Teacher tenure rights, first established more than a century ago, are under unprecedented attack. Tenure--which was enacted to protect students' education and those who provide it--is under assault from coast to coast, in state legislatures, in state courtrooms, and in the media. In June 2014, in the case of "Vergara v. California," a…

The role of collective bargaining in K-12 education invokes sharply different perspectives and debate. Teachers and administrators bring profoundly different points of view to the discussion, creating a division which significantly colors conversations on school reform. School administrators and many educational reformers have generally been…

This article presents a discussion of the development of Jeongyojo or the Korean Teachers and Educational Workers Union from its emergence as a social movement in the late 1980s to its current status and prominent campaigns. The article identifies certain aspects of South Korean history and culture that have shaped the distinctive identity of this…

Tenure has lost public legitimacy. Of 30 states reforming civil-service systems or proposing reforms, Georgia has gone the farthest. Since 1996, new state government hires have been "at will" employees. Erosion of private-sector union strength may aid antitenure political leaders' efforts. A sidebar outlines states' actions. (10…

Argues that, in order to improve education, teachers must be granted greater authority. Reviews the factors that contribute to teacher authority character, moral integrity, membership in a true profession, and salary. Suggests that a strong professional association could contribute to teacher autonomy. (NL)

Notes that the 1980s in Great Britain have been a period for criticism of teachers and education engendered by various reports and studies. Suggests that an examination of output variables on teacher education courses will answer vital concerns on teacher effectiveness. Examines the dual problems of effective teacher education and the loss of…

This book describes teachers' work in urban New York City (New York) schools during a time of intense school reform in the 1920s. Teachers and schools coped with an ever-growing and diverse student body. Extensive interviews of teachers from this era shows the complexity of teachers' work, their problems with reform implementation, and the…

This paper explores the implications for democratic policy making and school governance of collective bargaining with teachers. Based on a case study of the 1992 Teachers Strike in Detroit, Michigan, the research examines the relationships among actors involved in the strike and in its settlement. Findings of this research suggest that the strike…

Examines issues raised at the third meeting of experimental educators, held in Moscow in 1988. Argues a teacher's creativity guarantees an educational system's health and successful reform. In a question-answer format, analyzes resistance to educational change, and teachers' responsibilities, rights, and relationships with students and…