All articles tagged with #teachers unions
Teachers unions across California are considering strikes due to ongoing contract disputes over pay, benefits, and classroom conditions, inspired by recent successful strikes and coordinated campaigns, with several districts, including Los Angeles and Sacramento, facing potential walkouts.
Oklahoma superintendent Ryan Walters, known for promoting Christian nationalist views and right-wing policies in schools, is resigning to lead the Teacher Freedom Alliance, aiming to oppose teachers unions and expand his conservative agenda nationally.
The article discusses the importance of consultants in addressing new threats like AI, explores radicalism within teachers unions, and offers advice for Gen Z on living well, highlighting diverse perspectives and community engagement.
Minnesota voters approved union-endorsed school board candidates and school funding in competitive off-year elections, with teachers unions continuing to show their strength in getting their candidates elected. The conservative Minnesota Parents Alliance also saw success with 10 of their endorsed candidates winning board seats. The elections reflected a desire from voters to have a variety of opinions on the school board, with some candidates winning based on relationships formed with voters. Additionally, voters approved the majority of funding requests for bonds and levies, although some districts in greater Minnesota did not fare well. Educators are now hoping to shift the focus back to education and put politics behind them.
School board elections in Colorado saw clusters of candidates backed by teachers unions leading in several districts, including Woodland Park School District. However, conservatives were set to retain control in other districts like Colorado Springs School District 11. The elections were marked by contentious and partisan campaigns, with hot-button issues such as student pronouns, sex education, and teaching about race. Super PACs spent millions of dollars trying to influence the outcomes, with the majority of the spending concentrated in a few key districts. The results reflect a demand from voters to keep political turmoil out of elections and classrooms.
Moms for Liberty, a conservative "parental rights" group, plans to expand its efforts to take over school boards and other education posts nationwide in 2024 and beyond, setting up a clash with teachers unions and left-leaning groups. The group, known for its opposition to instruction on systemic racism and gender identity, aims to overhaul the education system and has gained support from prominent Republicans. While it has had mixed success in getting its preferred candidates elected, focusing on state-level races could increase its influence. However, it may face opposition from grassroots groups and voters who disagree with its vision of public education.
Oklahoma's State Superintendent, Ryan Walters, is waging a war on teachers unions, calling them "terrorist organizations" and accusing them of advocating for a radical agenda instead of education. He believes that teachers unions are using their power to keep schools closed during the pandemic and prevent the expansion of school choice. Walters is pushing for complete reform of the government education system and the implementation of a free market approach to reward good teachers. The state's largest teacher union, the Oklahoma Education Association, has called out Walters for his "inflammatory and demonizing rhetoric."
New Hampshire Democratic state Rep. Tommy Hoyt told a parent to "shut up" after the parent urged him to support a proposed parents bill of rights. Hoyt argued that parents are "incompetent teachers" and shouldn't be involved in their children's education. The proposed bill seeks to establish a parents bill of rights that would prevent public schools from withholding information about their children. The measure was defeated in a 195-190 vote and was opposed by teachers unions and LGBTQ activists. Hoyt is endorsed by the National Education Association and won his seat in the statehouse by a mere 18 votes last year.
Teachers unions in Florida have filed a lawsuit against a new law that places additional restrictions on public-employee unions, alleging that it violates First Amendment, equal-protection and contract rights. The unions claim that the law is political retaliation by Governor Ron DeSantis, who has repeatedly clashed with them over education policies. The law prevents dues from being deducted from workers’ paychecks, requires gauging how many eligible employees are dues-paying union members, and requires unions to have audited financial statements. Supporters say the law provides more transparency to workers about unions, but union leaders say it is about political retribution.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill that imposes strict new requirements on public-sector unions, including those that represent health care workers and teachers. The legislation also includes term limits for school board members, raises and training programs for teachers, a Teachers' Bill of Rights aimed at helping teachers govern their classrooms and discipline disruptive students, and a social media and TikTok ban on internet access provided by the school. The bill has been criticized as a direct attack on unions and working-class families, while supporters say it provides "paycheck protection" for teachers who don't want to pay union dues.
Randi Weingarten, the head of one of the most powerful teachers unions in the US, was criticized on CNN for supporting school lockdowns during the pandemic. CNN commentator Scott Jennings rebuked Weingarten for her pro-lockdown rhetoric, stating that parents believe she is responsible for school closures. Weingarten argued back that she understood the importance of reopening schools and keeping people safe, citing polls that showed parents supported the need for both. Teachers unions have faced criticism for pressuring schools to remain closed throughout the pandemic.
Paul Vallas, a mayoral candidate in Chicago, is known for his crisis management approach to education, including expanding charter schools and overhauling low-performing schools. However, he faces a changed political era in which teachers' unions have asserted their power and many Democrats have grown skeptical of school choice. He is competing against Brandon Johnson, a former teacher and county commissioner who embodies the progressive critique of Vallas's education philosophy. Johnson has called for sweeping new investments in neighborhood schools and social programs.