EDUCATION SYSTEM: Letter made false statements

A letter published in The Press on Sept. 28 made some derogatory and false statements regarding our current education system in the United States.

First and foremost is that local teachers are represented by the National Education Association. They are not. Educators in every state are represented by their particular state’s professional association and local affiliate. Currently, Idaho educators are represented primarily by the Idaho Education Association.

The NEA deals with Federal policy. No organization has done more on a national level to advocate for having a highly qualified teacher for every student.

The primary goal of the local association is to ensure that the local school board policies regarding employment, and the negotiated agreement are being adhered to. Policies are written and adopted by local school boards. Negotiated agreements are written and approved by teachers, locally elected school boards and administrators. The NEA is not involved.

The primary goal of the IEA is to ensure that the Idaho Legislature develops and passes sound education legislation for ALL children and our public schools. Here legislators clearly benefit from professional educators’ input. Passing sound education policies means very little without adequate funding to support them so, YES, the Idaho Education Association advocates for fair and equitable funding.

Children arrive at our public schools at completely different stages of readiness and backgrounds. Public schools accept them all. We need professional educators with proper backgrounds and resources to meet their diverse needs. Making baseless negative remarks is not helpful.

MARTY MEYER

Coeur d’Alene