Poll Finds Teachers' Support for Unions is Strong

U.S. teachers value their unions and believe they are doing a good job, according to a national survey released Wednesday (June 4, 2003).

The poll by Public Agenda found teachers are strong supporters of standards, are loyal to their unions, and are skeptical about pay tied to student test scores. Among the findings:

• Most teachers believe they would be worse off if they didn’t have unions to protect them.
• More than 80% believe working conditions and salaries would be much worse without collective bargaining.
• Teachers say their unions protect them against “capricious” administrators and unfounded accusations by students or parents.
• More than 80% say that without their union, “teachers would be vulnerable to school politics or administrators who abuse their power.
• 77% said that without their union, “teachers facing unfair charges from parents or students would have nowhere to turn.”
• Nearly 60% said it is “absolutely essential” for those who enter teaching from other professions or routes to go through training that mirrors the traditional certification process.

News release from the NEA

Public Agenda’s new study, “Stand by Me: What Teachers Really Think about Unions, Merit Pay and Other Professional Matters” confirms that the National Education Association accurately represents the views of its members on merit pay, tenure, and alternative routes to certification.

“Teachers understand that politically motivated panaceas such as merit pay and eliminating tenure do nothing to improve teacher quality,” said NEA President Reg Weaver. “Our members are open to alternatives, but we will always oppose quick fixes designed to weaken the voice of teachers and effectiveness of education employees in all jobs.”

The Public Agenda study looked at three key issues currently under consideration at the local, state, and national levels.

Merit Pay: Public Agenda found that most teachers oppose merit pay – based on favoritism and test scores – but many support other non-traditional compensation plans, including extra pay for extra work, incentives to work in schools in need of improvement, and incentives for National Board certification. None of those alternatives are merit pay, and NEA and its affiliates have supported those proposals.

Tenure: Public Agenda found that 58% of teachers say “tenure protects teachers from district politics, favoritism and the threat of losing their jobs to newcomers who could work for less.” Only one-third of teachers say it is too difficult to dismiss teachers who can't or won't do their jobs.

Alternate Routes to Certification: Teachers recognize the importance of having an educational background both in subject matter and how to teach. Almost 60% of teachers said that it is essential for those who enter the teaching profession to go through education programs that cover how children learn and share effective instructional strategies.

“For our members, being a union advocate is consistent with their care and commitment to children and to quality education,” Weaver said. “This study reveals that once again.”

Public Agenda Web site

Posted June 4, 2003