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Overview of the 2017 TENNESSEE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION legislative wins and losses for public education PUBLIC SCHOOL Pg. 4-5 ADVOCATE LEGISLATIVE REPORT | May 15, 2017 | VOLUME 3, ISSUE 8 TN GENERAL ASSEMBLY ADJOURNS TEA extends winning streak, 2017 protects public education Private school vouchers defeated for fifth straight year 2016 Private school voucher bills have said TEA President Barbara Gray. “We vouchers, there is a strong appetite for become synonymous with the have seen in other states how quickly accountability. Tennessee General Assembly. ‘pilot programs’ can become statewide “Legislators and constituents made programs. If vouchers were allowed in 2015 For five straight years, bills to strip it very clear to the bill sponsors that public funding from our local public any district, it could ultimately cripple if these private schools want public schools to fund private school tuition the budgets of school districts all across money, they must also take the public have been filed. For five straight years, the state.” test,” Gray said. TEA and other public school advocates Bill sponsors Sen. Brian Kelsey The insistence that private schools have fought back and won. and Rep. Harry Brooks tried a new 2014 accepting voucher students administer “The voucher fight has serious approach this year by targeting only the state TNReady assessment was implications for all school districts Shelby County Schools. They quickly a key to the bill’s downfall this year. statewide, even if they are not learned that while there is little Private school operators, like the appetite for any form of private school specifically targeted in the legislation,” Vouchers defeated 2013 cont. page 4 Legislative leaders demand TNReady questions action on teacher pay raises to be released this TEA made the 2017 session about Speaker Beth Harwell (R-Nashville) fall under new “Test getting state raise funds into and House Finance Ways and teacher paychecks. We testified in Means Chairman Charles Sargent Transparency” law committees, lobbied legislators and (R-Franklin) sent a letter to As schools across the state conclude this leaders, and pushed across the state Commissioner Candice McQueen year’s testing season, teachers and parents for change. and the State Board of Education, alike anticipate the release of test questions Legislative leaders are responding. outlining the case to drive state funds thanks to the new testing transparency law, On the last session day, House into teacher salaries. which went into effect this year as a result of “We are writing about growing a TEA proposal in the 2015 session. Speaker concerns in the General Assembly “In order to make state tests as transparent Harwell regarding teacher compensation in as possible and to get a handle on the role Tennessee. Many of our colleagues of testing in education, we had to take the have found that while the General mystery out of assessments,” said TEA Assembly has appropriated record Executive Director Carolyn Crowder. ‘This increases in state funds for teacher year is the first time the state Department of compensation over the past several Education will begin releasing test questions years, teachers in their district have and answers.” Raise for all teachers According to the department, only a small cont. page 6 amount of test items from 2016-17 ELA and math tests will be released in the fall. More questions will be released from science tests. The state plans to increase the number of items released in future years. After 2017-18, the department anticipates releasing 60-70 percent of questions for all tests. Test transparency cont. page 6 THE STRONGEST VOICE FOR SCHOOLS AND EDUCATORS 2018 and beyond, we must Legislative wins prove stand united for public ed YOU are our best advocate By TEA President Barbara Gray By TEA Executive Director Carolyn Crowder

At the 2017 TEA Representative Assembly It would be easy to feel overwhelmed at the we had the opportunity to celebrate the start of a legislative session looking at the list 50th anniversary of TEA’s merger with the of fights we expect to encounter in any given Tennessee Education Congress, formerly the year. professional association for black educators. I, however, am increasingly confident at the The celebration got me thinking about all start of each session because of what I have that we have been able to accomplish as a witnessed in the previous years. Looking back strong, united association advocating for at the 2017 session that just wrapped up last students, public schools and the teaching week is no different. profession - and more importantly, all of the You see, TEA not only has one the best opportunities that lie ahead of us. lobbying teams in the state, we also have a The spirit of the merger lives on in secret weapon - YOU! our membership today. We recognize all that we have already Our lobbying team does a great job laying the ground work with accomplished together, the common goals we share as public legislators on the issues that matter most to our members, but the educators and now our power as we stand as one united front most effective advocate at changing a legislator’s vote is the educator fighting for public education in Tennessee. from his or her district back home. Nothing rivals the value of hearing We had many legislative wins this year, as you will read about in this from the real experts on what students and teachers need to succeed. issue, but there is still much work to be done. TEA has won legislative battles in recent years that no one expected As we continue the us to win - except for us, of course. While outside interest groups and Equitable funding and fight for great public anti-public education legislators might underestimate the power of schools for every tens of thousands of public school educators, we never have. equitable resources are vital Tennessee student, We regularly go up to student achievement and an important part of against opponents with that fight is for racial seemingly unlimited Educators are a unique group. educator empowerment. and social justice so funding, with the We are passionate about that every student will assumption in politics our profession and deeply have access to a quality is that money is power. education at their local public school and every educator will have While that is true protective of our students in a the resources needed to provide for their students. in many ways, that way other people cannot fully Equitable funding and equitable resources are vital to student assumption has not understand. achievement and educator empowerment. We must not overlook the held up in Tennessee schools and districts struggling to provide the learning environment when it comes to our children deserve. public education legislation. Advocacy at the state and local levels can make all the difference in Educators are a unique group. We are passionate about our profession how funds are allocated and how raises are passed down to teachers. and deeply protective of our students in a way other people cannot fully understand. We put our whole hearts into ensuring our students I encourage you to stay engaged over the summer. Even though the have what they need to learn and grow into strong, successful adults. legislature has adjourned, important work will still be happening at the state level. This is how we end up grading papers and creating lesson plans at all hours of the night and weekend. This is how we end up spending The State Board of Education will meet next month and take up another $100 on classroom supplies. This is how we end up spending the issue of how to implement some of the laws passed this session, our spring break driving to Nashville to tell our legislators, “We are including teacher pay raises. Ensuring teacher raises passed by the watching you.” General Assembly actually end up in your paychecks is an issue TEA has been pushing since the State Minimum Salary Schedule was We give our hearts and our time, where others just give money. Its gutted several years ago. hard to compete with that. As we enter the next 50 years as a strong, united association, let’s I want to thank each of you who came to Civication to meet with fight for the public education our students deserve to ensure they legislators, who called and emailed elected officials and somehow reach their full potential. Let’s fight for the profession we love. Let’s found the time to be an advocate in addition to all of the other hats fight for the next generation of educators and students who will you wear. benefit from our tireless advocacy, just as we benefit from those who In 2017, you were once again the most effective advocate in the have come before us. statehouse. We must continue to ASK, ENGAGE, and LEAD our profession so I am so proud to be your executive director and stand beside you in these dreams will come true. advocating for Tennessee’s students and public schools. You are truly a force to be reckoned with.

