Polling Shows Most Americans Think Teachers Unions Have Hurt Public Education Quality

In light of the current Chicago teachers union strike, city officials would be wise to keep in mind that an increasing number of Americans are skeptical of teachers unions' efficacy. 

Since 1976, Gallup has surveyed Americans' perception of teachers unions' efficacy. In April 1976, 38 percent of Americans believed that teachers unions hurt the quality of public education in the United States. By 2011, nearly half of Americans think teacher unionization has hurt the quality of public education in the United States.

Over this same time period, only roughly a quarter think teachers unions have improved the quality of public education. Interestingly, between 1976 and 1998 when Gallup asked these questions, a declining number of Americans thought teachers unions hurt public education. However, between 1998 and 2011 Americans have become dramatically more skeptical of these unions, leaping from 26 percent in 1998 to 47 percent in 2011.

Comments

[sarcasmic]

roughly a quarter think teachers unions have improved the quality of public education

So one in four people are complete idiots. That's no surprise.

[BarryD]

I wonder whether, if the survey included administrative bloat along with teacher's unions, the answer would be higher.

[MP]

So what? They don't exist to improve quality. It's a stupid question.

[Randian]

Front page of the American Federation of Teachers:

America's teachers are leading a movement toward advancing solutions that help our students succeed.

From the NEA:

Our mission is to advocate for education professionals and to unite our members and the nation to fulfill the promise of public education to prepare every student to succeed in a diverse and interdependent world.

[MP]

There's a difference between the marketing which promotes their supposed utility and the reason for their actual existence.

Such marketing is irrelevant to the actual existence of the unions. The unions will exist as long as the legal structure allows them to. Because they exist to enrich their members.

[Pro Libertate]

I have a cunning plan. Crap, I can't believe I'm just now thinking of this: Unionize school children.

[MP]

You mean like the fucktards in Quebec? How in the hell those losers can exercise any power over the government is beyond me. "We're not going to school!" Really? You're not? Then fuck you.

[Pro Libertate]

I was thinking as a political counterweight to teachers' unions. Also, if anyone has a legitimate grievance, the kids/parents do.

[Randian]

Except for their ability to bully school districts is precisely because they can throw that sort of marketing in a gullible public's face.

Which is why the question is important: because the public is less susceptible to the teacher's contemptible rhetoric (inshallah).

[MP]

I don't happen to agree with that perception. In all of the contract debates I've ever seen, the Union's ability to enhance teacher performance is simply never a factor. It typically simply boils down to OMGZ R TEACHERS R AWSOME/VITAL/SAINTS. They never say "and this is because of the stupendous educational resources of the NEA".

[BarryD]

If we're so interdependent, are we really so diverse?

[Rich]

Most Americans Think Teachers Unions Have Hurt Public Education Quality

Most Americans are products of the public schools, so what do they know?

[Tim]

We're lucky to be able to even read these articles.

[Rich]

"Thank a Teacher!"

[sloopyinca]

Too bad "Most Americans" don't fund the candidacies of as many people as the teachers unions.

[BarryD]

If I were a billionaire, I'd bankroll the entire campaigns of both Senators running for office against each other. Then I'd own a Senator!

[R C Dean]

A large majority of the public no longer sees teacher's unions as anything more than a machine for grabbing their money. As push comes to shove, and the education establishment has to ask for higher and higher taxes to fund unionized salaries and benefits, this poll lays the groundwork for their defeat.

[Randian]

Hate for Congress : Hate for Teacher's Unions :: Love for My Congressman : Love for My Kid's Teacher.

No one wants to blame the members; just the faceless entity.

[Joe M]

That's pretty much why we're dooooooomed.

[SugarFree]

"Teacher Teacher"

[scareduck]

nearly half of Americans think teacher unionization has hurt the quality of public education in the United States.

"Nearly half" is not the same thing as "most", Reason.

[Hyperion]

For those of you who have school age children, take a look at drudgereport right now and that banner about the Chicago teachers strike at the top of the page.

Do you want these hideous shrieking creatures anywhere near your children?

If I read correctly, they are turning down a 16% pay raise? FTW?

These retards can all be replaced with software programs. We probably have the technology right now to create an AI teaching robot that is 1000x smarter and more effective than any of these lazy parasites. Understatment, I had a cat that was smarter than a lot of them.

[Randian]

Understatment, I had a cat that was smarter than a lot of them.

If you can read joe'z law, thank a teacher.

[Ptah-Hotep]

These retards can all be replaced with software programs. We probably have the technology right now to create an AI teaching robot that is 1000x smarter and more effective than any of these lazy parasites. Understatment, I had a cat that was smarter than a lot of them.

Khan Academy. MIT Opencourse. iTunesU. These three alone are better than any teacher I have ever talked with.

[Hyperion]

^THIS^

Anyone who has the motivation to learn something, can find a program on the internet to learn it. Teacher, class room, and leftist indoctrination optional. You have those who prefer to sit in a class room, my wife is like that, and those who prefer to use an online program or just a software course, that is me.

[sloopyinca]

Having grown up outside Cincy, I was always around union people, but my first real exposure to unions, and pubsec ones at that, was when my teachers went on strike in the late 80's. (Carlisle represent!)

What I remember most is the school's use of replacement teachers caused the union to shoot out windows of buses used to ferry them in and to cut the tires of students and administrators that continued going to class (which I did).

At the end of it all, I believe the union employees ended up having to work over 2 years at their new pay rates simply to make up the lost wages from their strike, which means they didn't get shit.

I never respected any of those teachers after that day. Because as they walked out, they told the students that they would either be rewarded (for going out with them) or punished (for going to school).

Thanks, Carlisle Teachers Association, for shaping my mind about unions.

[sloopyinca]

Oh, I forgot. They also called in two bomb threats when they walked out.

[Hyperion]

FTW, I grew up outside of Cincy also.

[Phil_EngAmer]

I mean, yeah, when you see strikes despite the fact that teachers in the district are already making a ton of money before benefits (http://cbsloc.al/Qg6eW0) and barely providing passing grades it's no wonder the public is losing faith in public schools (http://bit.ly/LmszmU).