The Albert Shanker Institute (ASI) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to three themes: excellence in public education, unions as advocates for quality, and freedom of association in the public life of democracies. Its mission is to generate ideas, foster candid exchanges, and promote constructive policy proposals related to these issues. Toward these ends, ASI conducts original research, sponsors research, and organizes conferences and conversations in its three theme areas.
The Institute was founded in 1998 and is named for
Albert Shanker, the late president of the
American Federation of Teachers
The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) is the second largest teacher's labor union in America (the largest being the National Education Association). The union was founded in Chicago. John Dewey and Margaret Haley were founders.
About 60 per ...
(AFT). It is funded in part by the AFT and in part by an endowment, and is housed at the AFT headquarters in
Washington, D.C.
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ASI has a five-member staff, and is led by an independent Board of Directors composed of educators, business representatives, labor leaders, academics, and public policy analysts. The Board also includes AFT president
Randi Weingarten
Randi Weingarten (born December 18, 1957)''Who's Who in America'', 2007. is an American labor leader, attorney, and educator. She is president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and a member of the AFL–CIO. She is the former presiden ...
(who also serves as ASI's president) and AFT secretary-treasurer Fedrick Ingram (who is also ASI's secretary-treasurer). Mary Cathryn Ricker is the Institute's current Executive Director. Previous Executive Directors were Leo Casey and Eugenia Kemble.
In September 2013, the Shanker Institute and the
National Black Justice Coalition
The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) is an American civil rights organization serving primarily Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. Since 2003, NBJC has collaborated with national civil rights groups and LGBT org ...
announced they were jointly sponsoring a new
Bayard Rustin
Bayard Rustin (; March 17, 1912 – August 24, 1987) was an African American leader in social movements for civil rights, socialism, nonviolence, and gay rights.
Rustin worked with A. Philip Randolph on the March on Washington Movement, ...
Fellowship. The fellowship will be hosted by the Shanker Institute, and will encourage the advocacy, policy development, and research in three areas:
#elimination of discrimination and bullying against students;
#educational programs that encourage tolerance and respect for socio-economic differences; and
#the full integration of American schools.
References
Further reading
*"Democracy: Teach It." ''American Teacher.'' November 2003.
*Jusko, Jill. "Dangerous Disconnect." ''Industry Week.'' July 1, 2004.
*"News and Notes." ''Journal of Democracy.'' 13:3 (July 2002).
*"1998 Biennial AFT Convention Highlights." ''Education Exchange.'' 2:8 (August 1998).
"Report Says Schools Are Unfair to America." CNN. September 9, 2003.Accessed Jan. 23, 2007.
*"Two Studies By Albert Shanker Institute Examine Unionism, Professionals," ''UUP Voice.'' March 2001.
*Viadero, Debra. "Research on Discipline Not Reaching Schools, Experts Say." ''Education Week.''November 6, 2006.
External links
Albert Shanker Institute
{{DEFAULTSORT:Shanker Institute
Organizations established in 1988
American Federation of Teachers
Foundations based in the United States
Labor studies organizations
1988 establishments in Washington, D.C.
Trade unions in the United States