A publication of the Massachusetts Teachers Association Volume 43, No. 4/Spring 2013 ORGANIZING DRIVE SUCCEEDS IN BROCKTON SEASON OPENS FOR MTA RED SOX READING GAME L ELE CIA CT special election will be held on Tuesday, June 25, to fill the U.S. E IO P Senate seat formerly held by Secretary of State John F. Kerry. S N A It is critical for every MTA member to register to vote by June 5 and then cast a ballot for the candidate who will support students and public education. MTA recommendations and other information will be posted soon at: www.massteacher.org/election Please inform yourself about the candidates — T and be sure to cast your ballot on June 25. U E 5 It’s Election Make your vote count for our public schools, SD 2 AY, JUNE Season – Again! colleges and universities! On the cover MTA’s Mission Statement In this issue The Massachusetts Teachers Association is New education secretary hits the ground running 3 Four Monitor Teacher Assistants on a member-driven organization, governed the bargaining team that is seeking Editorial 4 by democratic principles, that accepts the MTAs’ first contract pose in Transportation-only legislation falls short of revenue needs 5 and supports the interdependence of front of a statue of Brockton’s own Nonprofit adds right note to learning 6 professionalism and unionism. The MTA Rocky Marciano, symbolizing their MASSCreative says all students deserve access to arts 6 promotes the use of its members’ collective willingness to fight for fairness. Members of new MTA unit are ‘fired up’ 7 power to advance their professional and They are, from left to right, Tracy Advocates call for higher ed funding increase 8 economic interests. The MTA is committed Kenney, Arthur Dias, Cheryl MTA ESPs gather to learn and network 9 to human and civil rights and advocates for Donahue and Report to focus on anti-worker groups 10 quality public education in an environment Beth Sullivan. in which lifelong learning and innovation Educators step forward for good causes 11 The Brockton flourish. Regional retirement consultations available 14 MTAs recently New group promotes labor-management collaboration 15 organized and formed MTA member named to early education board 16 MTA President a bargaining Annual Meeting to feature impressive agenda 17 Paul Toner unit. A story on Schedule of events 18 MTA Vice President the successful Business session agenda 19 Tim Sullivan campaign Candidates vie for seats on Board and Executive Committee 20 Executive Director-Treasurer appears Amendments to resolutions are recommended 21 Ann Clarke on Page 7. Proposed amendments to the MTA bylaws 22 Meanwhile, this year’s edition of Communications Director/Editor Annual report of the executive director-treasurer 24 the MTA Red Sox Reading Game is James Sacks Human and Civil Rights Banquet is set for June 14 25 getting underway. Catcher David Staff Assistant Obituaries 26 Ross has joined the literacy team Janice Morrissey Spring into action with an insurance review 27 and is serving as the spokesperson Graphic Arts Assistant for the contest. A story appears on Saving a bundle with the MTA Discount Directory 27 Alison Donato Page 32. Classifieds 30 Publisher Season opens for MTA Red Sox Reading Game 32 Ann Clarke Photos by Bob Duffy, Rick Friedman and Keiko Hirami This issue of MTA Today also features Cover design by Alison Donato the spring edition of the MTA Advantage and the MTA Summer Conference Guide MTA TODAY, ISSN 08982481, is published quarterly by the Massachusetts Teachers Association. Subscription: $2.80 of MTA Quote-Unquote members’ dues is designated for MTA Today. “On this day of sadness and anxiety for everyone in Massachusetts, The Massachusetts Teachers Association Periodicals postage rates paid at Boston, 20 Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108 MA, and at additional offices. POSTMASTER: Tim Sullivan and I want to reach out to MTA members and say 800.392.6175 or 617.878.8000 Send address changes to: MTA Today, 20 FAX: 617.742.7046 Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108. we hope that you and any of your family and friends who www.massteacher.org Copyright ©2013 by the Massachusetts were in Boston yesterday are safe. Our thoughts are Teachers Association. All material in this with the victims — the precious, innocent children and periodical may be reproduced by teachers for distribution to students or by affiliate everyone else directly touched by this outrageous act.” associations for their own publications. Unless expressly stated, acceptance of advertising does not necessarily imply — Statement by MTA President Paul Toner on the day after endorsement of the product by MTA or MTA Benefits. two