Our NYC Local, the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators (CSA, AFSA Local 1), produced a touching video to honor the school leaders who helped direct students to safety on 9/11.

AFSA is proud to support the King Center and the AFL-CIO in the official unveiling of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, keenly aware that Reverend King’s dream of social and economic justice is yet to be fully realized. We take special pride as an affiliate of the AFL-CIO, as it hosts a National Symposium on “The American Dream: Jobs and Justice” on Friday, August 26. The National Symposium will include two moderated panels. The first, Jobs and the American Dream, will address the need for a comprehensive jobs agenda to cope with the continuing economic crisis. The other panel, Justice and the American Dream, will explore the divide between Dr. King’s vision for a just America and the ongoing challenges to economic and social justice. At a time when educators, education funding, collective bargaining rights and social justice are all under attack, it is fitting that Dr. King’s contribution to America be commemorated as a lasting reminder of his vision, his profound humanity and his commitment to standing strong for justice and freedom, even at the cost of his life. May we always stand in solidarity against the forces of injustice that he fought so valiantly.

The Baltimore Sun recently reported that since 2007, only about one-quarter of the Baltimore School system's principals have remained in their posts.

With just 21/2 weeks until students return to the classroom, nine schools remain without permanent leadership assignments. Superintendent Alonso appointed the 15th new principal in two weeks as the system races to fill a total of 42 vacancies that had opened this past school year alone — about half of those retirements or resignations.

Jimmy Gittings, President of the Public School Administrators & Supervisors Association of Baltimore City, AFSA Local 25, stated in the article that "For the past three years, I have consistently expressed my concerns over the astonishingly large number of seasoned administrators leaving the school system," said Jimmy Gittings, the union president.

"My No. 1 concern about the exiting of the seasoned administrators is that they are also taking their expertise and experience with them. Who now will mentor and guide our new and much younger administrators?" he said. He added that the union will give its full support to the new administrators as they transition into their jobs.

Read the full article at: www.baltimoresun.com/news/education/bs-md-ci-principal-turnover-20110810,0,6608936.story

AFSA President Diann Woodard released the following statement today in response to the debt limit deal agreed to by Congress and the President:

“For over six months now, our elected officials have ratcheted up the rhetoric surrounding our nation’s debt limit. In fact... Read more >>>

On July 5, an investigation by the state of Georgia was released that uncovered numerous instances of cheating in Atlanta Public Schools. In response to the findings of the investigation, AFSA released this statement.. Read more >>>

Join AFSA members Oct. 28-30, 2011, at the Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf Hotel in San Francisco for the AFSA West Coast Leadership Conference!

The free, two-day conference will include speakers and workshops that highlight principals and school administrators’ roles in education reform and the importance of being an active union member in the current political climate.

Now is the time to stand in solidarity with school leaders and union members everywhere. The AFSA West Coast Regional Leadership Conference is a great opportunity to network with leaders in the labor movement and to learn how to defend yourself and your profession against a misguided education reform movement and the attacks on employee rights.

Save Oct. 28-30 in your calendar, and we’ll see you at the conference! Read more >>>

Congratulations to the following AFSA principals whose schools will receive a new library as part of the Target 2011 School Library Makeover program! Read more >>>

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Five high school seniors who demonstrated academic excellence, personal growth and strong community involvement have been awarded $2,500 scholarships by a national school administrators union to continue their achievements this fall as they pursue their college degrees. Read more >>>

By Diann Woodard

If the stakes for creating workable plans to improve the quality education for our school children weren’t so crucial, the experiments being proposed by business -model reformers, inexperienced in either education or school management, would be laughable; for, they routinely exclude – indeed ignore – input from the leaders essential for effectively running schools, namely principals and administrators.

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On May 4, the National Assessment of Education Progress at Grades 4, 8 and 12 (NAEP) released their 2010 civics assessment results, known as the Nation’s Report Card.

Diann Woodard, president of the American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA), AFL-CIO, released this statement in response to the results... Read more >>>

By Diann Woodard

The recent spate of resignations by heads of school districts in Chicago, Washington and New York City who advocate the so-called business model of school reform has predictably been followed by new appointees as ill-prepared for the challenge of improving student performance as their predecessors. (Comment on Diann Woodard's blog on The Huffington Post.)

Wendi Caporicci believes in the small things. Her work is apparent in the schools she has touched, although she would never admit it was because of her. “Turning a school around takes time,” she said. “It’s about getting everyone involved.” (From AFSA Administrator, Fall 2010) Read more >>>

Without a chief of education officer, and with a CEO and mayor who have no experience in education, it comes as little surprise that Chicago’s school system is starting to look more like a corporation and less like an educational system. (From AFSA Administrator, Fall 2010) Read more >>>

AFSA Local 17 along with other New Orleans public school employees win the right to file a class action lawsuit, rules Judge Julien, Louisiana Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit.

The Plaintiff’s Lead Counsel, Willie M. Zanders releases a press statement, praising Judge Julien's ruling to continue the case as a class action.

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Unions across the country are being called upon to offer our assistance to our Haitian brothers and sisters during their time of need, and the AFL-CIO and Union Plus have offered several options for those looking to contribute. Read more >>>