An Initial Study On The Development Of Teacher Unions In The United States Of America

The developing time of teacher unions in the western developed countries is longer, especially in the USA, and the organization structure is more perfect. They play an important role in supporting teacher's rights, promoting teacher's professional development, and then improving the education quality. So this thesis chooses the case of American teacher unions, especially the two greatest teacher unions — National Education Association and American Federation of Teachers to carry on the research. Firstly, I investigated the history of the American teacher unions and reasons influencing their development. On this basis, I discussed and analyzed their structure and functions, and then introduced and analyzed the challenge and development tendency of the American teacher unions in recent years. Summarizing up the American teacher unions finally, this thesis draws a conclusion: the American teacher unions' structure is integrity; and are exerting a guiding and service function ; the American teacher unions are independent in organization; they attach importance to teacher's rights and professional development; and their organization is tending to amalgamation.