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Posts tagged ‘Teachers Union’

The Educational Cartel: How Randi Weingarten Finally Said the Quiet Part Out Loud


Commentary by Jonathan Turley | March 11, 2025

Read more at https://jonathanturley.org/2025/03/11/the-educational-cartel-how-weingarten-finally-said-the-quiet-part-out-loud/

American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten is known primarily for two things: screaming into microphones at political rallies and making the teacher’s union an extension of the Democratic Party. However, Weingarten had an unintended substantive moment when she changed her earlier position on the elimination of the Education Department. Weingarten previously shrugged off the elimination of the department as not a big deal for education. Recently, she returned to her irate default in denouncing the elimination. The reason, however, was telling.

After Trump was reelected in November, Weingarten said that the elimination was not a big deal and that teachers had originally opposed the creation of the department: “I mean, my members don’t really care about whether they have a bureaucracy of the Department of Education or not. In fact, Al Shanker and the [American Federation of Teachers] in the 1970s were opposed to its creation.”

Now, however, Weingarten has resumed her natural state of being “really angry.” In an interview with MSNBC, Weingarten explained:

“That is why so many people are so mad about it. Because they’re just taking opportunity away from kids that don’t have it. So, billionaires – kids of billionaires, they have it, they go to private schools. Everyone else, 90% go to public schools. Don’t take away their opportunity. Sorry, I’m really angry about this … I’m really angry,”

However, it is the reason that is most interesting.

In a podcast, Weingarten explained that they have to avoid such “block grants” going to families. Host Molly Jong-Fast readily agreed, raising the danger that it might even support Catholic and religious schools.  Weingarten stressed that “We know, for example, what Texas would do. They’ll use it for vouchers. So, they won’t give [federal funding] to the kids who have it now, they’ll just give it for vouchers.”

There is reason for Weingarten and the teacher’s union being so concerned. Florida allows for school choice and has demanded greater performance from public schools. Despite attacks by Weingarten and other Democrats, Florida has been ranked as the number one state for both education and the economy.

We have previously discussed how schools have been dropping the use of standardized tests to achieve diversity goals in admissions. That trend continued this month with Cal State dropping standardized testing “to level the playing field” for minority students. I have long been a critic of this movement given the overwhelming evidence that these tests allow an objective measure of academic merit and have great predictive value on the performance of students.

Many colleges and universities are returning to standardized testing after the much-acclaimed abandonment of the tests for a more “holistic approach” to selection.

However, public educators have continued to lower proficiency requirements and cancel gifted programs to “even the playing field.” The result has been to further hide the dismal scores and educational standards of many public-school districts.

I previously wrote about how public educators and teacher unions are killing public education in America. Many of us have advocated for public education for decades. I sent my children to public schools, and I still hope we can turn this around without wholesale voucher systems.

Teachers and boards are killing the institution of public education by treating children and parents more like captives than consumers. They are force-feeding social and political priorities, including passes for engaging in approved protests.

As public schools continue to produce abysmal scores, particularly for minority students, board and union officials have called for lowering or suspending proficiency standards or declared meritocracy to be a form of “white supremacy.” Gifted and talented programs are being eliminated in the name of “equity.”

Once parents have a choice, these teachers lose a virtual monopoly over many families. They are no longer a captive audience. If public unions want to maintain funding, they will have to actually improve educational results for these families.

You see, Weingarten knows that, like her, they are “really angry,” but not about the future of a union that increasingly sounds like an educational cartel.

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Education

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The Ten Commandments Should Be Taught In Classrooms, Not Just Hung On The Wall


BY: JOHN DANIEL DAVIDSON | JUNE 21, 2024

Read more at https://thefederalist.com/2024/06/21/the-ten-commandments-should-be-taught-in-classrooms-not-just-hung-on-the-wall/

drawing of Moses holding the Ten Commandments

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Louisiana made news this week for passing a law that mandates the Ten Commandments be displayed on the walls of every public-school classroom, including elementary schools, middle and high schools, and all public college classrooms.

