~ “I hope we once again have reminded people that man is not free unless government is limited. There’s a clear cause and effect here that is as neat and predictable as a law of physics: as government expands, liberty contracts.” Ronald Reagan.
The Democratic candidates for president have decided to ditch plans to participate in an education forum planned for later this month in Iowa, and the forum’s organizer says it is because the candidates fear backlash from teachers unions.
The forum was set to be hosted by the Seventy Four, a news organization launched earlier this year by Campbell Brown, an education reform advocate, to direct more attention towards critical education issues. It was going to be co-hosted by the Des Moines Register and the American Federation for Children….
With it being election season, Progressive candidates once again electing to stand with the teachers’ unions have refused to publicly go on record unless, it’s of course, to voice their support of teachers’ unions as Hillary Clinton did earlier this week when she accepted the endorsement of the pro-Common Core National Education Association.
Brown wrote an op-ed in the Washington Post earlier this year in support of Common Core while at the same time accusing Republican Party 2016 presidential primary candidates of pandering.
It is worth noting that in July, Brown, husband, Dan Senor, an adviser under George W. Bush administration, attended a fundraiser for brother, Jeb.
So what is the problem? Because it is darn sure not about the children.
The Obamas who have spent the last month on an anti-bullying rant has now mandated that school principals spy on their students during and after school hours to the point of restricting and controlling a student’s discussion through Facebook. Failure to comply would result in a federal lawsuit and loss of federal funds.
Bullying and educational theft is cited as the need for said constitutional violation and invasion of privacy.
“Education Department officials are threatening school principals with lawsuits if they fail to monitor and curb students’ lunchtime chat and evening Facebook time for expressing ideas and words that are deemed by Washington special-interest groups to be harassment of some students.
There has only been muted opposition to this far-reaching policy amongthe professionals and advocates in the education sector, most of whom are heavilyreliant on fundingand support from top-level education officials. ….
The agency’s threats, which are delivered in a so-called “Dear Colleague” letter,” have the support of White House officials, including President Barack Obama, who held a Mar. 10 White House meeting to promote the initiative as a federal “anti-bullying” policy.
The letter says federalofficials have reinterpreted the civil-rights laws that require school principals to curb physical bullying, as well as racist and sexist speech, that take place within school boundaries. Under the new interpretation, principals and their schools are legally liable if they fail to curb ‘harassment’ of students, even if it takes place outside the school, on Facebook or in private conversation among a few youths.”
Welcome to the road to serfdom sheeple.
“…Following the discovery of ‘harassment,’ officials may have to require mandatory training of students and their families, according to the Ali letter…”
Obama has ordained that such mandatory training could extend to the community. This is yet another step in Obama’s mandatory civilian service of Americans.
To nudge everyone on to the same page as Obama, it would be necessary to send Americans to re-education camps.
Trust me, this is nothing new. Obama had this all figured out ahead of time.
Not only will FB make it easier for schools to spy on students and their families, they will institute a “Social Reporting” system wherein Americans can spy and snitch on each other.
SurveyMonkey: www.surveymonkey.com/bullying will be used by schools and Facebook to gather information supposedly about bullying. Yeah right.
Obama’s school czar, Kevin “Fisting” Jennings leads the pack on this suppressive and unconstitutional agenda.
Citing bullying is nothing more than an excuse by the biggest bully in the country to infringe upon our privacy and free speech and that of our children courtesy of Facebook. It is about control and restricting free speech, as Obama will deem what is worthy of conversation, what can and cannot be said.
Obama will start with our children on FB and his tentacles will branch out from there. Without a doubt, this is a clear-cut Constitutional violation. The Federal government has no right to interfere in the lives of private citizens.
I am breathless from the warnings I have given friends and family members, many of whom are parents about the downside of Facebook (“FB”). Far too many people willingly submit to FB much more information than FB needs to know, i.e., name, location, biography, names of friends, family members, their locations and photographs.
Even if FB was on the up and up, which they are not, there is identity fraud. Many FB users have surpassed stuck on stupid in that the information they willingly divulge to FB, they would not divulge to a stranger on the street.
With 500 million registered FB users, FB created these games, which I assume are listed under apps. FB uses the games/apps to lure in and hook even more schoolchildren and young adults.
Knowing that the youth in America is hooked on techs, being cool and social media, in collaboration with Obama FB has successfully reeled young America in to Obama’s Progressive web of deceit and manipulation. Not only are children hooked on FB (Obama’s “lair”) but their parents have unsuspectingly been drawn into Obama’s lair as well and now the spider Obama is moving in for the kill.
Will you walk into my parlour?” said the Spider to the Fly, ‘Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy; The way into my parlour is up a winding stair, And I’ve a many curious things to shew when you are there.” Oh no, no,” said the little Fly, “to ask me is in vain, For who goes up your winding stair can ne’er come down again.”
“I’m sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high; Will you rest upon my little bed?” said the Spider to the Fly. “There are pretty curtains drawn around; the sheets are fine and thin, And if you like to rest awhile, I’ll snugly tuck you in!” Oh no, no,” said the little Fly, “for I’ve often heard it said, They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed!”
