DKG: CREATING A POSITIVE VOICE

Dr. Elaine D. JenkinsJanuary 11, 2014Nu Chapter Presentation

DKG: RELEVANT PURPOSES TO ADVANCE the professional interest

and position of women in education TO INITIATE, ENDORSE AND SUPPORT

desirable legislation or other suitable endeavors in the interests of education and of women educators

TO INFORM the members of current economic, social, political, and educational issues so that they may participate effectively in a world society

DKG: CREATING A POSITIVE VOICETogether, We Are Stronger - Committing, Collaborating,

Celebrating!

Pat TaylorEta State

President

QUESTIONS: How important is public education to the health

of a representative democracy? How important is the education of the least and

most vulnerable children for the economic health of North Carolina?

What is the importance of placing the most qualified teachers before all children, including the poorest and most vulnerable?

When considering the legislative actions of 2013 and the potential further actions of 2014, who will want to teach in North Carolina?

2013 LEGISLATIVE ACTION Eliminated tenure Left salaries at the same level Removed the pay increase for graduate

degrees Authorized the first voucher program Increased growth of charter schools Increased class sizes Eliminated a significant number of

teacher assistant positions

2013 LEGISLATIVE ACTION Devised a plan to identify and

provide four year contracts for top 25% of teachers

Created a plan to grade public schools

Made permanent cuts in LEA funding that previously had been left to superintendents’ discretion.

MORE SIGNALS FROM LEGISLATORS Began to discuss moving more

fiscal responsibility for funding public schools from the state level to local governments

STATE AUTHORITY FOR EDUCATION:N.C. STATE CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE IX

Section 2. Uniform system of schools(1) General and uniform system: term.

The General Assembly shall provide by taxation and otherwise for a general and uniform system of free public schools, which shall be maintained at least nine months in every year, and wherein equal opportunities shall be provided for all students.

STATE AUTHORITY FOR EDUCATION:N.C. STATE CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE IX

(2) Local responsibility. The General Assembly may assign to units of local government such responsibility for the financial support of the free public schools as it may deem appropriate. The governing boards of units of local government with financial responsibility for public education may use local revenues to add or to supplement any public school or post-secondary school program.

FEDERAL FUNDING The U.S. Constitution leaves the

responsibility for public K-12 education with the states.

The Federal government, through the legislative process, provides assistance to the states and schools in an effort to supplement, not supplant, state support.ED.gov U.S. Department of Education

DKG: CREATING A POSITIVE VOICE

At what level of government do your issues fall?

If you don’t know, (for heaven’s sake!) find out before you take action!!

WHERE ARE THE STATE’S PRIORITIES?

Effective schools can make a substantial difference in the achievement of students.

…the one factor that surfaced as the single most influential component of an effective school is the individual teachers within that school.

Marzano, R.J. (2007) The Art and Science of Teaching.

Page 1

WHERE ARE THE STATE’S PRIORITIES?

The research indicates that the number of well-qualified, certified teachers within the state is a consistent and significant predictor of student achievement in math and reading on standardized tests. Furthermore, one of the best predictors of low student performance in individual schools is the number of uncertified teachers in the building.

Stronge, James H. (2002). Qualities of Effective Teachers. p. 7.

LEGISLATION ON PERSONNEL:4-YEAR CONTRACTS FOR TOP 25%

By the end of the year, superintendents must submit to BOE’s a plan to identify the top 25% of the teaching staff to receive 4-year contracts.

As the contracts are accepted, these teachers must give up tenure.

In return, they will receive an addition $500 per year which compounds over 4 years to be $5000 per teacher.

LEGISLATION ON PERSONNEL:4-YEAR CONTRACTS FOR TOP 25%

What procedures will be used? Must have been with the district for 3 years or

be in the third year. Must have been given “Proficient” on all

evaluations and observations. Then it gets interesting!! What should be

considered? Certification + National Boards? Certifications, Evaluations + Extra Activities? 25% of every school or 25% across the district? Do you put everyone who qualifies in a hat and

draw out the top 25%?

LEGISLATION ON PERSONNEL:4-YEAR CONTRACTS FOR TOP 25%

What will this do for cooperation and collegiality among teachers?

What will this mean for future contracts?

What other opportunities for a pay raise will be considered in the future?

Who qualifies as a “teacher?”

