Many articles about the remarkable Opt Out movement claim that unions started the movement. But parents in New York don’t take orders from the union. They listen to their peers. The unions did not support opting out. Only a few weeks before testing began, the president of the state union NYSUT endorsed opting out.
The leader of the movement on Long Island began her work three years earlier. Jeanette Deutermann was just named person of the year by a Long Island newspaper. She is a concerned mother and a dedicated activist. She founded Opt Out Long Island. In 2015, fully half the eligible students on Long Island opted out. Albany got the message.
Congratulations, Jeanette.
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I thought you were taking time off, Diane! Go back to enjoying some time away. We’ll all be here when you get back 🙂
On another note, congrats to Jeanette!
Happy New Year.
Thank you for noting the grass-roots nature of the activism that gathered and made itself nown. Opposition forces looking to undermine REAL parental choice (to have more fairly and equitably funded and supported opportunities in public education as opposed to testing/data mining) have tried to scapegoat teachers and their unions-even calling concerned parents “special interests” when they spoke out against the insanity. In NY, this undermining and political weasel-ry gets you promoted, though…so no surprise. Sad, though, that NYSUT came late to the game running up behind the true activists and has tried to claim credit (“your union called, you answered, and as a result…”).
The time has come for a union of professionals and parents, one that acts to protect the integrity of education for learners and development of the practice-not just an organization with continuing access to politicians and dues-payers.
Congratulations to Jeanette Deutermann and bravo to the teachers who followed her lead. She has been a personal inspiration to me. Parents and teachers are partners in education and together we can move mountains!
All we really need to move here in NYS are 3 seats on the BOR and 1 governor.
good for Joanne and the Bellmore Herald. Fascinating the disconnect between a story like this from the real world and whatever Know-Nothing world the editorial board of the New York Times inhabits, as exemplified by the silly house editorial this morning on how great testing, more testing, always testing, is for other people’s kids.
d’uh sorry– Jeanette of course. Too hurried this AM.
good for Jeanette and the Bellmore Herald. Fascinating the disconnect between a story like this from the real world and whatever Know-Nothing world the editorial board of the New York Times inhabits, as exemplified by the silly house editorial this morning on how great testing, more testing, always testing, is for other people’s kids.
great news Jeanetter, it has been a long strange trip for parents to see that they can only rely on themselves to keep the eye on the prize, “eliminating” Common Core and test prep. The Union has its own corporate agenda, along with those that it $upports.Unlike the parents, the Union is for Common Core and the new State Education leader.
Parents are stirring this pot, as long as they are independent.
Bravo Jeanette! We are indebted to you and I thank you for all the time and energy you have exerted on behave of our children!
Joseph, I can’t be reading your comment correctly.
“Unlike the parents, the Union is for Common Core and the new State Education leader. Parents are stirring this pot, as long as they are independent.”
I don’t agree and I am sure most teachers don’t agree with you; they care about their students. There is a gag order on our teachers – the union. Depending upon the district, many are taking a chance of losing their jobs if they speak out. Joseph it is evident that you are not a teacher belonging to a union.
” The Union has its own corporate agenda, along with those that it $upports.”
Bolder Dash!!!!!! Not our local district unions- Some teachers do speak out; no way are they supporting the CC. I have my feelers out in numerous districts – teachers do not support the CC. Teachers and parents that I speak with realize that CC is harming our children. Parents and teachers are skeptical about our new commissioner. Is she only placate us?
PS Randi Weingarten has changed her position.
Mrs. Deutermann has highlighted the constraints of the education system, which going back to the industrial revolution was in some way designed to train the youth to be good workers (Dilbert anyone?).
To quote one of the founders of market capitalism Adam Smith “The more they are instructed, the less liable they are to the delusions of enthusiasm and superstition”