Monday, May 6, 2013

Student Study: An Inquiry on Teacher Strikes – Kush Mukerjee Student Voice

Student Voice:


Student Study: An Inquiry on Teacher Strikes – Kush Mukerjee

Introducing the Student Study! Student Studies are extended blog posts written by students on a variety of different education related topics, all using a scholarly format. They’re longer pieces, so if you have the time, sit down, give it a read, and appreciate the keen insights of one of today’s students. 
In my experience, teacher strikes are ineffective and prolonged. In my senior year of high school, the teachers union had all of the teachers strike against the Board of Education in an effort to pay the teachers higher wages for their afterschool work. The organized union strike entailed that all the teachers stop helping students besides the hours that they are paid to work. This meant that there would be no afterschool clubs, no before-school help before 7:30 A.M., and no afterschool help after 2:15 P.M.  This had a profound effect on students who could not make up work, seek extra help, or prepare for their class material.
According to Zwerling, Assistant Director of Research at Pennsylvania State Education Association, “Critics of