Scandal illustrates why more accountability is necessary
American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten has delivered some fiery speeches and combative statements in recent years, including passionate arguments in favor of a teaching profession with the supposed ability to police itself.
But a recent speech in which Weingarten plagiarized a New York television reporter will only erode the credibility of her pro-union message.
Yesterday, NY1 television station ran an exclusive on how Weingarten copied their broadcast about the New York City Department of Education’s computer system. NY1’s line-by-line comparison of the broadcast and a Weingarten speech from a week ago makes the cheat obvious.
Weingarten told the television station that “she did not write the speech and was livid about the plagiarism,” NY1 reports. We believe that Weingarten’s attempt to shift the blame is troubling. Does the union boss not stand behind what she says? Are her speeches her own thoughts, or simply regurgitation?
Weingarten’s apology to the news station:
“It was our mistake not to clearly credit NY1 and its reporter Lindsey Christ,” Weingarten said. “Educators know better and in the future due diligence we expect from others will be exercised here.”
While we are sure Weingarten is sincere, the situation could cause many to question her message at a critical time. The AFT’s fight to maintain the status-quo in the nation’s worst districts has already struck a sour note with thousands of parents who are forced to send their children to failing schools.
How can the public take a teachers union boss seriously when she is caught copying off someone else’s paper?
How can Weingarten preach about accountability and effectiveness for educators when such things are clearly lacking at the AFT?
The plagiarism incident solidifies our belief that much of what Weingarten says or does is a contradiction. Her do-as-I-say, not-as-I-do mentality is a poor example for AFT members and the nation’s students.
