Print
JUST SAY NO TO MILITARY ADS
The AFT has joined ranks with nearly 60 percent of the country (“AFT resolution opposes Iraq war,” November 2006). Having worked hard on this issue at the Boston convention with members of the newly formed AFT Peace and Justice Caucus, we were glad to see the resolution publicized. With this resolution the AFT committed itself to “encouraging its national and state affiliates to join AFT in working … to end the war in Iraq and bring the troops home rapidly.”
In the same issue, there was a full-page advertisement that encouraged teachers to visit a military recruitment page on the Internet. Most of the material on the Web site is similar in message to recruiting material that is already available to our students. The Frequently Asked Questions and Myth vs. Reality sections of the site are informative, but not totally revealing. For example, while stating “Qualified service members can receive more than $70,000 in tuition benefits,” it fails to mention that less than 40 percent actually receive the full amount, and that nearly 25 percent receive none of the benefits for which they qualify.
Too many of our students are faced with untenable choices for their future. And yes, we should have all the information necessary to advise our students about military service and its alternatives. But it should not be only information provided by the military, which is biased.
We urge the AFT to stop accepting this military advertising or to provide an opportunity for those who offer alternatives to the military to respond.
There are a number of counter-recruitment and military counseling organizations, such as the American Friends Service Committee and the National Lawyers Guild, around the country. Readers can find such an organization near them by visiting www.youthandthemilitary.org/orgs.htm.
Bonnie Blustein
Pasedena, Calif.
Andy Griggs
Santa Monica, Calif.
Nancy Romer
Brooklyn, N.Y.
NO TAX BREAKS FOR TEACHERS
I too find it troubling that the GOP-controlled Congress would not extend the $250 tax credit for educators who spend their own money for their classroom supplies (“Congress finally says no to tax breaks—yours,” November 2006). But what I find more troubling is that educators are expected to spend their money for supplies. We can give ourselves a financial break by not purchasing such items in the first place.
When students and parents complain that there is no construction paper, glue, facial tissue, pencils, books, etc., give them the names and telephone numbers of school board members.
Michael J. Maguire
West Roxbury, Mass.
Editor’s Note: In December, Congress gave educators a holiday gift by extending the tax credit. (See “Teachers get a break—on taxes,” posted in the Capitol Watch column.)
NCLB: POINT, COUNTERPOINT
Marilyn Beiler’s reference to teachers choosing retirement because “they can no longer jump through all the crazy hoops” required under NCLB (“Marilyn doesn’t teach here anymore,” October 2006) rings stronger and louder than any school bell has ever tolled. Teachers want to teach. They want to help students learn. How sad that “crazy hoops” have “educationally suffocated” many who chose this admirable profession.
I applaud the honest words shared by Ms. Beiler. May her sacrifices provide educators with a newfound strength to overcome the obstacles that continue to chip away at our precious teaching hours.
Faustina Fayo-Abrams
Newburgh, N.Y.
While I hardly think that the NCLB legislation is perfect, I do think it has had an overall positive effect on public education in the United States. The act has led to huge increases in government spending for education, tied to a system of accurately measuring school performance and growth. I think teaching to the test is fine. If we test important skills, then we’ll be teaching those same important skills. After all, what would school be without tests?
Michael Foy
Slidell, La.