The law defies a 1980 Supreme Court ruling that struck down a similar law in Kentucky, so this is certain to be challenged in court — a prospect supporters of the legislation are counting on. “I can’t wait to be sued,” said Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, who has been rather open about one of the purposes of the law: to challenge Supreme Court precedent on the First Amendment, specifically regarding the establishment clause, which for the past half-century has been used to excise nearly all formal recognition of religion from America’s public schools.

As a vehicle for challenging bad precedent, the law seems sufficient. But another purpose for it, at least according to Landry and other Republicans, is to instruct and mold students. “If you want to respect the rule of law,” the governor said, “you’ve got to start from the original lawgiver, which was Moses.”

This is true as far as it goes, but it doesn’t go very far. The idea that posting the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms will do anything to inculcate in students a respect for the rule of law, to say nothing of basic morality, is pure fantasy. You might say it’s necessary but not anywhere close to sufficient.

If you want to teach students to respect the rule of law and understand that just laws are based on objective moral standards, then you’re going to have to do more than post the Ten Commandments. You’re going to have to get to the root cause of why these things are not taught in public schools anymore — in fact the opposite is taught, that objective morality is oppressive and that the rule of law is systematically racist.

That means you’re going to have to do something about the teachers and administrators. It’s no secret that public school teachers all over the country tend to be far more left-wing than the average American and that no matter how small or conservative your community might be, its teachers and librarians and public-school administrators are among the most radical people in it. They are supported by powerful teacher’s unions and come out of an education and credentialing pipeline that exists to put left-wing ideologues in classrooms and school bureaucracies.

If you really want students to learn about the importance of the Ten Commandments — to say nothing of Christianity, Western philosophy, or the American founding — then you’d better be ready to take on the teachers’ unions and dismantle the teacher’s colleges and credentialing programs.

All of those things are of course well within the mandate of state legislatures. If the GOP-controlled Louisiana legislature has enough votes to mandate the Ten Commandments be displayed in every classroom in the state, surely, they have enough votes to shut down the teacher’s colleges and repeal the laws requiring that every public-school teacher be credentialed from such colleges.

It’s all well and good to pass laws with a view of changing Supreme Court precedent on establishment clause jurisprudence, but that doesn’t really strike at the root of the problem. Even if the Ten Commandments are allowed to remain on the walls of Louisiana classrooms, students aren’t going to learn anything about them unless they’re taught by teachers who themselves understand the importance of the Ten Commandments.

Therein lies the problem. The institutions that were once supposed to safeguard our education system have been taken over and transformed by leftist radicals who hate the very things we need them to teach our students — like respect for the rule of law or what the Ten Commandments are and where they came from.

What can be done about this? Plenty. Conservatives who actually care about such things are in the minority in America. They don’t wield a lot of institutional power. But Republicans, who count at least some conservatives among their ranks, currently control state legislatures and governors’ mansions (trifecta control) in 23 states. If the GOP in those states really wanted to fight back against the left’s control over public schools, it could push for the abolition of teachers’ colleges, or of credentialing requirements, or change them so that public school teachers need not be indoctrinated in Marxist ideology to teach in a Republican-controlled state.

And of course, much more than just that could be done — if the right wanted to fight back. The key thing is getting over this idea that we must preserve at all costs an outdated and fundamentally flawed notion of neutrality in our public institutions, that public schools, for example, must be silent about religion and morality even as they indoctrinate students in what amounts to a new religion of leftist political activism, bombarding them with lessons derived from critical race theory and LGBT ideology.

The left obviously doesn’t care about neutrality. Every institution and public space they are able to control is immediately used to push a very non-neutral message and agenda. Conservatives are the only ones who even pretend to care about neutrality anymore. It’s time to change that. Neutrality has always been a luxury good that only a religiously and culturally homogenous society could afford. Once the left weaponized it as part of a campaign to take over institutions, it became folly to adhere to it.

