Educational Quality

220,000 Teachers a Year; Putting First-Class Educators in Every Classroom

jhelpap — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 16:19:38 -0400

In this speech to the Economic Club of Detroit, Feldman addresses the issue of recruiting and retaining quality teachers for every classroom. She congratulates the Detroit Federation of Teachers on fighting for quality education in low-income classrooms. Feldman goes through ten steps that teachers and their unions should be doing to improve public school education.

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.

Core Knowledge Conference

dgolodner — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 15:03:23 -0400

In this speech, Feldman shares historical facts about the relationship between the Core Knowledge group and the American Federation of Teachers. She specifically gives examples of New York City school district #4 education reforms.

Education International: 1998 World Conference

jhelpap — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 17:11:38 -0400

In this speech at the opening ceremony of the Education International 1998 World Conference, Feldman welcomes the attendees to the conference on behalf of the American Federation of Teachers. She speaks on the struggle to improve public schools and public education as a whole.

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.

Keynote Address to the Ohio Federation of Teachers

jhelpap — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 16:31:45 -0400

In this speech to the Ohio Federation of Teachers, Feldman tells the audience how proud she and the American Federation of Teachers are about the challenges that Ohio has overcome during the previous year. She reminds them that the challenges are not over and there is still a battle over vouchers and teacher standards that needs to be fought.

Making Teaching a True Profession

jhelpap — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 12:21:16 -0400

In this speech, Selden promotes the teaching profession as a profession that should unionize. He also talks about "defects" that the American Federation of Teachers seeks to correct in the profession.

undue influence by administrator members
lack of effectiveness in dealing with the social power structure

Remarks to the Century Foundation Conference

jhelpap — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 16:54:11 -0400

In her short remarks to the National Press Club, Feldman addresses the issue of educating children from low-economic backgrounds. She stresses that the only way to make education in low-economic areas better is to focus on the following areas: quality early childhood education, low class sizes, and quality teachers.

Speech before the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT)

jhelpap — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 17:05:01 -0400

In her first time addressing the New York State Union of Teachers, (NYSUT) as president of the American Federation of Teachers, Feldman compliments them on their membership and professional programs. She also addresses the recent act of school violence in Littleton, CO. She encourages the NYSUT to continue to fight for quality standards and safe schools.

Statement before the Democratic Platform Committee

jruss — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:14:53 -0500

Al Shanker laments the Reagan Administration's education policies and implores the Democratic Party to refute them in its platform. Specific policies he deplores are tax exemptions on private school tuition, a voucher program, and merit pay for teachers. Shanker urges the Democrats to hold two goals for education: giving aid to people who need it and improving the quality of education. He mentions that raising teacher salaries is important in improving education quality, while noting that much of that policy will be set at the state level.

Statement For the Annual High School Debate Series

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

Shanker's statement calls for more federally legislated and financed programs to help with issues in education that the are usually assumed to be the state or local problem. He sees the danger in continuing a decentralized education system.

SUNY Albany: "In Defense of the University"

jruss — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:31:03 -0400

Al Shanker describes how the typical liberal education which universities have offered in the past has been drastically diminished. He believes that the protest culture of the 1960s contributed to a lowering of academic standards which has continued through a promotion of vocational education. He states, “The university as a rallying point for political action may seem like a far cry from the university as a vocational training center. read more »

The Quality of American Education

jhelpap — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 12:10:23 -0400

In this speech, Selden addresses the purpose of education and the quality of education in American schools.