Teacher Education

American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education: "Professional Relationships: Reality and Action"

jruss — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:27:17 -0500

Al Shanker discusses the need for changes in teacher training, and he calls for teacher colleges to join together with teachers, parents, administration, supervisors, and other interested parties in a coalition Shanker has formed to accomplish various education goals. Shanker cites a danger in criticizing teacher training and public schools to the point that small, independent education experiments are justified. Rather, he advocates for partnership over criticism and for improvement within the system instead of moving outside of it. Shanker further acknowledges that the situation many teachers encounter in urban school systems forces them to employ survival techniques rather than the teaching techniques they have learned in their training. This proves, he asserts, that training needs to adapt to address the real world situations teachers are going to encounter. One suggestion he has is to establish an internship program, placing teachers in the classroom to gain experience. Shanker also briefly touches on issues like testing, early childhood education, and lobbying the government for more funding.

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 »

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 »

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 »

West Side Montessori Seminar: "Teaching, Training, and Recruitment"

jruss — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 14:18:22 -0500

In this speech, Al Shanker discusses the need for teachers to take responsibility of the state of education. He says that too often students, parents, or society are blamed for school failure, while teachers are cast as victims. Shanker argues instead that teachers need to adjust their attitudes to claim responsibility. In doing so, he also advocates for stronger teacher training and support noting that frequently young teachers fresh out of college burn out quickly. read more »