UFT Dues Structure: Regressive for Everyone But Retirees

As to the calculated rate for teachers and other inservice groups, why should it be aligned to the salary of a near maximum teacher (i.e. 8B, L20) instead of being a percentage of a person's actual salary?... As to the pass throughs from the state and national unions, they are voted on at their respective conventions without direct membership approval. 

Not the last point -- a chunk of the dues is passed on to the AFT and NYSUT and the dues we pay here is decided by those Unity Caucus dominated conventions.

I know there are people saying that NYSUT stuff I've been writing about is irrelevant to our struggles to organize the rank and file and that teachers in the schools don't know or care about NYSUT. Ask them to check the pockets as a way to introduce the issue.

A retiree sent this historical note

Hi Norm,
This link (http://www.uft.org/our-rights/uft-dues) is to UFT's description of its dues structure. As you can see, there has not been a membership referendum on dues since 1982 and no modification in the calculation of dues has been voted on by the Delegate Assembly since 1999. Of particular note is not only the automatic nature of dues increases, but how they are calculated and how pass throughs from NYSUT and the AFT are also part of an automatic increase regimen. As to the calculated rate for teachers and other inservice groups, why should it be aligned to the salary of a near maximum teacher (i.e. 8B, L20) instead of being a percentage of a person's actual salary? In real terms, the dues paid by a teacher this year of slightly more than $1,200 is a much bigger (and unfair) hit on a beginning teacher in the $45,000 or so range than the maximum teacher approaching $100,000. 

And, in case you were not aware of it, retirees pay dues proportionate to their retirement income i.e. at the modest rate of .4 of one percent. As to the passthroughs from the state and national unions, they are voted on at their respective conventions without direct membership approval. 

Here is the simple point: even though the delegate assembly is still heavy Unity dominated and would vote for WW III if told too, at the very least each and every dues increase should be voted on. And Yes, the dues for working members should be based on a progressive not a regressive structure, as it is for retirees.

Newark Update: Cami Anderson Closes Schools While Still Engaging in Chris Christie-Like Thug Tactics

Newark parent leader arrested, jailed, after criticizing state plan to close schools....

UPDATE: 

Newark public school parents vs Cami Anderson

Inbox

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyuzLudsYok&feature=youtu.be

Before we get to that story there is this from a Newark teacher:

Inclement Weather - Schools Closed February 5, 2014

In the interest of the safety of our students, and due to hazardous weather conditions, all Newark Public Schools are CLOSED on Wednesday, February 5, 2014. All events, meetings and after school programs are also canceled. The NPS central office will be open at 10:00AM with a delayed opening for staff.

In a stunning reversal, Anderson bowed to community pressure and announced closure of Newark Public Schools in advance of storm. At 10:49 Tuesday night, I received a text message from my friend at another school, "Just got call no school tom." I immediately texted back, "Is this a joke? It is not on website." In a matter of minutes, the closure was posted on the website. At 11:24 I received my robocall. What happened Cami? Did you read Braun, Jersey Jazzman and Ed Notes, or did the Star Ledger your staunch supporter do you in? Have you miraculously gained an appreciation for the safety of the lives of the children and adults impacted by your decisions? Did Christie call you to say, "Please Cami! I have enough headaches!" Did Cerf. send you an e-mail? Was it Devine intervention? We are One Newark, but perhaps not in the manner the "reformers" intended.

 All the blogs mentioned above reported the previous "closing" of Newark schools in the snow storm before last at around 8AM in the morning in what looked like political retaliation against teacher resistance.

Here are some links to my posts which link to the others.

• AndersonGate - Cami Anderson Uses Chris Christie L...
• AndersonGate: Cami Anderson Last Minute Newark Sch...

==
Now to the arrest. First this comment on the Braun blog:

Alicia Malave
Newark community we have to stand together otherwise we are submitting to their agenda. Every resource is being used against the community. The superintendent refers to our kids as a danger on the streets where they live, the teachers are ineffective according to the standardized tests that do not measure the real improvements in the schools. Principals are penalized for speaking up. The police is being used in numbers during Advisory Board meetings. Even when school members announce that they will drive around Cedar Street and honk their horns in protest of the principals’ suspension the police blocked the access to Cedar St. and officers were walking up and down the block. Now this arrest without a clear cause. They are stripping this community of what is rightfully ours. Taking our schools, selling our buildings, using our students as bargaining chips but we have the right to protest, the right to have an education that is provided by highly qualified teachers and the right to run our schools. People of Newark is time to stand up and demand what is ours.

http://bobbraunsledger.com/newark-parent-leader-arrested-jailed-after-criticizing-state-plan-to-close-schools/

And the story below the break.

Newark parent leader arrested, jailed, after criticizing state plan to close schools.

A parent leader who criticized the “One Newark” plan pushed by state school superintendent Cami Anderson was arrested yesterday  on charges he assaulted a central office administrator. Daryn Martin, president of the Parent Teacher Organization at the Ivy Hill School, was charged with ”aggravated assault” but released on his own recognizance. If convicted, he faces three to five years in jail.

