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# Head to Texas, educator says
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/head-to-texas-educator-says/
- Published: 2004-02-26T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T03:52:21.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Education, Malibu, #archive-import

*By Daily Press staff*

More than 800 members of the Santa Monica Malibu Classroom Teachers Association have joined thousands of educators across the country in demanding the resignation of U.S. Secretary of Education Rodney Paige, after he called the National Education Association a “terrorist organization.”

Before being selected by President George W. Bush, Paige served as a the superintendent in Houston. Supporters of standardized testing revered the Houston district for its success in raising test scores of all students.

It’s been documented since that under Paige’s leadership, the Houston school district manipulated student test scores and attendance records, SMMCTA alleges. Santa Monica’s teachers association alleges Paige and his administration cheated.

Most recently, the National Education Association, school boards and administrative groups have been urging the federal government to amend what they call a “deeply flawed” and “highly punitive” “No Child Left Behind” legislation. Paige has used the opportunity to refer to the National Education Association as obstructionist, SMMCTA alleges.

“Teachers are deeply insulted by Mr. Paige’s remarks,” said Harry M. Keiley, president of SMMCTA. “And trying to brush the comments off as a ‘bad joke’ is even more insulting.

“Referring to teachers as terrorists is no joking matter,” Keiley added. “His remarks send a clear message as to how this administration views teachers and the work we do to educate children every day. After the recent exposés of the Houston school system under Mr. Paige’s leadership and now this insensitive gaffe, it is time for Mr. Paige to pack his bags and head back to Texas.”

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 26, 2004.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/022604.pdf?ref=smdp.com)