The Informer February 2012 Volume 37, Issue 6 Find us in “Local Affiliates” at www.teateachers.org

Important Changes to Dues Deduction REA Officers

In last year’s legislative session, educators across the state were dealt a President crushing blow with the passage of PECCA (Professional Educators Brenda Ball Collaborative Conferencing Act). Among the many new restrictions [email protected] Blackman High School, science placed on educators is the prohibition of payroll dues deduction for members of education associations such as REA. The state considers President Elect participation in a local education association a political activity and Torian Hodges-Finch prohibits payroll deduction for any such activity. [email protected] Smyrna Middle School, social studies

Although the REA was elected by teachers to be the representative Secretary during collaborative conferencing, payroll dues deduction is on the list of Beverly Calder topics that are prohibited from discussion. Because the conferencing [email protected] team is not able to discuss the subject, the REA has come up with a Stewartsboro Elementary School, special education simple solution to the payroll dues deduction issue. Treasurer Currently, the payroll department deducts membership dues from an Michelle Pheneger individual’s paycheck. Under the new process, the REA will make that [email protected] deduction on the 21st of each month. The payment schedule will not Blackman High School, mathematics change—teachers will see the first dues deduction in October and the In This Issue: last in May. Teachers who elect to pay in full by check or cash will still have that option. Page 1 Changes to Dues Deduction Association Representatives at each school will begin converting Follow us! members within the next couple of months and will finish the process Page 2 before the end of the school year. The REA will make this as simple as TEA Seven-Point Plan possible for all members and the conversion will only take a few Proposed Education Legislation minutes. Page 3 REA Spring Banquet The prohibition of payroll dues deduction was included in PECCA by Legislative Forum Report legislators in a blatant attempt to reduce membership in local education Member Benefits associations and thereby silence the collective voices of educators. Page 4 Through this new method of deduction, teachers can continue their Dates to Remember membership and protect their rights and benefits as a member of REA Legislator Contact Info and TEA. Furthermore, once the conversion process is complete, Teacher Tips Central Office will no longer have a list of REA members and that list will no longer be public record (a safeguard of members’ privacy). Follow us on Facebook Join the REA in preserving and protecting the rights of educators by www.facebook.com/RutherfordEd converting to automatic dues deduction. ucationAssociation

What do teachers need to convert to REA dues deduction? Or on Twitter  A voided check @RutherfordEA  Sign the membership form provided by the school AR The Informer February 2012 Page 2

