A mantra in recent years has been to blame the teachers’ unions for many of the problems that beset public education. Americans only need look at Wisconsin, where the governor and lawmakers pushed through legislation curtailing the collective bargaining rights of teachers and other public employees. This special report, "Joining Forces," examines the attempts by a small but growing number of districts and unions to work together to enhance the knowledge and skills of teachers and, in turn, improve the achievement of schoolchildren.
From left, New Haven schools Superintendent Reggie Mayo, Mayor John DeStefano Jr., and New Haven Federation of Teachers President David Cicarella stand inside City Hall. Working together, they have been able to make changes to the Connecticut school district that are expected to improve student achievement and teacher performance.
Teachers and residents in the Racine, Wis., area hold an informational picket in front of the school system’s central offices in February to express disapproval over Gov. Scott Walker’s plan to curb collective bargaining for most public employees.
Memphis kindergarten teacher Margaret Box works with children in her class. A veteran of 36 years in the district, Ms. Box says she was at first skeptical that teachers and district officials could work together in building a teacher-evaluation system, but she has since come to believe in the work.
Lloyd Walzer, left the president of the Lucia Mar Unified Teachers Association, and Lucia Mar schools Superintendent Jim Hogeboom stand outside Oceano Elementary School. The pair are working together to implement a comprehensive teacher-support program in the district
Fourth grade teacher Melissa Rhone leads students in a grammar lesson. She calls the new teacher-evaluation system being used in the New Haven, Conn., schools a "reality check."
All content on Education Week's websites is protected by copyright. No part of this publication shall be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic or otherwise, without the written permission of the copyright holder. Readers may make up to 5 print copies of this publication at no cost for personal, non-commercial use, provided that each includes a full citation of the source. For additional print copies, or for permission for other uses of the content, visit www.edweek.org/help/reprints-photocopies-and-licensing-of-content or email reprints@educationweek.org and include information on how you would like to use the content. Want to seamlessly share more EdWeek content with your colleagues? Contact us today at pages.edweek.org/ew-for-districts-learn-more.html to learn about how group online subscriptions can complement professional learning in your district or organization.