CTA has joined thousands of educators across the country in demanding the resignation of U.S. Secretary of Education Rodney Paige, following an incident in which he called NEA a "terrorist organization."
Secretary Paige made the remarks to some of the nation's governors in a private White House meeting. Even though he later called NEA President Reg Weaver to offer an apology for what he called his "inappropriate choice of words," Weaver says, "he continues to inflame the situation, referring to our efforts to improve ESEA/NCLB as 'obstructionist scare tactics.' He continues to demean our organization; to attempt to drive a wedge between our organization, our members and the public; and to try to silence any dissent regarding the administration's misguided education policies."
"Teachers are deeply insulted by Mr. Paige's remarks," says CTA President Barbara E. Kerr. "And trying to brush off the comments as a 'bad joke' is even more insulting. Referring to teachers as terrorists is no joking matter. His remarks send a clear message as to how this administration views teachers and the work they do to educate millions of children every day."
Although name-calling appears to be the administration's response to parents and teachers who have legitimate concerns with President Bush's No Child Left Behind Act, she says, "teachers and parents know that this law's one-size-fits-all approach to learning hurts our kids. It wastes money on federal tests and more bureaucracy, rather than giving students the resources they need to succeed."
"The administration of the nation's public school system is too vital a task for someone who has no respect for the system's most important force - its dedicated teachers," says Kerr. "After the recent exposés of the Houston school system under Mr. Paige's leadership and now this insensitive gaffe, it is time for Mr. Paige to pack his bags and head back to Texas."
