Professional Standards

Address: AFT Convention

jruss — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:49:52 -0500

Al Shanker begins by highlighting the AFT's growth and success since the last convention. He then discusses the upcoming presidential election between Ronald Reagan and Walter Mondale and details why he is optimistic for a democratic win. He further argues for the AFT and labor's involvement in Mondale's campaign. Next, Shanker turns to education reform, stating that the AFT has led the discussion on innovative school reform while the NEA has remained traditional in its responses to bad reports of school status. read more »

Remarks at the JFK School of Government, Harvard University Institute on Labor-Management Cooperation in School Districts

jhelpap — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 16:02:15 -0400

In this speech, Feldman addresses the issues that are facing public education. She talks about how everyone needs to work together to fix the public school systems. Teachers, principals, superintendents, school boards and unions must have a good working partnership to solve the problems in public schools nationwide.

Today's Life Choices: "The Art of Teaching"

jruss — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 13:56:52 -0500

This show featured a number of education practitioners, leaders, and scholars discussing the art of teaching. Al Shanker shares his thoughts on the need to make teaching a more respected profession. He insists on higher standards for entry into the field, and he urges higher salaries and better working conditions to attract the type of person who can meet those higher standards. Shanker notes that the low status attached to teaching is part of the problem with the education system.