Mary Hatwood Futrell, president of the National Education Association, and Albert Shanker, president of the American Federation of Teachers, discuss educational reform, current problems in education, teacher education, teachers' associations, and the professionalization of teaching. (MT)

Pessimists say the proposed merger of the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) will create a union that will be more combative with superintendents and school boards. Optimists envision a more focused union positioned to work together with boards and administrators on school reform. (MLF)

Three problems of New York City (New York) schools--overpopulation, low academic standards, violence--are examined, and an effort led by parent and teacher organizations to improve conditions is described. Threatened closings (schools under registration review, SURR) and a program of violence reduction (Straight Talk about Risks, STAR) are noted.…

This anthology examines exemplary practices of teachers' unions at the local and national level, presenting visions for the 21st century that involve teachers' unions in the fight to improve public schools and conditions of social justice throughout U.S. communities. Six sections feature 25 articles: (1) "Overview," including…

This book suggets that teachers and teacher unions should take the lead in making changes to promote educational quality and prepare students for the 21st century, where knowledge rather than industry will be the organizing principle. Part 1, "A Call to Action," describes how American society is changing and how these shifts necessitate the…

Profiles the career and contributions of educator and historian Lucy Maynard Salmon. Salmon's work on uniform standards for college admission became the basis of the College Entrance Examination. She developed a curriculum for elementary school history instruction that incorporated classical literature, folk tales, and biographies. (MJP)

This report describes a summer workshop, attended by 17 persons from 13 institutions of higher education, on the theme of "Revitalizing Teacher Education in the Mid Eighties." The first two chapters of this report describe, in addition to the workshop itself, the teacher education project which sponsored it. Chapters 3, 4, 5, and 6 contain theme…

The American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) appointed a Task Force on Shortage/Surplus/Quality Issues in Teacher Education, which conducted a survey to: (1) assess the perception of change occurring in teacher education programs to improve the quality of graduates; (2) investigate the perception of changes in state teacher…

Portrays the current social studies curriculum reform in British Columbia as a process hampered by disagreements over the input and participation of teachers. Charts the deterioration of this process culminating in the British Columbia Social Studies Teachers' Association's withdrawal from the process. (MJP)

In 1984, the Commissions on Composition, Curriculum, Language, Literature, Media, and Reading of the National Council of Teachers of English presented reports on important educational trends and issues. The Commission on Language suggested that the move toward curriculum reform stemming from national reports on quality in education could have…

Recognizes the leadership role played by professional and educational organizations, most notably the National Geographic Society (NGS), in promoting geography education. The NGS and other organizations established standards and guidelines concerning content and instruction. Includes brief descriptions of activities and their sponsoring…