The AFT has developed a series of brochures, called Classroom Tips, to assist educators in the classroom and beyond. These concise publications will be an effective and useful addition to your back-to-school and throughout-the-year organizing campaigns. Download single copies for free below; mailed copy 50 cents ea. (minimum 2), 100 or more copies are 20 cents each. $2.50 per set of nine, 15 or more sets are $1.50 each. Further discounts are available to affiliates ordering in bulk.
The Classroom Tips series include the following nine titles:

A Guide to Understanding National Board Certification: 2009-10 Candidacy Cycle (Adobe pdf)
This guide—produced jointly by the AFT and the NEA—capitalizes on the experiences of National Board Certified Teachers and others engaged in candidate support, sharing practical advice about how to approach the National Board's assessments and how to increase the prospect of successfully completing them. Item no. 39-09004. $5 each; $3 each for five or more copies (June 2009). 

Becoming a Teacher (Adobe pdf)
This booklet, targeted to middle and high school students, provides answers to questions about the teaching profession and how to become a teacher. 12 pages. Single copy free (June 2008).

Meeting the Challenge: Recruiting and Retaining Teachers in Hard-to-Staff Schools (Adobe pdf)
The AFT is deeply concerned that not all schools are equally able to attract and retain qualified staff. All children deserve excellent teachers who know their content, how to teach it and how to maximize student learning. This paper puts forth several successful and promising strategies to help solve the school-staffing problem. 36 pages. Item no. 39-0093. (June 2007).

Principles for Professional Development (Adobe pdf)
The AFT prepared a set of guidelines to help its affiliates review, evaluate, improve, and design professional development programs. Among the central themes the guidelines highlight are the need for professional development that helps teachers gain deep knowledge of the subjects they teach; reflects current research on teaching and learning; is aligned with the curriculum and standards they use; leads teachers to be intellectually engaged with their colleagues; is job-embedded; and provides teachers sufficient time, support, and resources to master new content and pedagogy. 10 pages. Item no. 39-0176. Single copy $2; $1 each for orders of five or more (Reprinted Feb. 2006).

Lesson Study: Teacher-Led Professional Learning (Adobe pdf)
This brochure defines a unique professional development called "lesson study." During the lesson study process teachers increase their knowledge of academic content; explore ways to engage students; and observe how students think about what they are learning. Item no. 39-0271. $1 each; 25 cents each for orders of 10 or more (May 2005).

The Journey to the Top of the Profession … Begins in Your Classroom (Adobe pdf)
What does it take to become a National Board Certified Teacher? What are the benefits of National Board Certification? This brochure has been developed to answer these and other questions you may have about the certification process. 2 pages. Item no. 39-0188. Free for members; 25 cents for non-members (June 2007).

What Is Lesson Study? (Adobe pdf)
Lesson study is the primary form of professional development for Japanese teachers. Its goal is continual improvement of teaching so that children will learn more. Its primary focus is how students think and learn. This paper defines the lesson study process, includes a question-and-answer section, and provides a list of resources for those interested in learning more about the lesson study approach. 5 pages (2004).

Educational Research and Dissemination Program (ER&D) (Adobe pdf)
This booklet answers questions about AFT’s ER&D program, including information on course offerings and how to start a program in your local. 11 pages (2004).

 



Where We Stand: Teacher Quality (Adobe pdf)
This booklet contains resolutions on teacher quality issues passed at the 1998, 2000, and 2002 AFT conventions. Also included are a question-and-answer section, background information, and background reading. 52 pages. Item no. 39-0230. $3 each (June 2003).

Beginning Teacher Induction: The Essential Bridge (Adobe pdf)
This policy brief provides the underlying research-based rationale for the AFT's policy on beginning teacher induction and why induction matters. 13 pages. Item no. 39-PB0013. $1 each (September 2001).

A Report of the AFT Task Force On Union-Sponsored Professional Development (Adobe pdf)
This report lays out an expanded vision for the AFT as a professional union. It calls on the AFT to elevate professional issues generally, and professional development specifically, to a more prominent role in the organization and to ensure that assisting members to improve their professional practice is integrated into the core mission of the union. 30 pages. Item no. 39-0187. Single copy $3; $2 each for orders of five or more (July 2001, Reprinted Sept. 2007).

Building a Profession: Strengthening Teacher Preparation and Induction (Adobe pdf)
This report, from the AFT's K-16 Teacher Education Task Force, calls for more rigorous standards and professional development. The report also finds that teacher education programs must be more closely linked to the teaching profession and more directly involved in the teacher induction activities of local school districts. 52 pages. Item no. 36-0697. Single copy $3 (April 2000).

Mentor Teacher Programs in the States (Adobe pdf)
This policy brief addresses the need to find programs that will increase the effectiveness of beginning teachers and encourage them to remain in the teaching profession. 13 pages (September 1998).

Peer Assistance and Peer Review: An AFT/NEA Handbook (Adobe pdf)
Prepared for the AFT/NEA joint conference on teacher quality, this handbook is designed to assist affiliates interested in developing peer assistance and/or peer review programs in their local sites. Highlights include: how to develop support for the program; features that must be addressed in developing a program; and contract language consideration as affiliates negotiate to develop such programs. 21 pages plus appendices (1998).