PROTECT YOUR TEA TENNESSEE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP WITH EZPAY. SEE PAGE 3 FOR DETAILS. IT TAKES PUBLIC SCHOOL 5 MIN. ADVOCATE TEA LEGISLATIVE REPORT | OCTOBER 7, 2016 | VOL. 2, ISSUE 8

In landmark case, TEA reaffirms With the testing data chain key tenure rights broken, no more excuses to TEA’s legal team took Shelby County Schools to federal court on behalf of members who were “excessed” and denied their tenure rights. Shelby delay rethinking use of TVAAS County Schools invented the term “excessing,” where a principal or director could lay-off teachers regardless of tenure status. On August 3, 2016, the TEA has been a strong critic of Department of Education has With the failure of TNReady last federal judge agreed with TEA that tenure must be TVAAS use in evaluating teachers, used to defend TVAAS is that the school year it is now impossible to respected and that the law must be followed when determining pay raises or bonuses, statistical model is built around have a three year model. There will staffing positions within the district, and now those and in licensure decisions. We a three-year compilation of test be a hole in the data and therefore members are entitled to reinstatement and full agree with national experts and scores. Their claim to legislators and a hole in any model. This current back pay. classroom teachers alike: it is wrong teachers has been that even though school year would be year one to use broad statistical estimates like there may be low validity in any in creating a new baseline for all It is a great victory for every member of the United TVAAS for high-stakes decisions given year, long-term data makes it teachers. Education Association of Shelby County and affecting our careers. more sound. “TEA has always said TVAAS was educators statewide, reinforcing the importance of One of the talking points the State Their claims were wrong, but even invalid, now we have a chance tenure rights and association membership. This win so, three years of data in the model to have a conversation about an shows what happens when we stand united. was a good sound bite. evaluation system that moves The lawsuit over the rights of “excessed” tenured Now that there is no possibility of forward without TVAAS,” said TEA teachers in Shelby County was filed by TEA’s legal three year models, this last talking President Barbara Gray. team prior to MSCEA’s disaffiliation from TEA. point has evaporated. BREAK IN THE TVAAS CHAIN go to page 8 TEA WINS EXCESSING LAWSUIT go to page 6 TEA badly beats privatization groups in August elections During the August primary election, TEA and Metropolitan Nashville Tennessee teachers and voters Education Association members across the state clearly showed the slayed the privatization dragon in privatization industry that we can Nashville, helping all five pro-public beat them back where they came school candidates for the Metro from – we don’t need their bad ideas School Board get elected. in our communities. “Stand for Children spent $230,000 “For many supporters of public in July alone schools in our state legislature, backing the the primary was the election. Our privatization members showed up at the polls, TEA VICTORIES and called on their friends and family go to page 4 members to turn out the vote in order to keep our public schools safe from money-hungry privatizers,” said TEA Executive Director Carolyn Crowder.

PUBLIC SCHOOL 1 ADVOCATETHE STRONGEST VOICE FOR SCHOOLS AND EDUCATORS ESSA paves way to scale back testing, fix evaluations testing is to figure out what can be cut. TEA have been built – test-based accountability. By TEA President Barbara Gray is advocating for audits of state and district Tennessee jumped all-in with high-stakes assessments to determine the purpose and decisions tied to test scores. It is time to At a time when you cost of all tests given to Tennessee students. walk back those measures, and instead are pulled in so many The results of these audits can help the state focus on non-academic factors beyond test directions and have and local district identify ways to reduce scores. Schools should be evaluated on an so many demands the total number of test and testing time for opportunity index that looks at the overall on your time, I am students. picture to determine its true performance. here asking you to To implement a fair and equitable evaluation Students would also greatly benefit from an pay attention to one system for all educators, TEA is advocating equity audit to identify inequities in state and more thing – the state for more educator input and feedback. It is local resources. We want to see all children implementation of time to make constructive changes that more in Tennessee receiving a quality public the Every Student accurately identify teachers who need extra education. Succeeds Act. I know support. TEA is also advocating improving I know this is a lot to take in, but none of you already want teacher prep programs in the state to set these things will be accomplished without to jump to the next educators up for success in the classroom. your help. Together, we can move the state in article, but hear me the right direction to implement ESSA in a out. ESSA is this huge While school takeovers may not have affected way that will have a significant positive impact thing that is hard to wrap your arms around, on all students. but it is a tremendous opportunity to improve public education in Tennessee. With Every Student Succeeds ESSA gives us the opportunity to put an end Act, we can put an end to to current state policies that are hurting our current state policies that are students and our profession, including: hurting our students and our • Excessive standardized testing, profession, including excessive • Unfair teacher evaluation and testing, unfair evaluations, and ineffective preparation, school takeovers. • School takeovers, and • Test-based accountability. I have your attention now, right? What a your district yet, the way the state has been tremendous impact this could have if the state handling takeovers should still concern will implement ESSA the way Sen. Lamar you. TEA is advocating for educators to be Alexander intended. So how do we get there? involved in strategic school improvement Following the four points above, TEA has plans and allowing district-driven plans identified areas we can advocate for together for turning a school around before state to push the state in the right direction. interference. TEA President Barbara Gray (left) and Student TEA members work on a school makeover project at Napier Elementary School in Nashville Sept. 23. The The first step to putting an end to excessive Last, the block upon which the other issues project kicked off the annual Fall STEA conference, which was held at TEA.

