+ NEA President Bob Chase held a press breakfast to discuss professional development issues. He and his fellow panelists did not leave a whole lot of time for questions, but he was asked about the controversy in Massachusetts involving the failure of more than half of teacher applicants to pass the state's qualifying test. Chase said he would not comment on the specifics of the case, being unfamiliar with the state assessment. He did say that it was "unfortunate that the issue has become politicized as it has." Chase spoke about the lack of qualified math and science teachers. Asked if he would support salary incentives for teachers in those subjects, he replied, "It's something we're looking at." Chase also expressed optimism about Sunday's merger vote. "Momentum is building in a positive way and I am confident."

+ The source of Chase's optimism is hard to discern. Extensive review of the state delegation's positions reveal very little movement from the state affiliate votes. At this point, California may be slightly more pro-merger than before and Michigan slightly more anti-merger. One source reported that Keith Geiger, one-time president of both the Michigan Education Association and the NEA, came to give the Michigan delegates a pro-merger speech. When he was done, the delegates held a vote. The reported results: One vote to support merger, over 600 against. I've been officially informed that NEA has NOT polled the delegates, so we can put that particular rumor to rest. States are holding straw polls and sharing the information with like-minded colleagues. So, apparently, NEA is working from virtually the same information as you and I are.

+ The opening of the Representative Assembly was interesting, particularly the invocation, delivered by Rabbi Murray Blackman of Temple Sinai. It was the first prayer I have ever heard that called for increased educational spending and the rejection of school vouchers. I was so completely unprepared for it I didn't even get it on tape. Bob Chase followed with a speech that touched all the usual buttons. "The NEA will not let extremists colonize public education for their own ideological ends," he said. He proceeded to focus on the merger, utilizing some rather far-fetched analogies. "The Principles of Unity are like the Declaration of Independence — just a first step. They describe the basis of the new union. But the ‘Constitution' — the actual document that spells out how the new organization shall be governed — has yet to be created." He then compared the merger to another historical event. "We are gathered in New Orleans because almost 200 years ago, the stewards of our nation signed the Louisiana Purchase. They, like us, were engaged in creating a greater union. They, like us, were facing the prospect of expanding their world by one third. And they, like us, were facing a new frontier of unknown, uncharted territory." Having won over the history teachers, Chase went for everyone else. "We must not forget: The Principles of Unity are about public schools and education employees. They are about children.... We cannot forsake these children. We must be the adults who set aside our battles and put our concern for children ahead of our own uncertainties. We must be the adults who do not fail them, who unite for them."

+ The usual convention business followed: the reading of reports andprocedures. Just before lunch (and after most of the press had left) came the speeches by candidates for NEA's Executive Committee. Running against two incumbents is Bob Gilchrist, president of the Iowa State Education Association. Gilchrist is one of the leaders of the anti-merger forces, and the delegate response to his speech would have given Bob Chase pause. "Never mind what it (AFL-CIO affiliation) means to the NEA officers or even your state officers. I want you to focus on the folks back in your (school) building," Gilchrist told the delegates. "A couple of my friends have said, ‘Bob, you know this merger was going along pretty good until you folks in Iowa and some other states got involved. You're just the proverbial skunk at the picnic.' Well, I guess I'm a bit of a skunk, but this deal has a smell to it," he said to the cheering crowd — many from New Jersey, who were seated right in front. "This election is not a career step for me," he concluded. "This association is not my career, it's a service project. My career is teaching."

+ The other big event of the day was the appearance of Vice President Al Gore. There's just not enough space to get to everything, but I did record all that happened. For now, suffice it to say that the era of big government being over is over. Gore had a federal program for everything and the delegates loved it.

+ Quoteof the week: "I've got one question: Where do you get all that information from?" — NEA Vice President Reg Weaver to this reporter.

+ EIA's two 1998 reports — One Yard Below and Piles of Wealth — are available via U.S. Mail at no charge. Contact EIA at the numbers below or write EIA at PO Box 2047, Carmichael CA 95609.