Teachers accused of "sexist" attacks on Campbell Brown. They mentioned her hubby Dan Senor...

[madfloridian]

a failed Iraq war architect and member of Michelle Rhee's Students First. He is also tied to Campbell Brown's lawsuit against NY teachers.

That is in no way "sexist". This is a power play against teachers and their rights of due process earned through their unions through the years.

Who is doing the accusing? Fox Democratic strategist Kirsten Powers, the same one who said that just because the DLC was shutting down it did not mean that liberals were winning. More on that below.

Here is her attack on teachers' unions.

Teachers union launches sexist attack against Campbell Brown

The “war on women” isn’t just for Republicans. Left-wing organizations in New York City have launched their own misogynist crusade against former CNN anchor turned education advocate Campbell Brown.

Brown is running the Partnership for Educational Justice, which she founded to challenge teacher tenure and other rules that protect underperforming teachers.

For this, she has been on the receiving end of a sexist assault by the American Federation of Teachers and opponents of education reform. AFT President Randi Weingarten took to Twitter to accuse Brown of not being balanced in her approach to school reform because “she’s married to Romney adviser Dan Senor.”

To Weingarten, women are not people with thoughts of their own. No, they’re empty vessels who do their husband’s bidding.

That to put it nicely is a bunch of BS. Yes, teachers' union are not feeling friendly toward Campbell Brown...but there is nothing "sexist" about it. It's the fact that she is going after their rights of due process by a lawsuit with much power and money behind it.

Her husband's position on the board of a group which has one of its members as the lead plaintiff in Campbell's lawsuit is not "sexist"....it is accurate. They did not even disclose that Keoni Wright was the lead plaintiff. So in my mind the two groups are working together.

So who is Kirsten Powers and what did she write in 2011 when the DLC shut it doors? She attacked liberals and pointed out that the DLC was being replaced by The Third Way.

The Democratic Leadership Council may be shutting down, but the progressives haven't won. Centrism is alive and well in the think tank Third Way, whose advice on health care and the economy has swayed the White House.

Reports of the death of centrism in the Democratic Party have been greatly exaggerated.

Monday’s news that the Democratic Leadership Council is folding after three decades was greeted with glee by those on the left who see it as evidence that centrism has gasped its last breath.

....The truth is, the DLC’s position as the leading centrist Democratic think tank was long ago overtaken by a group called Third Way, which has been growing more influential by the day.

Teachers' unions have every right to be upset at the influx of celebrities with financial backing trying to take over public schools and get rid of career teachers.

[madfloridian]

1. Also says Diane Ravitch is being "sexist".

This is really so silly. Seems like Campbell got her feelings hurt and ran to Kirsten for comfort.

There has been no suggestion that these men — none of whom is an education expert — lack the intellect or standing to have an opinion on this topic, whereas Brown has been cast as an interloping bobble head. Education historian Diane Ravitch told The Washington Post of Brown, “She is a good media figure because of her looks, but she doesn’t seem to know or understand anything about teaching and why tenure matters. ... I know it sounds sexist to say that she is pretty, but that makes her telegenic, even if what she has to say is total nonsense.”

Ravitch is right. It matters a great deal that she is telegenic and well-known through her media connections. It matters a great deal that her hubby's connections to ed reform groups give her more power.

It matters a lot to teachers whose jobs are on the line because so many celebrities seem to know more about education than they do.

[sabrina 1]

2. That's a right wing tactic. To use women and gays, when it suits them, though they're not the only

ones, for political purposes.

We see it all the time. People pushing right wing policies, or trying to defend them, using gays and women, pretending they support them, 'taking' an issue they know the Left cares deeply about, and using it against them. It is cynical and deceptive, but so transparent no one with a shred of intelligent doesn't recognize it for what it is.

Teachers should NOT go on the defensive. THAT is the goal of these kinds of tactics.

Instead, they should REPEAT what they said. The tactic is intended to distract from the issue. So keep repeating what they are trying to distract from.

[Uncle Joe]

3. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, madfloridian.

[world wide wally]

4. Just wondering… How many years has Campbell Brown spent in front of a classroom?

None?


Oh, ok

[barbtries]

5. they do it and accuse others of it.

part of the playbook.

[JohnnyRingo]

6. Do Ms Brown's children attend these public schools?

I didn't think so, so why is she so adamant about changing the very structure of public schools that doesn't immediately affect her?

She's doing it as the final phase of the destruction of free education in America. First republicans introduced "No Child Left Behind" that paid a stipend to those who would withdraw their child from a local school and enroll them in a private academy. The next step was to close public schools manned by union teachers due to poor attendance.

Now that plan B has been effected, the final step is to squash the NEA once and for all to deprive the democratic party of it's single biggest cash donor. After Brown is done eviscerating organized educators, the GOP can repeal the federal grants that pay children to eschew public schools and put the financial burden on local taxpayers (which they'll vote against).

