Teachers strike for reduced class size

It seems class size is the crux of the Kent teacher's dispute. With no class size cap for the Kent school district, perhaps it is not unexpected that they have some of the highest in the area.

30 - 32 kids in an over crowded classroom, many who are English as second language and special needs kids who need extra help is hardly an optimal teaching environment.

I don't know how many parents would think those numbers are ok. Perhaps that is why, for now at least, the parents seem to be strongly supporting the teachers. This dispute has much bigger ramifications and people from all over the state are watching what happens closely.

Now we find out, the Kent teachers are defying a judge's order and may potentially wrack up daily fines if they do not return to work on Monday. Talk about shooting the messenger!

How can this end anything but badly?

Washington state voters repeatedly have shown they want reduction in class size and are willing to pay for it. It's better for the kids. Its better for the teachers. The state saves money in the long run by students having the best chance at a good education the first time around. Yet, the state still does not fund it appropriately and leaves school districts, like Kent, and so many others holding the bag.

The Kent school district, in this case, says they just don't have the money to reduce class sizes and unfortunately, I believe them. School districts have their hands tied all over the state where the funding has been slashed.

What happens when already cash strapped school districts have even deeper cuts? Mayhem! Like in Kent. And, frustrated, annoyed, cynical parents and teachers fume all over the state.

When will our state finally deal with this burr under the saddle? Where is the leadership on this issue? It is long over due and time our state government took their jobs seriously and get down to business and do the hard, uncomfortable, heavy lifting that is needed for education. State government is not just for assuring cushy tax breaks for corporations and negotiating trade deals. Education funding should be, MUST BE, at the top of the list!

I would suggest creating a brand new revenue stream earmarked for education. It is as simple as that. Introducing a moderate state income tax could take care of this, and quickly. Obviously we can't continue on the path we are going. But, does anyone in Olympia have the “cajones” to even suggest it?

Where is the leadership? They are failing our kids.

Obama backs merit pay, charter schools

Personally, I agree but will this ruffle some feathers? Probably.

Even if it causes a flap, thank god we are having this conversation. And, from the big cheese himself. The time is long over due.

So, I am with you, big O; now let's hear some details.

What do you think?

From the AP:

President Barack Obama called for tying teachers' pay to students' performance and expanding innovative charter schools Tuesday, embracing ideas that have provoked hostility from members of teachers unions. He also suggested longer school days — and years — to help America's kids compete in the world.

In his first big speech on education, Obama said the United States must drastically improve student achievement to regain lost international standing.

"The future belongs to the nation that best educates its citizens," he said. "We have everything we need to be that nation ... and yet, despite resources that are unmatched anywhere in the world, we have let our grades slip, our schools crumble, our teacher quality fall short and other nations outpace us."

His solutions include teacher pay and charter school proposals that have met resistance among members of teachers unions, which constitute an important segment of the Democratic Party.

Obama acknowledged that conflict, saying, "Too many supporters of my party have resisted the idea of rewarding excellence in teaching with extra pay, even though we know it can make a difference in the classroom."

Despite their history on the issues, union leaders publicly welcomed Obama's words, saying it seems clear he wants to include them in his decisions in a way President George W. Bush did not.

"We finally have an education president," said Randi Weingarten, president of the 1.4 million-member American Federation of Teachers. "We really embrace the fact that he's talked about both shared responsibility and making sure there is a voice for teachers, something that was totally lacking in the last eight years."