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.

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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.

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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.

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Research | Commentary

June Jun25, 2026

Time: The Missing Ingredient in Literacy Reform

by Jack Schneider and Ashley Carey

Guest authors Jack Schneider and Ashley Carey are two of the co-authors of On the Clock: The Centrality of Time in Teacher Work, a new research brief published by the Albert Shanker Institute. They argue that policy implementation—whatever its evidentiary base— requires honoring the time constraints that define teaching. 

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June Jun17, 2026

Juneteenth, Truth-Telling, and the Power of Union-Supported Educators

by Karla Hernández-Mats

As we celebrate Juneteenth, guest author Karla Hernández-Mats reminds us that teaching is a collective commitment to students and communities, and that unions are guardians of educational integrity, who empower teachers to teach truthfully and resist external pressures that seek to limit their professional judgment.

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June Jun4, 2026

The Accountability Gap: D.C. Schools and Students with Disabilities

by Tiffany Broadbent

Shanker Institute Fellow Tiffany Broadbent analyzes the complex structure of D.C.'s public school system and suggests meaningful changes to governance, accountability, and community participation.

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Briefs | Reports

Reading Reform Across America: A Survey of State Legislation

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The Adequacy and Fairness of State School Finance Systems (Seventh Edition)

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What Would Bayard Rustin Do? by Eric Chenoweth

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