Your children and grandchildren will get the best education you can afford. No longer will Dan Senor have to pay for your "worthless kid" to learn how to read & write.

Another Mission Accomplished.

[questionseverything]

29. excellant point

breaking the teachers union is just a step on the way to ending free public education

i can not believe dems do not see thru this

[msanthrope]

7. She's right...it is sexist, just as Diane Ravitch rather sheepishly acknowledged.....

Never mind that Brown has recruited major Democratic talent to work with her, including former Obama staffers Robert Gibbs and Ben LaBolt. The chairman of her organization is David Boies, who represented Al Gore in Bush v. Gore and spearheaded the legal campaign in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage.

There has been no suggestion that these men — none of whom is an education expert — lack the intellect or standing to have an opinion on this topic, whereas Brown has been cast as an interloping bobble head. Education historian Diane Ravitch told The Washington Post of Brown, “She is a good media figure because of her looks, but she doesn’t seem to know or understand anything about teaching and why tenure matters. ... I know it sounds sexist to say that she is pretty, but that makes her telegenic, even if what she has to say is total nonsense.”

It’s the same “nonsense” that Boies, Gibbs and LaBolt embrace. But, that’s OK, they’re men.

[madfloridian]

8. Welcome...

[msanthrope]

9. Thank you...I wonder why you didn't include what Ravitch

had to say in your OP? I also wonder why you didn't speak of Mary Boies....or do you think only Campbell Brown should have her spouse examined?

[madfloridian]

10. Read post 1 in all its unedited glory.

Not going to argue with you anymore.

[msanthrope]

11. And indeed...Ravitch admits it is sexist. Given who Dan Senor is, wouldn't it

have been more effective to to explore his involvement in the context of his whitewashing of Iraq and his utter failures there?

[dsc]

14. I don't know where you get the idea that it is any more OK for them to spout nonsense

because they are men. Trust me I am every bit as upset with them and with Ms. Brown. The difference is she has been the public face so she attracts the attacks. If Mr. Boies or Mr. Gibbs were the public face and had a Bush administration slime ball wife on the board of the organization for which they were speaking I would be every bit as critical of them and their wife as I am of her and her husband.

[msanthrope]

15. The point, that you and the OP seem to be missing, is that Mary Boies

has been long known for her work with Teach for America and school reform...her educational software is top rate, and she is a kickass lawyer.

But we don't see Ravitch, or the OP critiquing David Boies, do we? No...she goes after Campbell Brown, who donates to Democrats.

[dsc]

19. I have no problem criticizing Boies, though unless Mary Boies is the second coming of Hitler

she has to be a better human being that Dan Senior is. Ms. Brown has taken a public role, and also has been utterly unwilling to say just who is backing her financially while we have to document every single solitary dime we give (yes I do find that very irritating). I think no matter the gender a person who goes around giving interviews about something ought to be held to account when that person either through ignorance or dishonesty tells untruths about that subject. Ms. Brown continually tells us stories she likes about teaching which often have little to no relation to the truth. To take just one example, she claims that if we remove tenure then teachers would still be entitled to a hearing upon non renewal of contracts, that is just plain, flat out, gold carat, false.

[msanthrope]

20. Well...she is correct. The relief sought in the lawsuit in question

does not eliminate the right to a hearing.....

Can you cite, from the lawsuit (which I presume you have read) a basis for your claim?

[dsc]

21. the definition of tenure is the right to a hearing

removing tenure removes the right to the hearing. If you don't know that you have pretty much no business posting about this issue, if you do and you are claiming you don't we shouldn't believe a word you type.

[msanthrope]

22. Um, no....here you are quite mistaken. You claim, but cannot cite from the actual

lawsuit filed, that teachers would be deprived of an essential due process right....i.e....the right to a hearing. So kindly cite your claim!

You are conflating that due process right with a property right....tenure.

Have you read the lawsuit you are opining on?

[dsc]

