With states working to close gaping budget gaps and rising deficits, education is often the first on the cutting board. No where is this more controversial than in Wisconsin, where Governor Scott Walker is proposing a bill that would strip teachers and other public employees of most of their collective bargaining rights and increase their contributions for benefits.

What sort of ripple effect could it have in schools in the U.S.?

CNN education contributor Steve Perry talks to American Morning's TJ Holmes about how this could affect school districts and state budgets across the country. Perry also weighs in on whether cameras should be allowed in the classroom to monitor school teachers.

Call it the 'tale of two states.' Protests in Wisconsin against Governor Scott Walker's proposed budget cuts continue today, but teachers in another school district in the U.S. are taking a different approach.

Educators in one New York school district are being applauded by New York Governor Cuomo for agreeing to a one year salary freeze, even though they were due a pay raise, to make up for state budget shortfalls during tough economic times. With the pay freeze, the district can keep class sizes small and half as many teachers will lose their jobs.

This morning on "American Morning," TJ Holmes spoke with John Christian, math teacher and president of the West Genesee Teachers Association and Chris Brown, Ph.D., the West Genesee School District Superintendent. He asked why their school district was able to come to a compromise where others haven't.