The latest incarnation of that was from some woman arguing with Assemblyman Ed Ra on twitter about the wonders of Common Core and Common Core testing (Assemblyman Ra wasn't convinced of the the wonders of either) who claimed the Opt Out movement was "astroturf" created by the unions, including the UFT.
In an editorial today, The Journal-News dispenses with this myth that the union started opt out:
Many advocates and commentators continue to insist that the opt-out movement was surreptitiously created and nurtured by teachers unions, sort of like Frankenstein. This is simply not the case. At least in New York, the movement was built over several years — slowly, in stops and starts — by parent groups using social media. Local teachers unions started to publicly back the opt-out idea only in the final months before April's tests. And NYSUT, the statewide union, did not jump in until the final weeks, after it was clear that Gov. Andrew Cuomo would not allow lawmakers to topple his much-despised teacher-evaluation system.
I would add that the UFT has continued to support the state's testing regime despite NYSUT leadership showing support for the opt out movement right before the state tests were given in April.
This came after UFT President Michael Mulgrew said he'd punch anybody who took his Common Core away last year.
When it comes to Common Core and Common Core testing, the UFT is squarely on board with the program.
So, to reiterate:
The Opt Out movement was parent-created, parent-nurtured and parent-supported - a true grassroots movement.
Assemblyman Ra himself said it:
@CharmianAgain @JamesTedisco 1 of the biggest falsehoods is that this is a teacher union thing, parents started this movement and spread it
— Assemblyman Ed Ra (@EdwardRa19) August 21, 2015
Next time you see or hear some CCSS and/or Endless Testing regime supporter claiming the Opt Out movement is an astroturf thing started by the teachers unions, dispense with that jive using the LoHud editorial and Assemblyman Ra's statement that parents started opt out and spread it.
