Take a Trip with a Good Book

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Take a Trip with a Good Book A publication of the Massachusetts Teachers Association Volume 40, No. 4/April-May 2010 EnrollmEnts hit nEw highs at community collEgEs New seasoN opeNs for mta red sox readiNg game take a trip with a good book Massachusetts students are #1 — again By Laura Barrett ‘Massachusetts teachers should be assachusetts students have been ranked extremely proud of the consistently first in the country yet again on a national high performance of their students.’ reading exam. M — MTA President Anne Wass The state’s fourth- and eighth-graders received the highest scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress reading exam in 2009, eight. The math results were released last October. marking the third time in a row that the state’s “Education is our calling card around the students outscored their peers nationwide. NAEP, world,” Governor Deval Patrick said in a statement often referred to as “The Nation’s Report Card,” is released when the results were announced. “I The MTA has printed bumper administered to a sample of students in every state couldn’t be more proud of our students, teachers and plus the District of Columbia. school administrators, whose dedication and hard stickers that highlight the great “Massachusetts teachers should be extremely work made this remarkable achievement possible.” achievements of Massachusetts proud of the consistently high performance of Once again, both nationally and in their students,” MTA President Anne Wass said in Massachusetts, females outscored males on the test, students and educators. The response to the news. and white and Asian students outscored African- stickers come in two versions, According to results of the 2009 NAEP exam, American and Hispanic students. but both point to the pride our the state’s fourth-graders scored an average of 234 “The state’s overall high scores on both NAEP on the reading assessment, well above the national and on international measures of achievement Commonwealth should take average of 220 and first in the nation. demonstrate that there is a lot that our teachers and in the accomplishments of its At grade eight, Massachusetts students achieved schools are doing right,” Wass said. “Given their the highest average of 274, which exceeded the obvious expertise, teachers must be at the forefront public schools. To get a bumper national average of 262 and was a statistical tie for of figuring out effective strategies for reducing the sticker, please contact your first with five other high-performing states: New persistent achievement gaps. The views of teachers Jersey (273); Connecticut and Vermont (272); and and other practitioners must be paramount in the next field representative or MTA New Hampshire and Pennsylvania (271). phase of education reform.” regional office. Massachusetts students also rank first in the For more information on NAEP and the most country on the NAEP math tests in grades four and recent results, go to www.nationsreportcard.gov. MTA’s Mission Statement On the cover in this issue The Massachusetts Teachers Association is Massachusetts public higher Students vie for academic honors on MTA-sponsored shows 3 a member-driven organization, governed Editorial: Our principles and a pot of gold 4 by democratic principles, that accepts education institutions are Fight continues for single-payer health care 4 and supports the interdependence of experiencing significant growth. Commentary: Public good and public will 5 The biggest surge is occurring at PHENOM campaign seeks support for colleges, UMass 5 professionalism and unionism. The MTA the state’s Higher ed members meet with top state officials 6 promotes the use of its members’ collective Campaign presses legislators to honor contract promises 6 power to advance their professional and community Community college enrollments hit new highs 7 colleges, economic interests. The MTA is committed A Q&A with education historian Diane Ravitch 8 where Educators in Level 4 schools face difficult challenge 9 to human and civil rights and advocates for enrollment Meetings to focus on preserving bargaining rights 10 quality public education in an environment Activism is theme of MTA ESP Conference 11 has increased in which lifelong learning and innovation Ways and Means budget proposal slashes vital funding 12 by 22 percent MTA opposes ‘unnecessary and unfair’ pension bill 13 flourish. Collaboration is key to Springfield effort 14 since 2005. Drivers and cell phones: a dangerous mix 17 Pictured on MTAB Web site highlights places to go, things to try 17 MTA President the cover Good reasons to belong to MTA Retired 18 Anne Wass is Charlotte Regional retirement consultations available 19 Offset repeal effort continues in Congress 19 MTA Vice President Belezos, a