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Posted by Barbara Pytel Sep 2, 2006 |
"Stupid in America"
Stossel wrote a book, Stupid in America, in which he revealed the monopoly in public school education. "Not only a monopoly, but a union-controlled monopoly," he says. The teachers union instantly condemned the book and Stossel. At the rally which had the tone of a lynch mob, the union leaders shouted an invitation to Stossel to teach one week in a public school. When he agreed to do so, the challenge was withdrawn.
Stossel is not the first to gain national attention for attempting to change or improve public schools. Bill Gates has poured millions of dollars into New York City schools.
Substandard Teachers?
During the one-hour program, he interviewed many in the education field who feel that it is nearly impossible to fire poor teachers and exposed a "room" in one district where teachers get paid daily to sit, read, play checkers, and not work--at tax payers expense. Administrators are frustrated with the complicated steps for dismissal. Stossel presented a flow chart that was probably 7 feet long showing the steps to get a teacher removed. But perhaps the most disturbing example of what is wrong with a union-led monopoly was the teacher that confessed to being a sexual predator and contacted 16-year old female students for sexual favors. This teacher admitted to this action, evidence was in hand, and it still took years to remove him from the school. Not days, weeks but years!
Voucher Lottery
Stossel also showed a voucher lottery where students had an opportunity to get out of their substandard neighborhood school and attend a better school. Slots were limited and families were present at a "drawing" of numbers similar to bingo. The cage is spun and pingpong balls with numbers are pulled from the cage. The reactions of students and parents when their number was drawn was very emotional. It obviously meant a great deal to get out of the school they presently attend. Of course, there were only a few winners and the rest went home disappointed.
Students Evaluate Their Education
20/20 visited a charter school where students felt they were getting a much better education. After intervewing the students that had formerly been in another school and now attend a high-quality school, the audience was left with the overwhelming opinion that every child deserved a good school where teachers are happy to be there, present well-prepared lessons, give individual attention, and care about the students. It is hard for me to imagine a school where this would not be the case having taught for so many years in high-achieving systems.
Stossel also showed "militant" teachers at a rally for higher salaries that resembled a political fundraiser. The microphones picked up comments saying, "There are no bad teachers," "No vouchers," and "Down with charter schools." These teachers were cheering the fact that they received a 15% raise after agreeing to work only 10 or 15 more minutes a day.
Milwaukee
20/20 also visited Milwaukee where school choice has been very successful for over 16 years and passed the test of time. Nearly 60% of parents choose where their children will attend school and the program is expanding. More and more families want choice in Milwaukee because it has improved education. Parents were very pleased with the quality of education and residents commented that with real choice all schools improve -- private, charter and public.
Fear of Change?
Vouchers have been proven to be successful in many areas of the country and Canada. It will be interesting to watch the pro-voucher movement in the near future to see who opposes it. Why the fear of change?
Copyright article 2006. Barbara Pytel. All Rights Reserved.
Read previous articles on Educational Issues.