To the Journal editor:

Across the nation, the outcry for reform of our public education system is reaching a feverish pitch.

Even leaders of the Democratic Party, like President Obama and the Rev. Al Sharpton, have joined Republicans in calling for fundamental changes in the way we teach our children.

But our nation's two largest teachers unions - the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers - are moving in the opposite direction. They've become increasingly militant in their defense of the status quo because they fear that any type of reform, particularly school choice, will threaten their guaranteed clientele of students, job security and lucrative benefits.

And they're using their political influence - mostly through the huge political contributions they make to friendly candidates - to shoot down every type of suggested reform. Sadly, their efforts have been successful in many cities and states.

That's why we at the Michigan-based Education Action Group Foundation have established two national Web sites - NEAexposed.com and AFT exposed.com - to track union efforts to keep our children chained to failing public schools.

It's time for the American people to demand that their elected leaders adopt education policies that are designed to benefit students and families, not the self-serving unions.

Kyle Olson, vice president, Education Action Group Foundation, Muskegon