A Nightmare Vision for Education
By Michael Medved

The new head of the national teacher's union describes a dream for education that sounds more like a socialist nightmare.

Randi Weingarten, incoming president of the American Federation of Teachers, wants schools to become community centers for medical care and social services as well as classes. She called for a "federal law" promoting "schools that are open all day and offer after-school and evening recreational activities, child care and preschool, tutoring and homework assistance" plus "medical dental and counseling clinics."

In other words, she sees schools as big city versions of all-encompassing collective farms, with students their prize crop. Maybe such schools should also offer barracks for the kids, eliminating any need at all for parents or home. Ms. Weingarten forgot to mention that her vision involved a huge expansion of government and a crushing burden for taxpayers.