Educational Legislation

Citizenship Education in American Schools

jhelpap — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:26:45 -0500

In this symposium article Shanker speaks about educating students in American Citizenship. He proposes the question of whether or not it is the educators job to adjust the students to the society that we have or prepare them to live in a changed society. There is dialogue on the last few pages from Dr. Stephan Fain, Professor at Florida International University, Simine Heise, Project Manager for Dade County Public Schools and Wilhimenia Tribble, director of Employee Management Development for the Metro-Dade County Government.

Illinois Federation of Teachers Convention

jhelpap — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:26:45 -0500

Shanker speaks before the Illinois Federation of Teachers. He addresses them on the issue of Professionalism; he states that the reason why bills like tuition tax credits are passing is because people no longer believe that public education is viable. Teachers and administrators need to be professional to help turn that opinion around.

Action Program of the AFT

jhelpap — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 09:58:01 -0400

In this speech to the Hawaii Federation of Teachers, Cogen talks about the objectives and goals of the New Action Program; some of which include fair pay for all teachers, being joined with teachers in the area of civil rights and giving teachers and educators in society thier due respect.

Address at Wake Forest University: “Revolution that is Overdue”

jruss — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 13:29:11 -0500

Al Shanker states that the last three years since the “Nation at Risk Report” was published have seen education reform legislation passed in many states. He notes that businesses threatened to leave states if education did not improve. Yet, Shanker believes that this reform has not been successful. He finds it ironic that businesses called similar measures 'over-regulation' when they applied to industry but legislators call it reform in education. Shanker notes that the public still has a negative view of public education and that vouchers and tuition tax credits are not a good solution. read more »

Address to the American Association of School Administrators Annual Convention

jhelpap — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:26:44 -0500

Shanker speaks to the American Association of School Administrators . He states that the 1980’s will be the worst economic times the country has seen, and that this economy will dictate whether public education succeeds or fails. He also touches on how educators and administrators need to be respected. He speaks about how teachers need to organize on the political front and improve the image of public education in order to gain respect.

AFL-CIO Convention

jhelpap — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:26:45 -0500

This is an excerpt from a speech that Shanker gave that talks about how the freedoms to assemble and unionize in Nicaragua have been suspended.

AFT Conference on Building Alliances for Youth at Risk

jhelpap — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 11:19:48 -0400

Shanker speaks on building alliances for youth and strengthen ones that are already in place to help youth be more effective in society.

AFT Convention 1980 State of the Union Speech

jruss — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 14:21:18 -0500

Al Shanker addresses union members and guests at the AFT annual convention. He discusses at great length legal, political, and judicial issues that affect public education including: a recent Supreme Court decision in the case National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) v. Yeshiva University in which professors were deemed management and thus unable to unionize; Lau Regulations, named for a court case, Lau v. Nichols, which mandated bilingual education; Youth Employment Programs that created publicly funded private institutions for high school students; the presidential Democratic Convention at which Jimmy Carter won the nomination over the AFT's endorsed candidate, Ted Kennedy; and the NEA's support of the Department of Education. Additionally, Shanker welcomed to the convention union members who were not involved in education as the AFT had recently added members from the health care and civil service fields. Shanker also welcomed international members and asserted the AFT's commitment to human rights and international aid. Shanker warned against tuition tax credits and vouchers. He also discussed partnerships with the business community to address dire economic conditions in the nation's cities, enlisting corporate help to support schools. Finally, Shanker states that education cannot be improved by political action alone, insisting that teachers commit to improving educational quality and relationships with parents.

AFT Convention: “The State of our Union”

jruss — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 14:07:00 -0500

Al Shanker discusses the various political and legal events underway that might affect teachers and AFT''s lobbying actions to influence their outcomes. He briefly mentions several items like a pending court case dealing with the right of employees at parochial schools to organize and the establishment of a separate Department of Education. He highlights in more detail three of the AFT''s main political campaigns: Proposition 13 which dealt with property taxes, labor law reform, and tuition tax credits. read more »

AFT Leads the Revolution in Education

jhelpap — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 10:43:55 -0400

In this speech to the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, Cogen welcomes them to the AFT and tells them they must fight to form a strong union. He states that the AFT regards Louisiana as their "prime hope for unionism below the Mason-Dixon line."

AFT Local President's Conference

jhelpap — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:26:45 -0500

This is a presentation that Shanker talks about how to run a local union. He also touches on creating peer assistance programs which will develop positive processes for locals. which in turn will improve the image of teachers. He then opens it up for questions.

AFT Sixty-Third Convention Address

jhelpap — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:11:20 -0500

Shanker address begins by going through what the federation has experienced in the previous decades. He then addresses the new decline in public education they will be seeing five years in the future. He discusses the energy crisis in America, tuition tax credits, and vouchers. He also discusses bringing health care workers in to the federation. At the end of the speech he talks about the successes of AFT in that previous year and how they will continue to succeed in the future.

