An Interview with Philanthropist Eli Broad - WSJ.com:
"Which brings us back to the unions. Mr. Broad says that he doesn't blame teachers for organizing. 'If you have poor management that's not doing the right job, you end up with unions filling the void and . . . page after page of work rules and thicker and thicker contracts. If you have strong management and the teaching corps is relatively pleased with the relationships, you do not end up with a strong regressive union.'
In one of the foundation's brochures, you will find a picture of New York City Schools Chancellor Joel Klein embracing then-United Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten. The two are at a ceremony in which Mr. Broad awarded the city $1 million for improving student performance. Mr. Broad cites Ms. Weingarten's acceptance of a merit pay program for teachers in New York, albeit one based on school—rather than individual—performance. 'Look, is Randi the second coming of Al Shanker?' Mr. Broad asks, referring to the UFT founder, whom many consider more moderate. 'I don't know. But Randi is the most progressive national labor leader you'll find in education.'
Mr. Broad tells me in no uncertain terms that it is time to get rid of education schools—'they're the lowest ranking students at a university.' And he is enthusiastic about all the change that is possible when urban school districts go bankrupt—as Oakland, Calif., did a few years ago—'or what happened in New Orleans, which is the equivalent of bankruptcy.'"
"Which brings us back to the unions. Mr. Broad says that he doesn't blame teachers for organizing. 'If you have poor management that's not doing the right job, you end up with unions filling the void and . . . page after page of work rules and thicker and thicker contracts. If you have strong management and the teaching corps is relatively pleased with the relationships, you do not end up with a strong regressive union.'
In one of the foundation's brochures, you will find a picture of New York City Schools Chancellor Joel Klein embracing then-United Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten. The two are at a ceremony in which Mr. Broad awarded the city $1 million for improving student performance. Mr. Broad cites Ms. Weingarten's acceptance of a merit pay program for teachers in New York, albeit one based on school—rather than individual—performance. 'Look, is Randi the second coming of Al Shanker?' Mr. Broad asks, referring to the UFT founder, whom many consider more moderate. 'I don't know. But Randi is the most progressive national labor leader you'll find in education.'
Mr. Broad tells me in no uncertain terms that it is time to get rid of education schools—'they're the lowest ranking students at a university.' And he is enthusiastic about all the change that is possible when urban school districts go bankrupt—as Oakland, Calif., did a few years ago—'or what happened in New Orleans, which is the equivalent of bankruptcy.'"