With only opposition by teachers' unions to recommend it, I'd like to propose an alternative to the Obama/Duncan education plan outlined in Sunday's Tribune ("Obama pledges brighter schools," Views, March 14). Instead, abolish the federal Department of Education. ...more

March 17, 2010

State and local teachers unions are mobilizing against proposed legislation (Senate Bill 6) that would base a teacher's salary, in part, on student performance, rather than on the educators' years of service and make it easier to fire a teacher. ...more

March 10, 2010

The most interesting political developments violate ideological expectations. Why did Bill Clinton fight for NAFTA and accept an end to the welfare entitlement? Why did George W. Bush push a Medicare prescription drug benefit? In each case, some bold political calculation or deep policy conviction was at work. ...more

March 5, 2010

Your editorial in last Sunday's paper, "Return common sense to class-size reduction" (Our Opinion), is to be commended, but it could have been more forceful. The combination of requiring many more teachers to satisfy the smaller class-size requirements while the country experiences an acute teacher shortage must result in acquiring more teachers of lesser ability. Although that will increase dues-paying members for the teachers' unions, it will lower the quality of teaching children. ...more

February 4, 2010

It is hard to square the words of American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten with the actions of many of her union's officials. Even as Weingarten issues stirring calls for new ways of thinking, labor leaders in places such as New York use their political muscle to block important reforms. Perhaps they don't think that she means business, or maybe they don't care; either way, it is the interests of students that are being harmed. ...more

February 2, 2010

With the clock ticking and opposition lingering, Education Commissioner Eric Smith has agreed to revise the state's application for up to $900 million through the Obama administration's Race to the Top initiative. ...more

January 7, 2010

With the clock ticking and opposition lingering, Education Commissioner Eric Smith has agreed to revise the state's application for up to $900 million through the Obama administration's Race to the Top initiative. ...more

January 6, 2010

'Millstone' bill The front page of the Dec. 25 edition had a blatant error. It should have read "Senate OKs millstone health bill" - not milestone. Shame on you! This bill will be hung on my grandkids' necks. ...more

December 29, 2009

Florida's statewide teachers union discouraged local affiliates from endorsing the state's application for up to $700 million in federal stimulus grant money that would require the adoption of merit pay plans. ...more

December 20, 2009

Florida is linking its application for $700 million in federal education grant money to the adoption of local merit pay plans, which have been unpopular among teachers in the past although that could be changing. ...more

December 12, 2009