GRADING SCHOOLS Legislation goes into effect in

2013-14 Grades every school on a scale A

to F Elementary and Middle Schools:

EOG scores at proficient Growth may be factored into the formula

MS may count any EOC scores

GRADING SCHOOLS High Schools:

EOC performance composite Graduation Rate Work Keys Proficiency Rate ACT Indicator - % of students scoring

17 or better (UNC standard for entrance)

Math Course rigor - % completing Algebra II

Take a straight average and then add in growth

DKG: Creating a Positive Voice

How will DKG Respond?

DKG: CREATING A POSITIVE VOICE Suggestions: Keep it LOCAL!

Find out how the 2013 legislative session impacted your system by inviting the superintendent or designee to give a program.

Make sure you know who your representatives are. Email and/or call them with your priorities.

Try to meet with him/her before the spring legislative session.

Invite them to a chapter meeting and have your questions ready.

Share the local impact with your representative. Share the local impact with friends and neighbors.

DKG: CREATING A POSITIVE VOICE Consider framing your points with

reference to the greater economic good. Become familiar with the innovative

businesses in your area. Attend Chamber of Commerce events for

teachers. Invite a member of the Chamber to speak to

your chapter. Promote STEMS projects. Begin talking with your students (however

young) about their future jobs!

DKG: CREATING A POSITIVE VOICE1. Always thank the legislator for doing

something that you appreciate. 2. Prepare carefully in order to be succinct.3. Don’t come in large groups to overwhelm

the legislator, and never corner them!4. Don’t raise your voice at them, it puts

them on the defensive.5. Make an appointment, and prepare to

have a well-organized meeting.

DKG: CREATING A POSITIVE VOICE6. See them locally if possible. Many of

them offer office hours within their home district.

7. Phone calls can be more effective than emails because they receive so many of emails each day.

8. A written letter is effective and often better than an email.Dr. Hope Williams, PresidentN.C. Independent Colleges & Universities

DKG: CREATING A POSITIVE VOICE When contacting a state legislator, make sure

you tell them that you live in his/her district. Use the new Eta State Protocol to guide your

communications whenever you represent Delta Kappa Gamma!

Be a positive representative of the profession wherever you go (church, bank, dry cleaners, grocery store, neighborhood parties, etc.).

Read a good newspaper on a regular basis. Read messages from your supporters as well as

your critics.

DKG: CREATING A POSITIVE VOICE Get involved with your party. Work in a volunteer organization and bring to

the attention of legislators your issues. Lobbyists are trying to get a point across about

the effects of legislation on their industry (what would be the consequences?) Pitch in with an organization.

The challenge of moderates is that we’re less likely to make the calls!

Former Governor Jim MartinCharlotte Observer Community ForumNovember 30, 2012

SUGGESTED QUESTIONS FOR STATE LEGISLATORS: We have heard much conversation about

shifting financial responsibility for public schools to local communities. Which state funding plan would you like to emulate?

(If they support more local responsibility) Would you support allowing local Board of Education to have taxing authority?

Remembering that all educators contribute to the state retirement system, do you support the continued funding of a state retirement system for all future public school employees?

SUGGESTED QUESTIONS FOR STATE LEGISLATORS

Should retiring educators receive state funded medical benefits?

In what ways will you protect the state retirement system from risky investments?

Do you support “for profit” charter schools? Do you support “for profit” private schools? Why are some charter schools allowed to “expel”

their students and then send them back to public schools?

Why are charter schools not required to share the behavior record of students with any receiving school?

DKG: CREATING A POSITIVE VOICE Please do not:

Discuss your political beliefs with your students

Send messages that contain political information or opinions to school email addresses

Resort to sarcasm in your conversations with and about politicians

Get discouraged when critics of public schools come back at you!

DKG: CREATING A POSITIVE VOICE Are all your members registered to vote? How many members vote? How are you educating yourselves on the

2013 legislation? Are you developing your questions for

politicians in advance? Remember: you may not learn what you want to know simply because you do not ask the question properly!

DKG: CREATING A POSITIVE VOICE According to an Associated Press

report, the consumer-finance industry spent more than $1.8 million to hire at least 20 lobbyists and push a flood of donations to political leaders. (They got results!)

What we lack in money, we make up in numbers of voters. How can we work together?

DKG: CREATING A POSITIVE VOICE

You have a voice. Where will your voice be heard?