Open to Debate Are Teachers Unions To Blame For Failing Schools?
Mar 23, 2010
Randy Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers, joins fellow educators and experts, including Terry Moe, a political science professor, and Larry Sand, a retired teacher. They tackle the contentious role of teachers' unions in school performance. Discussions reveal the unions' dual nature—supporting teachers while sometimes hindering reforms. Personal stories highlight the emotional stakes for families seeking better education options. The debate challenges listeners to reconsider whether unions are allies or obstacles in the quest for educational improvement.
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Union Density and School Success
- States with more unionized teachers like Massachusetts and New York perform better academically than less unionized ones.
- Strong unions can foster cooperation that improves outcomes, challenging the notion that unions harm schools.
Unions Protect Bad Teachers
- Teachers' unions protect bad teachers through difficult dismissal processes and seniority rules.
- This protection often clashes with the goal of educating children effectively.
Teacher Union Empowers Educators
- Kate McLaughlin shares how her union provides teachers dignity and academic freedom to advocate for students.
- Her union collaborates with management to improve schools by involving teachers directly.