Nation IN BRIEF : NATIONWIDE : Specter Endorsed but Scolded by Union

The head of a teachers union promised to scold Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) for his conduct at Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’ confirmation hearings, but said his group’s endorsement of the senator would stand. Albert Shanker told 4,000 delegates at the annual American Federation of Teachers meeting in Pittsburgh, Pa., that he would send Specter a letter that “expresses in no uncertain terms the anger” many members feel about his role in questioning Anita Faye Hill. The delegates approved a proposal to create alternative sites for dangerous and disruptive students and develop anti-violence studies and violence-prevention training for school staff.