by Pamela Sigler Taylor

Created on: July 28, 2008

The contract has everything to do with the quality of education your child is receiving. Union negotiated contracts have varying effects on the outcome of a child's education than a non-union contract does. Principals' contracts also influence how your child learns. Here's why.

Union negotiations are generally focused upon three major things. They are pay including a benefit packages, working conditions, and employment security. Union representation and bargaining focuses more on teacher's interests. It gives less attention to how that performance affects student outcomes. Research shows that union schools reach the middle of the road children better than the top and bottom kids. Money that could have been spent on special classes or help is funneled into payroll and benefits. These contracts do affect a child's education, especially if the child is functioning in the top or bottom of their class.

Non union schools contracts are not as focused on staff desires. Research shows for varying reasons that they usually reach all children better.

The principals' contracts in my opinion need to begin to focus on the fact that they are the educational leaders in their buildings. They also need to be a part of the bargaining procedure as to allow the union to know that they may get what they want but they must also give in to requests for the sake of the children's education.

Both teachers and administration are responsible for the education of our youth. They should barter for their rights. But, the children's education must come first. They need to collaborate to pursue common goals. For example, if the teachers union asks for more time to collaborate with their team members the administrators may ask for them to use this time to research new ideas. They may ask for verification of this use through weekly progress sheets. This would allow the staff to have the time they desire but with the goal that they use it part of it to improve/ update their teaching methods.

Another idea might be that if teachers' are given higher pay then they must be able to verify that they are in fact teaching using best practices. Researched based teaching should be proven. Yes, they may not get the same results as next door. But, if they are trying by using the best methods then that should be rewarded.

Contracts do have power in our schools. They need to be worded as to demand professional standards. They should no longer accept less. Negotiations need to be a tool to help the educational outcome in our schools progress. They should not just focus on how many sick days a staff member receives or how many children are in a classroom. They need to give all children what society wants for them, a proper education.

Learn more about this author, Pamela Sigler Taylor.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.