Privatization

ABC News Nightline: “Innovative Plan for Chelsea Schools”

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

Ted Koppel interviews Al Shanker and Dr. John Silber of Boston University about the Chelsea, Massachusetts school system. Located across the river from Boston, Chelsea had the worst school performance in the state. As a way to save the failing system, the Chelsea School Board signed administration over to Boston University for ten years. Shanker is strongly opposed to this plan. While he believes that the University's proposals for educational programming are good, he disagrees with a private institution performing a public function. Dr. Silber attempts to answer Shanker's criticisms. read more »

AFT 18th Annual Paraprofessional and School Related Personnel Conference Address

jruss — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:55:31 -0400

Compass Interview

jruss — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:44:58 -0500

Excerpts from an interview with Al Shanker are reproduced here. He comments on a variety of educational issues including school vouchers, tuition tax credits, employment offices that indirectly encourage high school drop-outs, teachers' unions, the creation of a separate federal Department of Education, and privatization of education.

Good Morning, America: “Early Childhood Education”

jruss — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:36:08 -0500

Al Shanker and Grace Mitchell, and early childhood education expert, debate on Good Morning, America's Face-Off whether early childhood education should remain a private sector service or should become something maintained and overseen by the public sector. Shanker argues that the government should take over early childhood education, using the public schools and other locations to run the program. Mitchell maintains that the private sector is doing well currently and that any problems that exist would be solved better by working within the current system rather than creating a new empire.

Quality Education Standards in Teaching (QuEST) Address

jruss — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:55:31 -0400

At the AFT biannual QuEST conference, Shanker delivers his keynote speech. He addresses some big issues facing the union at the time. The first issue is Educational Alternatives Incorporated (EAI) take over of some schools in Baltimore and Hartford. He points out where EAI had failed to deliver their promise of better test scores. His second issue is vouchers programs. Another issue he wanted to update the membership on was the federation budget and the battle between the US Congress and President Clinton.
Shanker then talks about a code of conduct for schools when dealing with disruptive students and how tougher standards have improved test scores. He then announces that the AFT will launch a national campaign that is a bill of rights and responsibilities for learning: standards of conduct, standards for achievement.