trying to institute a business model on something that is not a business.

[babylonsister]

22. You are boring, and now predictable. From you...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=8262135

So Obama's gonna bust the Teacher's Union?


YOU have a hard-on for our president. But comparing him to *?

[maryf]

39. Please read more on the NCLB before you write

It was written to decimate the public school system and teacher's. Teaching to the test destroys the ability for teachers to really teach, and cripples the ability to nurture creative problem solving skills and critical thinking skills, two skills the ptb do not want the children to develop. In this regard, Obama is adopting nearly the same policy as Bush. It was his education policies that caused the Teacher's unions to endorse Clinton until she conceded.

[wroberts189]

26. Another carefully crafted hit piece.... imho nt

[biopowertoday]

28. Cautious response from teachers union on Obama merit pay plan

http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2009/03/cautious_response_from_teacher.html

Cautious response from teachers union on Obama merit pay plan
By
Lynn Sweet
on March 10, 2009 11:51 AM

WASHINGTON--A very cautious reaction to President Obama's call for teacher merit pay from Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers,

...................

below, AFT statement...

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.

###

[Name removed]

30. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[LWolf]

34. Obama's education agenda is destructive.

It always has been. He is not a friend of public education.

This teacher has never supported him. When my peers booed him at the NEA convention, I was booing right along with them from my living room.

We vote. We are a large bloc, and we don't really wait for our respective associations to tell us what to think about a candidate, or how to vote.

Nobody "hands somebody's ass" to them on a censored message board.
:eyes:

[mapatriot]

31. Obama's absolutely correct....

NCLB is the law, flawed but it's a structure in place. The fundamental tenets are sound: progress must be measured, the best teachers must be rewarded and worst, terminated. The "testing" system is awful, but can be easily improved. The NEA has done a horrible disservice to teachers over the last several decades, rewarding "average" performers, ignoring the non-performers and shunning the very best performers "...don't make the others look bad". The NEA leadership has an illustrious history of making money through kick-backs from insurance and annuity sales to members. They pretty much control what companies can offer 403(b) plans to schools.......their palm's are always out. And the sad thing is that teachers have no idea....they trust the union implicitly. The NEA could be such a wonderfully positive force for good but they have become corrupt and, with it, the attitude of many teachers who seek only mediocrity in our schools.

[LWolf]

35. There is nothing "correct" about the destruction of public education,

and that's what Obama's education agenda entails.

The fundamental tenets of NCLB are too flawed to be "fixed."

[LWolf]

32. And anyone who thought he would do any different

sure as hell wasn't paying attention during the primaries. He was crystal clear about his perspective from the beginning.

Either that, or the Democratic Party has now jumped the shark and joined the right wing's "attack, scapegoat, and destroy public education" agenda.

After all, if Obama says it or does it, it must be "right." :eyes:

I'm not feeling too forgiving, and I don't see any hope for positive change, or for forgiveness on my part, in the foreseeable future.

:thumbsdown: :thumbsdown:

[yasmina27]

36. I never cared for his position on education

as a teacher. There were many other issues with which I agreed with him, and thought that at least we couldn't be any worse off.

Everyone keeps harping on the teacher merit pay idea, which theoretically is a good idea. However, if it is based on standardized tests, then how will teachers of non-tested subjects (such as myself - a French teacher,and my husband - an orchestra teacher) be evaluated for merit pay? We all know that the study of these subjects and other lead to enhanced brain development and leads to higher student achievement overall.

So any thoughts?

[checks-n-balances]

38. You bring up some excellent points

Your questions cannot be adequately answered with simplistic RW talking points, but Obama has been buying into them. Too bad Arne Duncan insinuated himself into his position by being a hoop buddy of Obama's in their free time. Our lives - and those of our students - are once again being highly affected by those who are influenced by corporate, anti-public school notions.

[maryf]

40. k&r nt

[roody]

41. Obama need to be educated on several fronts.

Another is Latin America Policy.