Privatization flu is coming back; we are the shot By TEA Executive Director Carolyn Crowder we can no longer afford to think that way. The if we allow them into our state in any way. privatization threat is real and it has serious TEA has defeated private school voucher implications for the entire state. You can’t turn on the proposals for four straight legislative sessions. TV or the radio without Think about how once one member of your Educators, parents and supporters of public hearing an ad telling family catches the flu, despite your best cleaning schools fought back in a way that has not been you to get your flu shot. and quarantine efforts someone else in the family done in any other state. We are the only ones who Even though it is still will get it too. Privatization schemes like private have been able to hold back voucher advocates for sunny and warm, and you school vouchers and charter schools work the so many years. haven’t heard one story same way. Once it infects one district, it will Our opponents employed a new strategy last of someone having the spread to other districts – and it won’t stop with year – in a last ditch effort to get their voucher flu yet, here are these ads the urban districts. bill passed, it was amended to only include Shelby urging you to go get your In recent months we have seen charter schools try County Schools. You see, because these voucher shot. to open in Johnson City and Claiborne Co. - two people are motivated by profit and self-interest, If you are like me, you do districts with no priority schools and well outside they expected you all to go quietly into the night go get the flu shot. Who of the traditional charter market. We will see the once the bill would no longer impact your local has time for the flu? I same thing happen with private school vouchers schools. They had never faced an opponent quite want the best defense in place before the flu gets like our band of public school advocates who said anywhere near me. to their legislators, “If you do this to our students We expect the privatization and colleagues in Shelby County, we will not send The privatization threat facing our schools is a lot YOU back to Nashville next session.” like the flu – and strong, vocal opposition from flu to be stronger than educators back home is the flu shot. We expect the privatization flu to be stronger than ever in the legislature. ever when the legislature convenes in January. We Most of you teach outside of the big urban have to be ready to defend our public education districts in our state, and I understand how easy Let’s defend our public family, because once the flu is in the house it will it is to dismiss privatization attacks as something spread. that will never reach your district. Unfortunately, education family.