TENNESSEE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION MANAGING EDITOR: Amanda Chaney DISTRICT 2 Michele Bowman (865) 679-6523 BLACK CLASSROOM TEACHER EAST Pam Thompson BUILDING OPERATIONS MANAGER: Galen Riggs; (USPS 17201) PUBLIC SCHOOL ADVOCATE [email protected] DISTRICT 3 Michael Carvella (865) 212-9774 (615) 948-7378 COMPTROLLER: David Shipley; UNISERV FIELD is published nine times, biweekly, mid-January through DISTRICT 4 Connie Mitchell (865) 609-1702 BLACK CLASSROOM TEACHER MIDDLE MANAGERS: Karla Carpenter; Leigh Phillips; STAFF mid-May, by the Tennessee Education Association, ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Jim Wrye DISTRICT 5 Jeanette Omarkhail (423) 413-9114 VACANT 801 Second Avenue North, Nashville TN 37201-1099. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & PUBLISHER: ATTORNEYS: John Allen, Virginia A. McCoy; BLACK CLASSROOM TEACHER WEST Tiffany Reed Periodicals postage paid at Nashville, TN, and additional Carolyn Crowder DISTRICT 6 Jennifer Eilender (931) 704-2487 GOVERNMENT RELATIONS COORDINATOR: Drew (901) 412-2759 offices.POSTMASTER : Send address changes to Tennessee Education DISTRICT 7 Jim Gifford (615) 430-6233 Sutton; COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR: Amanda TENNESSEE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION DISTRICT 8 Kevin King (615) 504-0425 STATE SPECIAL SCHOOLS Debi Ponder (615) 969-4362 Chaney; COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR: PUBLIC SCHOOL ADVOCATE, 801 Second Avenue Association DISTRICT 9 Stephen Henry (615) 519-5691 NEW TEACHER Carrie Allison (812) 205-7689 Alexei Smirnov; INSTRUCTIONAL ADVOCACY & 801 Second Avenue North North, Nashville, TN 37201-1099. Periodical postage paid DISTRICT 10 Randall Woodard (615) 594-5632 ESP Sandra McDurmon (901)237-2866 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COORDINATORS: at Nashville, TN, and additional offices. The subscription Nashville, TN 37201-1099 DISTRICT 11 Brandi Adams (731) 439-3476 TN NEA DIRECTOR Tanya Coats (865) 308-2787 Rhonda Thompson; William O’Donnell; ADVOCACY price of $6.89 is allocated from annual membership dues Telephone: (615) 242-8392, DISTRICT 12 Janis Carroll (731) 431-2387 TN NEA DIRECTOR Karen Anderson (423) 741-9682 HOTLINE COORDINATORS: Forestine Cole, Gera of $258.00 for active members; $129.00 for associate, Toll Free: (800) 342-8367, (800) 342-8262 DISTRICT 13 VACANT STEA MEMBER Celeste Randall (615) 335-0217 Summerford & Cynthia Wood. education support and staff members; $16.00 for retired Fax: (615) 259-4581 members; and $10.00 for student members. Member of DISTRICT 14 Kenyon Cook (901) 605-7080 TN RETIRED Linda McCrary (615) 888-7026 Website: www.teateachers.org State Education Association of Communicators (SEAC). DISTRICT 15 Neshellda Johnson (901) 857-6042 * Executive Committee UniServ Staff contact information ADMINISTRATOR EAST Jessica Holman (865) 689-1450 AT LARGE RETIRED DIRECTOR ON NEA BOARD can be found on page 6. Postmaster: Send address changes to BOARD OF DIRECTORS ADMINISTRATOR MIDDLE Margaret Thompson JoAnn Smith (423 )914-2818 TENNESSEE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT: Barbara Gray* (800) 342-8367 (615) 643-7837 PUBLIC SCHOOL ADVOCATE, VICE PRESIDENT: Beth Brown* (931) 779-8016 ADMINISTRATOR WEST Dennis Kimbrough TEA HEADQUARTERS STAFF 801 Second Avenue North, SECRETARY-TREASURER: Carolyn Crowder (901) 494-0105 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Carolyn Crowder; ASST. Nashville, TN 37201-1099. (615) 242-8392 HIGHER EDUCATION Josephine McQuail EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS: Terrance Gibson; DISTRICT 1 Joe Crabtree* (423) 794-9357 (931) 520-0449 Steve McCloud; Jim Wrye; TECHNOLOGY & Member Voices The danger of special education vouchers By D.J. Omarkhail, Hamilton County EA member ASKTEA Free parent thinks that his/her student is not ANSWERS FROM THE EXPERTS appropriate making adequate progress, they can ask public for a parent-teacher conference. But, education for they have no other recourse. They no AT THE TEA HOTLINE every student longer have federal law ensuring that did not exist the school is accountable. They give up Q: I am a non-tenured teacher. One of my colleagues prior to 1975. that right when they accept a special told me that I could lose my job if I receive a letter at the Over 4 million education voucher. end of the year saying that I am being non-reelected. Is children with Special education vouchers are this true? disabilities dangerous! were denied A: Yes. As a non-tenured teacher you are hired on a appropriate They may be the first step in the continuing contract, but you are subject to being non- access to public education. Some of privatizers game plan to overturn reelected and having your contract non-renewed each IDEA. Why are privatizers working to these students were segregated; others year. In order for this non-reelection/non-renewal to end IDEA? It is costly. IDEA cuts into were placed in regular classrooms, be effective, state law provides that you must receive their profit margin. The smoke screen but without supports needed to access written notice within five business days following the the curriculum. Many were not is school choice. The reality is they want to deny students the right to IDEA last instructional day for the school year. “Business allowed to attend public schools at days” means Monday-Friday. If you do not receive all. (Katsiyannis, Yell, Bradley, 2001; protections. a written notice within five business days following Martin, Martin, Terman, 1996; U.S. The effort to end special education in the last instructional day, then your continuing Department of Education, 2010). Tennessee is under way. I have talked with legislators at the Plaza in Nashville contract renews, and you are entitled to another year’s Special education vouchers are employment with the school system. dangerous! and listened to the education committee debate vouchers. The majority of Thirty-four students with disabilities the committee members support in Tennessee no longer have an Q: I am licensed to teach K-5 and would like to add an special education vouchers. This is endorsement to teach Art in middle school. I have a equal opportunity to learn. Their evidenced by the Individual Education parents signed away their rights to minor in Art Education in college. Is there simply a test I Account bill that passed and is being could take to add this endorsement? a free appropriate public education implemented. as outlined in the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Special education vouchers are A: In your case there is not a test-only option since dangerous! the grade level of your current endorsement (K-5) They were lured by less than $6,700 does not align with the Art endorsement for grades to spend on their child’s education. There is a plan to end IDEA on the 6-8. The only option, then, is to complete a program They must not have understood that national level. President Trump offered by an approved educator preparation provider Tennessee public schools spend more appointed an education secretary who than $16,000 per student with special knows nothing about IDEA. Why (usually a college Department of Education), receive education needs. They must not have should she? Religious schools do not a recommendation from the provider, and submit understood how much they were giving adhere to IDEA. They are not held qualifying scores on all required content assessments. up. accountable by IDEA. They frame the Since you are already licensed to teach in Tennessee, conversation as school choice. the educator preparation provider should not require IDEA guarantees that schools must identify students with disabilities, But, giving up the protection of federal general education coursework as part of the program of write annual goals, provide classroom law is not a choice that any informed study for additional endorsements. accommodations, provide special parent would make. Adding endorsements is typically not a simple prospect. education services and provide related We must warn parents. We must Contact your UniServ coordinator for assistance. services. dialogue with our school board Students who qualify for assistive members, county commissioners, state legislators, and federal legislators. Q: My license will expire in August 2019 and I’ve heard technology are given devices to use there are professional development requirements under while in school. Those who qualify are These men and women are being led the new state guidelines, even for teachers with advanced provided an aid to help them access the out onto thinning ice and taking others degrees. What’s required to get my license renewed? curriculum in the general education with them. setting. Thirty-four students in Tennessee are Regardless of the college degree attained, already in danger of falling through the A: Any parent who accepts an educators must earn a total of thirty (30) professional ice. Special education vouchers are just Individualized Education Account development points (PDPs) to advance or a total of 60 as dangerous as walking across a frozen (IEA), the name of Tennessee’s special PDPs to renew a teacher license. The PDPs must be education voucher, surrenders his/her river that is too thin to support one’s weight. accrued during the effective date of the license, that student’s right to these benefits. is, after the date the license was last issued, and must Losing access to education is like falling Special education teachers are required be related to improving educator effectiveness. PDPs through the ice and risk drowning. to send parents progress reports can be accrued by attending professional development quarterly. If a parent thinks that his/ Students with disabilities who are sessions (including designated in-service activities), by her student is not making adequate robbed of free appropriate public earning continuing education credits or college credits, progress, they can ask for an Individual education may be condemned to life receiving or renewing National Board Certification, and Education Plan (IEP) meeting. without opportunities, to life without by achieving overall TEAM scores of 3 or higher. By law, a school is required to hold the the skills and knowledge necessary to IEP meeting. If a parent is not satisfied, thrive. he/she has a right to take it to central Get the word out: special education The TEA Advocacy Hotline office. IDEA guarantees that schools vouchers are dangerous! supports local leaders and building are accountable. representatives in answering member questions. If you have an employment- Schools who accept special education related question, please contact your voucher funds are not accountable. If a building rep or UniServ coordinator.

TEA Public School Advocate 3 2017 Session Winner: Public Education Actions of General Assembly ensure great public schools for all Tennessee children Vouchers defeated for fifth time, Supply money to go directly to teachers After years of running bills to increase distribute $200 directly to every K-12 teacher teacher supply funds and seeing them die by Oct. 31 of each school year so that the expected to return in 2018 “behind the budget” due to lack of funding, teacher may spend it at any time during that TEA is happy to report that this year a year on instructional supplies as determined Vouchers defeated from page 1 TN POLLING ON teacher supply bill passed the legislature. necessary by the teacher. Catholic Diocese, balked at the idea Rep. Mary Littleton (R-Dickson) and Sen. Teachers also have the discretion of whether of being forced the use the state test Dolores Gresham (R-Somerville) had the to pool the money for a shared purpose or to measure student performance. VOUCHERS supply increase bill, HB457/SB401, which use it for their own classroom needs — a was headed for budget oblivion until change from previous legislation, which “We have seen in other states how Littleton offered an amendment. required pooling half of the money for these voucher programs often school needs. lower student performance and are The bill directs the school district to susceptible to fraud,” Gray said. “While TEA opposes any form of Counselors gain private school vouchers, regardless Right to be of the accountability measures, it new rights and is important that safeguards be put YES in place to protect our children protections respected comes and taxpayer money. The only NO New legislation freeing school counselors of the way to measure voucher students’ fear of liability when referring students has been along with adequately performance against public school signed into law by Gov. Bill Haslam. students is by administering the HB720/SB341 protects both school counselors same state assessment.” supplied classroom STATEWIDE (6,510 respondents) and their school districts from financial liability if Despite five straight years of defeat, a student is referred by a school counselor to an The Teacher Bill of Rights legislation, HB174/SB14, passed the TEA expects the voucher fight outside professional for additional help. Senate in the first week of May. to resume once again in 2018. Referrals were tricky in the past, creating Many of its provisions are either unenforceable or what TEA Privatization advocates maintain uncertainty across the state about financial staff call “reiteration” legislation, covering areas that are already that Tennesseans want a voucher NO 59.5% liability. in law and being enforced through TEA legal services. However, program, but TEA research has there were new groundbreaking parts of the bill that would proven otherwise. Greater clarity in law allows counselors to do their have, had they passed, blown up the evaluation system and job and act in their best professional judgment. Based on responses of more than reduced penalties on testing. 6,500 Tennesseans, research shows YES 29% Early in the process all of these provisions were stripped out of constituents back home strongly the bill with the help of PET. But TEA fought and won the fight to reject private school vouchers. and across demographic groups. Retired teachers keep the provision ensuring that teachers are not to be required to In the largest and most “The voucher fight takes up so use personal funds to appropriately equip a classroom. comprehensive polling data on the much time and energy every year get increase for “This is the first time in state law where teachers subject, TEA extensively surveyed that could be better spent on the have the right not to use their own money to outfit rural, urban and suburban voters in issues that actually matter to our substitute work an adequately supplied classroom. I know so many all three grand divisions of the state. students and educators,” Gray said. teachers have to reach into their own pockets Of the respondents, 59.5 percent “I am hopeful that as legislators The 110th General Assembly passed a law requiring for basics like copy paper. Now we have a tool rejected private school vouchers and continue to hear strong voucher that school districts pay retired teachers who serve to demand reimbursement from the system. only 29 percent approved, verifying opposition from folks back home, as substitute teachers the same rate as subs with Should be interesting,” said TEA what educators have known for they will turn their attention to active teaching licenses, although non-license lobbyist Jim Wrye. years – private school vouchers more important issues like reducing retirees will not be able to act as long-term are unwanted and unneeded in testing, increasing funding and substitutes. Tennessee. The two-to-one negative supporting Tennessee’s hardworking Giving them attractive pay and ability to opinion was consistent statewide educators.” work is a win for our state. Attacks on the association met with strong opposition TEA defeats payroll bill Much like the voucher fight, this is an issue that comes up Anti-NEA Resolution never even discussed almost every legislative session. TEA soundly defeated this year’s payroll attack, SB404/ Senator Dolores Gresham this year pushed a resolution that HB356 by Sen. Dolores Gresham (R- Somerville) and During last year’s payroll fight, when TEA had to kill would have