The Herald is wrong to assert that the Massachusetts Teachers Association is opposed to reform (“Sluggish on schools,” Oct. 25). The MTA collaborated with a range of stakeholders to reinvent the educator evaluation system, and we have worked with Gov. Deval Patrick and others to support the Expanded Learning Time initiative and other innovative efforts to help children succeed. Educators do believe, however, that the proposed Stand for Children initiative should be rejected because it does not address the real needs of Massachusetts students. The question would undermine the new evaluation system before it even gets off the ground, and it appears to be inconsistent with the types of ballot questions permitted under the Massachusetts Constitution.
Beyond that, the proposal is a gimmick that fails to address the most serious problem facing our schools — a lack of funding that has led to larger class sizes and the elimination of music, art and other important programs. Families can’t afford to waste time and energy on a campaign that distracts everyone from the real work of supporting students and teachers.
Paul Toner, President
Mass. Teachers Association
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