23. Here is a link to and the text of New York State's tenure law

http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/nycode/EDN/IV/61/3012

1. (a) Teachers and all other members of the teaching staff of school districts, including common school districts and/or school districts employing fewer than eight teachers, other than city school districts, shall be appointed by the board of education, or the trustees of common school districts, upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, for a probationary period of three years, except that in the case of a teacher who has rendered satisfactory service as a regular substitute for a period of two years or as a seasonally licensed per session teacher of swimming in day schools who has served in that capacity for a period of two years and has been appointed to teach the same subject in day schools, on an annual salary, the probationary period shall be limited to one year; provided, however, that in the case of a teacher who has been appointed on tenure in another school district within the state, the school district where currently employed, or a board of cooperative educational services, and who was not dismissed from such district or board as a result of charges brought pursuant to subdivision one of section three thousand twenty-a of this chapter, the probationary period shall not exceed two years. The service of a person appointed to any of such positions may be discontinued at any time during such probationary period, on the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, by a majority vote of the board of education or the trustees of a common school district. (b) Principals, administrators, supervisors and all other members of the supervising staff of school districts, including common school districts and/or school districts employing fewer than eight teachers, other than city school districts, shall be appointed by the board of education, or the trustees of a common school district, upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools for a probationary period of three years. The service of a person appointed to any of such positions may be discontinued at any time during the probationary period on the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, by a majority vote of the board of education or the trustees of a common school district. (c) Any person previously appointed to tenure or a probationary period pursuant to the provisions of former section three thousand thirteen of this chapter shall continue to hold such position and be governed by the provisions of this section notwithstanding any contrary provision of law. 2. At the expiration of the probationary term of a person appointed for such term, subject to the conditions of this section, the superintendent of schools shall make a written report to the board of education or the trustees of a common school district recommending for appointment on tenure those persons who have been found competent, efficient and satisfactory, consistent with any applicable rules of the board of regents adopted pursuant to section three thousand twelve-b of this article. Such persons, and all others employed in the teaching service of the schools of such union free school district, common school district and/or school district employing fewer than eight teachers, who have served the probationary period as provided in this section, shall hold their respective positions during good behavior and efficient and competent service, and shall not be removed except for any of the following causes, after a hearing, as provided by section three thousand twenty-a of such law: (a) insubordination, immoral character or conduct unbecoming a teacher; (b) inefficiency, incompetency, physical or mental disability, or neglect of duty; (c) failure to maintain certification as required by this chapter and by the regulations of the commissioner. Each person who is not to be recommended for appointment on tenure, shall be so notified by the superintendent of schools in writing not later than sixty days immediately preceding the expiration of his probationary period. 3. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section no period in any school year for which there is no required service and/or for which no compensation is provided shall in any event constitute a break or suspension of probationary period or continuity of tenure rights of any of the persons hereinabove described. - See more at: http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/nycode/EDN/IV/61/3012#sthash.S43Q6iCb.dpuf

end of quote

Now call me crazy but removal of two (bold) would put us back at one (italics). Now part 2, the part that teachers who get tenure get specify that teachers get a hearing and have to be given a reason for being fired. Part 1, the part that teachers on probation get (aka those without tenure or those from whom tenure gets taken) do not get a hearing. Go ahead, look at the text, it is there in black and white. The words you are looking for is sorry for my ignorance. Somehow I won't be holding my breath. The simple fact is if you remove tenure from teachers and replace it with (at best) contracts of a specific length or (at worst) no contract at all then teachers are, by definition, not entitled to any reason or hearing upon the decision to renew or not renew the contract. That means, in my neck of the woods (NC), if parents complain that a teacher is gay and the principal decides that he or she doesn't want a gay teacher in their school then the teacher goes, no hearing, no reason, no nothing. If a group of parents in Texas doesn't want a science teacher to teach evolution and the principal agrees, bye bye teacher, no hearing, no reason, no nothing. If a teacher dares to give a deserved failing grade to the star quarterback and the principal doesn't like it, he is gone, no hearing, no reason, no nothing. If a teacher in Stubenville decided that she would support the raped student and her town didn't like it, no hearing, no reason, no nothing, bye bye teacher.

[dsc]

24. gee I am so shocked that I got no response to this

[Starry Messenger]

32. .

[madfloridian]

26. I am bookmarking your link for further reference.

That bolded part is just about how Florida's teacher tenure worked before it was taken away. As of 2011 no new teacher in Florida can get any job security.

And principals here hated the Continuing Contract (FL name for tenure) that they treated teachers who did have it rudely at times. They resented teachers having any job protection while they had none at all.

Now I notice there's a lot of organizing of principals going on now.

[madfloridian]

28. I hate to use the word "lie", but I heard Campbell Brown say several times....

that "bad" New York teachers can't be fired.

That part you bolded is so clear that they can.

[madfloridian]

12. I see so much criticism of teachers' unions...but

none of other unions that offer due process to their members.

[NCTraveler]

13. madfloridaian. Off topic question.

Is there a union that represents students?

Love your posts. Thanks.

[madfloridian]

16. Should there be?

I always looked out for my students, worked with their parents in their best interests. Most teachers I know/knew do the same. Most teachers put the needs of the students first, which is why they need due process.

[NCTraveler]

17. I think there should.

I can't for the life of me guess why there shouldn't. Really wasn't expecting your line of reasoning here. Somewhat argumentative.

"Most teachers I know/knew do the same." I don't see why someone shouldn't represent them ALL of the time. Clearly the manner in which you answered shows they do not have union representation.

[madfloridian]

18. OK

Would it be up to the teachers or to the parents to form a union to protect students?

And should it be set up to protect them from teachers, parents, or both?

[immoderate]

27. Could students strike for more bathroom time, profit sharing?

The possibilities are endless.

--imm

[madfloridian]

31. .....

More recess?

[immoderate]

33. I would have to wind up paying student wages out of my own pockets...

--imm

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

25. K&R. nt

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

30. These 2 are nothing more than a couple of of con artists. nt