directed the Tennessee Education Association carried in the House by Rep. Bill Dunn (R-Knoxville). the payroll dues deduction ban four separate times, the to send a delegation to the NEA and request the repeal legislative Fiscal Review Committee said payroll deduction Also known as the “teacher tax,” the bill would have allowed of NEA’s I-17, a resolution which expresses support for for dues costs school boards nothing because payroll women’s reproductive freedom. school systems to charge up to 10 percent of dues and also departments in school districts already provide for many removed any power that systems have to set requirements other deductions for things like supplemental insurance. The resolution and the term “reproductive freedom” on how organizations qualify for payroll deduction. The 10 came about in 1985 in response to teachers being percent tax provision was removed prior to the bill’s defeat. “As long as TEA is the largest and strongest advocate for fired for being pregnant and unwed. public education, we will continue to be a target for the “We had to fight this attack again like we did last year, deep-pocketed private interest groups who want to destroy TEA members attending the 1985 Representative and we are happy to report that the payroll bill failed public education in Tennessee,” said Gray. Assembly voted on the resolution with the Eckmann overwhelmingly in the House Finance Subcommittee with case as the cause. no discussion or questions,” said TEA President Barbara Members have the option of switching their dues payment Gray. “It is a testament to the relationships TEA has option to bank draft, which eliminates legislators’ ability to Gresham’s attempt to direct the actions of a private established with legislators on both sides of the aisle.” threaten our membership. Members interested in making association represented yet another attack on teachers the switch to protect their membership should visit and their association. Fortunately, little support existed for Most members pay dues using payroll deduction, which www.TEAteachers.org/EZpay. Gresham’s malicious efforts and the resolution was never makes it a target for privatization groups as they attempt to even heard in committee. weaken our association. Legislative session 2017 Session Winner: Public Education included few losses Actions of General Assembly ensure great public schools for all Tennessee children for public schools, Supply money to go directly to teachers Bathroom bill fails in committee students, teachers distribute $200 directly to every K-12 teacher Senator Mae Beavers sponsored the familiar “bathroom bill” this session. This by Oct. 31 of each school year so that the legislation would have told local school systems how to deal with issues of bathroom IEA rewrite bill passes; concerns create path teacher may spend it at any time during that access for transgender students - something school districts have been handling to reevaluate program next year year on instructional supplies as determined without issue. After protests in the sponsor’s legislative office and push-back from The IEA rewrite bill passed both chambers at the necessary by the teacher. constituents back home, this bill stalled in the Senate Education Committee. end of the legislative session in spite of growing Teachers also have the discretion of whether Not only would it have devastating economic consequences (North Carolina lost opposition by experts and some lawmakers. The bill to pool the money for a shared purpose or hundreds of millions of dollars in convention and sporting event revenue this year passed by only 52 votes, receiving only one vote more use it for their own classroom needs — a due to a similar legislative effort), but it would also threaten transgender students than the initial vote two years ago. change from previous legislation, which and take away local control. Despite little interest from eligible Tennessee families required pooling half of the money for in year one, the IEA bill opens the program to 13,000 school needs. more families next year, up from 22,000. If current trends continue, the state estimates this will bring in an additional 100 students. Right to be TEA is concerned that the IEA program has no safeguards to ensure participating students continue their learning in a safe and nurturing environment. respected comes Charter school bill passes, debate to along with adequately continue next session The rewrite of the charter supplied classroom legislation (HB310/SB1197) received final approval in the The Teacher Bill of Rights legislation, HB174/SB14, passed the Senate and on the House Senate in the first week of May. floor in the final weeks Many of its provisions are either unenforceable or what TEA of the session, passing staff call “reiteration” legislation, covering areas that are already both chambers with little in law and being enforced through TEA legal services. However, opposition. TEA stopped there were new groundbreaking parts of the bill that would the language that would have, had they passed, blown up the evaluation system and have given charters property reduced penalties on testing. rights to purchase for an Early in the process all of these provisions were stripped out of unused or underutilized the bill with the help of PET. But TEA fought and won the fight to school building. keep the provision ensuring that teachers are not to be required to “We have concerns about the use personal funds to appropriately equip a classroom. purchase of buildings for private “This is the first time in state law where teachers charters using public tax dollars,” have the right not to use their own money to outfit said TEA Executive Director an adequately supplied classroom. I know so many Carolyn Crowder. “As the bill is teachers have to reach into their own pockets currently written, it would allow a for basics like copy paper. Now we have a tool charter operator to retain ownership to demand reimbursement from the system. even if they no longer operate a school on Should be interesting,” said TEA the property bought with tax dollars.” lobbyist Jim Wrye. The charter bill rewrite establishes a new dedicated fund that could be used for the purchase or renovation of public or private property. TEA has stressed that there are good and bad actors in the charter movement, and safeguards must be put in Legislators listen to educator place to prevent abuses of publicly owned land. TEA will continue to push for claw-back provisions. Attacks on the association met with strong opposition feedback and fix recess bill “If land is improved with public dollars, we need to A new proposal to restructure physical “The 2016 bill prescribed specific periods make sure the return of that land to public use when Anti-NEA Resolution never even discussed activity requirements for Tennessee students of physical activity that proved difficult to it is no longer utilized for school purposes,” Crowder was signed by Gov. Bill Haslam last month, schedule and created confusion among said. “If a charter school shuts down, private Senator Dolores Gresham this year pushed a resolution that clearing the confusion and problems created teachers who struggled with definitions investors shouldn’t be able to use it for private gain.” would have directed the Tennessee Education Association last year to legislate physical activity. of ‘structured’ and ‘unstructured’ physical to send a delegation to the NEA and request the repeal activity,” said Emily Mitchell, a Rutherford In-state tuition bill fails again of NEA’s I-17, a resolution which expresses support for County elementary teacher. women’s reproductive freedom. After gaining some early momentum, legislative The “recess fix legislation” SB45/HB662 efforts to allow children of immigrants not born The resolution and the term “reproductive freedom” removed the prescriptive provisions as well in the United States to attend state schools at in- came about in 1985 in response to teachers being as the definition of “unstructured” state tuition rates if they meet certain criteria were fired for being pregnant and unwed. physical