Teacher vs. Teacher? Nonsense

For teachers across America, Independence Day fell a day later than usual this year. On July 5, by a decisive vote of its 9,300-delegate Representative Assembly, the National Education Association gave its blessing to local affiliates that seek to create peer-assistance and -review programs. For those of us who seek an end to the professional isolation of teachers--and to the insult of superficial, drive-by evaluations--this was a declaration of independence. Teachers were voting to take charge of their profession.

Not surprisingly, this historic reversal of long-standing NEA opposition to peer review has stirred fierce resistance and criticism. Despite strong quality safeguards built into this new policy, many within the NEA still challenge it as heresy--a threat to union solidarity. Others allege that it is hypocrisy. Said one veteran teacher-union basher: "I'd like to know how they can take money from teachers for dues and then turn around and help get rid of incompetent teachers. It's a lot of rhetoric."

Heresy? Hype? The fact is that pioneering local affiliates of the NEA and the American Federation of Teachers already are providing extensive mentoring to new teachers. More boldly, they are taking the initiative in improving--and, if necessary, removing--veteran teachers who are failing in the classroom. These locals insist that the litmus test of a union's commitment to quality is its willingness to take a major share of responsibility for the professionalism and competence of its members. In short, if a teacher is struggling in the classroom, we must...