LA teacher unions threaten to sue private schools

[dogtowner]

why ? for accepting school vouchers


Jindal got his mojo back and passed school vouchers but instead of accepting the will of the people, the union goons are using the courts (don't ask me how but all you need if one leftist judge) to re-write law.

criminal.

The left’s tactic of intimidation is at work again, this time in Louisiana. The Louisiana Association of Educators is threatening litigation against private parochial schools in the state that plan to accept voucher students this fall.

This past Wednesday, private schools that have elected to participate in the new statewide school choice option received a letter from the union’s attorney threatening that litigation would be brought against them unless they signed a letter informing the Louisiana Department of Education that they will not be accepting voucher students.

The Pelican Institute writes that “while it has become commonplace for unions to challenge state school choice programs on constitutional grounds, threatening the schools that offer to accept voucher students appears to be unprecedented.” Pelican continues:

Clint Bolick, Vice President for Litigation at the Goldwater Institute in Arizona, has argued and won landmark cases in state and federal court on behalf of school choice programs around the nation. “In over two decades of school choice advocacy, I’ve never seen thuggery of this magnitude. What the unions can’t accomplish in the courtroom, they’re trying to achieve through bullying schools whose only offense is offering educational opportunities to children who need them.”​

Just two weeks ago, a judge in Louisiana blocked an injunction request by the union that would have prevented funding of the voucher program. An appellate court subsequently dismissed the union’s request for an appeal. So they have, as the Fordham Institute’s Adam Emerson writes, “turned to bullying the schools.” At least one school has reportedly pulled out of the voucher program as a result of union intimidation.

Schools, parents, and policymakers in Louisiana, who have pushed to have one of the broadest choice programs in the country, should not bend to union strong-arm tactics. These tactics are to be expected, but they should serve as a sign that the unions are grasping at straws to try to maintain the status quo—and it won’t work.

 

[Cruella]

It probably won't be long before they go after the homeschoolers too. I'm pretty sure homeschooling is actually illegal in some European countries.

 

[dogtowner]

It probably won't be long before they go after the homeschoolers too. I'm pretty sure homeschooling is actually illegal in some European countries.

theyve been harrassing homeschoolers for years. msinly via the sccredstion services they have to use to obtain diplomss

 

[Cruella]

Pro-School Choice Film Rattles Dems, DNC

The upcoming film “Won’t Back Down” isn’t “Waiting for ‘Superman,’” but their similarities could help the former break out as a potent pro-school choice weapon in time for Election Day.

It's no wonder Democrats and teachers union sympathizers are eager to assault the film - even if they haven't seen it.
Both films were directed by liberal artists, and each takes on teachers unions in ways that suggest both across the aisle agreement and the notion that Hollywood is finally waking up to right-of-center arguments.
“’Superman,’” a documentary, still didn’t move the needle very far on the debate over school choice. “Won’t Back Down,” a narrative film inspired by true events, may be another story entirely.


The movie stars Oscar nominees Maggie Gyllenhaal and Viola Davis as two gritty women who try to take over a failing urban school. Oscar winner Holly Hunter plays a headstrong but compassionate union official fighting the women’s plans.
The film played to an appreciative crowd last week at the Republican National Conventional in Tampa, with many movie goers driven to tears before the end credits rolled. Democrats also got a peek at the film yesterday, courtesy of a screening held by Democrats for Education Reform.
Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, acknowledged the film’s power and “sense of urgency” but said the movie uses “the most blatant stereotypes and caricatures have ever seen – even worse than those in “Waiting for ‘Superman’” – the film affixes blame on the wrong culprit: America’s teachers unions.”
The film, in theaters Sept. 28, reflects a new reality, one which chips away at Hollywood’s liberal lock-step mentality as well as the progressive uniformity on the issue.

But it is hard to paint the school reform movement as a right-wing conspiracy. Support for taking on teachers' unions is growing in Democratic and liberal circles. The best example of this might be Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, a former organizer with United Teachers Los Angeles who is in favor of greater school choice and teacher accountability.​

Hollywood making pro-school choice movies? Liberal mayors acknowledging the need for changes within the school systems? The sturdy ties between the Democratic party and teachers unions showing signs of distress?

Seems like “Won’t Back Down” is hitting theaters at the right time, and pro-union forces have every right to be concerned.