"Scout" wrote in message

Most of the teachers I've met are hard working, concerned, dedicated
individuals.

My observation as well.

snip


I'm not sure on what evidence you base your conclusion that the NEA is
clueless regarding education. Seems a bit broad.

By its actions, both political and internally functional, it has
demonstrated a tremendous desire to protect and assist teachers with little
or no regard to protecting students from lousy teachers. It lobbies for
better pay for teachers, better working conditions for teachers, more job
security for teachers, better retirement programs for teachers, and so on.
For students or the education process as a whole? Nada. NEA is a
misnomer--it should be NTA.

I'm a teacher and I don't
feel any pressure from the NEA to go stagnant, quite the opposite is true.

Silly statement. I never said the NEA was promoting stagnation. Rather it
protects those who have, for one reason or another, stagnated.

snip


Hell, maybe you're right! But if you have real answers, now
would be a good time to come forward and lead us all into a new
enlightenment.

In your previous post you touched on one of the key issues concerning the
problems with education in this country. Anecdote: a teacher friend told
me that one of her bright students was struggling with math. She
specifically called the girl's mother in for a conference to elucidate the
problem and offer suggestions for remediation. After showing the mother
what she could do to help, the mother replied, "That's not my job. Your the
teacher. You take care of it." Upon which she walked out.

Just a single anecdote, but probably not atypical. In fact I'm willing to
wager that many parents simply don't show up for such teacher/parent
conferences. Many don't care. Some care but are powerless to do anything
about it due to work considerations. Some simply don't have the education
to be of help to their kids. But one thing is pervasive: the input from
parents to their children is invaluable and irreplaceable, and if it is
absent, the kid has two strikes against him/her. Some wonder why the
students of Asian and Oriental families often excel in school. Simple:
from the day the kids can walk and talk their parents stress the importance
of education and excellence. It's a cultural norm. What percentage of
American parents do this? I'm betting it's far less than 50%.

I admire good teachers. It's a job I wouldn't do under the current set of
circumstances for any amount of money. But I'd like to see the NEA not be
so resistant to holding teachers to minimally acceptable standards. In my
profession I'm held to lofty standards and face recertification every two
years. Nothing wrong with that.

Max