Traces the history of Al Shanker's work in building the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), focusing on his tenure as president of the organization. During his presidency, the AFT won 1,249 elections involving half a million people and added 373 locals to its membership. (SLD)

This collection of the writings and speeches of Albert Shanker, long-time president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), focuses on his efforts in elevating the profession of teaching. As he contended and demonstrated, building teaching as a profession relied on the development of a strong union of teachers, the AFT. (SLD)

In this collection of the writings and speeches of Al Shanker, the focus is on his interest in civil and human rights, for teachers, students, and the citizens of the world. Central to his views was the belief that education is the way to economic equality. (SLD)

The speeches and writings of Albert Shaker, many taken from his weekly newspaper column, reveal his abiding concern for educational improvement and his continuing commitment of the American Federation of Teachers to the support of real improvement, grounded in high standards and not in reform fads. (SLD)

Recounts experiences of the author as one of the black students who integrated Central High School in Little Rock (Arkansas) in 1957 and presents a retrospective as she looks back on her story and the civil rights movement. (SLD)

Describes the Nashville (Tennessee) lunch-counter sit-ins in 1960, civil-rights demonstrations led by students, and the resultant boycott of downtown businesses by blacks and sympathetic, or uneasy, whites. Many participants in the Nashville sit-ins went on to larger roles in the civil-rights movement. (SLD)

Describes the strike teachers in Saint Paul (Minnesota) carried out in 1946 to protest poor working conditions and low salaries. These teachers stayed on the picket line for more than five weeks until they had won better school financing and higher salaries and affirmed the role of collective bargaining for teachers. (SLD)

Most tributes to the late Barbara Jordan focused on her life in public service, but this appreciation recalls her brilliance as a teacher. The values behind her noted voice lent her speech, as political figure and teacher, its authority. (SLD)

Presents the story of the Star-Spangled Banner, explaining that Francis Scott Key's poem is not mere patriotic rhetoric, but is rooted in an important moment in U.S. history and in the joy that Key felt when the dawn revealed the American flag still flying over Fort McHenry following the destruction of Washington, D.C. and attack on Baltimore. (SM)

Paintings can fulfill many different pedagogical purposes. They can illuminate and bring to life historical events and characters. Paintings and other images can also make students aware of a point of view (the artist's commentary), which enriches and modifies the history they find in books and documents. This article provides examples of teaching…

Explains that writing national history involves much more than arranging facts and dates, which is why, over 50 years after the end of World War II, the Japanese are still arguing about what actually happened during that time, Japan's role in war crimes and aggressive actions, and how to present it all in textbooks. (SM)

Describes Connecticut's ongoing school reform efforts, which began around 1985. The reform process involves creating, supporting, and revising a coherent set of policies for improving teacher learning that are also aligned with standards for students. Planning includes state department staff in collaboration with teachers and principals. The state…

Favorably reviews "The Troubled Crusade: American Education 1945-1980," by Diane Ravitch. Holds that educational reforms during this recent historical period were characterized by naivete and a lack of toughmindedness, thoroughness, and self-restraint. (GC)

Describes the role of the Wilmington (Delaware) local of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) in desegregating the state's school system. AFT leaders were instrumental in integrating teacher professional development sessions in 1945. (FMW)

Describes a collection of materials on Czechoslovakia that can be ordered as teaching aides to connect history lessons on democracy to the present situation in Europe. Contains the following materials: (1) a biographical profile of Vaclav Havel; (2) maps; (3) literature; (4) photos; (5) readings; and (6) teaching activities. (JS)