I AM NOT AN NEA SUPPORTER! I believe most of what has been said in response to this issue is correct. I am for trimming the fat. That is one reason that I chose to only be a part of private education systems. We have a great deal more freedom under the law to conduct school in a way that more closely resembles the ideals held by John Q. Public (and most accurate research indicates is most effective). I believe that most difficult issues facing society today are a result (directly or indirectly) of a lack of focus, on the part of the whole country, (parents, educators, politicans, et al)on raising our children around a value system. Because of this lack of focus we have allowed unethical and immoral figures to attain and retain positions of dominance in our society (educational system included) and then permeate those around them with the same immoral, unethical, and down right ignorant ideas. In some/most private schools, there is no such thing as tenure, union negotiation, or even multi-year contracts, if you do not pull your weight, somebody will help you by booting you out the door (as I believe they should).
I do not know if going totally private is the answer, but at the very least the public education structure needs to be shaken up. All too often most of you do not realize that you are in the minority when it comes to being involved in your child's school. For every one of you that show up at a parent meeting or even call to check on your child's progress, there are many, many more parents who do not even have the gumption to meet their child's teachers, much less take the time to get involved in their child's learning.
This discussion is no different than the "gun debate." I was recently watching a NRA spot at about 11:00 one night and one thing continued to impress me throughout the entire segment. The gun owners in England and Australia repeated several times that they thought it wouldn't happen [gun prohibition]. They thought that one day someone would stand up, tell the truth , then everyone would understand and it would all be over. The same is true of education, often the majority is trampled because of their silence. You and I have got to get involved. You guys obviously are involved in the education of your children. Now comes the hard part, get enough of our friends to help us to restructure politics/education to serve "we the people" more effectively.
Sorry again, didn't mean to rant and I certainly did not mean to offend any dedicated educators out there.
MO