Teachers Union Breaks with Obama on Education Plan – NEA complains over less than .005 percent of education budget boost to Charter Schools

The AP is reporting that the NEA (National Education Association) is at odds with the President’s stance on Education. The Progressive Teachers Union, which is one of the largest donors to the Democrat Party, is particularly annoyed with Obama’s stance on Standardized Testing, and Charter Schools. More specifically, the Stimulus allows $5 Billion dollars in grants under Obama’s “Race To the Top” program, which, among other things, pays Charter School teachers (who do not have to join a union) based on performance. Additionally, this plan blocks interference from individual States that do not allow the use test scores to determine a teacher’s performance.

This is one for Obama - No kidding. The hold that the two Teacher’s Union’s currently running the U.S. educational system has on the nation’s public non-charter school teachers, is what has driven down the quality of education in the nation and contributed to the sub-standard quality of education in all schools, regardless of locale. The need for the unionization of teachers is questionable in the first place. Teachers are degreed professionals, who should be able to negotiate individual contracts upon hire by any given district, and be compensated based on performance, and summarily dismissed when performance is sub-standard, and or actions by teachers are questionable (to say the least). Currently, teachers who, for example, are arrested on drug charges, are protected by the union and cities are forced to reinstate that sub-standard teacher. If teachers, as professionals, were able to compete based upon performance, their salaries would increase, as well as the students overall performance, while the individual municipalities would be able to afford better teachers, as they would not be forced to carry Union deadwood.

Just a thought, but while Reagan had the opportunity after breaking the Air Traffic Controllers Union back in the 1980’s, he could have taken it a step further and disbanded any union that negotiated for individuals who worked outside of the blue collar arena.

The original intent of Unions – protect blue collar workers against dangerous workplaces, and negotiate for pensions and benefits was noble and necessary – see Triangle Factory Fire as a specific example of why Unions were needed at the time (notice the past tense). We now have Federal Laws that negate the need for the union in regards to pay (minimum wage), and safety (OSHA). Further, in a free market society, if one is not happy with their place of employment – and they are competent, they are free to go elsewhere should the pay/benefits not be to standard. Those that are Degreed are another story - There is a huge difference between someone with at minimum, a Bachelors degree, or more likely a Masters, “enjoying” freedom to be incompetent on the states dime – solely because they are protected by a union – while those who hold the same credentials and excel are held back – by the same union. Therefore, there should be federal regulations in place regarding unions (shoe on the other foot) being limited to forming soley when, and if, a workplace is hazardous and/or substandard, and those workers are not holding a four year or higher college degree.

Understanding that, once noble institutions have since grown into nothing more than large fundraising arms,(lobbyists) guided by power hungry corporate-like structures and officers. Ultimately the focus has nothing to do with protecting a worker, rather, more to do with taking a portion of the workers’ wages, to put back into the “union-corporation.” (Not to mention dictating to the union member how to vote, an infringement on one’s basic liberties.) Disband unions and watch the nation flourish.

Obama’s portion of the Stimulus that deals with Charter schools and separates them from the Union is a step in the right direction. His Choice of Arne Duncan, as Education Secretary, was one choice that may have ticked of the NEA and Company, but may prove to be a good choice for the nation’s education system as a whole. What one might have trouble believing is that a politician, at any level, specifically a Democrat would take on the NEA, without giving some concessions - that said, stranger things have happened. The facts are that this particular funding, represents a small portion of the overall education budget, , in fact, education spending under the Bush Administration, (here comes the politics) grew 34% in his 8 years in office. The total budget in 2007-2008 for education K-12 spending was $667 Billion, therefore, the $4 billion going to charter schools is an extremely small portion. It does give Charter schools a chance and further, it is a thorn in the side of the teachers union, as any power lost is a problem to those who fund the DNC. (Both The NEA and the AFT donate exclusively to the DNC (Source: Open Secrets.org) To read a synopsis of program go to DFER.org Democrats for Education Reform

Note: percentage of budget to charter schools: based upon 667 billion budget versus 4 billion to this program =.00599 percent.