Taking Randi Weingarten’s Words with a Grain of Salt… and Some Maalox

By Larry Sand
03/27/2012
The American Federation of Teachers President’s half truths and hypocrisy can’t hide an obvious agenda. In a slam against those of us who believe that part of a teacher’s evaluation should be based on how well their students perform on standardized tests, American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten wrote an article for the Huffington...

TAGS: American Federation of Teachers, education spending, Mike Antonucci, Randi Weingarten, teachers unions

California’s Looming Fiscal Disaster: Sunlight and an Informed Public are the Best Disinfectants

By Larry Sand
11/22/2011
With the state and various cities on the brink of insolvency, it’s imperative that the electorate become more informed and demand that school districts and teachers unions do their negotiating in public. This past Sunday’s Los Angeles Times above-the-fold headline screamed “Voters back tax hikes for schools.” It was déja-vu all over again. As I...

TAGS: Dan Walters, Mike Antonucci, teachers unions

RIFs, Grifters and Reality

By Larry Sand
02/22/2011
Excessive teacher hiring invariably leads to layoffs; teachers need to understand this trap and protect themselves. We are now in the midst of RIF season. In California and elsewhere, when the economy is unstable, Reduction in Force (RIF) notices must go out to teachers by March 15th. These notices apprise teachers that they may be...

TAGS: Mike Antonucci, teachers unions

National Education Association: Big Union Bully on the Left

By Larry Sand
01/24/2011
While anti-bullying programs for students are currently in vogue in our nation’s schools, teachers need to recognize that they too are being victimized. As president of the California Teachers Empowerment Network (CTEN), I talk to people about teachers and education all the time. Politically speaking, most people think that teachers are to the left of...

TAGS: California Teachers Empowerment Network, Mike Antonucci, National Education Association