THE ACADEMIC EFFECTS OF TEACHER STRIKES

PERRY A. ZIRKEL


DOI: 10.2190/GYNQ-CJPH-AAKR-EELV

Abstract

A singularly comprehensive review of the empirical literature reveals that, contrary to the common conception, teacher strikes do not have a marked effect on the attitudes, attendance, and achievement of public school students. Despite variances in time period, geographic location, and research design, the several studies are relatively consistent in their overall results. Perhaps the answer lies in more sophisticated designs, including more sensitive instrumentation, but the balance of the evidence of date does not support the hypothesis that teacher strikes have general or lasting deleterious academic effects on students. Judicial decisions and legislative policies have been informed by only a limited and skewed presentation of this evidence.

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