longtime social State House event highlights need for library funding 20 Paul Toner science professor at Roxbury Annual Meeting agenda features issues, awards 21 Executive Director-Treasurer Community College, where Annual Meeting schedule of events 22 Annual Meeting business session agenda 23 David A. Borer student enrollment was up 11 Statement by MTA presidential candidate Paul F. Toner 24 Communications Director/Editor percent during the fall semester. Statement by MTA presidential candidate Paul J. Phillips 25 James Sacks A story on Page 7 explores the Statement by vice presidential candidate Timothy D. Sullivan 26 opportunities and challenges Guidelines for alternative nomination process, caucuses 26 Staff Assistant Executive Committee seat sparks contest 27 Janice Morrissey created by a soaring student Statements by candidates for Executive Committee, Board 28 population. Meanwhile, the 2010 Publisher Amendments to resolutions are recommended 29 season is set to open for the Proposed amendments to MTA Standing Rules 30 David A. Borer Proposed amendments to MTA Bylaws 31 MTA Red Sox Reading Game. For Graphic Arts Assistant Human & Civil Rights Awards Banquet reservation form 34 coverage, please see Page 40. Jacqueline Feng Annual Report of the Executive Director-Treasurer 35 Classifieds 36 Obituaries 38 New season opens for MTA Red Sox Reading Game 40 Cover photo by Christine Peterson Honor roll honoree’s generosity helps program thrive 40 This issue also includes the spring edition of the MTA Advantage MTA TODAY, ISSN 08982481, is published quarterly, with an extra issue in June, by Quote-Unquote the Massachusetts Teachers Association. Subscription: $2.70 of MTA members’ dues is designated for MTA Today. “All states have been rocked by the Great Recession. The Massachusetts Teachers Association 20 Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108 Periodicals postage rates paid at Boston, MA, And most have tried to cope with a reasonable mix of 800.392.6175 or 617.742.7950 and at additional offices. POSTMASTER: Send FAX: 617.742.7046 address changes to: Massachusetts Teachers budget cuts and tax increases, or other revenue-raising www.massteacher.org Association, 20 Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108. © measures. Those that rely too heavily on cuts are Copyright 2010 by the Massachusetts Teachers Association. All material in this periodical may making guaranteed investments in human misery.” be reproduced by teachers for distribution to students or by affiliate associations for their own publications. Unless expressly stated, — Columnist Bob Herbert, writing in acceptance of advertising does not necessarily imply endorsement of the product by MTA or The New York Times on March 20 MTA Benefits. 2 April/May 2010 MATCHING WITS FOR A CROWD Students vie for academic honors on MTA-sponsored shows By Bob Duffy The top four Massachusetts igh school teams from around public high school teams the state are vying this spring from both quiz shows for a shot at the Massachusetts H will go head to head in state championship. But the competi- tion has nothing to do with sports. the state championship Rather, the students are facing competition. off for academic bragging rights on WGBY’s As Schools Match Wits and students, their families, schools and WGBH’s High School Quiz Show. communities in support of the home The MTA, using funds approved teams,” Abbott said. “Most impor- by the Public Relations/Organizing tantly, High School Quiz Show enables Campaign Committee, is a substantial WGBH to further align with the educa- sponsor of both programs. tion goals of the Commonwealth.” WGBH President Jon Abbott Initially, competing high school noted that the goal of his station’s teams gathered at WGBH’s Brighton show is “to shine a spotlight on studios over the course of three days in Quincy High School coach Evelyn Ryan poses with students taking part intellectual curiosity and the pursuit of in High School Quiz Show, which the MTA is helping to sponsor. late January and early February to tape learning in a fun, lively and encourag- the qualifying rounds. The teams were ing way.” Early reviews indicate the cheered on by a live studio audience effort is a success. MTA launches early ed, revenue campaigns of families, fellow students and others Although students in western from their communities. Massachusetts have competed in As he MTA Public Relations/Organizing Campaign Committee “The day of the taping was very Schools Match Wits since 1961, High recently voted to provide substantial funding to two major exciting,” said Quincy High School School Quiz Show, which features association initiatives: coach Evelyn Ryan, who attended the Tn teams from high schools in eastern The Early Childhood Education Organizing Campaign, which event
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