Said the cunning Spider to the Fly, “Dear friend what can I do, To prove the warm affection I’ve always felt for you? I have within my pantry, good store of all that’s nice; I’m sure you’re very welcome — will you please to take a slice?” “Oh no, no,” said the little Fly, “kind Sir, that cannot be, I’ve heard what’s in your pantry, and I do not wish to see!”
“Sweet creature!” said the Spider, “you’re witty and you’re wise, How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes! I’ve a little looking-glass upon my parlour shelf, If you’ll step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself.” “I thank you, gentle sir,” she said, “for what you’re pleased to say, And bidding you good morning now, I’ll call another day.”
The Spider turned him round about, and went into his den, For well he knew the silly Fly would soon come back again: So he wove a subtle web, in a little corner sly, And set his table ready, to dine upon the Fly. Then he came out to his door again, and merrily did sing, “Come hither, hither, pretty Fly, with the pearl and silver wing; Your robes are green and purple — there’s a crest upon your head; Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead!”
Alas, alas! how very soon this silly little Fly, Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by; With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew, Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, and green and purple hue – Thinking only of her crested head — poor foolish thing! At last, Up jumped the cunning Spider, and fiercely held her fast. He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den, Within his little parlour — but she ne’er came out again!
And now dear little children, who may this story read, To idle, silly flattering words, I pray you ne’er give heed: Unto an evil counsellor, close heart and ear and eye, And take a lesson from this tale, of the Spider and the Fly.*
Two years ago, I posted continuous warnings that Obama wants to get a hold of our children, I hereby consider myself vindicated.
For years whenever the United Federation of Teachers (NYC), the NEA or the AFT had to negotiate teachers’ contracts, the rhetoric was that “it was for the children.”
I often wondered since when is it beneficial for the children if the ADULTS are the ones reaping the benefits, better health insurance, higher pay, etc. I always wondered how the hell is that connected to the children.
It appeared to me that the more they got, the more they demanded and all the while, OUR children were failing.
As the advancement of public school education deteriorates, our children are paying the cost yet all teachers and their unions could talk about is their personal gain.
They have the audacity to look us in the eye and say, “It’s for the children.”
Are they for real?
Ponder that for a moment ALONG with the fact that the only thing many of these teachers are good for is indoctrinating our children
Then listen to what Bob Channin, former General Counsel for the NEA had to say about it being all for the children.
This is clearly a matter of them telling us one thing while meaning another.
Makes you want to pull your children out of public school, send them to private school or home school them. Either way, they would be better off.
Since the midterm elections last year, the teachers union is up in arms as municipalities and parents throughout the country is taking them task for failing our children, tenure and greed. There is a lot at risk.
Received the following email from the Education Action Group Foundation. The email is long but worth sharing.
New Florida guv’s education reform planhits all the targets
Scott ready to deal some heavy blows to teachers union and its allies
By Steve Gunn
EAG Communications
TALAHASSEE, Fla. – It’s amazing the difference one election can make.
About six months ago, Florida residents who care about quality education were crushed when former Gov. Charlie Crist vetoed an overdue tenure reform bill.
The bill’s sponsors in the legislature hoped to increase professionalism and accountability in K-12 teaching by taking away some of the absurd protections that keep bad teachers in the classroom.
Crist, a Republican, might have been expected to sign the bill. But he stabbed his party and his state in the back by killing the measure. And just to add insult to injury, he accepted the endorsement of the state teachers union in his independent bid for a U.S. Senate seat.
Luckily Floridians elected a new governor in November who obviously means business when it comes to improving schools and increasing parental choice.
Gov. Rick Scott, who took office last week, comes armed with an in-depth and aggressive education reform plan authored by his Education Transition Team.
The plan is thorough and bold, to say the least. While governors in many states have nipped around the edges of school reform in recent years, approving some measures and rejecting others, Scott’s plan hits all of the major targets.
Perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised, since Scott announced in early December that his Education Transition team would include former D.C. School Chancellor Michelle Rhee. Her fingerprints on this plan are not difficult to pick out.
The plan is too long to report in its entirety, but highlights include a provision to allow parents to use state education dollars at the school of their choice, full development of cyber education options, implementation of a “parent trigger” law to radically alter failing schools, and requiring parental consent to place students with sub-par teachers.
We’re certain Scott’s education blueprint has the Florida Education Association shaking in its boots, and that’s a very good sign. We’re hoping we can count on the new Florida Legislature, with Republican majorities in both houses, to give quick approval to all or most of the agenda.
Florida’s families and taxpayers would certainly emerge as the winners.
Scott’s to-do list
In a recent statement, Scott said “I will work with the legislature, business and parents to develop a more comprehensive program that will allow all of Florida’s children to have the best possible education experience that meets each child’s unique needs.”
