May 14, 2003

Reversing a Shameful Retreat

Reg Weaver
President, NEA

During the 1990s, when tax revenues were rolling in and budget surpluses were piling up, every policymaker in America declared his or her unwavering support for education and children. The forces to improve education were on the march.

But now, at all levels of government, we see those commitments are being abandoned, the policymakers are in retreat, and education budgets are being cut back.

As the Indianapolis Star said recently: "We can't ask educators to meet high standards at the same time we hand them a budget that forces teacher layoffs, increases class sizes and cuts in academic programs. Demand more but pay less doesn't work..."

At a time when class sizes should be shrinking so teachers can devote more attention to each child, class sizes are being increased. We should be hiring more teachers to meet the needs of the growing student population, but teachers are being laid off. We should be raising standards for entry into the teaching profession right along with academic standards for students, but influential voices are urging that teacher standards be lowered.

It's shameful. The richest nation in the world can afford to provide every child with a quality education, but policymakers have chosen not to do so. There really is no excuse. The next time you see another headline announcing that more teachers have been laid off, consider this: The tax cuts now being polished in Washington will give $80,000 to each family whose income averages more than $1 million a year. "Leave no child behind"? "Leave no rich person behind" is more like it.

To govern is to choose. During this budget crunch, politicians tell us that their hands are tied. But in fact they have plenty of choices. There are the billions being spent on tax breaks for the rich and subsidies for corporations. There are billions more being spent in Afghanistan and Iraq. But when it comes to investing here at home in measures that we know will improve student achievement-smaller class sizes, better pay and professional support for teachers, and modernized school facilities-we are told, "Sorry, there's no money left."

What's more, our tax system has become increasingly regressive-relying more and more on those least able to pay. But again our political leaders have choices. They can close corporate tax loopholes and increase the income taxes paid by people who can afford to pay more. And we can put that revenue to immediate use improving student learning.

It is not choices the policymakers lack, but courage-the courage to match rhetoric with resources, the courage to do right by America's children.

As educators and advocates for children, we know that Martin Luther King was right when he said: "A time comes when your silence won't protect you." And instead of turning our backs in disgust on politicians and politics, we must get more involved than ever in the political process. It's our country too, and we must reclaim it.

Reg Weaver

President, National Education Association

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