The Big Appall

By Larry Sand
10/17/2017
New York’s teachers unions do their best to do what’s worst for kids. A new study was just released by Stanford University’s Center for Research on Educational Outcomes (CREDO), which compared academic achievement in traditional public schools (TPS), charter school networks (CMOs), and independent charters in New York City. The report found that students in...

TAGS: Center for American Progress, Charter schools, CREDO, Derrell Bradford, Larry Sand, New York State United Teachers, teachers union

The Bad, the Ugly and…the Perky

By Larry Sand
06/14/2016
Three recent stories point to the self-serving teacher union mentality. The bad. Joseph Ocol was in big trouble when he came to the U.S. in 1999. As a whistleblower, he was placed in the government’s Witness Protection Program for calling attention to an election fund-raising scam in his native Philippines. Even with a double degree in...

TAGS: American Federation of Teachers, Chicago Teachers Union, Karen Lewis, Larry Sand, New York State United Teachers, teachers union

Empire Statement

By Larry Sand
02/03/2015
Andrew Cuomo becomes the latest governor to take on the teachers unions. Expanding vouchers to unaccountable private schools. Stripping teachers of their right to due process. Converting neighborhood public schools into privately run charter schools unanswerable to local school boards and taxpayers. Proceeding with tax cuts for the wealthy while starving public schools. Holy horrors! The above,...

TAGS: Andrew Cuomo, Chris Christie, Eva Moskowitz, Harlem Success Academy, Larry Sand, Michael Mulgrew, Mike Pence, National Education Association, New York State United Teachers, Rick Scott, Rick Snyder, RiShawn Biddle, Scott Walker, teachers union, United Federation of Teachers

Democrats and Teachers Unions: The Chasm Grows

By Larry Sand
12/23/2014
As more Dems demand education reform, the teachers unions find themselves increasingly isolated. Going back to 2009, I have written many times about the relationship between the teachers unions and the Democratic Party. It’s no secret that the party and the unions were at one time synonymous, but this is rapidly becoming history. Quite clearly,...

TAGS: Andrew Cuomo, Campbell Brown, Democratic Party, Democrats for Education Reform, Joel Klein, Koch Brothers, Larry Sand, Michael Mulgrew, National Education Association, New York State United Teachers, teachers union, United Federation of Teachers

The Sorry, but Unapologetic, Teachers Unions

By Larry Sand
11/04/2014
 Unions demand apologies, but refuse to make any themselves. The cover of the November 3rd edition of Time Magazine reads “It’s nearly impossible to fire a bad teacher; some tech millionaires may have found a way to change that.” Accompanying the text is a photo of a judge’s gavel about to pound an apple. The...

TAGS: American Federation of Teachers, California Federation of Teachers, California Teachers Empowerment Network, David Welch, Larry Sand, Marshall Tuck, Michael Mulgrew, Mike Antonucci, National Education Association, New York State United Teachers, Randi Weingarten, teachers union, Tom Torlakson, United Federation of Teachers

Post-Vergara Rumblings

By Larry Sand
07/01/2014
The Vergara decision is three weeks old – and due to the teachers unions’ appeal, nothing has changed. Or has it? Because Judge Rolf Treu has placed a stay on his Vergara ruling pending the outcome of the teachers unions’ appeal, the tenure, seniority and dismissal statutes are still alive and well in California. However,...

TAGS: American Federation of Teachers, Campbell Brown, Dennis Van Roekel, Larry Sand, last in first out, Mike Antonucci, National Education Association, New York State United Teachers, Randi Weingarten, Rolf Treu, seniority, teachers union, tenure, Vergara