The Chicago Teachers Strike: A Turning Point in American Education

A Fight for the Soul of Public Education: The Story of the Chicago Teachers Strike

by Loren W. Christensen

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2800 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	328 pages
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

FREE

The Chicago Teachers Strike of 1987 was a turning point in American education. It was the longest teacher strike in U.S. history, lasting 19 days. The strike had a profound impact on the city of Chicago, the state of Illinois, and the nation as a whole.

The Causes of the Strike

The strike was caused by a number of factors, including:

• Low teacher salaries
• Large class sizes
• Lack of resources
• A hostile work environment

The teachers' union, the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU),had been negotiating with the Chicago Board of Education for months without success. The union was demanding a 20% salary increase, smaller class sizes, more resources, and a more supportive work environment.

The Strike

The strike began on September 1, 1987. Over 20,000 teachers walked off the job, closing all of Chicago's public schools. The strike was met with widespread support from the city's parents and students.

The strike lasted for 19 days. During that time, the teachers and the Board of Education engaged in intense negotiations. On September 19, the two sides reached an agreement. The teachers won a 10% salary increase, smaller class sizes, more resources, and a more supportive work environment.

The Impact of the Strike

The Chicago Teachers Strike had a profound impact on the city of Chicago, the state of Illinois, and the nation as a whole.

In Chicago, the strike led to a number of reforms in the city's public schools. The Board of Education increased funding for schools, hired more teachers, and reduced class sizes. The strike also led to a greater awareness of the challenges facing teachers and students in urban schools.

In Illinois, the strike led to the passage of a new state law that gave teachers the right to strike. The law also created a new state agency, the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board, to oversee collective bargaining between teachers and school districts.

Nationally, the strike had a significant impact on the debate over education reform. The strike showed that teachers were willing to stand up for their rights and that they were not afraid to use their power to improve the quality of education for their students.

The Chicago Teachers Strike of 1987 was a turning point in American education. The strike led to a number of important reforms in Chicago's public schools, the state of Illinois, and the nation as a whole. The strike also showed that teachers are willing to stand up for their rights and that they are not afraid to use their power to improve the quality of education for their students.

A Fight for the Soul of Public Education: The Story of the Chicago Teachers Strike

by Loren W. Christensen

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2800 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	328 pages
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

FREE