Melissa Lyon

Nov 18, 2024 | brookings.edu | Melissa Lyon

In 1981, President Reagan’s decision to fire striking air traffic controllers seemed to mark the death knell for labor actions in the United States. Union membership has plummeted by over 60% since 1970, and worker participation in strikes has seen an even more dramatic 90% drop. For decades, strikes have seemed to be like vinyl records—relics of the past.

Oct 31, 2024 | journals.sagepub.com | Matthew A. Kraft |Melissa Lyon

Skip to main content Intended for healthcare professionals Get full access to this articleView all access and purchase options for this article. ReferencesA Nation at Risk: The Imperative for Educational Reform. (1983). The Elementary School Journal, 84(2), 113–130. https://doi.org/10.1086/461348A Nation Prepared: Teachers for the 21st Century. The Report of the Task Force on Teaching as a Profession. (1986). Carnegie Forum on Education and the Economy. Angrist J. D., Guryan J. (2008).

Oct 31, 2024 | journals.sagepub.com | Matthew A. Kraft |Melissa Lyon

IntroductionFew other occupations in the United States are as large or as important as the teaching profession. Today, over 4.2 million Americans teach in K–12 public and private schools — 6% of the college-educated labor force. Teachers have profound impacts on students’ academic, socioemotional, and life outcomes (Chetty et al., 2014; Jackson, 2018; Kraft, 2019). Teachers also collectively shape the democratic ideals, social cohesion, and economic competitiveness of the nation as a whole.

Oct 25, 2024 | minnpost.com | Christopher Chambers-Ju |Melissa Lyon

On July 25, 2024, Vice President Kamala Harris spoke to the American Federation of Teachers – the first labor union she addressed after announcing her candidacy for president. Even though she was speaking to a roomful of teachers, Harris didn’t focus on teacher-specific issues. Rather, she spoke about general policies that working people want, such as sick leave and paid family leave. She also spoke about the labor movement more broadly. “When unions are strong, America is strong,” she said.

Oct 21, 2024 | goskagit.com | Christopher Chambers-Ju |Melissa Lyon