Not the IEA

Recently a representative of the Northwest Professional Educators painted teachers' unions with a broad and unflattering brush [letter, March 26]. Cindy Omlin did not say she was talking about the Idaho Education Association, and her description does not fit our organization. Still, in case anyone thought she was referring to our organization, let me offer our perspective on the role educators play in school reform.

As stated in our original constitution, adopted in 1892, the IEA's purpose is "to promote the educational interests of the state." For 115 years, IEA members have advocated for such concerns as stronger certification standards for teachers, school lunch programs, kindergarten, equitable funding, higher achievement goals for students, and the resources needed to provide a quality education to every Idaho student.

IEA members in every district spend countless hours beyond the school day developing and refining curriculum, culling through numerous student assessments to find the strengths and weaknesses of their instruction, reviewing textbooks before districts spend precious money on them, reading reports about what research experts have found works best with children, exploring new programs, and collaborating with each other about individual students. That's true education reform at work.

Collectively, IEA members have come together more than once to offer comprehensive plans for restructuring Idaho's schools, including creating the framework for a career ladder system that avoids the politics and destructive competitiveness of merit pay schemes.

With all that history and demonstrated commitment, there's little wonder the IEA, with more than 12,000 members, is looked to as the voice of Idaho's teachers.

Sherri Wood

Boise