AFT Vermont 2016 Legislative Platform to Reclaim the Promise of Public Higher Education
State supported higher education provides opportunities for children of working families to earn a degree and live a middle class life. State colleges and universities also provide workers opportunities to further their careers with affordable continuing education and certifications. Whether it is an early educator who wants to provide the best possible service for the children she cares for, or a recent high school graduate who isn’t sure yet what he wants to do for his career, Vermonters should have access to high quality, affordable higher education.
New Report to Reclaim the Promise for Affordable Public Higher Education in Vermont
Vermont higher education faces the problem of chronic underfunding of its public postsecondary institutions that results in inadequate resources for instruction and academic support while creating an overreliance on tuition dollars. This problem has grown since a decision in the 1980s to pursue a "high tuition / high aid" approach for state funding, coupled with subsequent overall state disinvestment.
Trump fails a crucial test
In her latest column appearing in the New York Times, AFT President Randi Weingarten writes about Donald Trump's education policies amd how they would devastate our public education system.
Weingarten lauds AFT's past, looks ahead to fall elections
AFT President Randi Weingarten on July 18 delivered a forceful case for Hillary Clinton, while hailing the 100-year-old union as a vehicle empowering our more than 1.6 million workers at the bargaining table and the ballot box.
Michigan Legislature lashes out at Detroit schools
The Michigan House of Representatives, ignoring fierce opposition from the Democratic minority, passed a dead-of-night financial aid package for Detroit Public Schools that had been twisted into a partisan screed against Detroit teachers and school employees.
How the teacher shortage could turn into a crisis
In her latest column appearing in the New York Times, AFT President Randi Weingarten writes about the looming teacher shortage our public schools face and how we can address the challenge before it turns into a crisis.