Great Expectations

"It's OK, I'm from the Union and I'm Here to Help"

For any of you out there that have stumbled across this blog, you probably have realized that the majority of the current posts are my ruminations on education in general and the dysfunctional star chamber that passes for "parent involvement" in the transformational change that is being undertaken by RSU#18.  Those of you that have read these post might be looking for and should be able to find logical inconsistency in what I have written (I would be surprised if you didn't).

On the one hand I blog about the need for change and a "broken" system.  On the other hand I blog about what a great system we had and how it is still pretty competitive.   So which is it, John, broken or fine?  Does it work or doesn't it?  You can't have your cake and eat it too.

Well actually, you can.

There is a difference between a "broken" system and successful  change agents within a system.  Let me explain.  Sometimes an organization, political structure, business etc. can function or at least be made to look like it is functioning, not because of a well organized, well staffed, well run concern but because a handful of talented, hardworking, dedicated professionals within the system refuse to let the dysfunction win and refuse to become jaded and cynical.  Even though they are often working against their own best interest as they prop up a failed or failing enterprise, they can not bring themselves to give in and allow nature to takes it's course.  Because in such scenarios  there is often blood and pain and loss and destruction; all of which is regrettable but necessary to allow for new growth devoid of the anchors of past mistakes.

It is no different in education.  Our system and by extension our educational position in the world, is barely holding it's own; not because the system is a well functioning machine serving it's intended purpose but because a small percentage of professional educator refuse to let it die.  They care about education and the children who are their charges and refuse to allow the collapse to occur and take a generation with it.

It doesn't have to be like this though.  There is innovative thinking and positive models and actions taking place through out the country.  Where the educators are given free reign, amazing things are happening.  Schools that were once written off as "drop out factories" are now turning our greater and greater percentages of college bound seniors.  Entire neighborhoods are being involved as a unified, holistic part of the education solution.  Truly remarkable alternatives are being created and executed to reach every child and help them blaze a positive path forward in life.

So why isn't this kind of energy, innovation and enthusiasm which is so characteristic of the American way of problem solving, burning away the edifice of the old to make way for the new?  Why are we not in the very midst of an educational revolution in this country that would not only change for the better how we teach our kids but save billions of dollars in the process?

This isn't happening because in every change there are winners and losers and the losers in this change feel they have too much to lose.  Who would lose?  It's a simple matter of following the money.  Who stands to lose money if teachers are given more freedom in their profession?  If merit is the greatest measure; if tenure comes under fire?  Who loses if standardized testing becomes a thing of the past.  Well one of the biggest losers is teacher's unions; the other are the standardized test factories.  Teacher's unions stand to lose billions in dues and more importantly vast amount of political access and clout if merit and choice become the rule.  And companies like the College Boards stand to lose billions as well if standardized testing is discredited or fades away.

The two largest teacher's unions in the country National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers (NEA & AFT) contribute more to political campaigns then the next three highest donors combined.  No president has passed meaningful, lasting education legislation for the last thirty years.  And standardized testing has become a multi-billion dollar a year business.

Freedom of choice for teachers, being held accountable to a high professional standard, becoming responsible for the product you produce (educated citizens) is more then the teacher unions can bear so wherever innovation that seeks to empower teachers has occurred  the NEA and AFT have worked hard to defeat such initiatives in favor of a broken status quote.  How bad could this be, you ask?  Let me put this question to you; what would you think of an incompetent co-worker who was removed from his job but still got paid full salary and benefits for sitting in a room eight hours a day playing solitaire or reading the paper?  This is exactly what happens in the New York City school system because of union contracts and tenure.  Michelle Rhea (former chancellor of the Washington D.C. school system) tried to institute a merit pay system after her attempts to close failing schools and firing incompetent teachers and administrators.  Not only was she blocked by "concerned parents" and "angry teachers", the incentive program she proposed was so threatening to the union, they blocked the proposal from even being discussed at the meeting.

So what do we do?

Nothing happens in a vacuum and action don't occur for no reason.  Unions especially teachers unions grew to meet a need.  They were initially not supported by the public but when the horrible working conditions and egregious treatment of the average American worker became more and more apparent (and some sadly very bloody protests) public opinion began to change and unions grew in number and strength.  Unfortunately, everything has it's time and the time of unions is drawing to a close.  Union membership has been in decline for the last twenty years and more union organizing is beginning to move off shore to the cheap labor markets overseas.  But like a dying beast, unions still can cause problems, pain and suffering.  What we can do is not allow it.

Support your teachers like never before, go into classrooms and participate.  Listen to and work with your professional educators and administrators.  Treat them as respected allies and not suspect enemies.  Work with budget committee and negotiators and try to get work places that are "open shops" of choice (people will still join a union).  And demand that the incompetent not be protected and carried.

But most of all be open to change.  Be receptive to the possibility that change is needed, can be good and should be attempted.  And most of all nurture the good, the positive, the right as much as you do your children.  In a positive environment, even missteps can be learned from and compensated for as we all move to a better future.

Who knows, you could be helping the next President of the United States or the next Albert Einstein.

It could happen.

Just sayin'

:)