MSTA director: We don't need billionaires setting important education policies

(From Missouri State Teachers Association)

A group seeking to revamp policies related to hiring, firing and promotion of teachers has submitted more than 275,000 signatures to get the proposal on the November statewide ballot.

“When voters learn the real life effect this proposal will have on students, teachers and taxpayers, we are confident that voters will reject it” says Bruce Moe, executive director MSTA, the largest teachers association in Missouri.

Students will spend much more time taking standardized tests. Teachers will be have their pay, promotion and retention tied to a standardized test that students take one time a year. Taxpayers will be burdened with having to pay millions of dollars for the development of more standardized tests.

Bruce added, “There are better ways to evaluate the effectiveness of teachers than using a single standardized test given to students one time a year.  I believe that parents would rather their children be involved in learning instead of spending more time taking more tests.”

The initiative petition campaign has been financed with over $1.5 million by retired investor and political activist Rex Sinquefield, who has tried unsuccessfully to advance similar ideas in the Legislature.

“Missouri educators are experts in what is best for Missouri students.  We don’t need out of state groups or billionaires without a background in education setting important education policies.”