Topic: American Federation of Teachers

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Teacher layoffs ahead: Should seniority prevail? Six considerations.

Thousands of teachers are being notified this spring that their jobs are in jeopardy – and many of those layoffs may actually occur, given the severe budget crises affecting state and local governments.

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Education report: Shortcomings of US schools pose national security threat

Former secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and former New York City schools chancellor Joel Klein cochaired a task force that released its report Tuesday.
Obama’s reelection campaign moves into high gear

Like all first-term presidents, Barack Obama has been running for reelection since the day he took office. But recent days have seen a flurry of activity, including the unleashing of Vice President Joe Biden.
State of the Union: What can Obama do about college tuition?

President Obama hit hard on college tuition costs in his State of the Union speech, calling on Congress to extend the tuition tax credit and to stop student loan interest from doubling in July.
Can new No Child Left Behind law pass before 2012 elections?

A new No Child Left Behind bill is finally getting a hearing in the Senate Wednesday – after three years of sitting in limbo. The bill has bipartisan support, and plenty of detractors.
Is Alabama immigration law creating a 'humanitarian crisis'?

With the Alabama immigration law taking effect, some 2,000 Hispanic students didn't attend school Monday. Teachers unions and Hispanic activists are voicing their concerns.
No Child Left Behind: with waivers, Obama offers states flexibility

No Child Left Behind is under fire, with President Obama offering waivers to some states, allowing them to pursue their own plans for school improvements and accountability.
Americans love teachers but split over teachers’ unions, poll shows

Americans show strong support for public-school teachers, according to a new poll. But a partisan divide exists over the role of teachers' unions.
Teacher layoffs ahead: Should seniority prevail? Six considerations.

Thousands of teachers are being notified this spring that their jobs are in jeopardy – and many of those layoffs may actually occur, given the severe budget crises affecting state and local governments.
Here's an idea: Teachers and school officials unite on education reform

Some 150 schools districts sent officials, school board members, and teachers union reps to Denver this week to hear how collaboration can improve student achievement and boost education reform. Can history of acrimony be overcome?
Drive for education reform has teachers unions on the defensive

Even supporters of teachers unions have been critical of them in recent months, forcing unions to collaborate with school districts on education reform as never before.
Teachers' union target Michelle Rhee to raise $1 billion for education reform

Former D.C. schools chancellor Michelle Rhee, famous for battling teachers' unions, creates Students First to forward her education reform priorities.
Education reform: Have business-savvy officials improved big-city schools?

Big-city mayors have been turning to leaders from the business world to push their agenda of education reform. Critics say schools need leadership from educators.
Linking teachers and student test scores gains some momentum

The use of student test scores in teacher evaluations has been controversial in some places, but a number of school districts are going ahead with the idea.
'Waiting for "Superman" ': A simplistic view of education reform?

In the eyes of some education observers, 'Waiting for "Superman" ' oversimplifies the problems facing US students and implies an education reform silver bullet for struggling public schools.
Toronto International Film Festival: An insider’s guide to babe magnets and albino alligators

Colin Firth was in town to promote his new film ‘The King’s Speech,’ while Werner Herzog intoned about albino alligators in his 3-D film ‘Cave of Forgotten Dreams.’
Education secretary Arne Duncan: headmaster of US school reform

As students head back to school, educators nationwide are implementing controversial school reform wrought by Arne Duncan. Pushing competitive market approaches and armed with unprecedented funding and support from the president, he is possibly the most powerful education secretary ever.
Jobs bill will help teachers, public workers

Jobs bill worth $26 billion has unmistakable implications for November congressional elections.
Squabble over $10 billion for teachers delays Afghanistan war money

A Democratic House leader wants Congress to spend $10 billion to save teacher jobs. The White House has threatened a veto. Meanwhile, funds for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are in limbo.
Rhode Island school to rehire fired teachers, shelving drastic plan

Central Falls High School had fired its staff as part of a strategy for failing schools. Now, the Rhode Island school has reached a tentative agreement to keep the staff but make other changes.
Colorado latest battleground for teacher performance

Legislation in Colorado would put teachers on probation based in part on student scores on standardized tests. It’s part of a trend around the country that teacher unions find threatening.
On National Teacher Day, unions rail against school cuts

Some 300,000 teachers and others might lose their jobs this year as administrators make difficult school cuts. One union launched a campaign on National Teacher Day to highlight the issue.
Education reform: Can poor test scores get a teacher fired?

In Houston, a controversial education reform measure allows teachers to be fired based on their students' test scores. Some parents back the policy, but teachers unions have reservations.
All teachers fired at R.I. school. Will that happen elsewhere?

All the teachers at Central Falls High School in Rhode Island were fired by the board of trustees this week. More such cases are likely to arise across the US in the coming year because of pressure from the Obama administration – and the incentive of billions of federal dollars.
Professor charged with murder: Did tenure pressure play a role?

A neuroscience professor at the University of Alabama-Huntsville has been charged with capital murder for killing three people after opening fire at a faculty hearing. Dr. Amy Bishop reportedly had learned that her request for tenure had been denied for a second time.
Pay that accounts for test scores: two views

Education reformers want to look at how well an individual teacher does in improving students' scores, but the focus on specific teachers doesn't sit well with many in the profession.