"A child's learning is the function more of the characteristics of his classmates than those of the teacher." James Coleman, 1972

Monday, July 14, 2008

Weingarten's New Nonsense Rhetoric as AFT Chief

Randi Weingarten got national attention with her recent support for public school destruction by charter--and for her enthusiasm for teacher bonus pay based on test scores.  In kowtowing to the Gates and Broad agenda, she obviously built a network of insiders strong enough to deal her way to the top of the AFT.  Today she offered the rank and file a litany of pipe dreams that are confounded by the recent capitulations of principle that got her into her new position.  Here is a clip:

. . . .In a speech minutes later to the delegates gathered in Chicago, Ms. Weingarten criticized the No Child Left Behind law, President Bush’s signature domestic initiative, as “too badly broken to be fixed,” and outlined “a new vision of schools for the 21st century.”

“Can you imagine a federal law that promoted community schools — schools that serve the neediest children by bringing together under one roof all the services and activities they and their families need?” Ms. Weingarten asked in the speech.

“Imagine schools that are open all day and offer after-school and evening recreational activities and homework assistance,” she said. “And suppose the schools included child care and dental, medical and counseling clinics.” . . . .

See Randi's imagination soar.  Soar, soar, soar.  Imagine, imagine, imagine.  Let's just forget her most recent enthusiasm for the cheap charter school solution for the poor, with the test prep parrot curriculums and facilities that routinely do not have basics like libraries, gyms, or even cafeterias.  Imagine that!

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