Merrow, John

NPR Options in Education, “Profile of Shanker”

jruss — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:31:03 -0400

In this profile of Al Shanker, various colleagues, rivals, and critics, like Terry Herndon, William Simons, and David Seldon, are interviewed about Shanker. John Merrow and Barbara Reinhardt also interview Shanker himself on a variety of educational and personal topics including Jimmy Carter's performance, corporal punishment, test score decline, and busing and school integration.

NPR Options in Education, “Teacher Power”

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

Al Shanker and James Harris, president of the NEA, are interviewed by moderator John Merrow. They discuss the differences between their organizations and the possibility for merger. Some of the differences they discuss are secret ballot elections, affiliations with the AFL-CIO and CAPE (Coalition of Public Employees), quotas and affirmative action, and problems in the educational system. The vigorous debate reaches no consensus.

NPR Options in Education, “The Great Debate III”

jruss — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:31:03 -0400

John Merrow interviews Al Shanker and NEA Executive Director Terry Herndon. They begin by discussing discipline in schools and corporal punishment. Then, Merrow asks the union leaders about standardized tests for students and about evaluative examinations for teachers. The debate then turns to tenure. Herndon and Shanker both advocate strongly for tenure while Merrow questions its purpose. Next the leaders discuss affirmative action and quotas, especially focusing on a court case, Bakke v. read more »

NPR Options in Education, “The Great Debate”

jruss — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:31:03 -0400

In this debate moderated by John Merrow, Al Shanker and the NEA's Terry Herndon discuss a number of topics. The differences between the two organizations are dissected including the AFT's affiliation with the AFL-CIO and NEA's desire to remain separate from other labor groups; the NEA's use of racial quotas in its administration; and the use of secret ballots in the two organizations. Next, the two leaders discuss membership campaigns in New York, California, and Florida, where the NEA and AFT were competing for members. read more »