A Study Of The American Federation Of Teachers

This study tends to make an introduction to American Federation of Teachers (AFT)and comments on its development, cause analysis, organization and functions, operationalmechanics and its growing tendency. In the course of its development, the AFT has grownto a strong and influential association from a small organization, which can be comparedfavorably with National Education Association. The reasons why the AFT is so charmingand influential and enjoys teacher members' support and appreciation are that it upholdsboth the Union and professional orientations and tries to improve teachers' social statusand their rights, increase their welfare and living conditions, and develop theirprofessional levels and overall qualities as well. The study is not only an introduction tothe AFT, but also provides China's teacher education with valuable resources, andparticularly produces some referential experiences and theoretical sources for our teacherdevelopment in the new curriculum reform. The professional orientation of AFT is worthlearning and following. To organize teachers' association with professional orientation iscompatible with Chinese characteristics, and is able to decrease the load of educationaladministration, to exploit and employ various social recourses, and to develop teachers'professional levels and overall qualities. Thus, the author believes that the study hastheoretical value and practical significance.