National

The NEA has has added NCLB reform to its priorities as well as the repeal of the Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Elimination Provision of the Social Security Act.  Kay Granger, Kenny Marchant and Michael Burgess have all signed on as co-sponsors to support the repeal bill. As for NCLB, since Congress is looking at possible changes, it is important that the NEA make positive contributions. The following link will take you to the NEA’s Web page that contains the NEA’s Positive Agenda for the ESEA (NCLB)Reauthorization: www.nea.org/esea

We urge all Texas Educators and other public employees to call their Congressmen and Senators and ask them to expedite the passage of H.R. 82 and SR. 206. The GPO and the WEP are two provisions of the Social Security act that prevent Texas educators and other public employees from receiving Social Security survivor and retirement benefits. More information on the WEP-GPO can be obtained at the NEA website. Just click on the following link: www.nea.org/socialsecurity/index.html
 

Texas

At the state level, another session of the Legislature has come and gone. Minimal damage was done to public education and educators this session. A bill was passed that would authorize school districts to give teachers a raise of about $450 this coming year. TSTA, of course, had asked for much more. CHIP benefits were restored to several hundred thousand children. Beyond that, little benefiting school kids was accomplished. Along with the small raise (which districts may or may not give), a provision was included that would authorize districts to give some raises based on performance.

Another positive from the Legislature was the elimination of the TAKS for high schools beginning for incoming freshman in 2011. At that time students will begin taking end of course exams  in core subjects. This should be a much more fair system as teachers will only be responsible for the TEKS that they teach and not the TEKS from other grades and subjects.

Also we may see the end of the Craddick leadership. His dictatorial style and the fact that he is out of touch with the voters of Texas (especially on education issues) has resulted in a loss of confidence in  his leadership even among Republicans.

A legislative summary is available at the following link: www.tsta.org/legislative/update.

Local

Locally, Dr Johnson continues to implement Vision 2010 with initiatives including the Institute for Learning’s program and Balanced Literacy and High School Redesign. Still lots of bumps in the road including technology training, violations of the Paperwork Reduction act with more detailed and lengthy lesson plans, excess staff development, and anti employee initiatives such as the attempt to repeal district policy on progressive discipline, eliminate the informal hearing in the grievance process and the implementation of a performance pay plan based on TAKS scores.

However, a new curriculum software passage  will be implemented by the district and should make life much easier for teachers. Online access to curriculum strategies, plans, and activities compiled by the best and brightest in the district will give teachers the opportunity to fine tune lesson plans and implement activities from which all students should benefit. Samples of what is to come are now available through the district’s web site. Stay tuned for more from this exciting new software.

Also we should see a change in the upcoming school year from First Class email to Microsoft's Outlook Express. More later.

 
TSTA News Release Link