Notebook

Why Teacher Unions Are Good for Teachers—and the Public
By Diane Ravitch

Protecting teachers from ill-conceived instructional mandates, intolerable conditions, and poor compensation—these are all reasons why teacher unions were important 100 years ago, and remain so today, says this noted education historian.

Protecting Academic Standards
How My Union Makes It Possible
By Erich Martel

One teacher's story about how his union is backing his efforts to stop administrators' grade manipulation.

Nurturing Teacher Knowledge
How Union-Led Professional Development Is Raising Reading Achievement
By Neill S. Rosenfeld

In Toledo, the union and district have partnered to deliver research-based curriculum and lessons to students.

Toledo Teacher Union President: Partner When You Can, Fight When You Must

Collective bargaining is often assumed to cause teacher turnover in high-poverty schools. But new research shows that the transfer rate is lower in areas with extensive collective bargaining—and higher where there is no collective bargaining.

Critics' Claims Have No Evidence

Cultivate the Right Solution: It's Attracting and Retaining Experienced Teachers
By Lynn W. Gregory, Nancy Nevarez, and Alexandra T. Weinbaum

Through the Lead Teacher Project, negotiated between the New York City public schools and the United Federation of Teachers, schools in the South Bronx found a way to attract great teachers—and retain new ones.

Bringing Experience to the South Bronx:
A Parent's Story

Cultivating Solutions Through Bargaining

Ask the Cognitive Scientist
Do Reading Comprehension Strategies Work?
By Daniel T. Willingham

Once students can decode fluently, some brief instruction in reading comprehension strategies can boost their understanding. But the strategies shouldn't be overused because they don't substitute for the background knowledge and vocabulary necessary for comprehension.

Science Careers for the "Why Study Science?" Crowd
By Megan Sullivan and Steve Metz

Roller coaster designer? Scientific illustrator? Forensics technician? These careers all require knowledge of science. Could this handout inspire your students?