Why Blame the Teachers?

Room for Debate
New York Times
March 6, 2011
http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2011/03/06/why-blame-the-teachers?ref=education
Topic: Debate

This is a collection of 8 short written segments by 'debaters' including Diane Ravitch author of Language Police and Daily Show guest.

With states and cities going through hard times, teachers, their pensions and their unions have become big targets for budget cutters. Lawmakers in some states are trying to change teacher tenure rules and school districts are laying off teachers by the thousands. In public debate and private conversations, teachers have come under increasing criticism for being ineffective and overpaid. Yet not long ago, education reform efforts sought to elevate the prestige and pay of teachers as a key to improving achievement in the classrooms.