Martin,  a deacon for he New Hope Baptist Church in Jersey City, said he was called by a Newark police detective and asked to come to headquarters to sign a formal complaint. He had earlier filed a criminal complaint against Tiffany Hardrick, an assistant school superintendent, but the detective said he did not have the right address on the form.  It apparently was a ruse to get Martin to come to police headquarters so he could be arrested. When he arrived shortly before 2:30 pm, he was confronted by a detective who told him:
“Here’s the deal, Mr. Martin. The simple assault charge against you has been elevated to aggravated assault because she is a public official.”
Martin said, “What charge? There’s no charge against me.” Despite his protests, he was handcuffed and fingerprinted. The police took a mug shot and swabbed his cheek for DNA samples. Then he was placed in a cell with two other inmates.
Robert Pickett of West Orange, Martin’s lawyer, said his client’s arrest amounted to “intimidation.” Martin was a vocal critic of plans by state-appointed superintendent Cami Anderson to close, transfer to charters or otherwise “repurpose” nearly half of the city’s public schools.
Martin had  appeared at a Trenton press conference called by state Sen. Ronald Rice (D-Essex) when Rice introduced legislation aimed at blocking the closing of neighborhood schools in Newark and other cities.
“We intend to fight these charges aggressively,” Pickett said. “Mr. Martin will not be intimidated.”
Simple assault charges are automatically elevated to a much more serious crime if the victim is a public official, including a school employee.
Martin’s troubles with Anderson began Jan. 15 when he posted notices of a PTO meeting at the Ivy Hill School. Later, he witnessed Hardrick and another central office administrator, Gary Beidleman, tearing down the notices, which had been approved by school principal Lisa Brown.
Martin said that, when he demanded they stop, Hardrick pushed him twice. He later filed a police complaint against Hardrick but, two days later,  he was banned from entering the school his two children attend. The letter notifying him of the ban accused him of pushing Hardrick and Beidleman although a  report filed by a school security officer about the incident mentioned no pushing.  At the time, neither Newark police nor the school administration would say whether any charges had been pressed against Martin.
Martin then joined a federal law suit filed by five school principals against Anderson, charging she violated their First Amendment rights. The principals were suspended after speaking about the “One Newark” plan at a community forum. After widespread community outrage, the five were taken off suspension. Brown did not speak at the forum but was apparently suspended for supporting Martin.
“This takes the fight against Anderson to a whole new level,” Martin said after his release from jail last night. “I am not going to stop speaking out against what she is doing to the children of Newark.”
Pickett said he  believed the school district was “trying to paint my client as a bad guy to help their defense against the federal suit.” The attorney said their action “just increased the potential damages against them.”
Martin insisted he had no idea he would be arrested when he was lured  to police headquarters.  He said  detectives spoke to him but did not read him his Miranda rights that direct him to remain silent if he faced arrest. He also said he was never brought before a judge to give his side of what happened.
“It was a set up,” he said. Martin accused the police of working with the school board to created a “massive cover-up” of the circumstances of his arrest.
Martin said he had never been arrested before.
Martin, a union organizer for 1199J, National Union of Hosital and Health Care Workers, said he was “sorry” he had cost the taxpayers money because he was fed a prison meal of franks and beans, a bottle of water, and oatmeal cookies. Just as a bus came to take inmates to the county jail, he said, he was told he could go home.

Today they closed schools - http://www.nps.k12.nj.us/site/default.aspx?PageID=1

Inside Buffalo: More Rumors on Rumore (Phil)

Even those trying to follow the NYSUT soap opera are emailing asking me wtf is going on because I seem to be nothing more than confusing them. But that is my job. Here is another dispatch from a credible source on the Buffalo Teachers Federation leader Phil Rumore's relationship with Dick Iannuzzi and why Rumore is leaning toward the Revive NYSUT/Mulgrew/UFT slate, which if you read some of my posts (Buffalo's Rumore Taking Stand in NYSUT Split? and  Is Iannuzzi Toast?) makes no sense given that when Rumore led Buffalo teachers in resisting the crap with no outward support from Mulgrew or Iannuzzi.

So Rumore is pissed at Iannuzzi for reasons pointed out in this comment:

When the NYSUT Representative Assembly met a few years ago in Buffalo the Buffalo Teachers Union walked out when commissioner King spoke to the assembly. President Iannnuzzi specifically told the delegates not to join in with our 'Brothers and Sisters" from Buffalo as they walked out. The commissioner had made some very harsh cuts to their education funding and the BTU wanted no part of King. Here is a reason for the lack of support for Iannuzzi.

This points to other political issues between them:

Another reason Phil Rumore is pissed at Slick Dick stems from a little power play Iannuzzi pulled on an endorsement here for a state senate candidate last time they ran. Rumore wanted to give it to Betty Jean Grant, a local party hack and hanger on, and Dick for whatever reason, possibly the intervention of a particluar WNY apparatchik named Steve Pidgeon was interested in endorsing Tim Kennedy, a South Buffalo party hack and up and coming hanger on. [SEE Links below]

From what union HQ insiders tell me the protocol is to allow the local President to make the call but for whatever reason Ianuzzi stuck it to Rumore and they threw their support to Kennedy. I wonder if it's somehow a payback for BTF people led by Rumore walking out on King as he took the podium here at whatver the NYSUT event was. 

Iannuzzi openly begged members not to support Phil, BTF and walking out on John. So it appears to boil down to a Game of Egos once again. Phil is horrifyingly uninformed on issues and didn't even seem to know anything about TFA when it was proposed they invade our schools last year. He also happens to be personal pals with Robert Wilmers the CEO of M&T Bank who not only paid the stipend for TFA to come here but also paid for the search that brought us the most disastrous and devastating Super Buffalo has ever seen in the form of one James Williams. 

When someone mentioned Wilmers at a BTF gathering as an enemy of city schools Phil became testy and said to lay off because he and Wilmers were buddies. It's time for Phil to ride into the sunset but he has been very careful not to groom a successor. I am glad you mentioned his sudden interest in the NYSUT race. He knows he doesn't like Dick and I fear that's as far as his rigor goes in the debate. 

======

It is also worth publishing this comment:

Excellent forwarding Yonkers Federation of Teachers president Patricia Puleo said her union's delegates are free to decide for themselves who they'll vote for in April, and she questioned whether new leadership would make a difference in how the state Education Department goes forward with implementation of the Common Core standards. But she recognized that the city's teachers have grown frustrated. “People are so upset that they are willing to make whatever changes they can,” Puleo said. Kevin Ahern, president of the Syracuse Teachers Association, said his delegates aren't sure how they'll vote. “We have to do what is best for our local, and we are waiting until we have thoroughly discussed where both slates are at in terms of what will work best for us in the long term,” Ahern said. Thanks a lot with great wishing on The Battle for NYSUT: Ebbs and Flows 

 ====

And finally, little more background on the Rumore/Iannuzzi Grant/Kennedy flap below the break called: Noose tightening around Kennedy
:

Teachers Unite Sat. Feb 8: Restorative Justice and Teacher Unions: What are the connections?

I believe in the Restorative Justice model as an alternative to discipline models in schools. Teachers Unite is showing it can work.

People accuse me of living in a dream world - I've never supported suspending kids or placing all the blame on kids for problems in schools. You know the argument -- "if I could just get rid of the scumbags, as one teacher" recently told me. I'm not interested in blaming kids who are mostly victims. Believe me, I was as frustrated as anyone at times. I felt lucky that I was able to get over most conflicts with kids and restart the relationship. Generally I didn't have lots of trouble with kids but then again I didn't teach in the current climate so I do understand. I recently heard an NPR BBC broadcast talking about world-wide complainst about student behavior and where many commentors pushed for caning. I think RJ is a better choice.

Also a great chance to hear/see via Skype LATU Presidential candidate Alex Caputo-Pearl and Arlene Inouye who is currently serving in an elected position in the union and is running again. I believe there are 9 people running for President. The election is this month.

