Are Teachers Unions To Blame For Failing Schools?
In the quest to remake America's public schools, teachers unions have frequently been blasted as an obstacle to improvement.
Critics say the unions shield poor teachers and make it difficult for districts to implement changes to improve the quality of teaching in the classroom. Some even argue that the current union structure is the main factor undermining U.S. schools today.
But do unions really deserve more of the blame than shrinking budgets and the poverty and other problems students face at home?
A group of experts recently took on that question in an Oxford-style debate, part of the Intelligence Squared U.S. series. Three argued for the motion "Don't Blame Teachers Unions For Our Failing Schools," and three argued against.
In a vote before the debate, the audience at New York University's Skirball Center for the Performing Arts voted 24 percent in favor of the motion "Don't Blame Teachers Unions For Our Failing Schools," and 43 percent voted against. A third of the audience was undecided.
The team arguing against the proposition moved the most minds — 68 percent of the audience disagreed with the motion "Don't Blame Teachers Unions For Our Failing Schools" by the end of the debate. Twenty-five percent supported the motion and 7 percent remained undecided.
The March 16 debate was moderated by John Donvan, correspondent for ABC News' Nightline.Those debating were:
FOR THE MOTION
Kate McLaughlin has been an elementary teacher in the Lowell, Mass., public schools since 1999. She is currently a mathematics coach working with both teachers and students from kindergarten through fourth grade. In addition to her full-time teaching assignment, she serves as the executive vice president of the United Teachers of Lowell #495, a local of the American Federation of Teachers.
Gary Smuts is superintendent of the ABC Unified School District, known throughout California as a leader in educational planning and innovation. He began his teaching career in 1972 at Pius X High School in Downey, Calif., and for eight years, served as principal of Cerritos High School. In 1998, Smuts was appointed director of curriculum and instruction for the ABC Unified School District, where he served in several positions before becoming superintendent in 2005. He was recently named 2009 Superintendent of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators.
Randi Weingarten is president of the 1.4 million-member American Federation of Teachers, AFL-