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Does today's teacher union fit tomorrow's educator? Perspectives from Millennials

<p> Throughout the nation, teacher unions are under fire. Their popularity in recent polls shows Americans see teacher unions as a negative influence on public schools; however, the polls also indicate Millennials express favorable opinions of and support for unions.</p><p> The primary objective of this quantitative study was to examine Millennial teachers' perceptions of the California Teachers Association (CTA) and their local unions. Using surveys, interviews, and document analysis from union leaders representing multiple school districts in Orange County, California, this study explored views of their profession, education reform, union leadership, and the role of the union in representing Millennial teachers. Once data was collected, themes were illuminated to identify common perceptions among the participants to determine the future of teacher unions in California.</p><p> Findings from the study suggest that Millennials' views on wages, benefits, and working conditions are not contradictory to those held by veteran colleagues. However, Millennials recommend a more inviting approach to generate more Millennial involvement in teacher unions. Finally, Millennials suggest the status quo change to be more open to reform and flexibility in teacher evaluations, tenure, and the traditional workday. This study provided data that suggests that Millennials' perceptions of the function of the union are that it should continue to play its historical and traditional roles of negotiating contracts and protecting working conditions, but as union membership changes the perceptions of union members have moved into the 21st century.</p>

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:PROQUEST/oai:pqdtoai.proquest.com:3582090
Date24 February 2015
CreatorsSwenson-Chipman, Heidi
PublisherCalifornia State University, Fullerton
Source SetsProQuest.com
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
Typethesis

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