bombs exploded near the finish line of the Boston Marathon 2 Spring 2013 New secretary hits the ground running ormer Brockton School Superintendent Q: How do you think implementation of the Matt Malone was sworn in as the state’s evaluation system is going? F new secretary of education in January. Since Governor Deval Patrick has announced he won’t be A: I think that the new evaluation system is a running for re-election, Malone believes he has less good one. We’ve changed it for everybody, even than two years to make his mark on education in his superintendents. I like the fact that we’re establishing new role. goals that are going to be measurable and then we Malone has followed an untraditional path to the use those goals as the agreed-upon standards for state’s top education post. He struggled with dyslexia how someone’s going to be held accountable. On the while enrolled in the Newton Public Schools, studied teacher’s side, I think the new process gives much drafting in a vocational program at Newton North more rich feedback across a multitude of areas, not High School and was not expected to go to college. just an observation of a classroom with a checklist. Defying the predictions, he graduated from college and became a paraprofessional, a teacher, an assistant Q: What advice do you have for people about principal, a principal and a superintendent. “I’ve held implementing measures of student growth? every single job you can hold in education, including sweeping floors,” Malone toldMTA Today. A: I know there’s a lot of feeling of the unknown During an interview with MTA communications with the use of student assessment results. We specialist Laura Barrett in his office in downtown Photo by Bob Duffy know we’re going to have some assessments like Secretary of Education Matt Malone Boston in March, Malone talked about how his the MCAS and the PARCC, but also the district- experiences have shaped his approach to solving A: No state has moved as fast as Massachusetts in determined ones. I don’t know what that looks like problems. He also discussed the new educator the last five years. It’s been a lot of work and it’s paid yet, but philosophically I don’t disagree with it. evaluation system, the Rethinking Equity and off. But I get how people feel. I think I’ve described Hopefully there are multiple measures we can use. I Teaching for English Language Learners initiative, it as drinking water out of a fire hose. I kind of like think it has been a slow process. This is hard work. I the role of unions, charter schools, teacher morale the big bang theory — we do it all at once and move would stress that it can’t just be one thing. “My kids and other issues, including the Partnership for forward. But I’m also cognizant of folks really didn’t do well on the MCAS, so I won’t get a good Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers wanting to focus on what’s on the plate right now. evaluation.” At the end of the day I just tell people, instrument, which will be used to measure And we know what’s on the plate right now. Ed “Let’s just go through the process and be human the success of the Common Core curriculum eval. RETELL. Common Core. PARCC assessment. about it.” I’d like to see emphasis on actual products and is expected to replace the Massachusetts We’ve got to get those things right. I don’t want to of student work. That’s very intensive but I think it’s Comprehensive Assessment System in the future. see us add more things to the plate. very important. I sit in classrooms every day. Ninety- His remarks have been edited for brevity and eight percent of the teachers in the state perform at clarity. Q: What role should unions have at the district really effective levels. For the small percentage that and state levels in implementing these and other aren’t, this isn’t a “gotcha” tool to be used to get rid Q: What is your background in education? initiatives? of folks, but it’s going to be used to give some honest feedback. We’ve got to be professional enough to A: I’ve had a bumpy road to get where I am now. A: At the district level, collaboration makes the take the feedback and grow from it. Folks who grew up with me who find out what I am difference between victory and defeat. What I mean now shake their head and say, “There’s no way.” I by that is you can ram home reform, you can be a Q: We are getting some questions about RETELL, grew up struggling with dyslexia. I spent a lot of real tough guy and ram it down people’s throats, the state’s 45-hour course that many teachers of my educational upbringing in rooms outside the and I’ve done that before and I’ve been successful English language learners are required to take.