Statement of Sandra Feldman, President
American Federation of Teachers
on the Report of the Teaching Commission

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Although I do not agree with some aspects of this report, I support its thrust and direction. The report aims to spur significant improvements in several key areas: teacher education and induction; teacher compensation through more professional salary arrangements that reward knowledge, skills, and performance; and the conditions in which teachers work, by fostering effective school leadership and providing teachers the appropriate resources, professional development, and involvement in decision making.

The bottom line is that improving teaching improves student learning. To attract and keep excellent teachers, we must substantially improve their preparation, provide salaries that match their responsibilities as well as their performance, and train principals who will provide the supportive conditions teachers need to do their best work.

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The AFT represents more than 1.3 million pre-K through 12th-grade teachers, paraprofessionals and other school support employees, higher education faculty, nurses and other healthcare workers, and state and local government employees.