Teachers Unite did an excellent workshop on Restorative Justice at the More Than a Test Score conference last Saturday.

Restorative Justice and Teacher Unions: 

What are the connections?

 

How can organizing around restorative practices & social justice relate to union work at your school site?

 

A panel & discussion with Union Power Caucus of

United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA)

 

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Noon-2pm EST

 

Teachers College

525 W. 120th Street, NYC

1 | A | B | C | D to 125th St.

 

Facilitated by Dr. Lois Weiner, author, The Future of our Schools  

with panelists via Skype:

Alex Caputo-Pearl, Union Power Caucus Candidate for UTLA President

&

Arlene Inouye, Union Power Caucus Candidate for UTLA Treasurer

 

Hosted by Teachers Unite and Endorsed by the New York Collective of Radical Educators (NYCoRE) and the Movement of Rank & File Educators (MORE)

 

RSVP: anna@teachersunite.net

And on Facebook

The Battle for NYSUT: Iannuzzi was made in 2005 and unmade in 2014 - By the same people

It's like they just found any warm body to run for president of a 600,000 member union... NYSUT member on Karen Magee

...it’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance for any one of NYSUT’s nearly half-million members to make a leadership run. Oh, except the endorsement of NYSUT’s dominant internal caucus has already gone to sitting vice president Richard Iannuzzi, ensuring his election. Better luck in 2037! ... Mike Antonucci, March 21, 2005, EIA

Nine years ago Mike was referring to the ending of Tom Hobart's 32 year run as NYSUT President, figuring as a conservative estimate Iannuzzi would get a similar run. Guess not, even though the fat lady hasn't sung.

In his post today Mike joins me in pinning Randi to the wall on her supposed "neutrality" which she heralds in tweet after tweet. He may be coming from one political direction and me from another but we both can see through the fog.

A NYSUT member sent in this comment:

The Revive people have been defending Randi like crazy... and now she is coming to their rescue as well.  Mike Mulgrew and Randi Weingarten... grassroots unionism at it's best!

[Ed Note: During the 2013 UFT election whenever we brought up Randi, knowing how unpopular she was with so many teachers, the Unity slugs left comments like, "Who's Randi?"] Back to my NYSUT commenter:

The last line of the article is one Karen Magee should pay attention to [Iannuzzi was made in 2005 and unmade in 2014. By the same people.]  Of course that is assuming she has a pulse.  Nobody has heard anything from here.  Not a word.  I haven't seen a quote in any article, on any blog, she has a dormant Twitter account, etc.  It's like they just found any warm body to run for president of a 600,000 member union...

I'm waiting for an update as to whether Karen Magee has a pulse. But I think we were saying the same thing about Iannucci in 2005. We knew that Exec VP Alan Lubin was really running NYSUT then. What has happened is that the pressure on the unions to cave to RTTT and all the crap that comes with it has created these rifts and tensions.

The 2 Iannuzzi theories are:
1. Facing reality he moved towards resistance as a political move to gain whatever support he could. But if he should win he would go back to being his same old compromised self.

2. He could have gone along with whatever Mulgrew and Randi wanted -- endorses Cuomo, etc. and not faced a challenge. He moved because there was real pressure on him from around the state and he was caught in the middle and increasingly moved away from the UFT pressure. I believe he probably tried to find some way of working things out with Mulgrew -- hard to believe he wouldn't -- but Revive NYSUT killed any chance of that once hostilities were in the open. Now totally freed from the UFT he is going where he could never go before.

Iannuzzi would have a puncher's chance of winning if Phil Rumore comes to his senses and realizes that even though Iannuzzi may have acted somewhat dickish when Buffalo resisted the pressure, Mulgrew was totally absent in support. I certainly didn't see anything coming out of the UFT supporting the Buffalo teachers. Rumore's complaints about Iannuzzi look downright "playing the winning hand" given his savvy and understanding that Revive NYSUT would not resist the Tisch/King/Cuomo axis.

Rumore should move from leaning towards Revive to neutral and watch how this plays out. If he and the other big cities joined with the 100 or more local presidents to create a block that will not support Cuomo, they have an outside chance of pulling this off. But even if they lose, they form a considerable block in NYSUT to counter the UFT me, me, me attitude on the state and national level.

And if Iannuzzi should win who would own him? Mulgrew or people like Rumore who "made" him this time?

Afterburn:

Here is a PJSTA blog post of interest regarding Andy Pallotta who is seen hobnobbing with anti-teacher ed deformer John Flanagan. Andy Pallotta and Reformy John Flanagan. (photo on right).

And below the break is the complete EIA piece.

Change the Stakes' Fred Smith Infiltrates Super Bowl Press Box, Little Mermaid and MORE

During NY Jet games I text my fellow Jet fans "turning point" -- usually with the Jets losing and often all too early in the game. Super Bowl night I texted "Turning Point" - after the first play.

Saturday, at the MORE Than a Test Score awesome event organized by the amazing crew from MORE and Change the Stakes, testing guru Fred Smith pulled me aside and showed me his Media Access pass for the press box at the Super Bowl.

Red Hot Chili Pepper Fred Smith and friends at Super Bowl

Fred is a statistician who works for the NY Jets at their home games and this led to his actually getting paid to be at the Super Bowl. A dream job to many football fans. But Fred took it further, as the photo shoes. "I told them I was a Red Hot Chili Pepper," Fred emailed.

I gave up the game and joined my wife in watching her favorite program, Downton Abbey, which had the 2nd highest rating to the game. Lady Mary was doing much better than the Broncos. I couldn't make it through Sherlock Holmes which requires a level of alertness I am not longer capable of.
-----

I want to write a separate blog post on the wonderful MORE/Change the Stakes event on Saturday which drew 150 people. While so many people did so much to put this together, the leadership of Jia Lee deserves much recognition. To remind you of the power of organizing, especially around testing, Jia came to an event we held on the eval system in April 2012 and jumped into the work of MORE and Change the Stakes with gusto. She is one of those game-changers -- and a chapter leader to boot. I taped some of her remarks and will put that up with the more in-depth blog post.
------

The Rockaway Theatre Company just completed 2 weeks of a wonderful production of "The Little Mermaid" directed by Susan Corning and my former acting teacher, Frank Chiati. The performers ranged in age from 5-18 and were amazing. There is so much young talent out there they had to use 2 casts. Last week I taped the "green" cast and Friday I wanted to tape the "blue" cast but I screwed up the time and got there in the middle of Act I. I hand-held the camera for the rest of Act 1 while shooting from the production booth. I was able to set up for Act II and took this pic at the end. Check out those wonderful costumes.

