Randi Weingarten Responds on Racial Preferences
‘The use of affirmative action has no connection to student test scores—none whatsoever,’ writes the teachers union chief. July 6, 2023 11:16 am ET Protesters outside of the Supreme Court in Washington, June 29, 2023. Photo: Mariam Zuhaib/Associated Press It appears that the editorial page will come up with any reason, no matter how convoluted, to blame public-school teachers for the woes of the world (“Randi Weingarten and Racial Disparities,” Review & Outlook, July 1). The use of affirmative action has no connection to student test scores—none whatsoever. It’s an effort to provide diversity to universities and opportunity to communities of color so that America is more inclusive and cohesive and its institutions are more representative. Teachers know that children are facing learning loss, mental-health challenges and unequal educational outcomes. We need
Protesters outside of the Supreme Court in Washington, June 29, 2023.
Photo: Mariam Zuhaib/Associated Press
It appears that the editorial page will come up with any reason, no matter how convoluted, to blame public-school teachers for the woes of the world (“Randi Weingarten and Racial Disparities,” Review & Outlook, July 1). The use of affirmative action has no connection to student test scores—none whatsoever. It’s an effort to provide diversity to universities and opportunity to communities of color so that America is more inclusive and cohesive and its institutions are more representative.
Teachers know that children are facing learning loss, mental-health challenges and unequal educational outcomes. We need support, not another round of attacks. I urge the editorial board to read a speech I delivered in March that calls for investing in community schools, career technical education, experiential learning and literacy. These are serious proposals and could be game-changers for student achievement.
By a margin of 80% to 20%, polling shows that parents and the public want lawmakers to focus on improving public education rather than expanding school choice. National polling consistently underscores that a majority of parents and voters trust school teachers over extreme politicians to do what is best for children.
Randi Weingarten
President, American Federation of Teachers
New York
Wouldn’t it be refreshing if, instead of denigrating the Supreme Court, we could discuss why racial preferences are still needed after all these years? Perhaps we could start by acknowledging that the college-diversity problem has its roots in grade school, with the failure of so many public schools to produce educated students. We could ask the teachers unions why they resist alternatives like vouchers that would let students in underachieving schools go to better schools.
It was only a matter of time before racial preferences for one minority group infringed on the rights of another—Asian students in recent years. Let’s fix the education problem at the root and not wait until college to try to even things up.
Jean Gilman
Ocala, Fla.
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