activity. stalled this year. Rep. Mark White of Memphis and TEA members attending the 1985 Representative It now requires 130 minutes of Sen. Todd Gardenhire of Chattanooga brought the Assembly voted on the resolution with the Eckmann physical activity per full school week “DREAMer” legislation to provide in-state tuition case as the cause. in elementary schools and 90 minutes for students who came to America as children and Gresham’s attempt to direct the actions of a private of physical activity per full school have attended and graduated from a Tennessee high association represented yet another attack on teachers week in high school, including PE school. It’s likely the legislation will be brought up and their association. Fortunately, little support existed for classes in both cases. again in 2018. Gresham’s malicious efforts and the resolution was never Sponsored by Rep. Bill Dunn even heard in committee. (R-Knoxville), the “recess fix” emerged as the consensus legislation. Test transparency districts chose the traditional paper-and- Budget includes more from page 1 pencil model for high school exams. “Knowledge is power when it comes TEA has received some reports of testing than $200 million in to standardized tests, so publishing not going as planned, but they are pale questions and answers makes perfect in comparison with last year’s testing new education dollars sense,” said TEA Executive Director debacle. Carolyn Crowder. “It gives us a chance Governor Haslam proposed and the General Assembly passed For instance, this year’s testing manual to grade the test makers and ensure that a 2017-18 budget that includes more than $200 million in new was released publicly approximately the standards we teach are correctly money for K-12 education. This marks the third consecutive year a week before the testing window reflected in the state assessments.” the Governor’s budget has included significant new money for opened, which may have caused some schools. This proposal includes $104 million for teacher salaries. Giving teachers and parents the concerns around preparation for opportunity to review and critique test administration. Some teachers The Budget Basics state assessments is a vital step toward also reported last-minute changes in This year’s education budget includes funding for normal growth educator control of the system and away test sequencing and other logistical in the BEP plus a four percent increase in funds for teacher from the failed test-and-punish model. problems. salaries. The budget for schools also includes $22 million for Following last year’s failure of TNReady If you have questions and concerns English Language Learners, $15 million for Career and Technical and a resulting switch to a new testing about testing this year, please contact Education, $14.5 million for teacher salary equity funding, and company, Questar, only 25 school your UniServ Coordinator (see contact $4.5 million for the Read to Be Ready Initiative. This is a budget districts opted for an online test (high information at the bottom of page 6). that directs resources to classrooms and to teachers. school only) this year. Other school What’s Missing? While the budget includes funding for some important priorities, there’s no new money for guidance counselors, RTI2, or additional Leaders push for raise for all teachers increases have negatively impacted teacher from page 1 technology. Many district leaders have said districts need these compensation growth, especially the lowest funds in order to meet state mandates and adequately serve their seen either no or comparably small raises,” paid teachers who in many cases pay the students. wrote the leaders. most for health insurance.” Will I Really Get A Raise? “Ten years ago, teacher compensation was “For FY2017-18, the General Assembly increasing at a rate of about 3 percent per again is providing significant new money Over the past two years, actual raises for teachers have averaged year. for teacher compensation. The budget around 1 percent per year. That’s less than the allotted increase the state is funding. This year, TEA continued to work with legislators The state’s most recent BEP Review includes $104 million to fund a 4 percent on solutions to ensure state salary funds find their way into teacher Committee report indicates that total increase. We are eager to see the State Board paychecks. teacher compensation has increased by an of Education take this into account when average of only 1 percent per year over the approving the minimum salary schedule One way to get money into teacher paychecks is to increase the past two years despite appropriated state for 2017-18. All of us need to be committed state minimum salary schedule the same percentage as in the state increases of 4 percent and 5.6 percent for to improving teacher compensation so we budget. The minimum salary schedule helps the state leverage teacher compensation. That’s exceptionally can reward the educators who are making local dollars. Essentially, by increasing the state minimum salary slow growth given the resources we’ve a difference across our state. We trust you schedule by the percentage passed by the General Assembly, the dedicated on both the pay and insurance will take this information into account this state leverages local dollars to increase raises for teachers in non- fronts.” June as you make your decision on the state BEP funded positions and drive state dollars into all paychecks. minimum salary schedule.” A director of schools would tell the County Commission: Yes, we The letter references the May 5 BEP have more money for schools, but this money MUST be spent review committee meeting, where the state The goal for TEA is to see the state on teacher pay. The state minimum salary schedule meant school admitted TEA is correct on slow salary minimum salary schedule increase by 4 boards and county commissions had no choice – local dollars were growth. Harwell and Sargent then point to a percent, driving state dollars into paychecks, leveraged to boost pay and teachers saw the benefit. cause of this slow growth. not other school budget items. Now that key legislative leaders are involved, and with a TEA is working to update and improve the current salary schedule “We’ve also been informed in the past concerted effort across the state, pressure on so it works to put upward pressure on salaries. The state has been two years the State Board of Education the department and board will increase. putting up the money, it’s now time for local school boards and has increased the state minimum salary county commissions to fund the raises. schedule for teachers by 2 percent and 3 The state board, with a recommendation percent respectively, approximately one- from the department, makes the decision on Fastest Improving? the salary schedule. The next board meeting half the allocation provided by the General Governor Haslam continues to say his goal is for Tennessee to have is May 24. Assembly. There is little doubt the smaller the fastest improving teacher pay in the nation. He’s done some good work in terms of boosting dollars available for teacher pay, House Finance Chairman Charles but Tennessee still has work to do. Tennessee teachers still make Sargent (left) and Speaker Beth Harwell sent a letter to state officials on about $500 a year less than teachers in Alabama, about $3,000 the state minimum salary schedule. a year less than teachers in Kentucky, and around $5,000 a year less than in Georgia. One way to ensure your salary improves is to put pressure on your school board and county commission to adequately fund pay increases. “The state has been coming up with money for teacher pay,” said TEA President Barbara Gray. “It’s time for local governments to step up and use those funds for meaningful investments.” This year’s budget represents another step forward for Tennessee’s schools. Important issues, like improving teacher pay and serving our English Language Learners, are being addressed. There’s more to be done, and the fight now moves to the local level to ensure state funds for teacher pay make it into paychecks.

