Teachers' Unions and Education Reform in Comparative Contexts [Paperback]

Teachers unions have long been controversial and divisive organizations, but criticism and distrust of them may be at an all-time high. This volume considers the prevailing assumption that unions successfully block change in education because they are primarily motivated to protect members interests. It challenges the conceptualization of teacher union motivation and provides a more nuanced account of unions interests, power and impact.

Through a series of international cases from the United States, Finland and the Canton of Z?rich, this volume examines the hot-button issue of performance-related pay reform and compensation. It argues that a better understanding of the union-management relationship may be the key to securing more meaningful change and reform. It will be of use to scholars, policy-makers, union leaders, teachers and citizens who are interested in the possibilities for the union-management relationship, rather than the limitations.

Introduction PART ONE: RESEARCH DESIGN  1. Teachers Unions and Education Reform: A Review of the Literature  2. Beyond Narrow Assumptions of Interest and Power: A Conceptual Framework  3. Research Design, Case Selection, and Methodology  PART TWO: INTERNATIONAL CASES  4. Finland: History and Context  5. Quiet Compromises: Finlands New Salary System  6. The Canton of Z?rich: History and Context  7. Eventually Overcoming Resistance: The MAB System  8. Finland and Z?rich: Multiple Pathways to Reform  PART THREE: SCHOOL DISTRICT CASES  9. Teachers Unions in the United States: A Sub-National Test  10. School District Analysis: A Series of Congruence Tests  PART FOUR: CONCLUSION  11. Useful Conflict?: Finding the Path to Progress

Lindsay M. Whortonl