Last week, my organization praised the Indiana lawmakers for passing some of the nation’s most significant education reforms. In one of Education Action Group’s weekly newsletters, we said that Indiana’s new voucher program and its decision to lift the cap
by Kyle Olson13 May 2011, 12:29 PM PST0
The White House visitor logs reveal a lot of things. For example, there are a heckuva lot of people that like to bowl at the White House lanes. Also, Richard Trumka had an Oval Office meeting with the president on
by Kyle Olson13 May 2011, 4:51 AM PST0
Earlier this year, Education Action Group released a chart documenting the 15 separate steps involved in firing a tenured teacher in the state of New Jersey. The process involves a months-long investigation followed by a trial which can last a
by Kyle Olson12 May 2011, 8:14 AM PST0
Consider the following statement: “The National Education Association’s decision on Friday to begin the formal process of endorsing President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign may be the most vivid demonstration to date of the political benefits of the stimulus package passed
by Kyle Olson11 May 2011, 8:34 AM PST0
Of all the states currently working on serious education reform, Indiana may deserve the gold medal. Gov. Mitch Daniels and state Superintendent Tony Bennett fearlessly led the charge to dramatically reform the state’s education system. “Are we about funding the
by Kyle Olson10 May 2011, 6:40 AM PST0
The U.S. Department of Education has been gobbling up more turf over the last several years, issuing mandates and pushing a one-size-fits-all set of standards. Now the most disturbing move is to implement a national K-12 education curriculum. What’s wrong
by Kyle Olson9 May 2011, 10:05 AM PST0
I have been advised that my recent characterization of Dr. Stephen Hicks was inaccurate and that he is not, in fact, a “Marxist educator.” My conclusion was drawn upon a series of videos in which he discussed Marxism and education.
by Kyle Olson6 May 2011, 11:31 AM PST0
Useful idiots. That’s what Vladmir Lenin called western sympathizers of the Soviet cause. He must have been smiling from his cave in Hell Sunday when he saw the Soviet flag – and Communist Party signs – being carried in honor
by Kyle Olson4 May 2011, 5:06 PM PST0
Congratulations to President Obama for the gutsy call regarding the killing of Osama bin Laden. I didn’t know he had it in him. His campaign pledge of going into Pakistan unannounced – once met with derision by John McCain and
by Kyle Olson4 May 2011, 4:17 AM PST0
Far left teachers have young minds captured for 6 hours a day and work subtly to fill them with Marxist and radical ideas. That’s what a New York City teacher explained [see the video here] at the recent socialist Left
by Kyle Olson3 May 2011, 8:23 AM PST0
Public schools continue to be a battleground in the culture war, as the education establishment – composed primarily of leftists bent on political correctness – gains more ground. This strain treats Christianity and its holidays as a pariah, while embracing
by Kyle Olson29 Apr 2011, 8:31 AM PST0
We continue to hear the rhetoric from teachers unions and others in the education establishment that we need to “invest” more in America’s public schools. Want smarter, better-prepared kids, the teacher unions ask? Give us more money! (And get the
by Kyle Olson28 Apr 2011, 11:31 AM PST0
One of the things I’ve always liked about charter schools is they aren’t bound by onerous labor agreements that hamper innovation. Traditional public schools get boxed in with union contracts that literally stipulate when a teacher arrives in the morning
by Kyle Olson27 Apr 2011, 3:54 AM PST0
In promotion of his excellent book, “Righteous Indignation,” Andrew Breitbart appeared on MSNBC with host Martin Bashir. At one point in the interview, I was sure Ashton Kutcher was going to jump on the set to reveal that the pathetic
by Kyle Olson23 Apr 2011, 4:28 AM PST0
As state governments continue to grapple with labor and legacy costs, we’ve seen government employee unions respond with massive rallies and publicity stunts. Some union bigs have even threatened to turn their job into a “weapon.” Case in point, of
by Kyle Olson22 Apr 2011, 12:17 PM PST0
Teach for America has been a breath of fresh air in some of America’s worst schools. The program, founded 20 years ago, recruits the best and brightest college graduates to commit to being teachers for at least two years in
by Kyle Olson22 Apr 2011, 4:57 AM PST0
When Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker curtailed collective bargaining privileges for public sector workers (formerly known as public servants), it resulted in all-out political war in Madison. Walker won the showdown, and now the state can get its financial house in
by Kyle Olson20 Apr 2011, 2:29 PM PST0
In his song, “With God On Our Side,” Bob Dylan pondered just whose side God was on in conflict and war. In Michigan, union sympathizers think it’s theirs. Strangely, I’ve never found the words “collective bargaining” or “pension” in the
by Kyle Olson19 Apr 2011, 4:56 AM PST0
The Fraternal Order of Police isn’t happy that their union brethren in California recently passed a resolution in support of cop-killer Mumia Abu-Jamal. Now sitting on death row for executing Philadelphia policeman Daniel J. Faulkner, Mumia has become a rallying
by Kyle Olson18 Apr 2011, 9:33 AM PST0
It’s becoming clearer that the “public service” mentality is quickly slipping way from government employees, if it didn’t hit the exits a long time ago. Instead of government employees serving the public, it’s clear now their belief is that the
by Kyle Olson18 Apr 2011, 8:24 AM PST0
Several months ago, Education Action Group published a scathing exposé on the Wisconsin Education Association Council-affiliated WEA Trust, a union-contrived insurance entity that is forced upon the majority of Wisconsin schools during collective bargaining negotiations. It is difficult to determine
by Kyle Olson14 Apr 2011, 4:14 AM PST0
We continue to hear from teachers unions and the rest of the education establishment that if public schools aren’t up to par, it’s because they’re “underfunded.” That’s natural response from the adults – 80% of every education dollar goes to
by Kyle Olson12 Apr 2011, 9:38 AM PST0
No wonder Chicago Public Schools have a dropout rate near 50%: now the government school system is telling kids what to eat. Fearing that mother’s lunches will be inferior to bureaucrats’, Chicago schools are now banning lunches brought from home.
by Kyle Olson11 Apr 2011, 1:25 PM PST0
The public has a right to know who or what is influencing its government. Open Records and Freedom of Information laws are critical to ensuring a transparent and accountable government. Taxpayers deserve to know how their hard-earned money is being
by Kyle Olson11 Apr 2011, 3:51 AM PST0
The Michigan Education Association is growing more pathetic by the day. The union is beginning to act like the crazy drunk uncle at the Christmas party – spilling his drink on himself and acting rudely to the point where others
by Kyle Olson8 Apr 2011, 4:38 AM PST0