Teacher Union’s Misplaced Priorities

August 16, 2005

Center of the American Experiment Distinguished Senior Fellow and former Minnesota education commissioner Cheri Pierson Yecke issued the following statement in response to calls by Minneapolis and St. Paul Federation of Teachers union officials to boycott Wal-Mart:

“Minneapolis and St. Paul teachers union officials, who are calling for a boycott of Wal-Mart, are suffering from a serious case of misplaced priorities.

“Last year, only 53 percent of Minneapolis public school students graduated on time.  And St. Paul’s graduation rate was also well below the state average.  

“Instead of engaging in politically-motivated protests against Wal-Mart, which have nothing to do with improving the education of children, union officials should focus more of their time and energy on supporting reforms that will close the achievement gap in their districts.”