Being an early childhood education major in college at this moment I am appauled at Jobs declaration that unionization is the biggest issue in today's schools. WHAT A JOKE!!!

I agree with the author:

"In California, the most pressing problems are schools that are too big, too bureaucratic and chronically under-funded. Teachers are criminally low paid and under-trained. Education -- and school funding -- has become solely about test scores."

It's that way everywhere! With NCLB (No Child Left Behind) and IDEA '04 (Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004) teachers are faced with classes of 25+ students ranging from gifted and talented to developmentally challenged. I could go on for days about the implications and difficulties that poses for both teachers as well as students.

I would LOVE to see Jobs manage that environment, teach various levels of kids with different learning styles and difficulties and be held accountable for their test scores. Oh, and don't forget - do it for $30,000 a year (give or take). What would teachers make without union representation?


Don't get me wrong - I can't wait to become a teacher. I will be a teacher because of my love for kids and my desire to make a difference in this world. It just chaps my hide to hear of someone saying unions are ruining our schools.

I wish Jobs would look at the bigger problems in education and use his resources (including those super smart employees he burns through) to bring something positive to the table instead of being so obtuse.

Sorry for the rant but Jobs statements make me

Hey don't be Sorry. Rant and opinion welcome. That's why I posted it.

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Steve, do your job! Focus on apple... and leave politics 2 the pros! (or thieves)

I am an English teacher in a suburban district and I must say, I have mixed feelings about all that Jobs purports (I must preface this post by saying I am not BMERGRL...she is my partner...forgive me, I don't drive a BMW, but I love the forum). Tenure, not unions, in fact, pose problems in education because there are teachers who have no business "playing" the part of an educator. After five years, many teachers assume the role of the slack-ass who need not work to better the lives and education of their students(because yes, it is nearly impossible to be fired), however, these teachers are thankfully in the minority.
The voucher system, if pushed through in many states, will be the demise of public education. ALL students deserve EQUAL educational opportunities, but it is true that teachers are under-trained; most teachers are among the most educated people in our population, however, we are under-trained in dealing with the rapidly changing demographics we are finding in our schools.
Unfortunately, there is no easy answer. The educational system is incredibly flawed...it is what it is. The only control educators have is to continue to dedicate ourselves to our students...KEA29, we need you!

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Thanks for the positive vibes.

I agree that there are some teachers that exploit the system. It is a situation that needs to be addressed and I believe it is morally wrong to rob kids of the best education possible.

My mom, who passed away a couple years ago, was a high school english and history teacher here in Hawaii. She taught high school for 25+ years. I believe she would have a hard time in the classroom today as opposed to 10 years ago. Your comment about the changing demographics in the classroom and the teachers lack of education and experience dealing with it is absolutely true. My mom wouldn't know how to deal with ADHD, LD and behavioral problem kids along side "normal" (whatever that means) kids in the classroom. It wouldn't be from lack of caring or laziness or even lack of desire to educate - it would be because she simply had no experience or education on how to manage it.

I believe we need to have measures in place that require some kind of training for older (I mean more experienced) teachers that helps them understand the changing dynamics they are experiencing. I mean NO disrespect. On the contrary I think most teachers would appreciate some help. Many teachers graduated form college and started teaching when all special needs kids were in their own rooms all day taught by a special ed teacher.

I know my mom would have been first in line to learn alternative teaching methods and ideas because it would have made her a better teacher. In my opinion good teachers are the ones who are open to new ideas and want to be the best they can be so their students will also excel. Maybe the teachers unions could help come up with a plan.

As with any organization there's politics. Some play it well and some don't. Steve Jobs has done an excellent job manuevering through the politics. Hence his success with Apple and how he managed to stay on top amid many of the larger and more mainstream companies.How is he not a pro is beyond me.

If you ponder through the many of the union structures, more $ seeps through the union leaders than the teachers themselves. The lack of funding and pay IMO is because of the union. My wife used to be part of many of the syndicates who underwrite the bonds for schools. Going through the reports afterwards, this proves again and again that union <> equality for the teacher but rather a funnel for union bosses.

I'm simply being greedy! I enjoy apple products. I am not concerned with his ability 2 perform in the world of politics.

Steve Jobs would make some sense if teachers are making 70K+/year.

I happened to fortunate enough to live in surburb top public schools are in California and I am directely involved in my 16 and 14 year-old nephew and niece's education as a guardian. Most teachers are great! (And unfortunatley not in the business for the money.)

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