The NEA: Teachers First, Children Second

In a baffling act of candor, retiring NEA General Counsel Bob Chanin explains just what kind of organization the National Education Association is. From an editorial in the Chicago Tribune:

Despite what some among us would like to believe it is not because of our creative ideas. It is not because of the merit of our positions. It is not because we care about children and it is not because we have a vision of a great public school for every child. NEA and its affiliates are effective advocates because we have power.

And we have power because there are more than 3.2 million people who are willing to pay us hundreds of millions of dollars in dues each year, because they believe that we are the unions that can most effectively represent them, the unions that can protect their rights and advance their interests as education employees.

The NEA is not about education; it's about power and money, period. The power depends on the money, and the money depends on the Union serving the interests of "education employees," not pupils. If that interpretation of the paragraph sounds harsh, see Mr. Chanin's next paragraph:

This is not to say that the concern of NEA and its affiliates with closing achievement gaps, reducing dropout rates, improving teacher quality and the like are unimportant or inappropriate. To the contrary. These are the goals that guide the work we do. But they need not and must not be achieved at the expense of due process, employee rights and collective bargaining. That simply is too high a price to pay.

That, I think, is about as clear as it can be. Protecting the interests of teachers is more important to the NEA than making sure that students receive a good education. The NEA will always sacrifice the latter for the sake of the former.

No one who is familiar with the NEA will be surprised to learn that this is true. I am very surprised to hear someone from the NEA actually come out and admit it.

Comments

[William]

Apparently, there was no teleprompter available for this speech. The truth inadvertently slipped out!

[KB]

William: I think this was pure arrogance. He thinks that his tribe is invincible. God help us, but maybe it is.

[William]

KB,

I hope you're wrong. Innovations in technology like distance learning and an increasing realization that "more money" is not the answer to problems facing public education may force structural changes that will, at least, diminish the power of the NEA.

[KB]

William: I hope you are right. I am guessing that you are.