I’m such a stereotypical female learner in that I love social studies and love literature, and I always struggled with math and science. Randi Weingarten Read Quote
The American Federation of Teachers has a long track record of working with administrators, parents, and communities to provide real help to struggling students and low-performing schools. We’ve learned that intensive interventions, proven programs, and adequate resources can transform students’ lives and their schools. Randi Weingarten Read Quote
Ensuring that we help prepare all kids for life, college, and work in our knowledge-based economy will require a collaborative, sustained effort from all stakeholders – from the president and the secretary of education on down to states, school districts, principals, teachers, parents, and community members. Randi Weingarten Read Quote
Good tests can help teachers determine how their students are performing and identify the areas in which their students need assistance. Like an X-ray, however, tests can diagnose, but they cannot cure. Randi Weingarten Read Quote
I’ve heard from pre-K and kindergarten teachers alike that the Common Core is inappropriately pushing written literacy standards when the focus should be on the development of oral literacy skills. And that’s actually delaying the development of literacy. Randi Weingarten Read Quote
Education – much like law or medicine – should be a profession governed by professionals. Unfortunately, too many policies, even those that are well-intentioned, come from the top, leaving out those closest to the classroom, who have the greatest insight into how to provide a high-quality education for all students. Randi Weingarten Read Quote
Sure, just like there are bad lawyers, bad doctors and bad politicians, there are people who aren’t cut out to be teachers. But by and large, the people who are called to be teachers are passionate about the profession. Randi Weingarten Read Quote
Merit pay has failed repeatedly, and it’s no surprise. When you base teacher pay on standardized test scores, you won’t improve education; you just promote the high-stakes testing craze that’s led parents, students and educators to shout ‘Enough!’ all across the country. Randi Weingarten Read Quote
If we want to recruit and retain high-quality teachers, it starts with a fair wage, adequate working conditions, and the resources and support to succeed. Remember: teachers’ working conditions are students’ learning conditions. Randi Weingarten Read Quote
All working parents should have paid family leave. That’s one of many reasons I’m working to elect Hillary Clinton. She has a plan to guarantee workers – men and women – up to 12 weeks of paid family leave to care for a new child or a seriously ill family member. Randi Weingarten Read Quote
