[jeffmo]

i think that any decline in a childs education is more directly linked to parent involvement than any other reason.
there have been programs implemented though that haven't worked.a good example is how in our state grade schoolers were taught how to spell in a different format than i was.they were taught to spell a word out phoenetically instead of the old way and alot of kids grades suffered because of it.when my daughter reached 7th grade she was kept off of the honor roll because of her spelling grade.ALOT of other kids had the same problem,parents recognized it and approached the school board to have it changed.
it was a flawed system and should have never been implemented over a system that had worked for generations.sometimes new and improved isn't.
as far as a union ruling it's members,i can't speak for a teachers union but the IAFF is made up of people who were/are firefighters and they work for their members and lobby for issues such as manning,equipment and other safety issues.
but now i will move away from this discussion because i would much rather discuss boating,fishing and anything other than work! :)