Tool of Teacher Union, PTA Parrots FEA on Amendment 8

Never mind that the impending tightening of class-size reduction standards puts Florida schools in an even more restrictive fiscal strait-jacket.

Never mind that research fails to conclusively connect smaller class sizes with higher academic achievement -- even after Florida taxpayers have spent more than $14 billion to lower class-size formulas.

The Florida PTA wants to keep throwing money into the class-size maw. Why? Because the Florida Education Association says so.

PTA President Karin Brown won't admit that, of course. But in opposing Amendment 8 -- the ballot measure that would give much-needed relief and flexibility to Florida schools by keeping class-size ratios as they are -- the PTA boss regurgitates all the FEA talking points.

Echoing one over-the-top allegation, Brown claims, "The Florida Legislature (is) shirking its responsibility to adequately fund our schools and failing in its constitutional duty to implement the original class-size amendment."

Really? Putting a constitutional amendment up for a vote of the people is that bad? Wow. That's quite a civics lesson.

Strip away the insincere PTA/FEA effusions about "the kids," and the "No on 8" campaign is simply an extension of the FEA sole agenda -- union power over the public purse.