Here are a few examples of what he has in mind:
Parents could receive 85 percent of their child’s per-pupil grant to use for private school tuition, virtual schooling or private tutoring. Since those options typically cost less per pupil than public education, the state would conceivably save 15 percent.
Students would be allowed to take online classes full-time, part-time or by individual courses.
A new classification of charters – High Performing Charter Schools – would receive greater operational flexibility, equitable funding, expedited approval processes and flexibility in enrolling students.
High performing charters could increase enrollment by 25 percent.
Any charter school with a waiting list could increase enrollment with students from schools that do not outperform that charter.
A new teacher evaluation system would be implemented to ensure at least 50 percent of the evaluation is based on student progress.
A new salary schedule would give effective teachers, and those who teach in low-income, low-performing schools, more money. It would also give teachers the option of dropping tenure protection in exchange for higher salaries.
Tenure would be eliminated for newly hired K-12 teachers. Individual contracts would never exceed three years.
Seniority will not be a consideration when reducing staff.
The design of teacher evaluation procedures would be removed from collective bargaining.
Parental consent would be required before a student is placed with a teacher who is determined to be less than effective.
The A-F school grading system would remain in place.
Schools would provide annual individual student achievement growth charts, to show parents how their kids are progressing versus predicted growth and college-ready standards.
Parents of students at failing schools would be empowered with a “parent trigger” law which would allow a majority of the parents to radically alter the administration of the school.
Parents would receive an annual statement detailing their school’s revenues, how the money was spent and overall academic outcomes for the year. The results would have to be compared with results from other schools.
A STEP BACKWARD IN CALIFORNIA
As some may not know, California’s new governor, Jerry Brown, is also the state’s old Gov. Brown. He left office back in the ’80s and has been bumping around as mayor ofOakland and state attorney general since then.
But now he’s back, and he’s trying to bring the ’80s back with him. This is definitely not a good thing.
Brown got huge support in his election campaign from the California Teachers Association, and he wasted no time on paybacks. One of his first official acts was to fire 7 of the 11 members of the state Board of Education, including four members with strong education reform backgrounds.
One of the replacements is a former lobbyist for the teachers union, while the others are suspected of being protectors of the status quo.
Good going, Gov. Brown. You’ve just dealt a huge blow to the growing movement for quality education in California. And real reform was just starting to take root in the Golden State.
As we noted in a press release earlier this week, California recently made national headlines by enacting the “parent trigger” law, which allows a simple majority of local parents to unite and reinvent failing schools. The Los Angeles Board of Education is trying to make student test scores a vital component of teacher evaluations. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who once worked for the teachers unions, recently blasted his former employers for standing in the way of reform efforts.
But for old timers like Brown, old-time politics are obviously more important than quality education. The unions scratched Brown’s back during the election cycle and now he’s scratching back.
“No doubt about it, this is in part looking at the November election first and foremost, and then of course upcoming elections,” said state Sen. Gloria Romero, a Democrat who supports reform and is angry with Brown for his move.
We just hope this isn’t a sign of things to come. We hope Brown doesn’t join the union in an effort to force children to attend their local public schools, regardless of the quality of education available. We hope he doesn’t fight efforts to hold teachers more accountable for student learning, or efforts to make it easier to fire bad teachers.
But we’re not holding our breaths. Gov. Brown is the product of an era when the unions ran public education in virtually every state, and their “wisdom” regarding all things school-related went unquestioned.
It’s obviously going to be very hard to teach this old dog a few new tricks.
NATIONAL TEACHER STRIKE?
We knew the unions were upset about the results of the November elections, and the threat of education reforms being passed by new lawmakers throughout the nation.
But we never knew how far they might go to defend their traditional turf.
National Education Association Executive DirectorJohn Wilson gave a strong hint this week, when asked by an online news service if a national teachers strike might occur if tenure is revoked in numerous states.
“I would not take that off the table,” Wilson told the reporter from the The Lookout, a Yahoo news blog. “If teachers felt like politicians were doing harm to them, they would rise up and let them know that.”
If a national teachers strike occurred, NEA members would certainly be making a statement, but not the one they wanted to make. They would be telling Americans that they are more concerned about their traditional perks and protections than they are about their students. We’re pretty sure most Americans would not be impressed.
As we stated in a national press release earlier today, “It’s easy to understand why the teachers unions are acting so defensively. The NEA and American Federation of Teachers have presided over the decline in American public education. For decades the unions have dominated the national discourse about how to best educate school children. The union leaders presented themselves as ‘education experts’ who knew which polices were needed.
“But the results tell a different story. There is broad agreement that the teachers unions and their political surrogates have steered our public schools into an iceberg. Not only is student academic achievement embarrassingly low, but it is clear union members have been busy feathering their own nests with automatic pay raises, lavish pension and health benefits and tenure protections.
“Now, all of those things are in jeopardy as new governors and lawmakers get down to business in state capitols across the nation.”
In other words, the unions are about to panic. We’ll see if they’re desperate enough to walk out on the kids in the middle of the school year, just to protect their traditional goodies.
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