The School Money Vote

See who truly cares about the kids, and who wants to be WEAC toadies. Roll Call's here, total was 70-27. More than enough to override a veto if the Senate ever takes action.

Good to see that grand Progressive Humanitarian Mark Pocan of Madison voted No. Pity he can't blame John Gard on this one.

(He's got to miss no longer having that excuse...)

WEAC: "Don't Blame Us, We Only Teach the Kids"

Out-going President of WEAC Stan Johnson, realizing that controlling the Governor, the State Senate, and DPI cooking the books for his outfit still hasn't hidden the truth, his union employs some bad teachers.

(I said "some" Jay!)

So, to hide this fact, Johnson lashes out at the source of his ill-will; the Federal "No Child Left Behind" Act.

WEAC President Stan Johnson issued this statement following the announcement that 45 schools and the Milwaukee Public School District have not made “adequate yearly progress” (AYP) according to the list mandated by the so-called No Child Left Behind Law:

“This list of schools not meeting so-called adequate yearly progress does not help our great teachers and education support professionals do what really helps children learn in the classroom. Accountability should include multiple measures to evaluate learning – not just the results from reading and mathematics tests. Within five to six years nearly every school in Wisconsin and in the nation will be identified as in-need of improvement under the ESEA’s unrealistic expectations.”

“This AYP list does not address the societal gaps that make learning more difficult for disadvantaged students, especially our youngest learners. The No Child law requires school districts to give tests developed for regular education students to many students with disabilities and non-English speaking students.”

Adequate yearly progress (AYP) is one provision in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), federal laws that govern education. This act is up for reauthorization in 2007.

“We know what works in Wisconsin: Great teachers and staff, small class sizes, one-on-one attention, ongoing teacher training and mentoring, up-to-date books and learning materials, parental involvement and community support. Not mandates and punishments handed down from Washington, D.C.”

Stan, can we put you on record as being for the elimination of the Department of Education? Because, that sure sounds like a win-win situation to everyone involved.

Of course, what Johnson hates is the mandates that come with NCLB, not the money that comes along with it. And if you'd ask him, Johnson would tell you we 'need' the Department of Education. Because teachers unions want the bank open, just no means to ensure the money's well-spent.

WEACy's Double Standard.

Was reading Fox Politics and came across the following:

As some of you may know, WEAC is among the state’s most powerful special interest groups. Earlier this year, the Madison-based teacher’s union came out against our proposal requiring voters to present a federal or state-issued photo ID card at the polls before being allowed to cast a ballot. Their rationale was that this requirement places an undue burden on the right of citizens to vote. One would assume their opposition to the Photo ID requirement would extend to their own union elections. Well, not necessarily.

According to WEAC’s own website: “Delegates to the 2007 WEAC Representative Assembly will be asked, for the first time, to bring photo identification. The photo ID will be required to register as a delegate, and again to vote in the WEAC elections.” [all empasis added] I guess what’s good for the goose isn’t necessarily good for the gander. This bit of irony will definitely spice up the debate on the Photo ID bill when the proposal comes up for a vote on the Assembly floor on April 17.

(Source: Fox Politics Opinion piece by Mike Huebsch (R-West Salem)).

Those WEACy teachers!