AFT-Speeches

The panel is analyzing teachers unions within the educational community.

Al Shanker begins with his personal history and the changes in schools and the educational system he has witnessed. He also discusses the history of teachers' unions. He acknowledges the problems present in schools, and he says that teachers need three things: higher salaries, smaller classes, and more time during the day to grade work and to interact with colleagues. Shanker states, however, that teachers probably will not receive these because of the high cost and not enough personnel. Shanker then addresses what students need.  read more »

In this speech Shanker addresses educating the class of 2001. He is delivering the speech to the members of the College Board at the 1988 National Forum in Washington D.C. He addresses envisioning “students as workers” and creating a structure that allows schools to be independent.

Shanker is speaking before the generalized system of preferences subcommittee. He is speaking against a complaint put forward by the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee on the conditions for trade union rights and workers health and safety in Israel and the Occupied Territories.

Ted Koppel interviews Al Shanker and Dr. John Silber of Boston University about the Chelsea, Massachusetts school system. Located across the river from Boston, Chelsea had the worst school performance in the state. As a way to save the failing system, the Chelsea School Board signed administration over to Boston University for ten years. Shanker is strongly opposed to this plan. While he believes that the University's proposals for educational programming are good, he disagrees with a private institution performing a public function. Dr. Silber attempts to answer Shanker's criticisms.  read more »