The Chicago Teacher Union strike is legitimate and Rahm needs to realize his options at this point.

The Chicago teachers strike (click title to entry - thank you) isn't only about pay and work hours. The union also opposes merit pay and stricter evaluation of teachers. The strike's outcome will influence the future of a national movement for accountability of public school teachers.

If I remember correctly and I haven't followed up on this yet, but, Florida evaluations were found to be unconstitutional.

The first bill Gov. Rick Scott signed into law, (click here) SB 736 rewrote how teachers are paid and retained across the state.

The Florida Education Association has filed a lawsuit challenging the law, arguing the law unconstitutionally strips teachers or their ability to negotiate pay....

There is absolutely NO REASON for any teacher to be retrained. That is a hideous concept. It is inept actually. Teachers are certified through state examinations. Teachers have to attended ACCREDITED colleges and universities and IT IS NOT CHEAP to be educated to be a teacher. That 'degree program' qualifies a teacher to sit for an exam to be certified to teach. The candidate for the exam also has special courses in college to approach the qualifications for teaching. 

So, this is no small matter and to think a Medicare Flunky, now Governor Rick Scott, believes he is all powerful to change all that is involved here is hideous. It is political demagoguery. To put it as plainly as I can put it, Scott is full of manure! And that is being nice. Basically, Scott and his peers need to go back to school to LEARN public policy making and how demanding a change is the educational system can be. 

THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING !!!!

Rahm should know better than this and he is heading for the NLRB if he doesn't come to terms with the limits he has as a mayor to actually implement changes in evaluation, even without a union. The union is protecting the teachers credentials as well as their financial interests. There is a lot to changing evaluations. It is not simple. The Florida case is the first to sincerely reach the courts after the 2010 extremists were elected into office.

It is easy for a politician, an under qualified politician like Scott, to tout he will implement changes, etc. But, it is a completely different process to actually do it. Republicans are a joke when it comes to all their bulloney about education. It is all anyone can do to sit back and wait for the process to finally 'hit the fan.'

If I were a new mayor in Chicago, I would ask for a well constructed and non-threatening paragraph in the new contract to require a commission of Chicago government, teachers, teacher union officers and / or leadership, legal council and accreditation authority to examine the process leading to poor outcomes by certain teachers. Including in the commission activities is the right to examine particular problematic records without a person's identity to legitimately seek 'a parent and child's RELIEF' from lousy education. It is not about the standards being problems, it is individuals that consistently prove under performance to even minimal 'standards of practice.'

No one will get an argument from me about COMPETENCY. That is not even a question. Our nation's security and economy relies on quality education of our people. But, for arbitration to iron out this mess within our educational system is not realistic. Quite frankly, it is taking INNOCENT TEACHERS hostage and that is not fair, moral or practical.

The commission to convene and reach conclusions is what the arbitration should hold with recommendations for effectively elevating the education of all children in the Chicago schools. Accountability should be an aspect to raises, but, there is a lot involved and it is a complex problem that will be inhibited by the courts at every step if it is not addressed correctly. Florida is a stark example. It is correct Florida is being held responsible for its punitive attitude with teachers. Florida has done it all "W"rong. It is time for Rahm to make the Chicago Contract work for the parents and students. Having legal challenges is not the way, it will inhibit the process and not facilitate it.

I used to be involved with union leadership. In most all cases the union wants their membership to be the best in the business and not the worst. Representation has to be real, especially when it comes to children. Union lawyers are blasted good at what they do, it is best to listen to objections by the leadership and work it out. The Union and Government want the same end result. I promise that, but, arbitration of a contract is not the place for these vital changes. No one is taking the time to think it through. It is all political fluff for the GOP. Completely dysfunctional.

Go, Rahm, Go.