(2003-08-05) -- The National Education Association (NEA) today hailed Massachusetts school superintendent Wilfredo T. Laboy as "a symbol of hope for public school teachers."

The NEA said Mr. Laboy's failure to pass a basic literacy test proves that the ability to read and write is overrated; therefore teachers whose students can't communicate in English shouldn't be criticized.

"Communication skills are nice, but you don't really need them to succeed," said the NEA source. "People shouldn't attack the NEA because students can't read and write. The truth is -- it just doesn't matter. Mr. Laboy earns more than $150,000 per year in a highly-respected profession. He's a symbol of hope for many public school teachers."