Randi Interview

'Everybody Knows That School Systems Need To Change'
MetroNews Talkline
Statewide

AFT President Randi Weingarten

The President of the National American Federation of Teachers says the education changes West Virginia officials are attempting to make reflect the kinds of reforms that are already happening across the country.

"Bottom line, everybody knows that school systems need to change," Randi Weingarten said on Friday's MetroNews Talkline.

"Nobody likes what's going on in public education right now. We have a changing world and we need to change with the times to insure that all kids will be prepared and have the opportunity to be prepared for college, career and life."

A Special Session for West Virginia lawmakers focused on education reforms will resume July 19th in Charleston.

The legislative working group that is debating the proposals that will be taken up then will meet again next week. This week, that group approved a heavily amended version of a bill that will allow charter schools to be created in West Virginia.

Weingarten says charter schools play an important role in being an incubator for new instructional strategies. But, she says, those charter schools cannot be unfairly pitted against existing public schools, something that she claims is happening in other parts of the country.

Hear Hoppy Kercheval's full interview with Weingarten by clicking the link at the top of the page.

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