AFT-Speeches

Al Shanker comments briefly on a number of topics including teacher unions, standards, incentives, why school choice is the wrong solution, prayer in schools, President George H.W. Bush's America 2000 plan, and national testing. Shanker encourages more rigorous standards to improve academic achievement.

In this article from the Commonwealth Club of California's publication, Al Shanker discusses the need for schools to develop incentive systems that work to motivate both students and teachers. He sees lessons in corporate capitalism and in foreign education systems. He argues that gaining entrance into college should be more difficult and that employers should consider high school performance in hiring decisions. This would encourage students to work harder.  read more »

This show featured a number of education practitioners, leaders, and scholars discussing the art of teaching. Al Shanker shares his thoughts on the need to make teaching a more respected profession. He insists on higher standards for entry into the field, and he urges higher salaries and better working conditions to attract the type of person who can meet those higher standards. Shanker notes that the low status attached to teaching is part of the problem with the education system.