Solution-Driven Unionism
President Weingarten reminded us that we should continue to lead the efforts in solution-driven unionism when confronting the challenges in education. This creative approach helped us keep our membership intact while sustaining our educational community’s excellence over the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 school years despite the imposition of an unfair and unconstitutional tax cap. Our union strives to work proactively in solving problems. As stated on the AFT’s site, “We must bring people together around agendas that serve all kids, all workers and all communities—to restore the middle class, strengthen our public schools, and invest in, not destabilize, communities…Solution-driven unionism takes many forms. At its core it ensures that we don’t merely survive, but that we succeed. Our success also rests upon electing leaders who support this concept, which is based on collaboration as opposed to conflict and on problem-solving as opposed to finger-pointing. The tempest swirling around us has far from subsided, and the November elections can shape whether it continues to rage or gives way to a climate of seeking solutions for the common good.”
If you would like to add a comment about solution-driven unionism, please visit:
https://afl.salsalabs.com/o/
Reclaim the Promise of Public Education
NYSUT and the AFT have reminded us to “Reclaim the Promise of Public Education.” And this is why your voice is needed, through voting, through action, through commitment. Follow the activities of Take Action Long Island (TALI), attend a rally, send a message to your legislator, vote – this is a much-needed step forward in reclaiming the promise..
Common Core and High-Stakes Testing
In addressing the Common Core and high-stakes testing, Randi stated, "After months of inoculating warnings that the first results of the Common Core testing would be disappointing, no one should be surprised. These results are the consequence of years of intense fixation on test prep and rote memorization instead of developing the critical-thinking and problem-solving skills our kids need. They are the consequence of simply telling teachers, ‘Here are new standards—just do it,’ without providing the adequate supports and preparation. They are the consequence of putting testing before teaching and learning, and rolling out tests before teachers and students even have the tools, curriculum and material to bring the Common Core into the classroom.
“The low scores will be used by some as an excuse to throw out the Common Core or denigrate public education; those are the wrong lessons. But it does show the impact of having an accountability system based on teaching to the test instead of developing the skills kids need. Teachers and students in New York and elsewhere worked incredibly hard this year. But their work was still based on a system that valued test prep and scoring well on old tests that were premised on rote memorization rather than on a system that provides the resources and supports—the curriculum, the professional development, the time, and the extra help kids need to achieve the deeper knowledge and understanding embedded in the Common Core.
"Even today, there are reports that teachers and students in New York City may not receive Common Core-aligned curriculum materials before school starts. And a new report from the Center on Education Policy indicates that many states do not have the necessary financial resources, staffing or high-quality materials to adequately prepare teachers to teach to the Common Core.
"These results should serve as a warning siren for states and districts across the country rushing to make the Common Core about tests and not about ensuring that the necessary shifts in instruction have occurred—especially to state education chiefs in states like New Mexico and Rhode Island who are being offered additional time to get this transition right but are refusing to take it. If we believe—which we do—that the Common Core State Standards are essential to teaching students the critical-thinking and problem-solving skills they need and to ensuring they are college- and career-ready, then we need to prepare the people who will be helping students master these skills. That is the call we made in April, and these results underscore that urgent need."
Send a message by signing the following NYSUT’s online petition on Too Much Testing today by heading to http://testing.nysut.org/
Follow AFT President Randi Weingarten: http://twitter.com/rweingarten
Want to Do More? – Three Easy
Links to Add Your Voice to Our CauseBecome an AFT-Activist today - http://www.aft.org/
Take Legislative Action - http://www.aft.org/
Use NYSUT’s Member Action Center - by computer: https://mac.nysut.org/ or download the MAC App for your SmartPhone, iPad or tablet.
VOTE COPE Matters! VOTE/COPE is the non-partisan political action arm of NYSUT. VOTE/COPE monies support candidates of all parties. Your voluntary paycheck deductions help!
Did You Know: After a number of union workers were injured and killed during the Pullman Strike, the United States Congress unanimously voted to approve rush legislation that made Labor Day a national holiday; President Grover Cleveland signed it into law a mere six days after the end of the strike.
Wishing you a rewarding school year,
RVCTA
Cabinet
Viri
Pettersen Lena Cobia Michael Maschio Lesli Deninno
Jenn
Cino Reilly Chris Figaro Deirdre Murtagh Chris D’Ambrosio