AFT State Federation Presidents Conference

jhelpap — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:11:20 -0500

Shanker addressed 7 key points with the federation presidents. They include; the decline of public education, the declines in birth rates and enrollment, the declining regard for public school teachers, he says that teachers need to build a “mystique” for themselves in order to be more highly regarded. Shanker said that educational schools need to be built up and upgraded, not destroyed. He addressed the attacks on public education as well as texts that would underscore the anti-public education mood.

Albert Shanker Speech at the Brookings Institute, May 1994

jhelpap — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 09:48:32 -0500

In this speech, Shanker addresses the booklet entitled What are students abroad expected to know about Biology? He compares the state of the education system in other countries to the one in the United States. He is certain that if the United States does not establish standards like those of other prominent countries, the system of public education in the United States will fail.

Alternative Assessment Conference

jhelpap — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 11:29:33 -0400

Shanker talks about the differences between student achievement in the United States verses other countries in the World. He talks about reexamining our current system to find ways to make it better.

American Education Research Association Annual Conference

jhelpap — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:26:45 -0500

Commentary between Albert Shanker, John Goodladd and the then Governor Bill Clinton. It regards the issue of educational research and evaluation and different programs that helped to shape education in certain states.

American Federation of Teachers Convention Speech, 2000

jhelpap — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 16:36:52 -0400

At the 76th annual AFT Convention, Feldman addresses the issues of turning around failing schools, school vouchers, high-quality early childhood education, teacher salaries and the quality of teachers in the profession.

British Columbia Teacher

jhelpap — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:18:16 -0500

The panel is analyzing teachers unions within the educational community.

California Commission on Teacher Credentialing

jhelpap — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:18:16 -0500

Shanker talks about testing students. He then talks about how the current education system cannot just be fixed, it needs to be overhauled; teachers need to be given raises, class sizes need to go down, teachers need to be given professional development opportunities and schools need to be organized differently.

California Legislature on the Commission on the Teaching Profession

jhelpap — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:26:45 -0500

These are the remarks of Shanker before the California Legislature on the report of the commission on the teaching profession. This took place at Santa Monica Community College. He talks about how to attract and retain competent teachers. He talks about how the reputation of the field is that the professionals in it are very low caliber. He then makes suggestions on how teaching professionals can turn that opinion around.

Carnegie Forum

jhelpap — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:18:16 -0500

Shanker is optimistic about the recent Carnegie Report because it calls for changes to public education that will make a positive impact.

Changing the Culture of American Schools

jhelpap — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:18:16 -0500

In this speech, Shanker starts by talking about the importance of CED reports, which signify the public’s political commitment to schools, education reports and sophisticated analysis that help to develop priorities when it comes to education. He also talks about changes that are happening in Public Education and those that are still needed.

City Club Forum, Cleveland City Club

jhelpap — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:18:16 -0500

Shanker speaks about recruiting people to the field of teaching by raising salaries and providing a better working environment. Shanker expresses the need for the field to gain a good reputation again.

College Board Western Regional Office

jhelpap — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 13:44:36 -0400

This is a summary of a speech that Shanker gave at the symposium, in it he talked about addressing the needs of education in the 1990's.

College Board, National Forum

jhelpap — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:18:16 -0500

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.

Committee on Education and Labor

jhelpap — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 13:02:26 -0400

Shanker is addressing the commitment of AFT to national and community service and its expansion.

Committee on Education and Labor; Subcommittee on Select Education

jhelpap — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:18:16 -0500

In this speech Shanker is speaking before the Committee on Education and Labor; Subcommittee on Select Education. He is speaking on the vital issue of the federal role in sponsoring educational research and development.

Conference of the National Center for the Study of Collective Bargaining in Higher Education

jhelpap — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:11:20 -0500

Shanker's addresses calls for the need of union strength in higher education. He states that the survival of public higher education is primarily a political issue. It depends on what legislators do. He says it also depends on appropriations, tax structures and financial decisions. Survival is a matter of public policy. He defends this stance throughout the speech.

Conference on Inflation, Health, Education, Income Security and Social Services

jhelpap — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:11:19 -0500

Shanker talks about the then current administration wanting to cut education spending to trim inflation. He says that it should be increased. He touches on areas such as: Bilingual Education, Emergency School Aid, Adult Education, Higher education and Tax Reform.

Connecticut Association of Boards of Education and Association of School Administrators Annual Convention

jhelpap — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:26:44 -0500

Shanker speaks to the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education and the Connecticut Association of School Administrators at their annual convention in Hartford Ct. He speaks on the country’s political problems as well as how educators are not as strong as they need to be politically. He tells educators to organize together, to be against tuition tax credits and to save public education.

Consultation on Competitiveness

jhelpap — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:18:16 -0500

Shanker is speaking at the Carter Center at Emory University. He is speaking on the 5th anniversary of “A Nation at Risk” and how after five years there hasn’t been much progress in terms of improvement of student achievement. He says that schools need to be supported by the business community and need to change.

Day Care Alliance National Council of Organizations for Children and Youth

jhelpap — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:11:19 -0500

Shanker is speaking to the Day Care Alliance National Council of Organizations for Children and Youth. He is speaking about the dangers of putting children (especially young children) in overcrowded classrooms. He also talks about standardizing day cares and early childhood programs across the country. Shanker also stresses the importance of hiring paraprofessional staff who are qualified to work in a bilingual setting.

