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

February Feb12, 2026

From the Simple View of Reading to an Integrated View of Foundational Skills

Guest author Rafely Palacios provides an analysis from an educator perspective of the new Shanker publication Elbow Room, concluding that by understanding how the brain learns to read, we move beyond ideological debates and toward teaching that truly serves all children. 

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February Feb11, 2026

When “Success” Leaves Students Behind: How Market-Based Schools Exclude Students with Disabilities

Shanker Institute Fellow Tiffany Broadbent explores the implications of the exclusion of students with disabilities in market-based schools on academic scores and student’s rights.

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February Feb10, 2026

What Changed My Mind About How to Teach Reading

This guest essay features Claude Goldenberg (Stanford University), who shares how his thinking about teaching reading changed through close work with colleagues who held different views, and how that experience points to a broader lesson. 

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Briefs | Reports