They’re banning together, working to get their way with money and influence. Are they defensive and withdrawn on their own turf? Do they selectively release information that serves their self-interests? Do they believe their self-interests are the public’s interests? And the students’ self-interests? You bet. If the results aren’t good enough, then the only kind of reform worth pursuing is system reform, not self-serving, teacher-advocated reform.

They’re banning together, often through websites, non-profit organizations and behind-the-scenes networking, often designed to protect their identities and conceal their agendas. In fact, finding all the various ways in which they are deeply engaged in the public debate is an important job of reporters.