Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/22108
LETTERS LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor, I am proud that my union stood up for “tax fairness” in the last election. But I am discouraged by the extraordinarily shal- low election analysis in the most recent California Educator (“2010 big election wins,” November), in particular around the defeat of Proposition 24. “Unfortunately, CTA-sponsored Propo- sition 24 … was rejected by voters.” That’s it, seriously? Why? Are California voters too conservative? Did we run a weak cam- paign? Were we just plain snookered by the Chamber of Commerce’s attack ads? I can’t believe that leadership and staff haven’t spent days wrapping their heads around this loss. And how many times have I heard from CTA that members ought to be “part of the conversation”? We are asked to volunteer our time to get out the vote, but not to discuss the results in any meaningful fashion. I believe California’s educators are more than intelligent enough for this UPDATE UPDATE Constructive discussion follows controversial documentary In a high-profi le panel discussion in Silicon Valley Dec. 14, CTA Vice President Dean Vogel continued the constructive criticism of the education documentary Waiting for Superman that was outlined in a package of revealing stories in the October California Educator. The controversial fi lm by Davis Guggen- heim scapegoats teachers and their unions for the problems in public schools. Vogel told the panel it simplifi es complex educa- tion issues and fails to include interviews with knowledgeable education experts like Diane Ravitch or Linda Darling-Hammond of Stanford University. Instead, billionaire Bill Gates and divisive former District of Columbia schools chancellor Michelle Rhee are allowed to paint a misleading picture discussion. We should be spoken to like the adults that we are — many of us who have spent years engaged in local, state and national politics. In these danger- ous times for public education, holding members at arm’s length is a recipe for weakness as a union and irrelevancy for the California Educator. John Green Castro Valley Teachers Association (Letter sent through Facebook) Editor’s note: Thanks, John, for your thoughtful letter. We went to press right after the election results came out. We would like to take this opportunity to provide some analysis. CTA has looked at the results of the election, exit poll data and post-election survey research. Voters here in California and throughout the country were and still are very concerned about the economy, jobs and taxes. In California, every statewide measure that c Send us your omments Letters to the editor regarding stories appearing in California Educator may be sent via mail, fax or e-mail. address: California Educator Magazine CTA Communications 1705 Murchison Drive Burlingame, CA 94010-4583 fax: (650) 552-5002 e-mail: editor@cta.org dealt with raising taxes, spending and borrowing was rejected. However, new research shows that with the election of a new governor, California voters are beginning to feel more confident. We’ll continue covering the political landscape in California in this Educator, and we en- courage readers to share their thoughts. that leaves out the dedication of America’s educators. “We didn’t see the teachers who are putting in extra hours above and beyond the duty day” to improve stu- dent learning, Vogel noted. He called for conversation and collaboration among all educa- tion stakeholders, including charter school advocates, instead of the divisiveness the movie has provoked. Joining Vogel on the panel were Diane Continued on page 38 6 California Educator | DECEMBER 2010 • JANUARY 2011 ABOVE: CTA Vice President Dean Vogel makes a point about Waiting for Superman to John Danner, CEO of Rocketship Education charters (center), and Jim Lianides, superintendent of Sequoia Union High School District. CTA photo by Mike Myslinski