TEA’s Agenda to Fix the Annual Evaluation System from TEAch articles in The Tennessean “’smade teacher it clear how evaluation poor the system and supporting Proposed Education Legislation data systempublic are opinionso flawed is concerning that they diminish the education program forpublic Tennessee educators in students,” the said TEA President The current legislative session looks to be no more Summerford.Volunteer “As a result,State. students suffer as teachers and teacher friendly than the last. The following are a administrators are distracted from focusing on students few of the proposed pieces of legislation that will be learning inThe order first, to an meet opinion the column demands of the evaluation up for discussion this year: system.” by lawyer Alex Little, “New evaluations will foster House Senate Bill Summary As Tennesseeteacher reaches respect” the(Oct. middle 18), of this first year of Bill evaluations,criticizes teachers Tennessee across the state have seen glaring discrepancieseducators in scores for not welcoming from school to school and 2222 2547 Kelsey As introduced, requires local witnessed the new,demoralizing highly detailed effects and of this punitive system. Parkinson boards of education to adopt dress codes for professional time-consuming teacher employees. The followingevaluation recommendations system. from TEA address flaws in the evaluation system as implemented this year: 2675 As introduced, requires teachers instructing in subjects Page 2 According to Mr. Little, the Carr wherein an end-of-course new system is a “substantial 1. Designate the 2011-2012 initial implementation year as a exam is administered to take pilot/practiceimprovement” year so that over no the educator old will be negatively such exam, provided annually affected byone. this Inyear’s addition, evaluation the new rating. one by the state board of education, would have the added and pass with a score of 75 or 2. Prohibit benefit the use of raising of school the- widepublic’s data as a substitute for greater. respect for teachers. individual growth data for non-TVASS teachers. 2681 As introduced, makes K-12 Womick teachers state employees. 3. Provide Ithat will pointteachers out some who achieveflaws in and evaluation rating of “Meets the Expectations” assumptions (aMr. three Little on the five-point rating 2616 As introduced, establishes a scale) shallmakes be eligible in his foreditorial tenure. to Tracy pay system for LEA illustrate why the new instructional personnel based 4. Streamlineevaluations and strengthen are not likelythe observation to process: on performance. increase respect for  Reduce the number of required observations for teachers. accomplished teachers. A complete list of proposed legislation is posted on  Utilize observation instruments which appropriately the REA website. It is critical that all educators The new evaluation system reflect how students learn and teachers teach and was not, as Little claims, continue to contact their legislators and demand simplify“developedobservation by experts instrument here s so criteria to be that they vote “No” to these detrimental bills. Two observedin Tennessee.” in a single The lesson are realistic in both major victories this year demonstrate the power of numberevaluation and scope.system is called our voices: 1) The TSBE postponed a ruling on the  BaseTAP evaluation (Teacher Achievement ratings on actual observations of public reprimand and 2) Gov. Haslam pulled his teaching practice; prohibit manipulation of such Program) and was class size/“merit pay” bill. Remember, Our silence ratingsdeveloped to fit by aa conservative bell curve or expected student growththink data.tank that is funded by is our permission!  Providethe Milkin. administratorsFamily Foundation and teachers access to a scriptingbased in system Santa Monica, so that teachers can review and See the last page of the newsletter for names, email respondCalif. TAP to observation is presently dataused immediately. addresses and phone numbers of legislators. 5. Expandby the 200 15 percent options and allow teachers choice. Be informed! Make a list of bills to 6. Ensure accuracy of all data used in evaluations by providing a process for correcting erroneous data. follow on the TN General Assembly 7. Deliver teacher’s final evaluation ratings no later than the website. Sign up for “My Bills” and last workday of the school year. Ensure that ratings are receive updates on any action taken accompanied by recommendations for improvement and on bills in your list. Visit indications of the support to be provided to help teachers http://www.capitol.tn.gov/legislation/ improve. billtracker.html The Informer February 2012 Page 3

REA Members Speak Out at Legislative Forum

On Thursday, February 1, over 150 educators and REA Spring Banquet community members filled the auditorium at Blackman The REA is happy to announce plans for this year’s High School to speak with local legislators and the Spring Banquet. The Spring Banquet is a time to director of the TCRS. come together to celebrate the year’s achievements The forum allowed concerned educators to ask Tracy, in education and show appreciation for those Sparks, Womick, Carr and Ketron questions about educators who have chosen to retire at the end of proposed legislation, modification of the new this school year. evaluation system and changes to the TCRS st contributions. The banquet will take place on Tuesday, May 1 at 6:00 PM in the James Union Building at MTSU. The Throughout the two hours, educators received three cost is $20 per person and includes dinner and positives: all legislators are in favor of modifying the dessert. current evaluation tool, at least three of them seem to oppose any change to class size, and at least four th Any member who plans to retire this year should seem to oppose the bill about 8 grade promotion. contact Torian Hodges-Finch to be included on the program and receive information about the banquet. Nevertheless, teachers should not forget that these Retiring members will submit a short bio that five legislators have not been friends to education. President Ball will read during the recognition Apart from these three apparent stands, there was no ceremony. substantive change in their views of public education. Just a few short months ago, all five voted to 1) diminish tenure, 2) repeal negotiations, 3) authorize See your building AR for tickets and contact Torian virtual schools, 4) alter the TCRS board, 5) expand Hodges-Finch with any questions. charter schools, and 6) authorize at-will employment. Please join the REA in celebrating another successful Representative Carr conceded that the process the year! General Assembly employed last year was not productive and quite harmful to the relationship between teachers and politicians. However, none of Mobile Discount Benefit Added to the legislators suggested an alternative course of action that could have been taken, nor did any offer to TEA Membership Package author legislation that would undo the damage caused The TEA has a new mobile discount benefit for by last year’s votes. members that offers on-the-go savings of up to 50 percent on everyday purchases at more than 90,000 With all of this in mind, educators should celebrate a local and national retailers. renewed dialogue between the two parties while With the addition of the My Deals Mobile app, members remembering that there is no evidence to support that simply have to show their mobile devices at the point- these legislators have changed their positions. of-sale at restaurants, hotels, retailers and more to receive the discounts. Continue contacting them with concerns and remember the importance of voting for education- The TEA My Deals Mobile app is available for those friendly candidates at the next election. with Android and Apple mobile devices. The app is free to download and TEA members will need to log in with the same membership ID and password they use on the TEA Access savings network. The Informer Page 4 February 2012

