In "The Courage to Collaborate," school turnaround expert Ken Futernick makes the case that collaboration between school management and teacher unions is a necessary condition for educational improvement. The author cites evidence showing that collaboration often leads to increased trust, stronger professional relationships, better…

It is hard to imagine a more critical time for helping the low-skilled and disenfranchised youth in our communities to become gainfully employed. Even as the nation suffers through its worst economic downturn in decades, America's business and industry leaders are predicting an unprecedented shortage of educated and skilled workers to meet the…

Research and experience in school labor relations suggest that superintendents can be more effective during contract talks by acting like unbiased education leaders--not tough negotiators. Superintendents can avoid taking adversarial positions by staying off the bargaining team and following suggested guidelines for their role as educator,…

Reviews present labor statutes and examines three alternatives to current practices; proposes that teaching, by its nature, is not well administered by industrial standards or well adjudicated through industrial unionism. Suggests "professional unionism" as a means of effecting educational reform. (DR)

In "Garcia v. San Antonio Metropolitan Transit Authority" (1985), the United States Supreme Court ruled that the Tenth Amendment does not preclude application of the federal minimum wage act and the Fair Labor Standards Act to state and local government employees. This paper explains "Garcia" history and implications for…

An indispensable book for administrators, policymakers, scholars, and practitioners, "Urban School Reform" presents a revealing portrait of reform efforts while identifying the full range of issues that education reformers will need to address in districts across the country in the years ahead. Today's urban school reformers face a…

States that central to any efforts to improve urban schools is the relationship between the school managers and the teachers' union. Recommendations include creating learner-centered schools; focusing on improving the knowledge and skills of teachers; negotiating "Living Contracts"; and expanding school choice by making public schools…

Criticizes the concept of superintendents functioning as chief negotiators in collective bargaining processes (it endangers the relationship with teachers, and puts an extra burden on the demanding job of a superintendent). Lists five recommendations for hiring outside negotiators. (MD)

Union and school board representatives studied basic negotiating techniques at a five-day workshop. Improved relations and cooperation were the result. (MLF)

Examines "Chicago Teachers Union v. Hudson," a United States Supreme Court decision guaranteeing non-union government workers specific protections of procedural due process that certain educational and teacher unions had failed to recognize. Decries the "Hudson" decision for separating labor law from laws governing the rest of…

A training program used successfully in more that 40 school systems consists of an intensive 5-day workshop involving lectures, role-playing exercises, simulated negotiations, and indepth discussions about bargaining issues. (MLF)

A long-term approach to collective bargaining is presented that involves school administrators and the union working together in a collaborative process of negotiation. In this way the bargaining process works as a series of opportunities for both parties to solve mutual problems. (MD)

Public employers, including school districts, are faced with unionized workers' demanding a larger share of public resources. The formation of regional bargaining associations for employers to counteract union demands is proposed. A case study of a successful association is provided. (MD)

In 1990 the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law to ensure the full participation and equal opportunity of the disabled in the United States. Among its many requirements is the obligation on employers, including school districts, to provide those applicants and employees with disabilities who possess the requisite skill, education,…

This step-by-step guide provides practical advice for local board members, administrators, and school board negotiators on determining current and anticipated costs, so that union demands can be analyzed. It concisely describes the "how to" of scattergrams (graphic distribution of staff salary structure), salary guides, percentage versus flat…