------
As a newly-minted chorus member in the upcoming production of "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," I am desperately trying to remember even one song and get that coordinated with the dance steps. Oy! Rehearsals are almost every night of the weekdays and then the set has to be built - I am part of the set construction crew -- and in fact should be heading over to the theater soon to see if that is happening today. Last night's rehearsal was cancelled and we were told to be there by plane, train or snow plow tonight.

 

AndersonGate - Cami Anderson Uses Chris Christie Lane Closure Tactics in Snow Day Late School Closures

Newark Supt. Cami Anderson, who helped destroy the District 79 program here in NYC when she was Joel Klein's agent of destruction, is quickly turning into Michelle Rhee junior. Diane Ravitch points out today (Is Chris Christie’s Newark Superintendent Shaping the Mayoral Race?)
as to how Anderson is affecting the race for Newark Mayor just as Rhee was responsible for the loss of her patron in Wash. DC. Note that both are Teach for America alum and indicative of the destructive and insidious role that organization has played in national education politics.

Yesterday we reported that Cami "botched" the closing of Newark schools. Now new information is coming in that there was some intention behind the "blotching." Signs point to Cami Anderson following the Chris Christie retaliation script.

Here are facts from a teacher viewpoint:

• All schools in Essex county were deemed closed and early notification was implemented: except for Newark.
• State run school districts were closed and early notification was implemented:  except Newark.
• Charters in Newark, which are districts within the district and receive 90% of school funding per student capita, were closed and early notification was implemented.
• Sub finder was down so teachers could not call in absent. If a teacher was absent they would be written up because sub finder could not be utilized.
• Many teachers live far and were on the road by 5 or 6. State, County and city roads were unsafe, not attended to.
• Many were in schools by 8AM and many teachers still did not receive a call even as late as 8AM. Most got their call AFTER we clocked in and signed in.
• Some teachers got dropped off only to find out that they had no ride home.
• Teachers were told to head back home because the building was closing.
• Truthfully, these are very serious administrative errors.

This teacher is being kind. Administrative "error" or intentionally aimed at teachers despite co-lateral damage to children and parents?

Anyone for lane closure comparisons?

-------------------
See Bob Braun: Cami Anderson must resign!
See Jersey Jazzman:  Jersey Jazzman:

State-Run Newark Schools Blow Snow Closings Again -

State-Run Newark Schools Blow Snow Closings Again

State-Run Newark Schools Blow Snow Closings Again

State-Run Newark Schools Blow Snow Closings Again

tate-Run Newark Schools Blow Snow Closings Again

State-Run Newark Schools Blow Snow Closings Again

State-Run Newark Schools Blow Snow Closings Again

Afterburn: Another teacher comments.

I was lucky enough not to be injured, but was I upset. I risked my safety for my job just to find out minutes before arriving at my school that the district was closed. As upset as I was (and still am) at her total disregard for student and staff safety, I cannot say I am surprised. This is from a vindictive woman with no conscience whose total purpose is to profit corporations with public school money who send the more challenging students back to the public schools beginning after the October 15th count.
Cami filed a waver to of employees who have some because she may have to pay them more than a beginning salary (If a teacher is of poor quality, he/she can be gotten rid of by poor evaluations, so don't let her fool you into thinking this is about keeping the good ones). Cami does not care about poor minority children at all. It is about lining the pockets of the corporations just like her good buddy Christie.

Below the break is the Ravitch blog post.

Randi Position on NYSUT Revealed in Interview

Randi Weingarten ‏@rweingarten 

@perdidostschool-...if the divisiveness wasn't so sad, the blog post would be a fun piece of fiction to read cc: @NormScott1

Thus Randi tweeted in response to PerdidoStSchool when he posted my contention that she is behind the entire thing. She contended the AFT was neutral -- note she said AFT not her -- parsing, as usual.

So read this selection from a Capital Pro article and you decide which side Randi is on:

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers and a former president of U.F.T., disputed Iannuzzi's argument at a union rally in Albany last week. She said she will not endorse a candidate in the election, which she called “divisive.” [ED NOTE: Exactly who is the incumbent here and who is being divisive?]
“There is no U.F.T. president I know, including myself, who ever would want to take over NYSUT,” she said. “And so, when that becomes the argument, that means that this has become not about the issues.
“It's not about a U.F.T. takeover,” she continued. “No U.F.T. president would ever want that. It is about different slates with a different sense of how to move the state union forward, and they have a right to make their arguments. They have a right to make their case, and then the people at the convention have a right to make their decision.”

This is the same Randi who bought off the opposition in 2003 so they would not run a candidate against her and had her Unity Caucus attack ICE as her successor had them attack MORE for "being divisive" for criticizing the Unity led leadership.

Read the comments below from Andy Pallotta. Let's see now, Andy goes from being District 10 Rep -- a mid-level UFT/Unity Caucus functionary to NYSUT VP under Randi's watch as UFT President before she went to the AFT. Does anyone think he just decided that on his own? Does anyone think he is making this move on his own?

Check out this criticism of Iannuzzi --

For example, critics have argued Iannuzzi's push for a vote of no confidence against Education Commissioner John King came too late and was in reaction to the upcoming contested election.

This is the RBE argument that in this world up is down when we hear Mulgrew praise King to death but not supports the argument that Iannuzzi should have called for no confidence earlier. Has Mulgrew put forth such a resolution to the UFT? Call me when he does.

As I tweeted back to Randi -- we have observed the UFT/NYSUT/AFT machine in action for over 40 years and that top-down control set up by Shanker to Feldman to Weingarten to Mulgrew has not changed one iota. The UFT tail wags the NYSUT dog and that combination wags the AFT. Why she and Mulgrew would decide to blow up NYSUT over Cuomo is beyond me.

Full Capital article below the break.

Help The State Assembly Choose New Regents Who Oppose High-Stakes Testing

Remember, NYS Regents is headed by Merryl Tisch and they hired John King etc -- so if the 4 candidates win it limits her power and control -- By the way, the Staten Island candidate is Mike Reilly, a retired cop and pro true reform on education. Looking for a write in candidate for mayor and getting a pro-Reilly email I wrote in his name. Hope he wins this one -- remember, the state legislature votes, with Shelley Silver being the major power player.


Diane Ravitch’s blog

The New York State legislature will shortly decide which candidates, among more than twenty applicants, will be appointed to four Regents positions. There are four candidates who have made a firm commitment to oppose high stakes testing and would bring excellent experience. 

