EdNotes Online has a piece on the knee jerk reactions from folks defensive of unions when they hear criticism. This site and some other folks went through this recently with critique of the NEA during their 2012 Assembly in Washington, DC.
I understand that far right-wing conservatives are after unions. I get that it might be uncomfortable that critique can come from all sides, even those like myself who are sympathetic with organized labor. Even in such a precarious political state, no one is immune from critique, especially when both the NEA and AFT take positions that seem more like appeasement than activism.
The gravity of the high-paid executive leadership might pull these organizations to more conciliatory positions. So, the membership is going to have to use their will and numbers to bring the entire institution away from the shiny objects of power and influence.
If we keep the focus of our conversation on the children and how to improve public education for them, we will find it more difficult to attack one another personally. No one can defend the actions or lack of action on the part of union leaders if the direct result is harming students in some way. Have I witnessed students whose progress in school was hindered as the result of wimpy union policies? You bet I have! Before we criticize standards-based reform, we need to have a solid argument against it that will show how students are negatively affected. Then, we can add the gruesome details of what the testing obsession is doing to teachers. These guys do a thorough job by providing info in both areas…with a little help from their Opt Out friends, of course!