A LOOK AT THE WEEK AHEADOctober 27 - November 3, 2000OFFICE OF NEWS AND MEDIA RELATIONS (215) 204-7476 Fax: (215) 204-4403
TEACHERS, PARENTS...AND STRIKES -- Precedents are being set in Philadelphia as the school board and teachers' union negotiate a new contract with the possibilities of a strike and a state takeover looming. "There's no question things have changed as a result of two pieces of legislation passed in Harrisburg that limit how long teachers can strike and enable a state takeover if a strike happens," says Temple education historian William Cutler. "In the past, the teachers would never have worked without a contract. The situation is pretty dicey right now."
Teachers' unions date back to the early 1900s, when Chicago's union was formed, but unions really grew after World War II, says Cutler. Strikes that followed often strained the relationships between teachers and parents, notes Cutler, adding that a strike in Philadelphia could likely do the same thing. "Strikes have definitely made for a much more adversarial relationship between parents and teachers," says Cutler, author of the new book, Parents and Schools: The 150-Year Struggle for Control of American Education. "In parents' eyes, teachers are supposed to be surrogate parents. They're looked upon to nurture and care for the children. As teachers had more frequent strikes, their relationship with parents was poisoned to a certain extent." Reach Dr. Cutler through the Office of News & Media Relations, 215-204-7476.
THE BEST PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE FOR THE WHITE HOUSE -- What kind of a presidency can we expect from either George Bush or Al Gore? "Neither candidate has an abundance of leadership skills sufficient to elevate him immediately into the pantheon of presidential greatness," says Temple history professor James Hilty. "Gore likely would be a hands-on president, who delegates sparingly and who sees his office as the hub around which all activity flows. As president he would most certainly insist that most measures be initiated from the White House," says Hilty.
"Bush, on the other hand, would establish the White House as the place where decisions were made, rather than policies initiated. He uses the leadership style of a corporate CEO, delegates extensively, loathes details, relies on advisors to present options, then decides quickly." To reach Hilty, call his office, 204-5581, or contact him through the Office of News and Media Relations.
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You can choose from over 25 academic fields, and decide if mail, fax or e-mail is best for you. Visit the Office of News and Media Relations web site at www.temple.edu/news_media/media_contact.html and receive news you can use, the way you need it.
Cheryl AfonsoTemple UniversityOffice of News andMedia Relations215.204.7476[email protected]
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