Incentives

Commonwealth Magazine: “What Schools Should—and Shouldn't—Learn From Markets”

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

In this article from the Commonwealth Club of California's publication, Al Shanker discusses the need for schools to develop incentive systems that work to motivate both students and teachers. He sees lessons in corporate capitalism and in foreign education systems. He argues that gaining entrance into college should be more difficult and that employers should consider high school performance in hiring decisions. This would encourage students to work harder. read more »

Corporate Educational Endeavors: What will Ensure Education Reform a Teacher/Union Leader's Perspective

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

Al Shanker cites the corporate model as one that might help restructure and re-conceive public education. Profits and other incentives encourage corporations to change their practices to achieve the desired bottom line. With education, however, Shanker argues that innovation has been discouraged despite the failure to educate students. Further, Shanker argues that colleges should hold students to higher standards, and employers should consider high school performance in hiring so as to encourage high school students to work harder. He also argues that teachers should be given incentives too. read more »

Education Leadership: “On Restructuring Schools: A Conversation with Al Shanker”

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

Al Shanker answers questions about his vision of how schools need to change. He thinks that a new system of incentives must be developed to encourage educators to take charge of their own school reform efforts. Shanker believes that one aspect of restructuring involves different roles for teachers. He also sees a role for technology and speaks of creating a national lesson plan database. Shanker also discusses the role legislators have played in school reform.

Marjorie Kovler Lecture Series, University of Chicago

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

Al Shanker begins with his personal history and the changes in schools and the educational system he has witnessed. He also discusses the history of teachers' unions. He acknowledges the problems present in schools, and he says that teachers need three things: higher salaries, smaller classes, and more time during the day to grade work and to interact with colleagues. Shanker states, however, that teachers probably will not receive these because of the high cost and not enough personnel. Shanker then addresses what students need. read more »

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 »

The Macneil-Lehrer Report: Grading Teachers

jruss — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 14:27:17 -0500

Al Shanker is interviewed along with Paul Salmon, head of the American Association of School Administrators, and Virginia Koehler, from Parents United for Full Funding, a parent group in Washington, D.C. The topic is merit pay for teachers. Koehler is in favor of tying teacher evaluations to merit pay, and is pushing for a measure to enact this. Shanker discusses why he thinks merit pay won't work, arguing that what teachers really need to improve the quality of education is greater support. Salmon agrees with Shanker for the most part, but sees some benefits to merit pay.