The powerful National Education Association is giving members of Congress until the close of business on Nov. 16th to sign on as official co-sponsors of the union's favorite accountability-busting bills to amend the No Child Left Behind Act, according to letters sent yesterday to members of the House and Senate.
If they aren't listed as co-sponsors by the time Congressional staffers are on their second beer of the evening (official close of business?) it will adversely impact their rating on the NEA Report Card for the session. Getting placed on the NEA's "naughty congressman list" will obviously play a role determining future support from the union.
What ever happened to support for multiple measures? Isn't it cruel/unfair to hold a Legislator accountable for the results of a single test? Basing someone's job status on a test score? Shouldn't we allow for voting growth models, for Congressmen who aren't totally there yet but making praiseworthy progress? Holding non-English speaking electeds to the same standard? Etc.
You get what I mean.
Text of the bully-letter to Congress-folks after the jump.
Do you think the NEA lobbyists considered unleashing an even greater threat, like, "If you don't sign on as a co-sponsor, we're going to plant Reg Weaver out on your front lawn with his guitar to sing that solidarity forever song until you break down once and for all and sign!"??? Boom! Longest list of co-sponsors in American history, guaranteed!
UPDATE: The long list of NEA-endorsed NCLB-related bills (referred to in the letter on the jump) is here.