Here is the press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  January 31, 2014

More information contact:

Eric Mihelbergel ; nys.allies@gmail.com

Lisa Rudley ; nys.allies@gmail.com

NYS Allies for Public Education www.nysape.org

NYS Allies for Public Education Endorses Full Slate of Candidates for the Board of Regents

New York State Allies for Public Education (NYSAPE), a coalition of 45 organizations from around the state, is endorsing a full slate of four candidates for the New York State Board of Regents:  Audrey Marie Baker, Dr. Carol Mikoda, Michael Reilly, and Helen “Regina” Rose.  The Board of Regents sets education policy for the state and appoints the State Education Commissioner.   Four Regents will be selected by the State Legislature in March and the interviews of more than 20 candidates will take place on February 4^th and 11^th at the Capitol Building in the Assembly Parlor.   NYSAPE is urging all citizens to contact their representatives and ask them to be a part of this interviewing and nominating process.

“At a time of unprecedented public opposition to the agenda pursued by Commissioner King, we are confident that these four candidates will thoughtfully respond to and address the concerns of parents and educators.  These highly qualified candidates will steer the state in a new direction -- strengthening our schools, rather than undermining them,” said Jeanette Deutermann, Nassau County public school parent and founder of Long Island Opt-Out (of tests) group.

The candidates, if approved, would replace all of the incumbents whose tenure expires this March:  Regents James Cottrell, Christine Cea, James Jackson, and Wade Norwood. All four incumbents have been unresponsive to the concerns of parents and have expressed little or no opposition to the policies pursued by Commissioner John King and Chancellor Merryl Tisch.

Audrey Marie Baker was a teacher, principal and administrator in the NYC public school system for over thirty-five years, with expertise in the area of special education.  Ms. Baker is applying for one of the at-large seats on the Regents.  She holds over 14 licenses and certifications in education. In response to our survey she wrote, “As a career educator, I hold myself accountable to the parents and students of NYS.” She pledges to survey parents to ascertain their concerns, and to meet regularly with key community stakeholders.  She supports a moratorium on high stakes Common Core exams, and an independent study of the standards by a panel of experts in education and developmental psychology.  Ms. Baker’s resume and survey responses can be viewed here www.nysape.org/audrey-marie-baker-survey-results-and-resume.html

Dr. Carol Mikoda holds a doctorate in Educational Theory and Practice, with a specialty in teaching writing.  She has taught at the middle school, high school and college level, for over thirty years.  Dr. Mikoda is applying for one of the two at-large seats on the Regents.  Dr. Mikoda advocates for literacy instruction that engages students even as it builds reading and writing skills. She is concerned about the over-emphasis on the reading of informational texts, which is part of the Common Core.  She is also deeply committed to ensuring that all students receive a quality education.  “I strongly support a move to step away entirely from the Common Core Learning Standards. Before the advent of Common Core Learning Standards, New York State already operated with some of the best standards in the nation, and did not need to look outside for guidance.” Dr. Mikoda’s resume and survey responses can be viewed here www.nysape.org/carol-mikoda-survey-results-and-resume.html 

Helen “Regina” Rose is applying to represent District III Region (Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Schoharie, Sullivan, Ulster Counties).  Ms. Rose is a former special education teacher with over twenty years of experience, and was a member of the Kinderhook Board of Education for six years. She has a grandchild in the public schools and has been a strong and vocal advocate for all students, especially those with disabilities.  In response to the NYSAPE survey, Rose wrote, “I cannot understand how our entire public education system is being treated as an experiment – they are building the plane in the air.  We cannot allow a generation of children to be used as guinea pigs.”  Ms. Rose’s resume and survey responses can be viewed here www.nysape.org/regina-rose-survey-results-and-resume.html

Mike Reilly is applying to fill the District XIII seat on Staten Island.  Mr. Reilly, a former police officer, has been a respected community leader for many years.  His three children attend the Staten Island public schools.  Since 2009, Reilly has served as a member of the district’s Community Education Council and sits on the Board of Managers of the Staten Island YMCA. He supports a moratorium on high-stakes, Common Core testing and opposes the disclosure of personal student data to inBloom Inc. or other vendors without parental consent. Presently, no member of the Board of Regents has a child in our public schools.  Mr. Reilly would bring a needed parent perspective. Mr. Reilly’s resume and survey responses can be viewed here www.nysape.org/michael-reilly-survey-results-and-resume.html

In a spirit of transparency, NYS Allies for Public Education sent its survey www.nysape.org/regents-candidate-information.html via certified mail and email to Regents Cea, Cottrell, Jackson and Norwood in early December 2013, asking them to clarify their positions on a variety of key education issues.  To date, not one of the incumbents completed the survey or responded to our request.

Upon hearing about the current Regents failure to respond, Chris Tanis, a New Paltz parent said, “Clearly, the four incumbents do not understand that they have an obligation to be accountable to the public and to clearly express their views on the current policies that have aroused such opposition among parents and other community members. The fact that they refused to respond to the NYSAPE survey – and more importantly have ignored the public outrage over the policies pursued by the State Education Department -- makes a strong case for the need for new leadership.”

Although members of the Board of Regents are selected by the Legislature, they have traditionally kept their seats on the board until they choose to resign or retire. While the appointment process has escaped public scrutiny in the past, this year NYSAPE id urging parents, educators and concerned constituents to call on their Assembly Members and State Senators to nominate and vote for candidates who will work to reverse the current, disastrous reforms.

On February 4^th and 11^th, the chairs of the Assembly Education and Higher Education Committees, Assembly Members Catherine Nolan and Deborah Glick, will conduct in-person interviews of the candidates along with other members of the Assembly.  In March, the full Legislature will vote on candidates pre-selected by its members, predominantly those in the Assembly.

According to Leonie Haimson, Executive Director of Class Size Matters: “In recent months, there has been an unprecedented outpouring of concern and criticism directed at the agenda being implemented by Commissioner King – including the sharing of personal student data with inBloom Inc., without parental consent.  Eight states have pulled out of inBloom or put their data-sharing plans on hold because of parent protest and opposition --but not New York. We need new Regents who will be responsive to the need to protect student privacy.”

In a recent editorial in Newsday, principals Carol Burris and John Murphy noted “The time has come for the public to insist that the appointment of Regents be more than pro forma. The fate of a generation of students is at stake.”

The New York State legislature will shortly decide which candidates, among more than twenty applicants, will be appointed to four Regents positions.  

