In an article published on January 14th, 2010 Teachers, R.I. education chief still at loggerheads over reform, By Jennifer D. Jordan,(page 1 Section A,) some very serious issues were raised. These are and should be central to the 2010 General Assembly election.
This is a debate for the heart and mind and welfare of Rhode Island and its children that the tax payers, politicians and educational establishment can have. Either we can come to an agreement about which is really important, teacher's rights or student's best interests and their futures, or we can watch as Rhode Island becomes less and less competitive in today's world.
Let's ask some basic questions.
Why do we need students? And, Can the teachers' unions survive without them?
Why do we need teachers unions? And, Can students learn without them?
These are not chicken or egg questions.
Humanity has survived because of children, not because of teachers unions.
Society is better off because Professional Teachers are a real asset to the community. They can assist the children in learning the skills that will make them productive citizens.
But today’s Teacher unions present teachers to the community, not as professionals, but as a commodity. Teachers are treated and treat themselves, as laborers, hired to put in X number of hours at a price and required only "to work to rule." The Teacher's Union are organized on a big business vs big labor model that no longer is valid nor viable in the 21st century economic environment
Educating and training a child is NOT like cooking a BIG MAC. A manufacturing, labor/management business model is no longer appropriate for creating a 21st Century educational system or workforce.
Children do not benefit from a labor union organized to serve the interests of the membership.The unions are not a necessity for the child to learn. What children and society needs is a profession that establishes and enforces performance standards on it members for the benefit of their clients.
A 21st century educational system requires a professional teaching force with the skill and empathy to understand the individual needs of each child and how to address his or her unique needs and issues in an ever more complex world. It needs teachers who can work with parents in the interest of the child, not blackmail taxpaying parents into more benefits.
Granted, we cannot afford to do this on a one to one basis, but we can create environments where we maximize the skills that good teachers can bring to the student.
If the teachers’ unions were professional associations, such as the AMA, ABA, etc., they would be supporting and, in fact, be demanding that that their members meet high evaluation, and accountability standards. Quality performance would be their first goal, not seniority rights.
A revolutionary approach is called for to bring Rhode Island education into the 21st Century. Such an approach is being presented to us now by Education Commissioner Gist. It questions the basic assumptions of the system. But to succeed all parties must buy into the idea of finding solutions and NOT just fight rear guard actions to protect personal or special interest privileges.
The stalemate between the unions and administration over existing contracts, constructed in an age of plenty, don't do anything to prepare today's student nor address the system needs for the future. And they certainly don't help the parents or tax payer.
How long do Rhode Island children have to wait for the adults to grow up and solve the problem, not just fight over it?
Update: Providence and Foster teachers have, with reservation, joined the state in competing for the Race to the Top federal grant. NEA, and the other 36 unions including Central Falls, seem to have decided that their self interest is more important. Rhode Island students are just not worth it?
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