One of the media myths I find most perplexing is the one about the powerful teachers union. It is trotted out constantly in the press.
The latest example is an editorial in Newsday on the resignation of State Education Commissioner Mary Ellen Elia.
Here is a major excerpt:
Elia was the pick of a very different chancellor, stalwart education reformer Merryl Tisch, and got the job in 2015 when Regents were trying to calm red-hot controversies over the Common Core curriculum, testing opt-outs and teacher evaluations.
Elia was often aligned with her predecessor, John King, who left the post for a spot with the federal Department of Education on a wave of parent and educator fury.
But Tisch left a few months after tapping Elia and was soon replaced by Betty Rosa, a longtime New York City educator supported by the New York State United Teachers who was firmly at odds with Tisch on every hot-button issue. And each set of Regents appointments since, which come from the NYSUT-influenced State Assembly, have moved the board closer to the union’s highly critical point of view on state standardized tests, teacher evaluations tied to student growth on such tests and firm, traditional high school diploma requirements and other issues pushed by reformers.
So what next? NYSUT, which is nearly undefeated in political battles over the past five years, is expected to have a big say in the selection of Elia’s replacement, which is likely to take about nine months.
Education leaders who support the kinds of reforms NYSUT has battled clearly need not apply.
If NYSUT is so strong, then why are teachers going back to work still facing invalid Danielson observations as well as ratings based on unreliable student test results on exams that were never meant to evaluate teachers? Why is it still four years (or more) of probation for new teachers? Why are teachers and others still on Tier VI where young teachers fresh out of college have to work 41 years to qualify for a full pension that is lower than Tier IV? Why is Common Core, or whatever they call it, still in use?
Oh and why do teachers in NYC still have to work on December 23 for the first time ever when it falls on a Monday? UFT President Michael Mulgrew told us this was a State Education Department issue.
Either NYSUT isn't all that powerful and the Regents are not in our pocket or the state union does not represent the rank and file, and kids for that matter, very well.
24 comments:
Stopped paying dues 15 years ago and never looked back.
AWESOME BLOG POST! If tNYSUT was so "powerful" it would have been able to make a successful push to completely repeal the current NYS evaluation law and return evals to local control with S/U options. The fact that we will be returning to work in September still living in daily fear of our evaluations clearly shows that NYSUT are about as powerful as wet moth.
Elia was Randi/NYSUT/UFT choice - she never would have gotten the job if not for their support. Follow the history of their alliance with Elia going back to Florida and the 2010 AFT convention with Bill Gates who sponsored the teacher eval system.
Randi/Unity Caucus Lauded Elia/Bill Gates and Booed Those Who Walked Out at 2010 AFT Convention - https://ednotesonline.blogspot.com/2019/07/randiunity-caucus-lauded-eliabill-gates.html
That's right --- it's NOT a secret that "NYSUT [DEFINITELY] does not represent [CHILDREN --- NOT] kids for that matter, very well," especially and particularly poor, Black urban children --- period.
I'm a rock and roll kind of guy. When I say kids, it's with nothing but respect.
I got rid of dues too. Oh well, they never helped me before...
That solves nothing. Makes us weaker.
NYSUT will take the interests of children into account when they start paying dues
I believe that's an Al Shanker line Prehistoric. One I disagree with.
Any word on Dec 23? That's what I thought.
The word for December 23rd is sickout.
What a scam. Every day, we lose another thing.
But it could be worse? Keep paying dues? You guys are nuts. It already is worse, that's why people quit at such an alarming rate. Read all the complaints. It already is disgusting.
The way to beat it is not to stop paying dues. It is to organize for a union that is a real union that will have each member's back.
20 years, still waiting to organize.
blah, blah, blah. Never gonna change.
Right James - these jokers are going to organize a real union! Fantasy land. Do I believe they are all NYC teachers? Or some anti-union trolls? I would offer to post anyone who says he no longer pays dues if he reveals his name and school to you privately. Otherwise delete. SOmeone didn't pay dues for 15 years? What planet is he on?
Those who opt out are selfish freeloaders who are not attempting to organize anything that I can see. The opt out period is over for 2019. The Koch brothers attempt to break the UFT was highly ineffective it appears. My source tells me before the Agency Fee was passed, in the 70's I believe,that there were always freeloaders who did not pay dues. They made no difference then and they make no difference now. The UFT to its credit seems to be holding up fairly well in the Janus age. We will attempt to find some numbers to back that statement up.
And still not helping when I ask for help.
NYC teachers are afraid of everything and everyone. It’s the role of educator and it’s requisite instillation of idealism, maturity and helping students. It’s also the fear that is instilled from day one, and compounded via experience daily. Fear of administration, fear of students, fear of trusting other teachers, fear of the UFT, fear of not paying dues and most of it centers on fear of oneself. What would happen if NYC teachers stopped being afraid? You’d be getting out at 2:20 everyday, no Danielson, no ATRs, no FSF, no Mulgrew or Weingarten clones, no teachers as punching bags and no more interest free loans to DeBlasio. This fear emboldens averse action from the DOE and catatonia from the UFT. Time to wake up or be prepared to lose every hard earned right and then watch the charter schools take over your schools. Start by calling in sick on Dec. 23rd, put 911 on speed dial on your cell phone and bond with your fellow teachers for strength and support, even though you may not have a cafeteria or teacher’s lounge.
Actually, James, the saying goes back further than that. It is OK for the DOE to say children first. In actuality, that means teachers last. There has to be one organization that primarily looks out for our benefit. It had better be the UFT
Yeah, it certainly is not the uft. I will use the dues money I dont pay anymore to pay my bridge toll.
The Tier 6 teachers should be up in arms ore than anyone because they are being treated worse than sewer rats.
I agree that nobody should stop paying dues even with all bullshit UFT has caused. I am worried in the next 5-10 years the charter schools will fester even more like cockroaches and destroy public school system which kind of is already destroyed as we speak.
Why don't teachers gather together and fight against the UFT for what we deserve? They get our money, we have to do a better job of making them hear our voice. I used to work for a charter and the union was great because teachers spoke, they met with us, they heard us and things got done. We should band together. Form a group, meet, and set up to discuss our complaints with the UFT. I believe there is strength in numbers and after the mistreatment, I endured coming from my last organization to the Department of Education, I see a lot of changes that need to be made.
First, the CTLE credit requirement is a money grab. Charter schools don't have to do it. They just do credits for plus 30. It makes no sense that teaching is the one profession, that requires you to make money to spend. It's ridiculous. I already had to cough up a ton of loans for masters. The fact that they took away permanent licenses for this, proves a money grab.
Secondly, job security and protection is a major issue. The administration really abuses its power. I find it strange, they can observe you and provide a low rating with no reasoning. The bad part is, you can't even grieve it, you can only do a rebuttal. The rebuttal doesn't show up on your final rating. This only instills prejudice and it's very unfair. If they provide unfair observations, they should be held accountable. This affects our career.
Tenure should come sooner. I can't believe it takes this long to be tenured. It should be a year.
Not to mention so many other issues I noticed. I wouldn't mind joining a group and meeting to grow the group so our voices can be heard.
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