And yet most Republican officeholders still do. They should stop and get serious about getting the Ten Commandments back in public school — in the curriculum, not just posted on the wall.

John Daniel Davidson is a senior editor at The Federalist. His writing has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, the Claremont Review of Books, The New York Post, and elsewhere. He is the author of Pagan America: the Decline of Christianity and the Dark Age to Come. Follow him on Twitter, @johnddavidson.

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Education, Spiritual

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Today’s Politically INCORRECT Cartoon by A.F. Branco


A.F. Branco Cartoon – Need Not Apply

A.F. BRANCO | on August 6, 2023 | https://comicallyincorrect.com/a-f-branco-cartoon-need-not-apply/

Teachers Unions are only for power and money and have no concern for the children.

Minnesota Teachers Union
Cartoon by A.F. Branco ©2023.

DONATE to A.F.Branco Cartoons – Tips accepted and appreciated – $1.00 – $5.00 – $25.00 – $50.00 – $100 – it all helps to fund this website and keep the cartoons coming. Also Venmo @AFBranco – THANK YOU!

A.F. Branco has taken his two greatest passions, (art and politics) and translated them into cartoons that have been popular all over the country, in various news outlets including NewsMax, Fox News, MSNBC, CBS, ABC, and “The Washington Post.” He has been recognized by such personalities as Rep. Devin Nunes, Dinesh D’Souza, James Woods, Chris Salcedo, Sarah Palin, Larry Elder, Lars Larson, Rush Limbaugh, and President Trump.

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Political

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Today’s TWO Politically INCORRECT Cartoons by A.F. Branco


A.F. Branco Cartoon – Shipwreck

A.F. BRANCO | on August 28, 2022 | https://comicallyincorrect.com/a-f-branco-cartoon-shipwreck/

The Teachers Union wants to lay off white teachers before black no matter their seniority in Minnesota.

Teachers Union is Racist
Political cartoon by A.F. Branco 2022.

A.F. Branco Cartoon – Changing Of The Guard

A.F. BRANCO | on August 29, 2022 | https://comicallyincorrect.com/a-f-branco-cartoon-changing-of-the-guard-4/

Our leadership is changing Washington D.C. and the country into a radical far-left Banana-style republic.

Bannana Republic FBI, DOJ, IRS
Political cartoon by A.F. Branco ©2022

DONATE to A.F.Branco Cartoons – Tips accepted and appreciated – $1.00 – $5.00 – $25.00 – $50.00 – $100 – it all helps to fund this website and keep the cartoons coming. Also Venmo @AFBranco – THANK YOU!

A.F. Branco has taken his two greatest passions, (art and politics) and translated them into cartoons that have been popular all over the country, in various news outlets including “Fox News”, MSNBC, CBS, ABC, and “The Washington Post.” He has been recognized by such personalities as Dinesh D’Souza, James Woods, Sarah Palin, Larry Elder, Lars Larson, Rush Limbaugh, and President Donald Trump.

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Political

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Today’s THREE Politically INCORRECT Cartoons by A.F. Branco


A.F. Branco Cartoon – Dr. Death

A.F. BRANCO | on

Governor Cuomo is responsible for the death of thousands of elderly in New York due to COVID.

Cuomo Emmy AwardPolitical cartoon by A.F. Branco ©2021

A.F. Branco Cartoon – Heart Breaking

A.F. BRANCO | on

Governor Walz figures kids don’t vote so they’ll get the short end of the stick this season.

Valentines Day MinnestotaPolitical cartoon by A.F. Branco ©2021.

A.F. Branco Cartoon – Mickey Mouse Operation

A.F. BRANCO | on

Disney fires Gina Carano for posting a conservative view on Social Media.

Gina Carano FiredPolitical cartoon by A.F. Branco ©2021.
Donations/Tips accepted and appreciated – $1.00 –  $5.00 –  $25.00 – $50.00 – $100 –  it all helps to fund this website and keep the cartoons coming. Also Venmo @AFBranco – THANK YOU!

