Teachers union leader: Raise the bar

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/article/20120421/NEWS01/704219904

Published Saturday April 21, 2012

By Joe Dejka
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

The leader of America's largest teachers union called for tax fairness Friday in a speech to Nebraska union teachers and criticized the budget proposed by congressional Republicans.

Dennis Van Roekel, president of the 3.2-million-member National Education Association, urged teachers to become active in the 2012 elections, strive for social justice and pursue a higher level of political discourse.

Van Roekel called for raising the bar for entry into the teaching profession, improving teacher evaluation systems and eliminating tax loopholes that he said drain money from education.

He said teachers and their unions are under assault around the country as conservatives try to save money by stripping away collective bargaining rights and payroll deductions for union dues.

Thirty-seven states cut education funding this year, he said.

FULL story at link.