Teacher Recruitment

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 »

Forum: “Where Albert Shanker Stands”

jruss — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 14:24:19 -0500

In this interview, Al Shanker answers questions about a number of topics including teacher shortage; teacher recruitment; teacher pay; use of technology in teaching; focus on developing students' critical thinking skills; teachers' involvement in unions, politics, and strikes; working with the Reagan administration; and merit pay.

Good Morning, America: “Politics in Education”

jruss — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:32:03 -0500

Al Shanker and NEA President Mary Hatwood Futrell, are interviewed about the role of education in the 1984 presidential campaign. They discuss whether the candidates are truly discussing policy or merely spouting rhetoric. They also weigh in on issues like the extent to which the federal government should play a role in education, merit pay, teacher recruitment, and funding.

Instructor: “Futrell & Shanker Face Off”

jruss — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 14:22:13 -0500

NEA president Mary Futrell and Al Shanker discuss a wide variety of education topics including the need to focus on elementary schools to ensure that students learn basic skills and are not promoted without gaining literacy; the potential for a merger between NEA and AFT; teacher salaries and teacher recruitment; teacher evaluation and teacher standards; professionalization of teaching; and restructuring the educational system.

League of Industrial Democracy Speech: I.S. 201

jruss — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 14:12:39 -0500

In light of a recent campaign for greater parent and community authority in school administration for a public school, I.S. 201, in Harlem, Al Shanker discusses the various attempts at school reform in New York City. He hits on the desire by I.S. 201 parents to select textbooks, to require a certain racial makeup in the school staff and administration, and the idea of handing over administration of schools to universities or community groups rather than the government. read more »

Meet the Press

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

Al Shanker takes questions from a panel of interviewers on topics including merit pay, teacher recruitment and retention, President Reagan's record on education, federal funding for education, AFT political endorsements, affirmative action and racial quotas, teacher education and examination, and incentives.

Statement before the Senate Subcommittee on Education, United States Senate

jruss — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:13:00 -0500

Al Shanker comments on the Senate's investigation into math and science education in America. Because of students' low performance in these areas, the Senate was considering legislation to improve the situation. Shanker offers AFT's thoughts on what this legislation should accomplish. read more »

Suburbia Today: "The Education of Albert Shanker"

jruss — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:03:36 -0500

In this interview, Al Shanker speaks about his childhood and his own experience as a student. He also talks about his time as a teacher before he became involved with union administration. He discusses his wife and children and their motives for moving out of New York City. In these discussions, he talks extensively about how education has changed from when he was a boy and the different issues that teachers face now. He cites disruptive students as a major impediment to recruiting good teachers. He also cites low salaries and increased employment options for women. read more »

Teacher Recruitment

jhelpap — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 11:05:13 -0400

In this speech Selden and Albert Shanker, President of the American Federation of Teachers, talk about how teacher recruitment is the key to improving the quality of American Education.

Testimony to the Democratic Party Platform Committee

jruss — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 14:47:39 -0500

Al Shanker advises the Democratic Party Platform Committee that education is a cornerstone of a democratic society. He further advises that the 1988 presidential platform set the following education goals: fund education reform research; increase aid to programs like Head Start, Chapter I, and Education for the Handicapped, and give priority to programs that address child health and nutrition; continue financial support for college students in the form of Pell grants, student loans, and the like; improve teacher recruitment; and invest in job training for the unemployed.

Tocqueville Forum Series on Liberal Education and American Democracy, Wake Forest University: “Moving Beyond Reform”

jruss — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:55:30 -0400

US News & World Report: “Want Better Teachers? Raise Pay, Stop Classroom Violence”

jruss — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 14:23:21 -0500

This interview asks Al Shanker to discuss a variety of topics including merit pay, teacher recruitment, teacher salary, student classroom disruption, how to create a good teaching environment, and measuring teacher competency.