School Reform As Seen By N.J. Teacher Union Leaders

Issue Brief

New Jersey’s teacher union leaders have continued to adamantly insist that their opposition to choice-based school reforms is with the best interests of students at heart. But, as the following recent public statements indicate, the organizations they lead are, in fact, labor unions whose primary objectives are to advance their members’ interests.

As such, their leaders staunchly oppose any perceived threat to these benefits and the political power they convey. When students are viewed as revenue generators, they become commoditized. As the following collection of recent public statements by New Jersey teacher union leaders demonstrates, other factors besides educational quality frequently gain the upper hand:

“As hard as we fight for what is right for our students, we must fight just as hard for our profession.” Wayne Education Association website

“In the private sector, the public does not have access to sick days that they may need, and they’re probably going to work when their health should not allow them to.” Steve Baker, New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) spokesman, Camden (NJ) Courier Post, January 21, 2010

“Time is short… How many programs and staff will we lose because of this…? How many pension payments will not be made?” Trenton Education Association website on the Opportunity Scholarship Act

“We are preparing to arbitrate the unfair application of Snow Day policy in two cases from 2010. This was a violation of our contract…” American Federation of Teachers Local 1766 website (New Brunswick)

“Camden City Schools will be among the hardest hit, with 21 of its 31 schools on the list – 81% of its total student enrollment. [This plan] could result in the loss of thousands of jobs for Camden’s citizens.” Key Facts, Camden Education Association website

“NJEA supports legislation that would require districts to use any money saved through wage and/or benefit concessions to be used to offset economic reductions in force.” NJEA’s Vision for Education Reform, December 2010

“The state will be sending hundreds of millions to private schools before a single student leaves a public school. The winners in this bill win big, and the losers are our public schools, who will have to do more with less.’’ NJEA President Barbara Keshishian, January 20, 2011