Revolt Brewing in NEA As Van Roekel Does a Randi, EIA on NEA Convention

The info coming from the NEA RA is nuts! They want teachers to pay 3 bucks to support the common core (!!??) and check out what D. Van R [NEA Pres] said about "Quality" vs collective bargaining here.  --- MORE member in an email

"There is growing internal discord over the direction of the union – or at least the perceived direction of the union – by those who oppose Common Core, Race to the Top, and a lot of other things going on in public education. They believe NEA is selling out to corporate reform." ... Mike Antonucci at EIA

With the NEA national convention beginning tomorrow (as it does every July 4th) in Atlanta, the national unions' caving in to ed deform is coming front and center in debates -- and in union elections (see recent Newark and Washington).

I extracted the DVR comments from Fred Klonsky's post. Read it and weep as DVR tries to out Randi Randi.

That with the defeat of collective bargaining in states like Michigan and Wisconsin, the NEA will focus less on those kind of issues and focus more on issues of teaching quality, particularly the implementation of the Common Core.
He was quite aggressive in his advocacy of the Common Core, throwing down the challenge to those on the Right and the Left who have been critical of it. DVR said that if you have nothing better to offer, step back.
Putting aside the content for a moment, I found his tone incredibly belligerent.

Posted on facebook:

Teachers Laugh

2:52pm Jul 1

Call the NEA at 202-833-4000. When you get through, press 6 to talk to a person . . http://preaprez.wordpress.com/2013/06/30/quality-control-at-the-nea-ra/ Tell Pres. Van Roekel this is not acceptable and to resign. "That with the defeat of collective bargaining in states like Michigan and Wisconsin, the NEA will focus less on those kind of issues and focus more on issues of teaching quality, particularly the implementation of the Common Core." - D. Van Roekel

See Raging Horse with a great piece on the NEA:

Raginghorseblog

Bill Gates Continues To Purchase Major Teacher Unions and At Discount Rates -
Below, as he often does, Mike Antonucci gets right to the core. He will be  reporting daily from Atlanta -- I've been reading his NEA reports for many years and they are really inside stuff with good analysis -- as long as you don't forget Mike is anti-union  -- but doesn't fudge facts.

Subscribe to EIA Intercepts if you want to get the daily updates on NEA doings.

Away to Atlanta

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Away to Atlanta

Posted: 01 Jul 2013 09:28 AM PDT

Heading out today to attend the National Education Association Representative Assembly and will post my first item from Atlanta tomorrow evening.

There is growing internal discord over the direction of the union – or at least the perceived direction of the union – by those who oppose Common Core, Race to the Top, and a lot of other things going on in public education. They believe NEA is selling out to corporate reform.

They have evidence to support that position, but on the other hand I recall a pretty big speech last year about “social justice patriots,” which seemed to promise a new, Karen Lewis-style approach to union issues. So I’m a little confused about where NEA thinks it is going and am hoping for a little clarity this week.

These arguments inside the union aren’t new, of course, but in the fat years they were papered over. Now they have become crucial due to collective bargaining restrictions and falling membership. The Wisconsin Education Association Council provides an illustration.

Each state affiliate sends delegates to the NEA convention based on its membership numbers. Back in 2005, WEAC was proud to announce that it had sent more than 300 members to the convention as delegates. This year, WEAC announced it was sending about 175.

So the internal direction issue is further complicated by what effect it will have on membership numbers and member activism. What excites your cadres might turn off your rank-and-file. The debate itself could lead to more members participating in union matters, or it could neutralize them and make them unwilling to get involved in that can of worms.

Dennis Van Roekel is about to enter his final year as NEA president. This might also be a factor. Heir-apparent Lily Eskelsen Garcia is a much more dynamic and media-savvy individual and may have an entirely different approach when she accedes to the presidency in September 2014. There’s at least the possibility that whatever is decided this week will be relatively short-lived.

In the meantime, relax and enjoy this first week of July. I’ll certainly let you know if the NEA delegates decide to disband and form the world’s largest racing centipede at the Peachtree Road Race.