Co., Walters State Community College. District fax: (855)299-5674; Assns: Fentress Co., Lenior 37211; (615)347-6578 (Campbell), (615)476-3161 38088; (901)258-3902, fax: (844)270-8083; Assns: Contact TEA 4 — Duran Williams, KCEA, 2411 Magnolia City, Loudon Co., Meigs Co., Morgan Co., Oneida, (Dalton), fax: (855)299-4968 (Campbell), (855)299- Bradford, Crockett Co., Dyer Co., Dyersburg, Tennessee Education Association Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917; (865)522-9793, Overton Co., Rhea-Dayton Co., Roane Co., 5837 (Dalton); Assns: Dept. of Higher Ed., Dyersburg State Community College, Gibson Co., 801 Second Avenue N., Nashville, TN 37201-1099 fax: (865)522-9866; Assns: Knox, Pellisippi State Scott Co., York Institute. District 9 — Jackie Metropolitan Nashville, TN School For The Blind, Hardeman Co., Haywood Co., Humboldt, Lake (615) 242-8392, (800) 342-8367 Comm. College, UT-Knoxville, TSD. District Pope, 2326 Valley Grove Dr., Murfreesboro, TN MTSU, Murfreesboro City, NSCC, Rutherford, Co., Lauderdale Co., Milan, Obion Co., Tipton FAX (615) 259-4581 5— Jason White, P.O. Box 5502, Oak Ridge, TN 37128;phone: (615)898-1060, fax: (855) 301-8214, TSU. District 14 — Maria Uffelman, P.O. Box 99, Co., Trenton, Union City. District 18 — Zandra 37831; (615)521-1333, fax: (855)301-8366; Assns: Assns: Bedford Co., Bledsoe Co., Coffee Co., Cumberland City, TN 37050; phone: (931)827- Foster, 3897 Homewood Cove, Memphis, TN UniServ Coordinators Athens, Alcoa, Anderson Co., Blount Co., Clinton, Franklin Co., Grundy Co., Manchester, Marion Co., 3333, fax: (855)299-4925; Assns: Austin Peay State 38128; (901)377-9472, fax: (855)320-8737;—Assns: District 1 — Harry Farthing, P.O. Box 298, Etowah, Loudon Co., Maryville, McMinn Co. Moore Co., Motlow State Community College, University, Clarksville-Montgomery Co., Henry Bartlett, Collierville, Fayette Co., Germantown- Elizabethton, TN 37644; phone: (423)262- (except Athens City - see District 7), Monroe Sequatchie Co., Tullahoma. District 10 — Jeff Co., Houston Co., Paris, Stewart Co., Weakley Co., Arlington-Lakeland, Millington, Southwest State 8035, fax: (866)379-0949; Assns: Bristol, Carter Co., Oak Ridge, Polk Co., Sweetwater. District Garrett, P.O. Box 1326, Lebanon, TN 37088-1326; UT-Martin. District 15 — Cheryl Richardson, Community College, University of Memphis. Co., Elizabethton, Johnson Co., Hancock 6 — Shannon Bain, P.O. Box 3452, Lebanon, TN (615)630-2605, fax (855)320-8755; Assns: Clay Co., P.O. Box 354, Goodlettsville, TN 37070; phone: District 19 — Karla Carpenter, UniServ Field Co., Hawkins Co., Kingsport, Northeast State 37088, phone: (615)547-7769, fax: (844)274-0765; Jackson Co., Macon Co., Pickett Co., Robertson (615)630-2601, fax: (888)519-4879; Assns: Benton Manager; UniServ Director: Tom Marchand, Community College, Rogersville, Sullivan Co. Assns: Cannon Co., Cumberland Co., Cumberland Co., Smith Co., Sumner Co., Trousdale Co. District Co., Central, Cheatham Co., Clarksburg, Decatur 6520 Stage Road, Bartlett, TN 38134; phone/fax District 2 — Jennifer Gaby, P.O. Box 70, Afton, University, DeKalb Co., Lebanon, Putnam Co., 11 — Antoinette Lee, P.O. Box 1412, Antioch, TN Co., Dickson Co., Hickman Co., Humphreys Co., (901)379-6939; United Education Association of TN 37616; (423)234-0700, fax: (855)299-0723; Van Buren Co., Warren Co., Wilson Co., White 37013; (615)308-5293, fax: (888)519-7331; Assns: Huntingdon, Lewis Co., McKenzie, Perry Co., Shelby County, www.unitedshelby.org. Assns: Cocke Co., Greene Co., East Tennessee Co., TTU. District 7 — Theresa Turner, HCEA FSSD, Williamson, TN Dept. of Ed. District 12 — West Carroll. District 16 — Lorrie Butler, P.O. State University, Greeneville, Hamblen Co., 4655 Shallowford Road, Chattanooga, TN Sue Ogg; P.O. Box 210486, Nashville, TN 37211- Box 387, Henderson, TN 38340; (731)989-4860, Johnson City, Newport, Unicoi Co., Washington 37411; (423)485-9535, fax: (423)485-9512; Assns: 0486; (615)856-0503, fax: (855)427-6660 — Assns: fax: (855)299-4591; Assns: Chester Co., Jackson- www.teateachers.org Co. District 3 — Tina Parlier, P.O. Box 70288, Athens City, Bradley Co., Chattanooga State Fayetteville City, Giles Co., Lawrence Co., Lincoln Madison Co., Jackson State Community College, Knoxville, TN 37938-0288, (865)688-1175, fax: www.nea.org Community College, Cleveland, Hamilton Co., Co., Marshall Co., Maury Co., Wayne Co. District Hardin Co., Henderson Co., Lexington, McNairy (866)518-3104; Assns: Campbell Co., Claiborne UT-Chattanooga. District 8 — Josh Trent, P.O. 13 — Mary Campbell, Susan Dalton, Metro Co., West Tennessee School for the Deaf. District Co., Grainger Co., Jefferson Co., Sevier Co., Union Box 451, Livingston, TN 38570, (931)279-9530, Nashville, 531 Fairground Court, Nashville, TN 17 — Terri Jones, P.O. Box 2140, Cordova, TN Looking ahead to the 2018 session Familiar fights expected to resume when legislature reconvenes in January TEA aims to dismantle Transformational community dangerous special ed schools legislation expected to voucher program pick up momentum next year When the special education voucher program, The concept of community schools is not “Individualized Education Accounts,” passed the a new idea, even here in Tennessee. The legislature in 2015, its sponsors celebrated the bill as a few community schools that do exist in much-needed alternative for students with disabilities. Tennessee have struggled to reach their full The program’s implementation, however, tells a potential because of a lack of support from different story. the state. Of the thousands of families eligible to participate TEA’s community schools legislation in the program, less than 40 students have actually introduced in partnership with the enrolled. (D-Nashville) and Sen. Steve Dickerson Tennessee Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools (R-Nashville), was delayed until the 2018 “We have continuously pointed out that the sought to put a process in place for the session to give legislators time to learn more IEA program is unsustainable as it takes $2 in state and local districts to identify existing about transformational community schools. administrative costs to distribute $1 in public money,” funding opportunities through grants and said TEA President Barbara Gray. “It’s telling that after other resources to facilitate the creation The Department of Education includes one year in operation only 34 students are enrolled in of effective transformational community community schools in its ESSA the program out of nearly 20,000 eligible students.” schools in Tennessee. implementation plan. TEA’s proposal would take the state’s recommendations for Despite these statistics, the legislature voted this year “A community school is created in community schools a step further and also to expand the program. partnership with the school and other clearly prescribes what factors have led to “Tennessee families have made it very clear they community resources to meet the unique success for transformational community are not interested in any form of vouchers, as needs of children in one particular schools nationwide. community,” said TEA President demonstrated by the lack of interest in the IEA “We understand that legislators and the state program,” said Gray. “TEA anticipates coming back in Barbara Gray. “TEA is advocating for a transformational model that focuses on department of education need time to learn the 2018 session armed with the data needed to shut more about the transformational model we the program down and get our students back in the academics, youth development, family support, health and social services, and are proposing,” Gray said. “We are confident classroom with teachers who are committed to their it will gain momentum in the legislature education.” community development, which leads to improved student learning, stronger families next session, just like it is already doing in TEA is concerned that the IEA program has no and healthier communities.” districts across the state.” safeguards to ensure participating students continue Tennessee AROS is already working with their learning in a safe and nurturing environment. Existing Tennessee state law authorizes districts to form community partnerships several school district leaders to explore how The association is committed to ensuring all students, transformational community schools could especially our most vulnerable, receive the quality and create community schools. The law directs the State Board of Education and be implemented in their districts to improve education they deserve. Keeping this program up and student achievement. running is a direct threat to that commitment. Department of Education to support and encourage the formation and operation Passing legislation in 2018 to hold this up as “As it’s set up right now, the program hands out of community schools - including seeking a model for school improvement will be a big checks to students’ families, allowing those students to funding and offering community school win for Tennessee students and schools. disappear. It’s a big concern to the teachers who have grants. cared for these students and want them to succeed,” Gray said. “This is nothing more than a vehicle for a The bill, sponsored by Rep. Harold Love universal voucher program. We’ve seen this in Arizona — privatizers will push to expand it, so we hope legislators and experts will see it for what it is.” TEA will need all members to stand with our special education teachers in pushing back against the IEA program. Look for more information on this fight in the next issue of The Advocate.