There are four candidates who have made a firm commitment to oppose high stakes testing and would bring excellent experience.  You can read about these candidates here: http://www.nysape.org/nysape-endorses-full-slate-of-candidates-for-the-board-of-regents.html.

 Please take the time to email your state senator or assembly member, and insist that they actively participate in the interview and selection process. Let them know that you support: Mike Reilly, Regina Rose, Audrey Baker and Dr. Carol Mikoda.  You will find a sample email below.

Here is an easy way to access your senator and assembly person’s contact information:

Find your Assembly Member: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/

Find your Senator:  http://www.nysenate.gov/senators

If you have the time, also contact Speaker Sheldon Silver, and Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan. We are hearing that keeping incumbents is “tradition”. This is not an acceptable response in a democracy.

Thank you for your efforts on behalf of our students. The sample email follows.  

Sample email

 

Dear      :

On February 4, and then again on February 11, Assemblywomen Nolan and Glick will lead interviews for four positions on the Board of Regents.  It is my understanding that there are many candidates for these positions. 

I am writing to let you know that I do not believe the four incumbents, Regents Cea, Jackson, Cotrell and Norwood, should be reappointed.   We need Regents who are actively engaged with parents and communities and who listen to educators who know our children best. 

As your constituent, I am asking that you attend those interviews.  I also ask for your support of the following three candidates:  Michael Reilly, Regina Rose, Dr. Carol Mikado and Audrey Baker.  All four candidates know that our children are more than a number or a data point.  As Regent Board members these candidates will fight for authentic and quality education for all children in New York State. 

Thank you.  I look forward to watching your participation in the interview process.

Sincerely,

AndersonGate: Cami Anderson Last Minute Newark Schools Closing Endangers Children and Staff

Add Andersongate to Christie's list of misfortunes. Some students were already on the buses. What happens if the parents are not home when the children many of whom have special needs are dropped off? Some teachers traveled over an hour on slippery roads. Security guards were at their posts. Custodians were outside clearing walks. The crossing guard was in position. None of them knew school was closed. Anderson is endangering the lives of the children and staff placed in her charge.

 ... Newark teacher

UPDATEs: Great Post from Jersey Jazzman on this issue taking accusations of political motivation even further:

State-Run Newark Schools Blow Snow Closings Again

And Bob Braun: Cami Anderson must resign!

I can’t read her mind or her heart. I can’t know what her motivation is. But mounting external evidence points to this: She is trying to destroy Newark’s public school system in favor of creating a  free-trade zone for charter schools. - See more at: http://jerseyjazzman.blogspot.com/#sthash.qCQhYeXq.dpuf

I can’t read her mind or her heart. I can’t know what her motivation is. But mounting external evidence points to this: She is trying to destroy confidence in Newark’s public school system in favor of creating support for a  free-trade zone for charter schools.

Gov. Chris Christie appointee Cami Anderson, who is running a troubled school system further into the ground following up on her horrific time running down District 79 in NYC, decided to close the schools today - when kids were already on buses and parents had gone to work and most teachers were already in the buildings.

This report on NBC was posted an hour later:
Newark Public Schools CANCELED 02/03/2014 08:55:46
AM

Was the delay Jersey-political spite? Cami Anderson knew full well teachers would be on the roads and in schools before they found out. Retaliation? The same mentality that led us to GWBridgeGate? Did she screw up by waiting just a tad late? Or was she out to get parents too who challenged her at last week's hearing? (See: Newark: Cami Anderson Storms Out of Meeting.)  Or did Cami just oversleep? By the way, she is one of those Teach for America vampires feeding on the blood of children.

Here's hoping the fawning Jersey press holds her accountable.

Here is a report from a teacher, dubbing this AndersonGate:

An Unidentified Newark Teacher's Tale of Woe
I awoke at 5:00 my usual time. I checked the  Newark Public Schools website and there was nothing. I turned on the television and my district was not among the lucky winners in the snow lottery. I dressed down and drove slowly to work. My favorite custodian was outside clearing the walks with the snowblower. The crossing guard and the security guard were on their posts. I punched in and climbed two flights of stairs. I logged on to the computer. On the website was a notice that schools were closed  February 3 so I said to myself, "What day is today?" Others received text messages at 7:50. Some kids were already on buses. What happens if the parents are not home when the children many of whom have special needs are dropped off?
Yes, I am sitting in a closed school entering report card grades. Some of my colleagues traveled over an hour on slippery roads to get to work. Cami Anderson has got to go. This goes way beyond the issue of lack of consideration. Anderson is endangering the lives of the children and staff placed in her charge. Add Andersongate to Christie's list of misfortunes.

Related:

Jersey Jazzman

David Wildstein: Before Bridgegate, Christie's Best 

Super Bowl Fans Show Affection For New Jersey

Wonder if Christie will get blamed for this too:

A record 27,000 people passed though the Secaucus Junction train station today, turning it into a virtual sauna and prompting shouts of “Jersey sucks” as football fans waited impatiently for trains to MetLife Stadium.


Teacher Basher -

NYSUT Update: Kiev on the Hudson as Randi Plays Role of Ukraine President Yanukovych

Randi is behind the so-called NYSUT insurgency multiple and trusted sources have informed us. I don't have particulars but this info came in response to my comments the other day in this post (The Battle for NYSUT: Ebbs and Flows)

While some think Randi must be behind the move of the UFT to take over NYSUT completely and totally (they pretty much have a lot of control now) this doesn't have her fingerprints. What does she have to gain from trying to push out Iannuzzi - who she helped put in? Or pushing out Maria Neira who she promoted from the UFT Exec Bd to a NYSUT VP?

You know, I should have trusted my instincts all along but the total level of how nonsensical this is in terms of Randi's own self-interest led me out of the real world into fantasy land -- that Mulgrew might have stepped out on his own. These quotes from Reality-Based Educator:

Literally up is down and black is white. The less aggressive "challengers" are getting supported because the Iannuzzi regime hasn't been aggressive enough.....Orwellian beyond belief - but par for the course at the AFT/NYSUT/UFT. ...  Reality Based Educator at PerdidoSS

My sources say that Randi could not accept Iannuzzi and crew's blatant rejection of Cuomo which would leave her without a role to play with the big boys on the state Democratic Party level. My sources say that it more important to her than even considerations of splitting NYSUT.

But my guess is that she didn't think it would go this far and that Iannuzzi would cave or play ball. The interesting story is NYC Unity Caucus member and former UFT Exec Bd member Maria Neira, who was promoted and pushed into the NYSUT VP position by Randi, now feels she represents the interests of the teachers in the state and keeping NYSUT united is in their interests. The Andy slate came up with newly minted UFT VP and Teacher Center head Fortina to go up against Neira.

