Illinois Federation of Teachers passes unanimous resolutions against Race to the Top, charters

[Hannah Bell]

The Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT) hit hard at President Obama's educational agenda by passing a resolution that rejected Race to the Top at the IFT convention in St. Louis October 15-16. Unlike last year when the IFT, under the direction of the American Federation of Teachers and Randi Weingarten, refused to oppose Obama's education plan that calls for more charter schools and merit pay for teachers, this year marked a complete reversal, thanks to the newly elected leadership of the Chicago Teachers Union.

"We helped elect Obama and we need to let him know he made a mistake," said IFT delegate Joey McDermott, who was the delegate at Crane High School and now is working on aldermanic outreach for the Chicago Teachers Union.

McDermott made an impassioned speech on Race to the Top, tracing its roots to the Renaissance 2010 plan and how it was implemented to destroy public education in Chicago. McDermott told his fellow delegates how Crane High School was once filled with over 1,200 kids until four charter schools opened up in their area and an attack on public schools began. Today Crane has only 500 students, McDermott said, and is ripe for a turnaround or closure under a plan that went national when then Chicago schools chief Arne Duncan left Chicago to force this radical privatization plan nationally as Obama's education secretary.

McDermott added that Race to the Top is an unfunded mandate in which only five states will get the money, but the 45 other states that are denied the money will still implement damaging reforms to public education by expanding charter schools and increasing an emphasize on standardized test scores to judge public school students, teachers and schools...

The resolution passed unanimously. The next important CTU resolution that passed was a call to end the proliferation of charter schools...All six CTU resolutions that were brought to the IFT convention passed...

http://www.substancenews.net/articles.php?page=1734&sec...


The power of real organizing. From a handful of Chicago teachers sitting around a kitchen table, to a caucus inside the Chicago union, to control of the Chicago union, to getting out the word at the state level -- in a matter of a year or so. Inspiring.

Karen Lewis, head of the chicago teachers' union, was elected Executive VP of the state union.

Also inspiring: "The CTU leadership told delegates recently that the newly elected union officers will reduce their salaries by tying their pay to what they would earn as teachers, but be compensated for a full year. This earned a loud round of applause from the delegates."

Lewis' predecessor had gotten $350K in her combined roles. Lewis is rejecting that model of "leadership" for a rank-&-file democratic one.

[Bluebear]

1. Solidarity, nt

[Smarmie Doofus]

2. K an R. This part isn't exactly going to make her popular with....

certain.. shall we say.... more *flexible* ..... nat'l union execs:



>>>>>>>>Also inspiring: "The CTU leadership told delegates recently that the newly elected union officers will reduce their salaries by tying their pay to what they would earn as teachers, but be compensated for a full year. This earned a loud round of applause from the delegates."

Lewis' predecessor had gotten $350K in her combined roles. Lewis is rejecting that model of "leadership" for a rank-&-file democratic one. >>>>>>>

[Tatiana]

3. Karen Lewis actually believes in the principles of social justice.

She has been an oustanding advocate for students, parents, and teachers alike.

If not for Lewis and the CORE caucus, Duncan/Huberman would have closed more neighborhood schools for NO REASON (labeling them as "failing" without concrete proof and then turning the land or buildings over to private enterprise).

[proud2BlibKansan]

15. It was interesting to watch the interplay between Karen Lewis and AFT exec board at the convention

Her delegates spoke out eloquently against several resolutions supported by Randi's people. Meanwhile Karen was added to the slate of executive VPs running with Randi.

Very interesting dynamics at play here.

[Orlandodem]

4. Obama royally fucked up when he made Duncan the Sec. of Ed.

If Obama doesn't change course on education policy, Democrats across the nation can start preparing for life without a Dem in the WH because teachers will not vote for him again.

[Dinger]

10. Exactly

Take that top the bank.

[flyarm]

11. He didn't fuck up..it was his plan!! Don't blame it on others..it was Obama's plan!

[proud2BlibKansan]

16. Only if we get the message out.

Too many teachers I know don't pay enough attention to understand what is going on.

[no_hypocrisy]

5. Heads up, Oprah!

[maryf]

6. Very Happy to Kick and Recommend!!

Thanks for starting my day out right! Solidarity!

[Starry Messenger]

7. Solidarity!

+1000

[mopinko]

8. well, i hope they enjoy going from contender to loser if

there is another round. they would have been a lot smarter to put together a list of specific grievances that they would need worked out. they would have left themselves some bargaining room. imho, karen lewis is gonna burn a lot of bridges.

[Panaconda]

12. How do you figure?

Did you read the entire article?

There were 6 resolutions clearly spelled out and a laundry list of grievances listed under each resolution.

Here's an example:

RESOLUTION NO. 3. CALL FOR A MORATORIUM ON SCHOOL CLOSURES

WHEREAS, Illinois ranks 3rd in the nation with 117,541 students in schools in Tier 1 and Tier 2 schools eligible for school closure (as of July 9, 2010) under the 2001 law NCLB; and

WHEREAS, Tier 1 and Tier 2 NCLB schools risk four major closure models (turnaround, restart, school closure or transformation) without consent or input from students or parents; and

...

WHEREAS, all four interventions are refuted by evidence and research on what types of reform effectively impact student academic success; and

WHEREAS, 81 percent of students in these schools are students of color and none of the four intervention models attempts in any way to gain collaboration with these already disenfranchised communities, or analyze in any systematic way other factors that may lead to poor performance, such as funding inequities in the district, enrollment practices that lead to concentrations of high need students, district staffing projections or social and economic developments; and ...



...

http://www.substancenews.net/articles.php?page=1734&sec...

K&R

[Hannah Bell]

19. wtf?

[mopinko]

21. union by in is a requirement. no rttt money for illinois.

i know you think that is a good thing, but i think it is money for schools.
i happen to actually be fond of our sec of ed. so sue me.

[Dinger]

9. Wow, That Is Great News! Inspiring Indeed

I predict more of this will come in other states.

[flyarm]

13. as always Thank you Hannah! I now have a core of teachers I send the info you post to

in the two states I live..

I started sending the info You and Madfloridian posted to one and two teachers I knew..now I have a whole list of them, as they have made contacts with other teachers who have asked to be on my emailing lists!

One Teacher I know said in 20 years she never stood up at her union meetings before..and she wrote me a email last month and said she now is kicking ass and taking names at her Union meetings. She was very proud that she had facts and knowledge of what is going on!!

That is due to YOU Hannah and Madfloridian..as I simply pass on the Info you post!

These teachers don't have time to do the research..so it is great if we can pass this info onto them!

So Thank You Hannah!

[Hannah Bell]

18. thank you for that, it's good to know it goes further than du & is provoking action.

[Ichingcarpenter]

14. My Name is Luca'...... As an X teacher

The song was playing when I first read this OP

The abuse of the one that lives on the second floor,
needs to end

The attack of education, truth and knowledge in this nation
Is frighting......... I pity the children that suffers by the abuse
Of Teachers

Teachers.........are........not.......this.......nation's
Demon.....but it's salvation for it's future.

I never got paid = to what my my degrees cost
But never thought it should
The love of learning and sharing that love
Is a rare quality


nominated. and kicked ........ Right on

[Catshrink]

17. This is great news...and from Duncan's backyard.

Will it resonate nationwide? Will the NEA do anything? Sadly, Dennis collects his big fat salary but I'm not sure what else he does.

[Dinger]

20. Afternoon Kick

Just because.

[maryf]

22. Evening kick nt

[blindpig]

23. kick n/t