Classic Stossel: Stossel Confronts the Union Bosses

Most of education in America is a mess. The cost has skyrocketed, but performance is flat.

Why? One big reason is that the government monopoly—Stossel calls it the “BLOB”— makes it nearly impossible to fire a bad teacher.

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Stossel confronts union leaders, like DC union boss Nathan Saunders, who opposes judging teachers by student test results. “I know my kids are learning when I look in their eyes,” says Saunders.

New Jersey union leader Joseph Del Grosso opposes charter schools: “Over my dead body, they’re gonna come here.”

When Saunders and Del Grosso were kids, they attended private schools, but now they oppose vouchers. This is a common phenomenon amongst members of the BLOB: choice for ME, but not for THEE.

A Stossel Classic from 2012

[MrCronBon]

Stossel is straight savage. 'City schools are terrible because of unions like yours.'

[gcree]

I'm a public school teacher and can confirm that a lack of funding is almost never the issue. The issue is overblown bureaucracy and bad policy

[ratchet]

"We need to get the corporations out the schools" so disband the union.

[Lughdog]

The union changing their mind once Stossel said he'd teach was hilarious.

[tojesake]

Union: TEACH JOHN TEACH!
John Stossel: ok
Union: *surprise pickachu face*

[hamidkarim]

"But how do you know if they're learning anything?"

"I know my kids are learning when I look in their eyes"

Wow, I've never heard of that professional method.

[dariusthurman]

They always say "We're Making Progress." They never say "We succeeded."

[Sean-uqny]

Union: "TEACH JON TEACH!"
Jon: "Yeah, okay."
Union: "No way, Absolutely no way!"
Jon: "So then what?"
Union: "How about just shut up."

[TheVideomaker]

John Stossel being a legend, as usual.

[alex-]

"Our test scores are not what we choose to focus on."
Yes, we can see that.

[agent_w.]

John Stossel: Uses logic and facts and comes to reasonable conclusions.

Teachers Union: so you have chosen *death*

[fcsrotory]

I live in a small house, my children have to share a single room. But I pay $800 a month per child for private school and still have to pay taxes to public schools that graduate children that can't break down fractions. Great America?

[StephaunBaker]

Stossel, the man who gives me hope in this crazy world.

[Nevermor]

Teachers union: We are making progress

Everyone else: progress for the teachers pay, not the kids education.

[sumvs]

Damn imagine a legal mafia coming after you for criticising them

[princeeverlove]

The Gospel according to St.John: Just tell the TRUTH. Cut the BS. Amen.

[Rajaat]

When I went to High School, in California, twenty years ago, our principal had four secretaries. Meanwhile, roof leaks were common all over the school. All of the money went to administration.

[maldad]

I substitute at the high school level, and the utter dysfunction is mind boggling. We had a teacher quit after being made to apologize to a student who berated the teacher with "F" bombs, simply for telling the student to "Shut up". Oh, and that was the fourth math teacher in four years not to finish the year out. Can't imagine how that could happen with zero accountability in the institution.

[TheMichaelMove]

If I have to hear one more time “educators feel” I’ll puke. How about some coherent thought for a change. Go get em John.

[MNDrummer]

I was sitting in a large food court in Chicago in 2013. There were a couple guys sitting at table by me and they were talking. These guys were talking about how great their union jobs were, how they didn't have to do much, mandatory breaks/lunches, etc. It was amazing to hear these guys openly brag about how corrupt the government unions are. Where are the reporters with their cameras when you need them?