Be nice!
KM: I have been in the 'education' business for 14 years. All of what you say is true.
The problems with elementary and secondary public education in the US are these: federal mandates, schools of education, teacher licensing and teachers unions. Teaching has becaome simply another arm of the federal government, which has done to education the same thing it did to social security.
Ann Coulter in her latest book Godless has a funny chapter on teachers.
Most teachers---90 percent?---are Democrats of course.
Freedom in the classroom depends upon the state and the type of school. Here in Oklahoma (Bush by 68 percent in 2004)---not called 'the buckle of the Bible Belt' for nothing---teachers tend to be more conservative. Since I work at a charter school we are allowed more leeway: prayer in school is fine, for example. And we are non-unionized.
Of course, the education bureaucrats hate us and try to get rid of us. (Envy is an ugly thing.) But our sky-high test scores---higher than about every school around, public or private---keeps us in business.
"Most teachers---90 percent?---are Democrats of course."
Well, no. While that probably decribes NEA-PAC spending rather accurately, I recall that in 1984, 40 % of NEA members voted for Ronald Reagan. Union political donations and lobbying reflect the desires of the union leadership, not the rank and file.
The profession does tilt Left but not as far as that. Conservative teachers are simply less likely to be the loudmouths who show up in your local newspaper or make waves by getting caught indoctrinating students.
That being said, the " social justice" and " disposition" requirements are a trojan horse to remake the teaching profession as a force for the radical left, as it is in South Korea and Japan.
you know what blows my mind? despite having and exploiting a political hammerlock in higher education for decades, and despite massive aid from rich elite, and massive sympathy and aid from most of the media, and despite buying votes with special programs and despite support of huge corrupt bodies like unions and practically every small group wanting special treatment or handouts, the democrats still have been losing ground for 20 years.
take away their advantages, and where would they be?
elsewhere i pondered if anyone on the left knows the different between a democrat, a progressive and a socialist anymore. i dont think they do. im not sure there is one.
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