Education Secretary Calls NEA 'Terrorist Organization'

WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration's education secretary referred to the nation's largest teachers union as a "terrorist organization" Monday.

He made the comment during a private White House meeting with governors.

Democratic and Republican governors confirm that Rod Paige used the words to describe the National Education Association.

Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania said Paige was "making a joke" but that it was "probably not a very good one." He also said Paige made it clear he wasn't talking about rank-and-file teachers, and that he supports them.

Paige later admited it was an "inappropriate choice of words" to characterize the union as a terrorist organization.

He told The Associated Press it was a joke that he now knows was a bad one.

Democratic Party Chairman Terry McAuliffe called Paige's remarks "the most vile and disgusting form of hate speech."

Paige insisted he was referring to the NEA's leadership, not the teachers it represents.

"As one who grew up on the receiving end of insensitive remarks, I should have chosen my words better," said Paige

Paige is the first black ever to serve as education secretary.

Governors have been looking for more flexibility from the administration on President George W. Bush's "No Child Left Behind" law. It aims at improving school performance, partly by letting parents move their kids out of schools that aren't performing well.

The 2.7 million-member National Education Association has sharply criticized administration implementation of the education plan.