Letters: A union's power in Sacramento
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 California Teachers Assn. members join others at Pershing Square in downtown Los Angeles to protest budget cuts to statewide education. The union holds sway over Democrats -- labor's traditionally ally -- and Republicans alike. (Los Angeles Times / August 24, 2012) |
Without doubt the California Teachers Assn. is a big dog in California politics, and The Times does a good job describing the clout the CTA has had over the years. However, the article seems to take at face value the claims by so-called education reformers who criticize the CTA. There is no proof that their ideas — merit pay, value-added assessment, reduced seniority rights and charter schools — will actually improve educational outcomes if only the "big bad union" were cut down to size.
Education policy has been on the wrong track since No Child Left Behind. President Obama's Race to the Top only intensifies No Child Left Behind's bad effects. Meanwhile, many states, including California, are in the throes of devastating fiscal crises and continue to cut teachers and