Denver Speech 1

jhelpap — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 09:29:47 -0400

In this speech before the Denver Federation of Teachers, Cogen expresses the importance of Collective Bargaining. He also warns teachers about NEA contracts or working without a contract. He explains that this is not only unfair to teachers but can be fatal to their career.

Education Commission of the States

jhelpap — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:26:45 -0500

Shanker talks about national testing for teachers, merit pay, board certification for teachers, and having a better teacher to student ratio.

Education Leadership: “On Restructuring Schools: A Conversation with Al Shanker”

jruss — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 14:21:18 -0500

Al Shanker answers questions about his vision of how schools need to change. He thinks that a new system of incentives must be developed to encourage educators to take charge of their own school reform efforts. Shanker believes that one aspect of restructuring involves different roles for teachers. He also sees a role for technology and speaks of creating a national lesson plan database. Shanker also discusses the role legislators have played in school reform.

Education Minnesota Convention

jhelpap — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 15:52:12 -0400

Feldman was the keynote speaker at the Education Minnesota Convention. In this speech she addresses Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura's comments in the Washington Post ("style" section) and agrees with how he is supporting education. Feldman addresses the issues of what works in public schools, vouchers and making sure all schools meet the national standard.

Educational Testing Service Conference

jhelpap — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 13:07:51 -0400

Shanker addresses whether or not students today are educated enough to compete successfully with other world economic powers. He talks about NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) assessments.

Finance Committee on Tax Simplification Legislation

jhelpap — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:26:45 -0500

This is Shanker’s testimony before the Senate Committee on Finance on the topic of tax simplification. He talks about President Reagan’s tax plan and some of the implications of that plan on public education.

God, the Constitution, and Schools

jhelpap — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:18:16 -0500

In this speech Shanker is speaking at the 23rd Annual University Forum, his speech begins on page 6. He is talking about the topic of God, the Constitution, and Schools from an educational point of view. Shanker addresses issues such as; Prayer in Schools, the nature of textbooks, evolution v. creationism, teaching values and the efforts to restructure education so that parents can have publicly funded religious schools.

Hearing to Examine Crime and Violence in Schools

jhelpap — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:26:45 -0500

Shanker talks about removing disruptive children from the classroom, considering whether or not students should have due process rights. This is a rough edited version.

Herbert Lehman Lecture: A Revolution that is Overdue

jhelpap — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:18:16 -0500

In this speech “A Revolution that is Overdue”, Shanker discusses making the teaching profession more marketable to those who are in the higher grade percentiles in college; attracting excellent candidates as opposed to illiterate ones.

House Committee on Education and Labor on H.R. 950

jhelpap — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:18:16 -0500

This is Shanker speaking before the House Committee on Education and Labor on House Resolution bill 950; to reauthorize Chapter 1 of the Educational Consolidation and Improvement Act. He talks about the education report “A Nation At Risk” which was put out in 1983.

House Committee on Ways and Means

jhelpap — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:26:45 -0500

This is Shanker’s testimony before the House Committee on ways and mean on the topic of tax simplification. He talks about President Reagan’s tax plan and some of the implications of that plan on public education.

House Education Committee

jhelpap — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:26:45 -0500

Shanker’s testimony before the House Education Committee on House Bill 2466, on the issues of teacher testing and teacher training. He speaks again about being professional and boosting the image of teachers and of public schools.

How to Improve the Schools…Ask the Kids

jhelpap — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 11:16:05 -0400

Shanker is speaking at the 1990 MSBA Management Seminar. He addresses thinking about kids as workers in the schools and asking them for their opinions. He talks about asking the "workers" how to make them want to come to work everyday.

HR 4130 Teacher Training and Recruitment

jhelpap — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 10:20:22 -0400

Shanker is speaking on HR. 4130 which wants to establish a federal role in teacher training and recruiting. The AFT believes that funds from this bill should be targeted towards individuals and not just higher education institutions and talks about the ceilings on Title I and Title II being reversed.

If You Do Not Have 'Stakes' You Have a World Where Nothing Counts

jhelpap — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 10:33:48 -0500

In this speech, Shanker is addressing the false view that the only cities that have education problems are those with poor minority populations. He quickly points out that there are failing school districts in every socio-economic environment. He then suggests ways to improve districts everywhere in America.

International Foundation of Employee Benefits Plans

jhelpap — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:11:20 -0500

Shanker addresses the changes the country was experiencing in collective bargaining. He attributed these changes to the change in the economy.

Keynote Address, Pittsburgh Convention

jhelpap — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 09:34:29 -0500

In this keynote address, AFT President Albert Shanker talks about the recent AFT executive council meeting and the proposed constitutional amendments. He also addresses the current state of the economy and how that affects education across the country.

Labor issues

jhelpap — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:11:19 -0500

At an unknown conference Shanker address the issue of th current state of the labor movement in the United States and how the liberal intellectuals have viewed the labor movement with its activities overseas. Shanker defends the reason that the American Labor movement is involved internationally.