Educational Policy

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 »

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 »

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.

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.

New York State United Teachers (NYSUT): "Making of a Profession"

jruss — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:22:24 -0500

In this speech, Al Shanker discusses the need for teachers to make their profession into one seen as just that: a profession. He says that in order for teachers to assert themselves as experts who should be consulted on education policy decisions, teachers' unions need to move beyond collective bargaining to focus on professionalization. Shanker argues that should be trusted to make decisions without supervision and legislation. This trust, he argues, would foster enthusiasm and pride in teachers, and new teachers could be more easily recruited. read more »

The Dangers of not Having any New Ideas

jruss — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 14:29:48 -0500

Al Shanker states that teachers should take charge of education reform rather than waiting for legislators with little to no expertise to write mandates that make little sense and are nearly impossible to meet. He cites three areas that should be addressed: increasing teacher pay, reducing class size, and giving teachers more time to grade work and plan lessons. Yet, Shanker said this would cost more money than they can ever realistically expect to receive. So what is the answer, he asks? read more »