Neira was a popular person in Unity and I imagine many of them will have to swallow to vote against her. But they will. Swallow, I mean.

What this means in the long run is this: in the 35 years or so of NYSUT history -- where Shanker and Hobart merged the AFT and NEA on the state level -- Shanker's way of going around the enormous national NEA hostility directed at him and his dream of running one national teachers union -- there has NEVER -- Say it again - NEVER - been a contested election for NYSUT state office. That is because there is only one statewide caucus - Unity. There is no equivalent of MORE at the state level ---- and now one may very well emerge. And even if it is relatively small on the level of MORE that is major.

First of all I should point out that these are not rank and filer union members but union presidents and their elected delegates who we are talking about. So this is an entirely different kettle of fish and something MOREista observers, committed to rank and file organizing have commented on. Other MOREistas are supportive, especially given the increasingly close relationship we have been developing with Port Jefferson Station TA --

Me and my adopted political son Mike

The official website of the PJSTA over the past few months -- thanks to the work of Mike Schirtzer in MORE who has worked with the great crew over there.

At issue is an increasingly widening rift between the UFT leadership and the smaller locals who have gotten chopped by Cuomo with the other big cities up for grabs by both groups over time. Thus even if they go with the Pallotta/Mylgrew/Randi side this time they will be looking for results, results that Andy can't deliver on.

Cuomo's pre-k support plan robs Peter to pay Paul given that many if not most small locals don't even have full-day kindergarten, let alone pre-k. Thus, Cuomo's plan to take state money and pour it into NYC pre-k while upstate and Long Island poorer locals get less state aid has caused a major divide. Thus, the De Blasio plan to raise taxes on the rich inside NYC to pay for the plan makes perfect sense to them -- but not to the UFT/Revive NYSUT crew. I'll get more into those weeds in another post. (And also talk about the role MORE might decide to play in all this.) The Cuomo property tax cap is a killer for small locals.

The incumbents and their growing allies are the real insurgents in NYSUT, not the Mulgrew/Alan Lubin/Andy Pallotta "Revive NYSUT" make-believe. It is funny to call the incumbents led by Dick Iannuzzi the insurgents but as time goes on you will see what I mean. Once he was freed from the UFT muzzle he has shown some chops - and clearly had the support to push forth the headline breaking news of withdrawal of support for John King and an attack on the common core, which Randi tweeted in her usual manner, she was so "thrilled" at -- while that entire incident only helped STRONGER TOGETHER.

When Mulfrew and crew call themselves insurgents just go back and read RBE at Perdido Street School

And Yet Three More Oldies But Goodies: Michael Mulgrew Defends John King's APPR Teacher Evaluation System - Because I'm in the mood for oldies this afternoon, here's three more UFT gems coming to you from back on September 4, September 5, and September 13.

 

Norm in The Wave: Three Weeks of the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Published January 31, 2014

-->

Three Weeks of the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

By Norm Scott

It’s been a strange three weeks, beginning with the Sunday after New Years Day with a decision to get a quick workout at the gym. Resolution: be more health conscious. A good friend’s health failed over the last year leading to his recent death. At the same time his wife came down with a life-threatening illness (which she is still fighting), a double whammy that has shaken many of us to the core: two of the most vibrant people we know, retired teachers still active on many political fronts, their family struck by the equivalent of a meteor. Only one year ago they held a party to celebrate their 70^th birthdays.

That first Sunday in January was the memorial celebrating a wonderful personal and politically active life, especially in education. He even ran for Congress as a liberal in Staten Island. Expecting to stand for three hours taping the event, a little time at the gym certainly couldn’t hurt. It had rained that morning but it didn’t seem so cold. Boy was I wrong – the dreaded black ice (as many others found out that morning). I didn’t get past the top step before finding myself sprawled out, my back hitting the edges of the brick steps. I staggered into the house, downed a few Advil, found an ice pack. Knowing full well the real agony would come over the next few days, I decided to go. And I’m so glad I was able to attend one of the most moving memorials I’ve seen, film it, and even get to join other speakers saying a few words in his honor. But by the time we got home around 8 PM my I could barely walk. More painkillers and a heating pad that simulates a wet heat hydrocollator gave some relief as we watched the season opening of Downton Abbey. I was definitely more miserable than Lady Mary.

By Tuesday things were worse. My doctor is in Manhattan. I couldn’t bear the subway and it was the coldest day in 20 years – maybe my lifetime. So driving it was - when I finally got seated in the car I was able to bear the pain. Dr. Mark said I landed on my kidney and suggested a CT* scan (my first ever) to check for internal bleeding and gave me valium to relax the muscles. I practically screamed as I lay down in that CT tray and the technician had to help me get out. Kidneys OK, the next day we drove a friend to the doctor which took most of the day. I decided “no more driving” and began the RHP cure - rest, heat and pills. All my education activist activities came to a halt.

By Monday things were getting better when Susan Jasper of the Rockaway Theatre Company called: they need men for the chorus of the upcoming March production of “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” rehearsal is that night. Oh my aching back, but if you know Susan, like everyone knows Susan, she doesn’t recognize the word “no”. First thing when I got to the theater: Director John Galleace told me and another guy to walk across the stage, notice an extremely pretty young lady and ogle her. My back immediately felt better. Why didn’t my doctor prescribe ogling pretty girls in the first place instead of CT scans? By Friday I was practically scampering across the stage with the rest of the guys in the chorus, most of whom are a third my age. When everyone else’s legs and arms went one way, mine went the other. My aim: try to hide in the back.

Tuesday it snowed and my back passed the shoveling test digging out for a planned few days in Manhattan on the coldest days since the ice age. Dressed in many layers we saw three shows, a movie and had two fabulous dinners. We retuned on Friday for my wife’s very important Mah Jongg game where she got all excited winning a buck and a quarter, which didn’t even cover the cost of one half-fare subway ride. I spent the afternoon tracking down flowers and a card for her birthday. Friday night I survived another rehearsal at the RTC without being laughed out of the theater. My strategy of hiding behind the other guys was working. Sunday, three weeks after the fall, I was back in the gym doing my unique no-sweat workout, thus ending three weeks of some bad and some good. The ugly part will be clear if you happen to see me dancing when RTC’s “How to Succeed…” opens in March. Look for me behind the biggest guys.

