AFT President Randi Weingarten on education, public schools and the union

[proud2BlibKansan]

by Randi Weingarten

Teachers and their unions want what the country wants: public schools that provide a great education to all students and graduate them ready for life—including active engagement in our democracy—and for college and for work. To get there, we have to close the achievement gap, turn around struggling schools and support all students, no matter their ZIP code.

This is not an insurmountable task but unfortunately, the path to achieving the goal has been bogged down with an inordinate amount of finger-pointing—especially around educating America’s disadvantaged children. This is unproductive and doesn’t help improve one school or one child’s chance to excel.

Contrary to the portrayal of teacher unions in divisive media coverage, members of the American Federation of Teachers work collaboratively and creatively in school districts across the country with administrators, elected officials, parents, community and business leaders and others to educate children.

For example, in Philadelphia, Spring Garden Elementary School’s teachers educate 320 students in grades K-8 who have overcome tremendous odds not just to get to school every day but to excel. About 95 percent of the students live at the poverty level; 15 percent are homeless and make their way to school from two nearby shelters. Spring Garden is an example of a public education success story. In this school—one with a vibrant union—staff and teachers work hand in hand with the administration and community to ensure Philadelphia’s neediest children have every opportunity to succeed.

more . . . http://www.care2.com/causes/education/blog/aft-president-randi-weingarten-helps-launch-education-channel/

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. For some reason, the link doesn't load any text.

Can you tell me by what metric she claims success at the Spring Garden Elementary School?

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. Link works fine for me

No she doesn't go into detail about that school.

[madrchsod]

2. well arne and obama think the public schools are failures

private and public charter schools are the solution to those high priced union teachers.opps i meant why dick and jane are failing...

the new head of the chicago school system is trying to reverse some of the damage that arne did when he gutted the public school system.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

3. ...you do realize that about 40% of the kids at that school are failing, right?