As the legislative session moves full steam ahead, states across the country are proceeding with legislation that seeks to curb union power and implement broad education reform. While the developments in Wisconsin and Ohio have seen the most heated debate, there are a total of 729 bills currently pending in 48 states dealing with unions and collective bargaining, according to a database compiled by the non-partisan National Conference of State Legislatures. While not every state is making national headlines, the sheer volume proves that we are witnessing a monumental shift in union power that we haven't seen in generations.   Continue Reading...

Beginning in Wisconsin, legislation aimed at curbing union power, advancing education reform policy, and ending forced unionism has spread across the country. Currently states in every part of the country are in various stages of passing their own laws as the protests and debates rage on. The national unions and their state counterparts are on the defensive, organizing large ballot initiative campaigns and considering increasing their dues to pay for their efforts to preserve their monopolies. Make sure to follow the news in your state by reading AAE's daily blog posts.   Continue Reading...

This has been a big week for the state of New Jersey in education, again centered on outspoken Governor Chris Christie. In an interview with ABC News that aired Wednesday, Christie said he puts blame on the unions for resisting change that he thinks will benefit students in the long run. He was both revered and attacked for calling NJEA officials "union thugs". Not only did Governor Christie again make headlines for his harsh words for the union, but a new and long awaited plan to evaluate teachers in the state.   Continue Reading...

Since the news in Wisconsin broke, more than 12 states have adopted similar legislation aimed at curbing union power, advancing education reform policy, and ending forced unionism. The national unions and their state counterparts have proven that regardless of outcomes in the legislature, they will fight on in court- spending countless dollars on organizing ballot initiatives and recalls. Make sure to follow the news in your state by reading AAE's daily blog posts.   Continue Reading...

The Knowledge is Power Program, or KIPP, has been celebrated as one of the most ground breaking networks of charter schools in the country. KIPP's success in significantly narrowing race and income based achievement gaps has been proven in study after study due to their aggressive and innovative approach to student learning. While KIPP's student outcomes success has been researched at length, a new study by Western Michigan University researchers sheds light on KIPP individual students and funding.   Continue Reading...

It has been a busy few months for AAE and our state affiliates. More than 12 states are in various stages of advancing laws that deal with curbing union power, advancing education reform, and ending forced unionism. The unions have proved that regardless of whether or not they win battles in the legislature, they will take the fight to the courts and potential ballot initiatives in the next election cycle.   Continue Reading...

International Summit on Teaching Profession Convenes in New YorkLast week, the Department of Education hosted a two-day conference focusing on best practices in building a world-class teaching force. Held in New York City, the conference brought American teachers and administrators together with several foreign high-performing countries.   Continue Reading...

Performance pay continues to be one of the most hot-button education reform policies being proposed by reformers and lawmakers across the country. Last week, Senate Bill 736 passed in Florida and it is now awaiting Governor Scott's signature. Among other broad reforms, the Florida bill is one of the most progressive in terms of performance pay, also known as merit pay. It requires 50 percent of a teacher's evaluation to be based on state standardized tests or other national, local, or industry measures for those subjects not gauged at the state level and evaluations are based on four distinct levels of teacher performance.   Continue Reading...

The fight in Wisconsin is far from over. Last week, Dane County Judge Maryann Sumi issued a temporary restraining order barring the new law until she can rule whether Republicans violated Wisconsin's open meetings law. While this is a setback for the Wisconsin legislation, other states are following Governor Walker's lead and are in various stages of pushing labor reform legislation.   Continue Reading...

Former Chancellor of New York City public schools Joel Klein as featured in the Washington Post this weekend:   Continue Reading...

After a month of union led protests, national media attention, walk-outs, and closed schools, Republicans in the Wisconsin state Senate and Assembly have finally approved Governor Scott Walker’s budget repair bill. The Governor is expected to sign it imminently.

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Listen Live to AAEMarch 7- 12, 2011

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The labor battle continues to heat up all over the country as Wisconsin, Indiana, Tennessee, and Ohio lawmakers are in various stages of passing legislation that would end compulsory unionism and close budget shortfalls. Despite huge protests, media coverage, attempted filibusters and walk-outs, progress has been made in Wisconsin over the last few hours.   Continue Reading...

Yesterday, lawmakers in the Idaho Senate passed landmark legislation that would phase out tenure, restrict union power, and limit contracts to one year among other components. The legislation passed on a 20-15 vote and is among three bills in the legislature that are set to carry out Superintendent Tom Luna's "Students Come First" education plan.   Continue Reading...

Last week President Obama unveiled his federal budget to mixed reviews from both parties. Among the proposals was the administration's commitment to increasing investments in new education technology. Thursday evening President Obama met with some of the biggest Silicon Valley names to discuss his plans and gain support for his technology agenda.   Continue Reading...

Idaho State Superintendent Tom Luna experienced quite the scare this week, waking up to an act of vandalism in his driveway. In the wake of his proposed bold education reform agenda, Mr. Luna has received quite the union push back to say the least. Luna's truck was left spray painted and the tires slashed Tuesday morning resulting in fingers pointing in the direction of the Idaho Education Association, Luna's biggest critic.   Continue Reading...

A recent report by the Education Intelligence Agency sheds light on the financial disclosures of the American Federation of Teachers in the 2009-2010 fiscal year. The analysis reveals that the AFT spent $2.6 million of member dues on a wide array of left-leaning advocacy groups, charities, and big labor organizations.   Continue Reading...

Former First Lady, librarian and current and longtime education advocate Laura Bush has announced a new education initiative through the President George W. Bush Institute in Houston. The program seeks to improve graduation rates by focusing on American middle schools.   Continue Reading...

Recently governors across the country have made national headlines bringing the salaries of district superintendents to light. While all of these salaries are a matter of public record, the public has become particularly outraged with the astronomical salaries of administrators at a time when school systems everywhere are seeking to cut back.   Continue Reading...

Due to some recent landmark legislation, Alabama teachers are finding themselves at a crossroads with their local union, the Alabama Education Association, an affiliate of the NEA. Recently, the Alabama Legislature passed Senate Bill 2. This measure prohibits the AEA from using payroll deductions to support political activity. This legislation is a direct blow to the union machine and the perfect opportunity for Alabama teachers to evaluate their membership and consider alternatives.   Continue Reading...