Florida-style edukashun

[30ashopper]

What is your basis to say that unions act against students best interest?

Or do you just dislike unions in general?

They oppose reforms like pay for performance and merit pay, the removal of bad educators, teaching flexibility on the part of the educators, charter schools, and voucher programs. Not to mention they siphon off resources from educators. I think the gross income of the Florida Education Association this year was something like 30 million dollars? Where's that coming from? Teacher pay.

 

[amp in srb]

Okay okay. There are many issues. Many many many. But apparently there is a big boogieman in your closet and you just cant get away from it.
Anti-unionism is not going to fix this. Good unions might. You'd be quite ****ing disappointed to find out most people would never work for you if they weren't represented. Especially good teachers. Bad administrators are worse than corrupt union bosses any day. Any day. Without question. This debate has raged for decades. I thought, personally, the Molly MaGuires (look it up) had figured this out in anthracite Pennsylvania in the late 1800's. but.......here we go...............

30A you really shouldn't generalize. It doesn't suit you. It's funny though the complaints you have about unions are generally speaking the same ones I have about the politicians in Florida. By the way vouchers are no solution. Do some research.


30 Million compared to what?????????????? Don't spit out numbers without references.

Is this supposed to be relative to Bobby Bowden's salary or any other public coaches salary? How much is the average high school football coach paid in Florida?

Let's take a step back. Where are we headed? What is our purpose? What is our goals?

Blaming unions, I guarantee you, will not get dialogue started.

 

[amp in srb]

Again, my grammar has been really off. Sorry.

 

[amp in srb]

Reform the fiscal ridiculousness that is college sports before we ridicule the unions. They are, whether we admit it or not, linked.

 

[amp in srb]

Or, for that matter, high school sports.

 

[Bob]

many of those who teach do not belong to a teacher's union. regardless of your stand on unions, would you not agree the "union" has not secured high pay for their constituency? given the lack of pay and never ending stream of government mandates that make educator's core mission increasingly more difficult, how can blame those on the bottom of the pyramid from organizing?

 

[traderx]

many of those who teach do not belong to a teacher's union. regardless of your stand on unions, would you not agree the "union" has not secured high pay for their constituency? given the lack of pay and never ending stream of government mandates that make educator's core mission increasingly more difficult, how can blame those on the bottom of the pyramid from organizing?

Bingo!

As to the unions however, there is something fundamentally wrong with striking teachers.

 

[Santiago]

Blaming the unions is misplaced. In the above article I don't really see how you could come to the conclusion that it is their fault. Planning periods are important. So is a breather during the day, and frankly extra kids in the classroom is a lot to handle.

Blame the lack of funding (which is about to get worse) and lack of good education policy on a state and federal level. It is truly antiquated.

Why can't they plan during the 2 months that they have off in the summer?

 

[NoHall]

Why can't they plan during the 2 months that they have off in the summer?

Please tell me that you weren't serious when you wrote this ignorant comment...

 

[Santiago]

I think pay should be based on experience, education level, and performance. The issue I have with the teachers unions is that they often stand against reform that could improve the system. I don't feel they act in the students best interests, and that to me, is wrong.

According to my mother who taught for 30+ years and my brother who taught and fought the bs system for about 10 years, the teacher's union didn't give a rat's azz about the kids, its all about better pay and hours for the teachers.