The Albert Shanker Institute is a nonprofit organization established in 1998 to honor the life and legacy of the late president of the American Federation of Teachers; we are committed to three fundamental principles:

Vibrant Democracy

Strengthen, defend, and extend democracy as the best guarantor of universal civil and human rights, at home and around the world, in every facet of life and for every person.

Quality Public Education

Strengthen and recognize public education as a cornerstone of democracy, where schools encourage critical thinking enabling all students to be well-informed and engaged citizens.

A Voice for Working People

Strengthen the essential role of unions in a democracy as organizations that offer workers a voice, lift living standards, enhance institutions, and promote the common good.

Research | Commentary

April Apr27, 2026

Equity and Fairness Equals Civic and Business Success

Guest author and Albert Shanker Institute board member Stanley S. Litow looks at how fairness and equity in the workplace is key to both economic and societal success.

Read

April Apr7, 2026

The Wright Hire: What Maryland's Decision Tells Us About Literacy Reform

When Maryland recruited Dr. Carey Wright to lead its public school system, the choice was striking on its face: a strongly Democratic state turning to the architect of literacy reforms from a deeply Republican one. You could read that as a political story. But it might be more useful and accurate to understand it as evidence of something else: that beneath the visible layer of policy, literacy reform is spreading in ways that don't follow partisan lines. 

 

Read

March Mar17, 2026

When Literacy Reform Meets the Classroom

Guest author Cooper Sved analyzes his experience trying to implement Virginia's new Literacy Act with implications for future legislation. 

Read

Briefs | Reports