ASK TEA HAS ANSWERS TO MANY OF YOUR QUESTIONS, PAGE 3

TENNESSEE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION PUBLIC SCHOOL See you in December! ADVOCATE This will be the final issue of The Advocate for the 2017 LEGISLATIVE REPORT | JANUARY 16, 2017 | VOLUME 3, ISSUE 1 ‘ASK TEA’ HAS ANSWERS TO MANY OF YOUR legislative session. The Advocate will be back in December with QUESTIONS, PAGE 3 a preview of what to expect in the 2018 session and how you 2017 LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGINS ail? can be an advocate for your students and your profession. Privatization industryTENNESSEE Set EDUCATION up ASSOCIATION to If you are interested in submitting a targets public schools, We have a problem when ACT scores are good and TNReady is bad “Member Voices” column for The active in Tennessee F ere is growing concern about the state tests. Have you ever wonderedPUBLIC where all SCHOOL HOTEL ROOMS ARE Advocate or TEACH, please contact the anti-public school legislation, One of Tennessee’s best performing districts, Williamson GOING FAST FOR propaganda and hubris comes from? County, had a 2016 average ACT score of 23.8, out- CIVICATION! It’s called the PIE network. pacing the national average by three points (or 15 Amanda Chaney, [email protected]. percent higher), exceeding the threshold for college Page 8 e entire multi-billion dollar school readiness. Scores from the new TNReady end-of-course privatization industry is organized tests, however, show only 44 percent of Williamson high through the PIE Network, connecting The next issue of TEACH will be the school students are at grade level in math. 70 education reform organizationsADVOCATE in 34 states, including severalLEGISLATIVE in REPORTMaryville | hasFEBRUARY a 23.2 ACT average,6, 2017 but | VOLUME 3, ISSUE 2 “Back to School” issue in August. Tennessee, which has long been the state test shows only 33 percent are Proposed “Teacher considered the battleground for the at grade level. So who should weTENNESSEE believe EDUCATION ASSOCIATION most outrageous money-grubbing - the leading college admissions test or Bill of Rights” could schemes. Since 2007, theGovernor PIE Network the new announces TNReady? $200 million has quintupled, and their e orts have Problems with very low EOC scoresGovernor wereSet Bill recorded up Haslam to fail unveiled his 2017-18 budget overhaul evaluations produced exponential growth in cont. page 8 new investmentacross Tennessee. As the newin TNReadyproposalPUBLIC public lasttests week are and iteducation includes more SCHOOL than $200 opensFor the past several years TEA and educators charter schools and voucherPIE programs Network million in new money for K-12 education. is cont. page 4 Surplus across the state have pushed for common marks the third consecutive year the Governor’s sense changes to state law to help educators budget has included signi cant new doormoney for for schooldo their job. Among the most important TEA Public School Advocate 7 schools. Included in this proposal is $100 million for issues needing to be addressed was the teacher salaries. TEA is pleased to seeinvestment Gov. Haslam evaluation system, student discipline, TN should learn fromcommit to funding other Tennessee’s schools. classroom materials and the high-stakes of or pilotADVOCATE program is year’s thateducation would budgetbe includesOur funding schools for are clearly underfunded.standardized testing. LEGISLATIVE REPORT | March 6, 2017 | VOLUME 3, ISSUE 4 states’ mistakeslimited onnormal to justvouchers growthShelby County.in the BEP plus a 4 percentTennessee increase just received an A“F” bill for from school a new source in the Senate, funding in the national Education Week Tennessee gets more value for ey’rein sayingfunds forthey teacher will start salaries. e budget for schools Mark Green (R-Clarksville), highlights key Quality Counts report. We rank 45th in the every education dollar than small, alsosee if includes it works, $22 and million only for English Language problems in the evaluation system and in nation on funding per student. Tennessee almost any other state, as we are growCharter whenLearners, necessary. $15 million law for Career overhaul and Technical shi other areas s of state law and providespower, some 45th in funding per student and Education, $6 million for charter schoolis below facilities, every neighboring state, except Don’t believe the hype! Mississippi. e statecommon spends 25 sense percent remedies. If SB14 passes, 9th in on-time graduation rate. and $4.5 million for the Read to Be Ready Initiative. referred to as a “teacher bill of rights,” it Any voucher scheme is a risk below the national average for K-12. In fact, both our graduation rate attempted to establish propertywould fundamentally change rights evaluations to millions“ ein governor’s public education proposal to put $100 millionYet the state has had a $2 billion surplus and our average ACT score keeps for the majority of Tennessee teachers and dollars.into Any teacher voucher salaries scheme, demonstrates his continuedover the past two years while average going up. Money invested in Withcommitment charter to ful lling hisapplications promise to teachermake salariesstandards occurring have used barelyprovide by kept school new up across rights systems.with in important isthe leaves areas. public schools gets results. no matter how small at the start, Bill of rights will takestate,Tennessee public money athe concernfastest and send improving over state in inteacher increased ation. openWe have the possibilitythe “I SBEopportunity haven’t that satcontrol outside andon the nationalSenate Education cont. page 7 ese facts haven’t stopped it to privatesalaries,” schools. said TEA at’s President a Barbara Gray.need “ for erecord key,groups, school such investment. as the pro-charter National Association of Charter School Authorizers privatizers from spending sure wayWhennow, to Tennessee’sdamage will be gettingone Senatorof our safeguards Lamar in Alexander place to ensure BudgetTEA that has laid out several budget (NACSA),priorities couldfor 2017. dictate policy to local school millions of dollars to push risky, state’sushered bestthis investments:4 percentin a new raise education our ends up law in by teachers’ way of thepaychecks, cont. page 4 Budget unproven voucher schemes on boards, if the state board of education adopts publicEvery schools.unlike Student in previous Succeeds years.” Act (ESSA), he lauded priorities Tennessee. For the past four their authorizing cont.recommendations. page 8 is new it as the end of the federal government acting years, TEA has been the number Vouchers language would mean the unelected state board cont.as thepage “national 5 school board.” Alexander and one opponent of vouchers at the could e ectively block local e orts at other, other ESSA proponents stressed the importance General Assembly, and thanks to potentially more rigorous standards, such as the of state and local control over education policy members, we’ve won every ght. Annenberg Standards adopted last year by the and funding. Now, however, legislation in the Privatizers put new face Metro Nashville School Board. ese standards With untold millions backing Tennessee General Assembly could allow an have been speci cally criticized by NACSA. them, voucher