Submitted by Raj (not verified) on March 6, 2007 - 20:43.
The issue is truely double edged - unions protect teachers from admins who would make choices based only on $$s, but also make some people complacent and not willing to change. If I had the choice, I would say that while unions certainly help maintain a minimum standard in the classroom, they don't really push people to get further than that minimum. Admin on the other hand is saddled with having to deal with more money choices than anything else, making it hard for them to promote innovation.
The other part of the equation is that in many parts of the North Atlantic, teachers and school admin are not very well respected for their work, whereas in other parts of the world, teachers and related staff are highly respected. We have to look into changing that as well.
It's hard for people to do the extra bit, when people outside (parents et al) don't even care about the basics of what they do.
The issue is truely double
Submitted by Raj (not verified) on March 6, 2007 - 20:43.
The issue is truely double edged - unions protect teachers from admins who would make choices based only on $$s, but also make some people complacent and not willing to change. If I had the choice, I would say that while unions certainly help maintain a minimum standard in the classroom, they don't really push people to get further than that minimum. Admin on the other hand is saddled with having to deal with more money choices than anything else, making it hard for them to promote innovation.
The other part of the equation is that in many parts of the North Atlantic, teachers and school admin are not very well respected for their work, whereas in other parts of the world, teachers and related staff are highly respected. We have to look into changing that as well.
It's hard for people to do the extra bit, when people outside (parents et al) don't even care about the basics of what they do.