The author works at The Atlantic Philanthropies, an international foundation dedicated to advancing lasting change for those who are unfairly disadvantaged or vulnerable to life's circumstances. At the heart of The Atlantic Philanthropies work is the belief that all people have the right to opportunity, equity, and dignity. The urgency of school…

Together, a school district and a local union are working to ensure that educators are trained in restorative practices in order to improve school climates and keep students in school and learning. This article describes how, in recent years, administrators and teachers have shifted from traditional school punishments, such as suspension, to…

In 1983, the National Commission on Excellence in Education released its now famous report, "A Nation at Risk," which warned of "a rising tide of mediocrity" in American schooling. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education but largely written by a group of prominent academics, "A Nation at Risk" invoked a crisis…

In New York City, as in many places across the country, there is much discussion about strengthening career and technical education (CTE). New York City's approach to Career and Technical Education (CTE) is held up as a model for getting this type of education right. A recent conference highlighted six schools that represented only a fraction of…

The modern-day community schools movement reached a new plateau in 2008 when Randi Weingarten made community schools a central element of her platform as the new president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). The AFT's action was a milestone on a journey that began a decade earlier, when advocates for community schools determined that it…

Now more than ever, high-quality education for all is a public good that is essential for the good of the public. As the fate of individuals and nations is increasingly interdependent, the quest for access to an equitable, empowering education for all people has become a critical issue for the American nation as a whole. No society can thrive in a…

Two papers examine the positive impact of professional development on student achievement. One discusses experiences in California which show that standards, assessment, and accountability are more likely to succeed when accompanied by extended opportunities for professional learning grounded in teachers' practice. The second explains that the…

The American Federation of Teachers has developed criteria for teachers, parents, and others to use in judging the usefulness and effectiveness of student achievement standards. The 10 criteria, first published in 1994, can be used in standards development, professional development, and community awareness efforts. (SLD)

The speeches and writings of Albert Shaker, many taken from his weekly newspaper column, reveal his abiding concern for educational improvement and his continuing commitment of the American Federation of Teachers to the support of real improvement, grounded in high standards and not in reform fads. (SLD)

The American Federation of Teachers has developed a series of documents to help educators develop appropriate achievement standards or to describe the standards of other countries. Ordering information is given for these documents and kits for setting standards in particular disciplines. (SLD)

Examines the progress of standards reform, suggesting ways to fix what is wrong in education, including: holding elected officials and school officials accountable; supporting teachers in implementing state standards; providing quality curriculum; collaborating to remedy problems with testing; developing curriculum in partnership with key…

Offers 10 academic criteria considered essential for states to adopt when establishing their educational standards. As an aid to standard setters, the article includes a list of titles from the "Defining World-Class Standards" series written by the American Federation of Teachers. Criteria categories are math, science, history and social…

Argues that, no matter how good and well-intentioned new curriculum and assessment reforms are, they will fail unless there are real-world consequences that motivate students to work hard in school. Educational systems fail because what students want, i.e., college admissions, jobs, and job training, are disconnected from school work. (GLR)

Provides examples of what content standard and a corresponding curriculum framework might look like in two subjects: world history and English. It examines how one teacher might translate these concepts into engaging lessons. Integration of subjects and relevance to students' lives are emphasized.(GLR)

Describes Connecticut's ongoing school reform efforts, which began around 1985. The reform process involves creating, supporting, and revising a coherent set of policies for improving teacher learning that are also aligned with standards for students. Planning includes state department staff in collaboration with teachers and principals. The state…