Academic Achievement

Hebrew Union College-University of Cincinnati (HUC-UC): “Preparing Teachers for the Twenty-First Century Schools”

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

In this speech, toward the end of Al Shanker's life, he retreats somewhat from his earlier rousing calls to innovation and reform. He believes educational experimentation should continue, but since a new model has not been determined, he argues that we should revisit the old model and examine how we can improve it. He suggests looking at educational systems in other countries which operate basically in the same way in terms of having classrooms with teachers largely lecturing students. 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.

Shavano Institute Conference: “Defining the Risks: Diagnoses and Cures”

jruss — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 13:49:41 -0500

Al Shanker begins by commenting on government funding to education. He notes that there has been an increase in funding, but he questions whether this has really changed educational results. He says that incentives besides money need to be developed in order to retain good teachers. Next, he turns to the main topic of his talk: whether the nation is still at risk, referring to a 1983 government report “A Nation at Risk.” Shanker answers affirmatively that the nation is indeed still at risk, citing a recent report from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). read more »