Teacher Certification

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 »

National Press Club Speech – Proposes the Creation of a National Examination for Beginning Teachers

jruss — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 13:49:40 -0500

Al Shanker advocates that a national teachers' examination be developed and implemented. He insists that current examinations are not rigorous enough, nor are they nationally administered. He acknowledges that the teacher shortage presents an obstacle to this plan, but insists it is necessary anyway. He believes that an independent group of educational experts, possibly appointed by some government officials, but not overseen by the government, would develop the test. read more »

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 »

Testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education of the Committee on Education & Labor

jruss — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 13:46:26 -0500

Al Shanker urges that the House pass legislation to provide funding for the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards so that it might develop a licensing test for teachers similar to licensing tests in other professions. He argues that such a test would improve the quality of teacher training programs as well as providing effective standards for the profession.

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 »

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

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