Wanted: The 10 Worst Unionized Teachers

The Chicago Tribune reports:

Rick Berman is looking for 10 really bad teachers, and he's prepared to give away $100,000 when he finds them.

Berman, a Washington lobbyist and attorney, runs a group called The Center for Union Facts that accuses teachers' unions of hindering the quality of public education by protecting bad educators and opposing school reform.

The center is soliciting nominations for the nation's 10 worst unionized teachers, and says it will give $10,000 to each of the 10—if they agree to stop teaching forever.

The campaign has annoyed teachers and widened Berman's reputation as "Dr. Evil"—a nickname he received for his previous efforts opposing Mothers Against Drunk Driving proposals and obesity-targeting policies.

Buying off bad teachers is part of his effort to improve education, Berman said.

"What I really want to do is jump-start a conversation," Berman said. "There are lots of kids who can't read or do math and are well behind in science. ... I've interviewed teachers who say their colleagues are not competent to teach kids."

Teachers' unions say Berman is a paid attack dog who won't disclose the sources of funding for his work.

"This is his M.O.," said Chuck Porcari, a spokesman for the American Federation of Teachers in Washington, D.C. "He tries to make a splash, then disappears into the ether until someone writes him a check. ... Teachers and the public deserve to know who's bankrolling this effort. Who's paying to attack teachers?"

Berman says The Center for Union Facts is funded by businesses, foundations and members of the public, but he won't identify them.

The people vs. the powerful.