A.F. Branco has taken his two greatest passions, (art and politics) and translated them into the cartoons that have been popular all over the country, in various news outlets including “Fox News”, MSNBC, CBS, ABC, and “The Washington Post.” He has been recognized by such personalities as Dinesh D’Souza, James Woods, Sarah Palin, Larry Elder, Lars Larson, Rush Limbaugh, and shared by President Donald Trump.

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Political

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Chicago Mayor blames Trump for distanced learning despite the teachers’ unions refusing to return


Reported by Katie Daviscourt, Seattle, WA | February 2, 2021

Democrat Mayor of Chicago Lori Lightfoot made an appearance on CNN’s New Day Tuesday and former President Donald Trump for the standoff between Chicago Public Schools and teachers unions on returning to the classroom. In an outlandish statement, Lori Lightfoot said the standoff between the public schools and teachers unions were “because of the incompetence of the previous administration.”

“These are really difficult times in a pandemic, exacerbated by the incompetence of the previous administration that didn’t leave us with enough vaccine to really quickly get to the entire population in our city that needs it. But we’re going to keep working hard recognizing the concern that, really, all of our residents have regarding COVID-19,” Lightfoot said.

Lightfoot continued, “I think it’s important for both sides to come to the table in good faith, recognize that we’re both trying to work through a very challenging situation, but we must get a deal done.”

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) have been trying to come up with a plan to return to in-person learning but have been blocked by the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU). The union is demanding that CPS and Mayor Lori Lightfoot “set clear and responsible public health criteria by which to honestly judge student and educator safety.” Among these demands are Personal Protection Equipment, smaller class sizes, support for traumatized students, COVID-19 testing, and upgraded ventilation.

CTU President Jesse Sharkey claimed that “CPS has stonewalled us for months as we’ve been trying to bargain enforceable safety standards for our district-run schools. We want our schools open as well, but we want it done safely, and not on the backs of the majority Black and Latinx students we serve.”

The most shocking demand of all is that the CTU wants the city to create better infrastructure for remote leaning instead of schools reopening. This is not surprising considering Sarah Chambers, an executive with the Chicago Teachers Union, went on a lavish vacation to the Caribbean while encouraging teachers to stay-home, claiming it was unsafe for them to go back to school amid the pandemic. While on her Caribbean vacation, Chambers threatened a strike if teachers returned to the classroom because ‘it’s unsafe.’

Striking is nothing new for Chicago Teachers Union. Chicago Public Schools hoped to reopen schools for in-person learning in January but CTU claimed that date is “arbitrary,” threatening a strike if schools reopened that soon.

Lightfoot and CPS CEO Janice Jackson threatened to take away teachers tools and deny access to programs for remote learning if the teachers refused to return to the classroom. The pair has since issued a joint statement retracting those claims.

The union threatened to strike if they were denied access to programs they have been using to instruct students remotely.

Time will tell, but it seems as if CTU has no plans to send their teachers back to school anytime soon. Chicago Public Schools have been closed for in-person learning since March 17, 2020.

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CDC: Teachers do not need to be vaccinated in order to safely reopen schools


The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now says that teachers do not need to receive COVID-19 vaccines before schools can safely reopen. Teachers unions across the country — including in places such as Los Angeles and Chicago — have balked at the idea of teachers returning to the classrooms without proper precautions in place, including vaccinations.

According to a Wednesday report from CNBC, newly appointed CDC Director Rochelle Walensky says that teachers do not need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 before schools can reopen.

In statements during a COVID-19 White House press briefing, Walensky said, “There is increasing data to suggest that schools can safely reopen and that safe reopening does not suggest that teachers need to be vaccinated. Vaccinations of teachers is not a prerequisite of reopening schools.”

