Quotes by Albert Shanker

“The next time anyone is inclined to sneer at the basics as traditional, I suggest he or she visit with a 12th -or even a sixth-grader who can barely read, write or compute and look at the pain and frustration on that students face”

“There is no more reason to pay for private education than there is to pay for a private swimming pool for those who do not use public facilities.”

“Weve got a lemon factory and were turning out 80-85 percent lemons.”

“When school children start paying union dues, that s when Ill start representing the interests of school children.”

“Its time to admit that public education operates like a planned economy, a bureaucratic system in which everybodys role is spelled out in advance and there are few incentives for innovation and productivity. Its no surprise that our school system doesnt improve; it more resembles the communist economy than our own market economy.”

“a leader of immense stature who always spoke his mind.”