School Business Relationship

Address to NYSUT Representative Assembly

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

Al Shanker delivers this address to the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) organization. Shanker begins by discussing various laws affecting funding to schools. He then turns to reform efforts. He talks about the teacher shortage and ways to recruit new teachers. He mentions the need for higher salaries, smaller class sizes, and increased time away from students. He notes that these are difficult to achieve but that giving teachers independence and respect is one easy way to make the job more attractive. read more »

Address to the Commonwealth Club of California

jruss — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 14:22:05 -0500

Al Shanker notes that three years have passed since the publication of the Reagan Administration's “Nation at Risk” report which detailed the dire state of education in America at the time. Shanker lauded the report and initial steps that resulted from its publication. He asserts, however, that countless problems still exist, and progress on solving them has slowed. He argues that the business community has a vested interest in improving education and urges it to become involved.

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.

Building and Construction Trades Department Convention

jhelpap — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 16:47:45 -0400

In this speech at the 66th annual Building and Construction Trades Department, Feldman addresses the relationship between the American Federation of Teachers and the Building and Construction Trades. Most of all, she addresses the issue of re-building America's schools; making sure that all schools are a safe and clean environment for all children to attend.

Compass: “Thoughts on Education: An Interview with William Bennett and Albert Shanker”

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

This Compass interview asks Al Shanker and William Bennett, former Secretary of Education, ten questions and lists their answers side by side. Topics include problems in the school system, how to improve higher education, corporate roles in education, standards, President George H.W. Bush's performance, and school choice. While Shanker and Bennett disagree on the role of teachers' unions and on some policies like school choice, their thoughts on standards and higher education are similar.

Quality Education Standards in Teaching (QuEST) Conference

jruss — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:16:58 -0500

Al Shanker begins this speech with the economy. He cites three myths about the economic downturn: first, that people are worse off than in the past; second, that the middle class is suffering because of focus on the poor; and third, that government spending causes inflation. Shanker further asserts that school funding should not be cut. Next, Shanker turns to education. He cites a recent report that said private schools are doing better than public schools. Shanker states that this is false, but that the public holds this perception. He urges the audience to change that perception. read more »