proponents are 110thoutside nationalGeneralTEA group lists to have the control onesAssembly over to watch on Bill page Tracker 6 on vouchers, threat to all back again. is time, they how Tennessee governs charter schools. TEA believes there is no reason Tennessee cont. page 4 are pushing a so-called should allow an unelected state board See Education Savings Account House Bill 310 rewrites Tennessee’s charter public schools remain “limited” voucher scheme of education to potentially prevent local school law. While some of the changes school boards from using their own charter are simply needed updates or technical Charters authorizing standards. TEA also opposescont. page 5 improvements, the bill also includes some real Legislatorsproblems, including pass expandingSCHOOLS some salary state ANDtwo. increases,EDUCATORS ere are now only four steps but and the last required board powers. raise comes at year 11. Current Education Commissioner Candice McQueen continues to support this ill-conceived e bill requires the state board of education teacher paychecks aresalary coming schedule, and it has up been a rawshort deal for Tennessee’s THE STRONGEST VOICEapprove any FOR charter school authorizing In back-to-back years, Governor Bill Haslam has teachers. Prior to its gutting, the state minimum salary proposed, and the General Assembly has passed, budgetsNext schedule up provided on athe way to leverage local dollars and that include more than 9 percent increases for teacher also ensured state dollars made it into teacher paychecks. salaries. However,been le many wondering: teachers Where’s around themy stateraise? havepayroll Without it, teachers ght are too - o a en taxle behind. e Hu man Pay Plan Fuzzy Math at the State Board State announces Former Education CommissionerSen. Dolores WhileGresham the (R-Somerville) Governor and Generalhas found Assembly a new passedPaychecks 9 Kevin Hu man was bad news onapproach a to attackingpercent increases TEA and in local BEP associations. salary allocation Her in thecont. last page 5 lot of fronts, but he was particularlyproposed legislationtwo years, would many allow teachers a 10 percent didn’t see withholding anywhere close to testing changes harmful to teacher pay. Hu mantax was on associations. Some changes in testing are looming on the horizon, instrumental in gutting the state “While we know that deduction of association dues one brought to you by the State Department of minimum salary schedule for constitutes no expense to the school districts, it’s obvious teachers, reducing it from 20 steps Education, and another—a less certain one—proposed to three, and ve categoriesthat to this bill is a teacher tax and a direct attack on our in the General Assembly. association,” said TEA President Barbara Gray. “Last year, we e department announced last week it will cut the time defeated similar attacks by out-of-state special interests three spent on science and social studies tests in the third and Lt. Gov. Randy McNallytimes, and now takes they theare back helm with ofnew Tennessee tricks.” Senate fourth grades by 50 percent, while focusing more on See page 5 to learn moreAccording about to the the new bill’s Senatelanguage, leader “if a local board of education reading assessments. provides payroll deduction of dues of a professional As the department works to nalize its Every Student employees’ organizationSCHOOLS for its professional AND employees, EDUCATORS then Succeeds Act dra plan, which is expected to be the LEA may withhold up to ten percent (10%) of the dues submitted to the federal government in April, it has been deducted for administrative expenses.” reviewing more than 2,000 pieces of feedback on the THE STRONGEST VOICE FORis administrative fee functions like a tax on local and state plan, including a thorough review of their plan by TEA. associations. In last year’s payroll ght, the legislative Fiscal e need to reduce the testing requirements for the two Review Committee said that payroll deduction for dues costs Testing subjects in the lower grades and boost some partscont. of page 7 boards nothing, because payroll departments already provide the reading test were part of that input, said Candice for many other deductions for things like supplemental McQueen, Tennessee Education insurance or nancial services. e Gresham bill singles out Commissioner. professional associations only for administrative Teacherfees. tax cont. page 6 TEA anticipated that e orts to silence educators would resume in this session in retaliation for our success in SCHOOLS AND EDUCATORS THE STRONGEST VOICE FOR WE WIN WE WIN IN THE AT THE CAPITOL BALLOT BECAUSE BOX

2017 success began in last year’s primaries In the summer of 2016, national as a “no” for vouchers because the One privatization groups spent $239,000 teachers will certainly back them up. more strong against Rep. Gary Hicks (R-Rogersville) Hicks and more than a dozen other election cycle could spell because Gary was a rock solid “no” House and Senate members are part doom for vouchers and other terrible on vouchers. They attacked Gary in of the successful strategy to find, back, privatization efforts! the Republican primary as a “double- and elect pro-public dipper” because Hicks works for the school Republicans and Rogersville school system. Democrats. TEA and local associations stepped In 2018, there will be in to help Gary fight back, running some turnover in the direct mail and radio that called out General Assembly as the shadow special interests backing legislators retire or vouchers and Hicks’ opponent. Hicks run for something won a convincing victory, thanks also else. TEA is right there, to the incredible turnout of members looking at prospective voting in the primary. candidates, asking Now Hicks is one of the best anti- local leaders, and privatization leaders in House, telling building up the any member to vote their district reserves in the PAC. As we look to 2018, potential and declared governor candidates speak at the TEA RA For the first time, TEA invited all declared and Craig Fitzhugh, and former Nashville Mayor the state has foregone with the rejection of potential 2018 gubernatorial candidates to Karl Dean. Insure Tennessee and the Affordable Care Act. speak to educator-leaders from across the Each shared their vision for education as we Fitzhugh shared his vision of a K-12 Education state at the TEA Representative Assembly. look toward who will be the next governor, Trust Fund, similar to the one set up for Six candidates were invited, including and all thanked the assembled educators Tennessee Promise to provide needed grants Congresswoman Diane Black and former for their hard work. Speaker Harwell talked to school systems. Commissioner of Economic Development about testing and its limits, along with a If we work hard, TEA members will play a Randy Boyd who both indicated scheduling focus on teacher salaries. Dean covered huge roll in all aspects in the next governor’s conflicts. Three accepted and spoke: House a number of education topics along with race. An indication of our importance is the Speaker Beth Harwell, House Minority Leader healthcare, highlighting the billions of dollars interest in speaking at the RA.

Mayor Karl Dean Speaker Beth Harwell Leader Craig Fitzhugh

8 TEA Public School Advocate