REFLECTS ACHIEVEMENT

A Seminar Series for Union Leaders, Policy Experts and
Superintendents on Unions and Achieving Schools

“Unions, TEACHING QUALITY, AND Student Achievement”

Hyatt Regency Washington

400 New Jersey Avenue, NW

June 4-5, 2007

 June 4

6:00 p.m.                      Reception

 6:30 p.m.                      Opening Dinner

Welcome:

Ed McElroy, President, Albert Shanker Institute and American Federation of Teachers

Why Teachers and Education Need a Union Voice

Diane Ravitch, Research Professor of Education, New York University, and Member, Albert Shanker Institute Board of Directors

Respondent:

Randi Weingarten, President, United Federation of Teachers

June 5

8:30 am                        Continental Breakfast
 

9:00 a.m.                      THE UNION’S ROLE IN ENSURING THAT TEACHING QUALITY MATCHES STUDENT NEEDS

Part I:  What Does the Research Say About Teaching Quality?

Suzanne Wilson, Chair, Department of Teacher Education, and Director, Center for the Scholarship of Teaching, Michigan State University

9:45 a.m.                      Part II:  Staffing for Extra Need – Hard-to-Staff Schools and Positions – Union Policies, Union Effects

 What does the research say is needed?

What do unions and administrations actually say and do?

What does the research suggest that unions and administrators might do differently?

Howard Nelson, Senior Associate Director, Office of the President, AFT

Katharine Strunk, Assistant Professor of Education Policy, University of California, Davis

Discussion

11:00 a.m.                   Break

11:15 a.m.                   Part III:  Promoting and Recognizing Teacher Excellence – Pay for Performance, Mentoring and Induction, Peer Review and Intervention, Providing Quality Curriculum and Aligned Professional Development

What does the research say is needed?

What do unions and administrations actually say and do?

What does the research suggest that unions and administrators might do differently?

Susan Moore Johnson, Carl H. Pforzheimer, Jr. Professor of Teaching and Learning, Harvard University

Fran Lawrence, President, Toledo Federation of Teachers and Chair, AFT PreK-12 Program and Policy Council

Respondent:

David K. Cohen, John Dewey Collegiate Professor of Education and Walter H. Annenberg Professor of Education Policy, University of Michigan, and Member, Albert Shanker Institute Board of Directors

12:30 p.m.                    Working Lunch

 

Working on Partnerships – Panel I: From Where the Superintendent Sits

Kathleen Cashin, Superintendent, Region 5, New York City Public Schools

Rudy Crew, Superintendent, Miami-Dade County Public Schools

Nanciann Gatta, Assistant Superintendent, Niles Township High School District

Gary Smuts, Superintendent, ABC Unified School District

Working on Partnerships – Panel II: From Where the Local President Sits

Karen Aronowitz, President, United Teachers of Dade

Dan Montgomery, President, North Suburban Teachers Union

Laura Rico, President, ABC Federation of Teachers

Randi Weingarten, President, United Federation of Teachers

Moderators:

Barbara Byrd Bennett, Executive in Residence, Cleveland State University, and Member, Albert Shanker Institute Board of Directors

Toni Cortese, AFT Executive Vice President and Member, Albert Shanker Institute Board of Directors

Discussion

2:30 p.m.                      Break

2:45 p.m.                      Where Do We Go From Here?

Discussion

4:30 p.m.                      Wrap-Up:  Ed McElroy

###