NEA - WTF?

This post on the National Education Association is a bit disturbing. It's from the Louisiana Libertarian.

The National Education Association, the largest union in the country and certainly the largest government employee union recently held its annual meeting in Los Angeles from July 1-6. At the meeting, according to their press release, the delegates discussed ways to strengthen public education. In fact, they came up with a "Six-Point Covenant with the Nation" that outlined their goals.
However, if you read the New Business Items or NBIs which is the new agenda for the NEA, you'll find that these government school indoctrinators were more interested in promoting a far-left wing agenda than in teaching Johnny to read. The most offensive items to liberty can be placed into two categories: the stupid and the horrendous. (Note: all of the below were adopted)

You can go and read the NBI BS that the NEA put out. I'll agree on just how stupid many of them are.

But let's look at those six points, since they aren't a covenant at all but a list of demands.

#1 – Parental involvement: " If the nation calls on us to transform students into citizens who are prepared to make a true contribution to the workforce…then we call on the nation to give us more parental involvement." Children need parents who are involved in their education, come to parent-teacher conferences, show interest in what's going on in the classroom, and do everything it takes to get them prepared for school and reinforce their learning at home, Weaver explained.

#2 – "No Child Left Behind": If the nation calls on us to support the rhetoric of the so-called No Child Left Behind Law, then we call on the nation to elect politicians and policy makers who will vote to provide the resources -- both human and fiscal -- that will turn the rhetoric of the law into reality, not sanctions that do the most harm to schools and students who are in the most need.

#3 High-quality school employees. "If the nation calls on us to provide high-quality education support professionals, those who will ensure that the standards for student services are high, then we call on the nation to stop privatizing [their] jobs." Research shows that privatization leads to poor quality at a higher price, and it'’s bad for schools and bad for children, Weaver said.

#4 High-quality classroom instruction. "If the nation calls on us to provide students with lessons that enrich their minds, with experiences that enable them to grow into well-rounded, lifelong learners, then we call on the nation to provide…small class sizes, up-to-date textbooks, updated labs and modern technology." Weaver also emphasized that educators need support for music, art, physical education and foreign language programs that are vibrant and engaging.

#5 Educators who give their best to every child. "If the nation calls on teachers and education support professionals to care for children with the most severe physical challenges…then we call on the nation to recognize these dedicated men and women as the backbone of our public education system." To recruit and retain high-quality teachers and other educators, they must be paid fairly and according to the requirements, skill and worth of their jobs, Weaver explained.

#6 A high-quality teacher in every classroom. "If the nation calls on us to have a qualified teacher in every classroom, then we call on the nation to stand beside us and insist that we have work environments that are conducive to good teaching and learning." With almost half of teachers leaving the profession after five years, we also need ongoing professional development, healthcare and retirement benefits that are secure, Weaver said.

"We call on the nation" is not forming a covenant with the nation, it's the "terms of surrender." Maybe I'm reading this wrong, but one typically doesn't build a covenant by stating "If the nation calls" and then demand action.

I especially love the union stance on privitization of jobs in #3. Talk about your left wing stupidity. Would anyone venture to believe that the NEA is strongly LIBERAL? Pay me what I want, give me better benefits, give me all the money and resources that I want. Imagine a company in the real world funtioning under those types of demands. I'd also love to see the evidence that shows privitization leads to "poor quality at higher prices." I'm betting that study has some interesting insights.