National Competency Tests

AFT Detroit Regional Conference Albert Shanker Address and Press Conference, 1985

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

During this lengthy press conference, Al Shanker focuses on professionalization of teaching. He states that the push for tuition tax credits and vouchers threatens the public education system, and he urges the field to look at itself critically and, much like the automobile industry, figure out how to restructure in order to survive. The teachers' unions need offer more than good contracts and higher salaries. Teachers want dignity and respect, and unions must be involved in bringing professional recognition to the field. Shanker notes the coming teacher shortage and comments that if teachers were treated with more professional respect, the retention rate would be higher, and better applicants could be recruited. He acknowledges that the public is right to mistrust the education system right now. In order to earn public trust and professional respect, teachers should submit to higher standards and pass a rigorous entry exam. He also sees a need for teachers to interact more with colleagues. He cites a program in Toledo where a group of outstanding teachers has been removed from the classroom for three years to work with new hires and to recommend tenure decisions. He further suggests that teachers should be involved in textbook selection. Shanker argues that teachers should be intimately involved in restructuring school and implementing education reform. Finally, Shanker urges teachers to do more than criticize the current state of affairs. He argues that developing a positive vision will help gain public support. A question and answer session followed Shanker's speech. Many questions asked for more details on the proposed teacher examination. Shanker expounded and described a three part exam that would test subject specialty, child psychology, and pedagogy and would include an internship. He does not believe that current teachers should be tested. Another audience member questioned how legislators can help professionalize teaching? Shanker responded that the whole point would be for legislators to be less involved. Other professions, he notes, do not have long laws mandating every last detail. If anything, he asserts, legislators should loosen restrictions and give teachers more responsibility. Shanker then responds to why the NEA does not support his call for a teacher examination, and in doing so, gives more details about his proposal. He argues for more resources to be given to early grades, and he argues for restructuring the typical school model.

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 »

NPR Options in Education, “The Great Debate III”

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

John Merrow interviews Al Shanker and NEA Executive Director Terry Herndon. They begin by discussing discipline in schools and corporal punishment. Then, Merrow asks the union leaders about standardized tests for students and about evaluative examinations for teachers. The debate then turns to tenure. Herndon and Shanker both advocate strongly for tenure while Merrow questions its purpose. Next the leaders discuss affirmative action and quotas, especially focusing on a court case, Bakke v. read more »

Point of View: “Incentives and Reforms: The Views and Insights of Albert Shanker”

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

Al Shanker comments briefly on a number of topics including teacher unions, standards, incentives, why school choice is the wrong solution, prayer in schools, President George H.W. Bush's America 2000 plan, and national testing. Shanker encourages more rigorous standards to improve academic achievement.

Testimony before the Committee on Labor & Human Resources, Subcommittee on Education, Arts & Humanities, United States Senate

jruss — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 13:50:47 -0500

Al Shanker advocates for the establishment of national education standards and examinations. He states that without them, there is no effective way to measure students and that currently, each state has a different set of standards which makes national comparison difficult. He argues for a national system “without surrendering the freedom to make important decisions on the state and local levels.” He also argues that such standards would improve teacher training as well because there would be clear goals for what teachers should know how to teach.

Testimony before the Committee on Ways and Means, U.S. House of Representatives

jruss — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 14:07:00 -0500

In this testimony, Al Shanker addresses concerns about the United States falling behind competing nations. Shanker states that America's economic competitiveness hinges upon its ability to educate its citizens properly. Shanker suggests three areas that could be improved: education quality in high school, tightened standards of entrance into colleges and universities, and a stronger connection between school and work. read more »