Norm still blogs about education every day at ednotesonline.org, though you wouldn’t know it from reading this column. 


 *The radiation doses of CT scans (a series of X-ray images from multiple angles) are 100 to 1,000 times higher than conventional X-rays.... A recent NY times op ed We Are Giving Ourselves Cancer.
If I know this and based on the fact the doctor did a test on my uring that showed no blood cells I might have/should have not taken that CT scan. The attitude of "better be safe than sorry" does prevail and the idea of coming back to the doctor if I had problems in that cold certainly was a factor. Though doctors know the radiation story they too are under a "better be safe than sorry" view as they will face some flack if they don't err on the side of caution.

I know people who have had many CT scans. Be careful out there folks.
 


 

[Teachersunite] Restorative Justice & Teacher Unions: Join us Feb 8th!

Featuring Alex Caputo-Pearl, candidate for President of the LA teachers union.

Restorative Justice and Teacher Unions: 

What are the connections?

 

How can organizing around restorative practices & social justice relate to union work at your school site?

 

A panel & discussion with Union Power Caucus of

United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA)

 

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Noon-2pm EST

 

Teachers College

525 W. 120th Street, NYC

1 | A | B | C | D to 125th St.

 

Facilitated by Dr. Lois Weiner, author, The Future of our Schools  

with panelists via Skype:

Alex Caputo-Pearl, Union Power Caucus Candidate for UTLA President

&

Arlene Inouye, Union Power Caucus Candidate for UTLA Treasurer

 

Hosted by Teachers Unite and Endorsed by the New York Collective of Radical Educators (NYCoRE) and the Movement of Rank & File Educators (MORE)

 

RSVP: anna@teachersunite.net

And on Facebook

Anna Bean

Campaign Coordinator

Teachers Unite

90 John St., Suite 308

New York, NY 10038

646-707-4006

Become a member of Teachers Unite! 

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

& Watch our new documentary Growing Fairness

The Battle for NYSUT: Ebbs and Flows

We have reports that a 100 locals have signed on to the Iannuzzi slate. You can track what is going on at their site - NYSUT - STRONGER TOGETHER - Home.

While Phil Rumore's Buffalo may be leaning away from Iannuzzi, the article below show the other 3 cities -- Rochester, Syracuse and Yonkers may be on the fence.

The bigger issue is whether a true resistance to a Mulgrew dominated NYSUT will grow out of this struggle no matter the result. Signs are pointing that way.

American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten, who headed New York City's teachers' union before taking the national post, wouldn't take sides when confronted by reporters at a labor rally in Albany Wednesday. But she said she was disappointed by the rhetoric of the race, which has turned nasty. (See Iannuzzi and Pallotta's fight over a table at Governor Andrew Cuomo's Billy Joel-headlined bęrthday fund-raiser.)
“We have had state elections like this throughout the country—in Minnesota, in Florida, in West Virginia, in New Mexico—that have never gotten as divisive as this one,” she said..... CapitalNY

While some think Randi must be behind the move of the UFT to take over NYSUT completely and totally (they pretty much have a lot of control now) this doesn't have her fingerprints. What does she have to gain from trying to push out Iannuzzi - who she helped put in? Or pushing out Maria Neira who she promoted from the UFT Exec Bd to a NYSUT VP?

People are pissed and to me it seems the pro-Iannuzzi are more pissed (I call them the real insurgents) and most likely to go rogue after the election.

A source who attended the reception said it seemed like there was a line down the middle of the room separating the supporters and challengers of the current administration, with Pallotta floating between the groups. An similar scene followed Tuesday morning at a reportedly awkward breakfast hosted by New York City's United Federation of Teachers.

Here is some new news from the same source about the other big cities and it looks like they are ęn the fence - no matter how they vote if they are unhappy now watch them wee

Yonkers Federation of Teachers president Patricia Puleo said her union's delegates are free to decide for themselves who they'll vote for in April, and she questioned whether new leadership would make a difference in how the state Education Department goes forward with implementation of the Common Core standards. But she recognized that the city's teachers have grown frustrated.
“People are so upset that they are willing to make whatever changes they can,” Puleo said.
Kevin Ahern, president of the Syracuse Teachers Association, said his delegates aren't sure how they'll vote.
“We have to do what is best for our local, and we are waiting until we have thoroughly discussed where both slates are at in terms of what will work best for us in the long term,” Ahern said.
Rochester Teachers Association president Adam Urbanski said teachers have been dissatisfied with Iannuzzi's handling of some issues in the past, they “have also noted a marked change in his position with the call for a moratorium and with spearheading the vote of no confidence against Commissioner King,” he said.
“I think there is considerable dissatisfaction with the way things have turned out,” Urbanski continued, “and I think they want a stronger position to be taken by NYSUT than NYSUT has managed to take until now. There is absolutely no question about that. But they don't want change for the sake of change; they want change in position and the issues to be the focus point, not personalities.”

Read the entire piece here:
http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/albany/2014/01/8539552/nysut-president-loses-ground-divisive-election-nears

Read and download the MORE newsletter issue #2.
Print a few copies for your colleagues.

TODAY - Calling All Stakeholders - Feb 1: More than a Score: Talking back to testing event

This is going to be a great event. Ed Notes readers should try to attend. A true gathering of parents and teachers. A key day for creating alliances.

Join like minded-parents, teachers and administrators who know the time is NOW to bring education back onto the proper track to serve our children and our schools.

More than a Score: Talking back to testing

Edward A. Reynolds West Side High School

140 West 102nd Street, NYC

Saturday, February 1, 2014

11 am – 3 pm

Find out how you can stop the overuse of High Stakes Testing in your 

Join the citywide effort to achieve real teaching and learning!

Workshops include:

• High Stakes Testing 101: The Truth About Testing

Change the Stakes

• Teacher Evaluation, Testing, and the new UFT Contract

The MORE Contract Committee

• Stopping the Test-Fueled School-to-Prison Pipeline

Teachers Unite

• Portfolio Based Assessments in Middle and High School 

Educators from Consortium (non-regents) High Schools

• How can Students Fight Back?

NYC Student Union

• Portfolio Based Assessments in Elementary Schools

Elementary school educators

Cost: FREE

Childcare will be provided.

To RSVP, e-mail  events@morecaucusnyc.org

or visit    https://www.eventbrite.com/e/more-than-a-score-talking-back-to-testing-forum-tickets-9595589667

MORE, Change the Stakes, Teachers Unite, the NYC Student Union, and your fellow progressive educators, parents, students, and community members can’t wait to see you there!