She also explained that a CDC advisory committee has placed teachers in the “1B” category — the same as essential workers — to receive vaccines, placing them second in line for priority to receive the injections.

Jeffrey Zients, coordinator of President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 task force, echoed Walensky’s sentiments Wednesday, insisting that the president is “very clear” on his position that he wants schools to “reopen and to stay open.”

“That means every school has the equipment and the resources to open safely,” he said during the news briefing. “Not just private schools or schools in wealthy areas but all schools.”

“Congress has to do its part to make sure that we can safely reopen schools and keep them open,” he added, and called on Congress to pass Biden’s COVID-19 response plan.

Last week, the CDC said that there is “little evidence” of widespread coronavirus transmission in schools so long as proper precautions — such as masking, social distancing, sanitization, and proper ventilation — take place.

Biden has previously pledged to ensure K-8 schools reopen for in-person instruction within his first 100 days in office.

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Political

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Today’s THREE Politically INCORRECT Cartoons by A.F. Branco


A.F. Branco Cartoon – Riding On The Black Vote

A.F. BRANCO | on

Joe Biden is taking the black vote for granted with comments like ” if you don’t vote for me you ain’t black”.

Joe Biden Black VotePolitical cartoon by A.F. Branco ©2020.

A.F. Branco Cartoon – Law Blocker

A.F. BRANCO | on

Minnesota AG Keith Ellison is protecting criminals while promoting defunding the police.

Keith Ellison Law BlockerPolitical cartoon by A.F. Branco ©2020

A.F. Branco Cartoon – Child Abuse

A.F. BRANCO | on

The Teachers Union continues to hold our children’s education hostage in order to push their radical leftist agenda.

Kids Held Hostage by Teachers UnionPolitical cartoon by A.F. Branco ©2020.
Donations/Tips accepted and appreciated – $1.00 –  $5.00 –  $25.00 – $50.00 – $100 –  it all helps to fund this website and keep the cartoons coming. Also Venmo @AFBranco – THANK YOU!

A.F. Branco has taken his two greatest passions, (art and politics) and translated them into the cartoons that have been popular all over the country, in various news outlets including “Fox News”, MSNBC, CBS, ABC, and “The Washington Post.” He has been recognized by such personalities as Dinesh D’Souza, James Woods, Sarah Palin, Larry Elder, Lars Larson, Rush Limbaugh, and has had his toons tweeted by President Trump.

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Political

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HE’S BACK FROM VACATION. Here are Today’s TWO Politically INCORRECT Cartoons by A.F. Branco


A.F. Branco Cartoon – Pawn Stars

A.F. BRANCO | on

Science says that kids are better off in school but the teachers union prefer to play politics and use the kids as pawns.

COVID School KidsPolitical cartoon by A.F. Branco ©2020.

A.F. Branco Cartoon – The Anti-Deplorables

A.F. BRANCO | on

Antifa, Black Lives Matter, Anarchy, and the Democrats are teaming up to destroy America with the help of the Marxist-Mainstream propaganda media.

Democrat Brothers at ArmsPolitical cartoon by A.F. Branco ©2020.
Donations/Tips accepted and appreciated –  $1.00 –  $25.00 – $50.00 – $100 –  it all helps to fund this website and keep the cartoons coming. Also Venmo @AFBranco – THANK YOU!

A.F. Branco has taken his two greatest passions, (art and politics) and translated them into the cartoons that have been popular all over the country, in various news outlets including “Fox News”, MSNBC, CBS, ABC and “The Washington Post.” He has been recognized by such personalities as Dinesh D’Souza, James Woods, Sarah Palin, Larry Elder, Lars Larson, Rush Limbaugh, and has had his toons tweeted by President Trump.

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Political

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Today’s Politically INCORRECT Cartoon by A.F. Branco


A Teachable Moment

A.F. Branco | on

If liberals really cared about the children they would focus less on gun control and more on school security including armed security.

Armed School StaffPolitical cartoon by A.F. Branco ©2018.

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Political

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