232 Heritage Park Drive, Suite 101 Murfreesboro, TN 37129 Feb. 25 TEA New Teacher Conference Phone: 615.893.0322 Feb. 28 4th 6 weeks report cards Fax: 615.893.6473 March 1 Parent-Teacher conferences (9-12) March 2 NEA’s Read Across America Day www.teateachers.org March 8 PLC—early dismissal day for students Web Master March 13 Eboard meeting Kelly Chastain, Oakland High March 16-17 TEA Spring Symposium March 17 St. Patrick’s Day The Informer Editors March 19-23 Spring break Allen Nichols, Central Magnet March 23-24 Minority Affairs Conference Erin Alvarado, Central Magnet March 27 AR meeting March 27 3rd 9 weeks report card March 29 Parent-Teacher conferences (Pk-8)

Senate Education Committee Being Smart About the Evaluation Post-

Chairman Dolores Gresham 741‐2368 [email protected] Conference Vice Chairman Reginald Tate 741‐2509 [email protected]  Be prepared to take notes. Secretary Brian K. Kelsey 741‐3036 [email protected]  If you are asked to self-score, be Andy Berke 741‐6682 [email protected] prepared to discuss any evidence Charlotte Burks 741‐3978 [email protected] supporting the scores you assign. Stacey Campfield 741‐1766 [email protected]  Ask for and expect positive Rusty Crowe 741‐2468 [email protected] comments around reinforcements Jim Summerville 741‐4499 [email protected] and strengths of your performance. Jim Tracy 741‐1066 [email protected]  Ask for and expect feedback on refinements or areas that need improvement. House Education Committee  Ask the observer for strategies to Chairman Richard Montgomery 741‐5981 [email protected] Vice Chairman Joey Hensley 741‐7476 [email protected] improve areas of refinement and Secretary Joe Carr 741‐2180 [email protected] document the strategies. Harry Brooks 741‐6879 [email protected]  Ask your observer to name someone Kevin Brooks 741‐1350 [email protected] he/she considers a model of good John J.Deberry, Jr. 741‐2239 [email protected] teaching so you could observe that Lois M. DeBerry 741‐3830 [email protected] person’s teaching. ‐1721 Bill Dunn 741 [email protected]  Request suggestions for Craig Fitzhugh 741‐2134 [email protected] 741‐1725 [email protected] professional development that may Ron Lollar 741‐7084 [email protected] assist you with refinement areas. Debra Young Maggart 741‐3893 [email protected]  Request a copy of your observation Speaker Emeritus Jimmy Naifeh 741‐3774 [email protected] rating to place in your files. Joe Pitts 741‐2043 [email protected]  Don’t refuse to sign the observation 741‐3335 [email protected] rating documents as you could be 741‐4400 [email protected] considered insubordinate. Signing Ryan Williams 741‐1875 [email protected] John Mark Windle 741‐1260 [email protected] the document does not indicate agreement, only that it has been shared with you. Rutherford County Legislators  Don’ assume any negative Rep. 741-6829 [email protected] comments mean your job is in Rep. Joe Carr 741‐2180 [email protected] jeopardy, but do take them seriously. Rep. 741‐2804 [email protected]  Notify your AR or TEA UniServ Sen, Bill Ketron 741‐6853 [email protected] Coordinator of any problems you Sen. Jim Tracy 741‐1066 [email protected] have with your evaluation.