AFT needs to join NEA condemning "toxic testing" and calling for Arne Duncan to resign.

[madfloridian]

The NEA, a national teachers' union, took those positions already. The AFT which is convening right now needs stand with them.

A short to the point post by Dr. John Thompson, a favorite education blogger and teacher.

Thompson: The AFT Needs to Support the NEA's New Positions

The National Education Association annual conference approved a national campaign for equity and against "Toxic Testing." It seeks to end the "test, blame and punish" system that began under President Bush and which has grown worse under the Obama administration. As outgoing NEA President Dennis Van Roekel says, "The testing fixation has reached the point of insanity," The delegates then called on Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to resign.

Hopefully the American Federation of Teachers national conference will do the same this month.

The AFT should help the press write its lede. It should adopt the same language, word for word, in order to make the key point. Both unions are on the exact same page in terms of testing and Duncan.

Nuance is appropriate when teachers discuss issues like Common Core standards or how we should deal with edu-philanthropy. But, the jury is in on the damage done by high-stakes testing. And, dumping Duncan is a doable short-term objective. Let's also unite in sharing the bows when we finally force President Obama, who we helped elect and reelect, to repudiate his appointee who personifies complete fidelity to corporate reform. - JT(@drjohnthompson)

[femmocrat]

1. K & R

I am surprised to see NEA doing anything that takes guts.

[LWolf]

2. Yes.

I'm interested to see how our new president compromises with corporate reform.

[madfloridian]

3. AFT last 2 days today and tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

Good for the BATs. Making a difference.

[BrotherIvan]

4. I hope they are very forceful

The money quote:

Let's also unite in sharing the bows when we finally force President Obama, who we helped elect and reelect, to repudiate his appointee who personifies complete fidelity to corporate reform.

Helped to elect because they were promised an end to NCLB, not a full on assault.

[madfloridian]

7. I don't think any of us expected this.

I knew Obama supported charter schools, but since all Dems do...not much of a choice. I did not expect the full onslaught.

[BrotherIvan]

8. I was worried about charters and vouchers

The administration has gone above and beyond all expectations with full support of union busting. Comfortable shoes and all.

[Starry Messenger]

5. k&r

I'm watching the livestream to see if a delegate introduces an amendment to a resolution.

[Enthusiast]

6. Kicked and recommended!

[Starry Messenger]

9. Special order just called from the floor. Livestream crashed.

https://twitter.com/T_Swanson/status/488107700580917248

Wow! Call from convention floor to advocate for resignation of Sec of Education Arne Duncan. #AFT14

(This means that the resolution might be taken up tomorrow. I don't understand all of the procedure, but from what I get, since it hadn't been published as a resolution before the convention, it needs to be called as a proposal from the floor, seconded as a proposal, and then the next session can be proposed and debated, then voted on.)

[madfloridian]

10. Thanks, fingers crossed. Thx for the update.