TENNESSEE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION PUBLIC SCHOOL ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Jim Wrye DISTRICT 6 Jennifer Eilender (931)704-2487 (615)554-6286 ADVOCATE (USPS 17201) is published nine times, biweekly, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & PUBLISHER: DISTRICT 7 Jim Gifford (615)430-6233 BLACK CLASSROOM TEACHER WEST Tiffany Reed mid-January through mid-May, by the Tennessee Education Carolyn Crowder DISTRICT 8 Kevin King (615)504-0425 (901)412-2759 Association, 801 Second Avenue North, Nashville TN 37201- DISTRICT 9 (615)519-5691 STATE SPECIAL SCHOOLS Debi Ponder (615)969-4362 1099. Periodicals postage paid at Nashville, TN. POSTMAS- Tennessee Education Association Stephen Henry TER: Send address changes to TENNESSEE EDUCATION 801 Second Avenue North DISTRICT 10 Randall Woodard (615)594-5632 NEW TEACHER Carrie Allison (812)205-7689 STAFF ATTORNEYS: John Allen, Virginia A. McCoy; GOV- ASSOCIATION PUBLIC SCHOOL ADVOCATE, 801 Second Av- Nashville, TN 37201-1099 DISTRICT 11 Brandi Adams (731)439-3476 ESP Sandra McDurmon (901)237-2866 ERNMENT RELATIONS COORDINATOR: Drew Sutton; WEB enue North, Nashville, TN 37201-1099. Periodical postage Telephone: (615)242-8392, DISTRICT 12 Janis Carroll (731)431-2387 TN NEA DIRECTOR Tanya Coats (865)308-2787 MASTER & COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR: Amanda paid at Nashville, TN. The subscription price of $6.89 is Toll Free: (800)342-8367, (800)342-8262 DISTRICT 13 Trish Stephenson (901)757-9080 TN NEA DIRECTOR Karen Anderson (423)741-9682 Chaney; MANAGING EDITOR & COMMUNICATIONS COOR- allocated from annual membership dues of $258.00 for Fax: (615)259-4581 DISTRICT 14 Kenyon Cook (901)605-7080 STEA MEMBER Kristina Standridge (865)223-2856 DINATOR: Alexei Smirnov; INSTRUCTIONAL ADVOCACY & active members; $129.00 for associate, education sup- Website: www.teateachers.org DISTRICT 15 Nelshellda Johnson TN RETIRED Linda McCrary (615)888-7026 port and staff members; $16.00 for retired members; and PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COORDINATORS: Rhonda * Executive Committee $10.00 for student members. Member of State Education (901)857-6042 Thompson; William O’Donnell; ADVOCACY HOTLINE Editors (SEE). BOARD OF DIRECTORS ADMINISTRATOR EAST Jessica Holman (865)689-1450 AT LARGE RETIRED DIRECTOR ON NEA BOARD COORDINATORS: Forestine Cole, Gera Summerford & PRESIDENT: Barbara Gray* (800)342-8367 ADMINISTRATOR MIDDLE Margaret Thompson JoAnn Smith (423)914-2818 Cynthia Wood. Postmaster: Send address changes to VICE PRESIDENT: Beth Brown* (931)779-8016 (615)643-7837 UniServ Staff contact information TENNESSEE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION SECRETARY-TREASURER: Carolyn Crowder (615)242-8392 ADMINISTRATOR WEST Dennis Kimbrough TEA HEADQUARTERS STAFF PUBLIC SCHOOL ADVOCATE, DISTRICT 1 Joe Crabtree* (423)794-9357 (901)494.0105 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Carolyn Crowder; ASST. EXECUTIVE can be found on page 6. 801 Second Avenue North, DISTRICT 2 Michele Bowman (865)679-6523 HIGHER EDUCATION Josephine McQuail (931)520-0449 DIRECTORS: Terrance Gibson; Steve McCloud; Jim Wrye; Nashville, TN 37201-1099. DISTRICT 3 Michael Carvella (865)212-9774 BLACK CLASSROOM TEACHER EAST Pam Thompson TECHNOLOGY & BUILDING OPERATIONS MANAGER: Galen MANAGING EDITOR: Alexei Smirnov DISTRICT 4 Connie Mitchell (865)609-1702 (615)948.7378 Riggs; COMPTROLLER: David Shipley; UNISERV FIELD [email protected] DISTRICT 5 Jeanette Omarkhail (423)413-9114 BLACK CLASSROOM TEACHER MIDDLE Kawanda Braxton MANAGERS: Karla Carpenter; Leigh Phillips; PUBLIC SCHOOL 2 ADVOCATE Privatizers are targeting your membership.

TEA is the LARGEST and STRONGEST advocate for public education.

Out-of-state interest groups want to weaken TEA and silence your voice by eliminating payroll dues deduction. It is time to take control of your membership and remove the threat. Make the switch to EZ Pay today!

Protecting your membership is If your credit card provides miles easy with EZ Pay through your or cash back, take advantage credit card or checking account. with EZ Pay! It also is good It is fast, easy, and ensures your for your record-keeping. membership in TEA - the only Remember, your state dues are organization protecting our tax-deductible schools! as a professional expense!

PROTECT YOUR MEMBERSHIP. IT ONLY TAKES 5 MINUTES ONLINE! Sign up with a credit card, debit card or checking account. WWW.TEATEACHERS.ORG/EZPAY PUBLIC SCHOOL 3 ADVOCATE TEA badly beats privatization TEA VICTORIES from page 1 candidates and pushing negative campaigns against our supporters,” said Crowder. “None of SHADOW SPECIAL INTERESTS BACKING that money worked because Nashville voters recognized they are on the front line of the CYNTHIA JACKSON privatization battle.” WANT TO ROB OUR Rep. Gary Hicks (R-Rogersville) fought with LOCAL SCHOOLS. voucher proponents, the American Federation for Children, which poured tens of thousands of dollars against him in negative ads during the summer. None of those ads worked. TEA members stepped in to work the phones and educate local

TEA-FCPE communities about the dangers of vouchers, Cynthia Jackson knows that by Tennessee’s Teachers 801 2nd Ave. taking their money she will be Nashville TN, 37201 which are a threat everywhere – not just in big beholden to these national groups. urban school districts. She will listen to them rather than us when our schools are attacked and “Vouchers were the issue in Rep. Hicks’ campaign, funds meant for our children are sent and the message from local voters was loud to private city schools. and clear – we don’t want them in our schools,” Crowder said. GARY HICKS FOUGHT Stand for Children and the American Federation for Children went after two of TEA’s Democratic THE SHADOW GROUPS friends in Memphis and Shelby County, spending AND PROTECTED OUR more than $100,000 against Rep. Johnnie Turner and Rep. Antonio Parkinson. CHILDREN AND SCHOOLS. Aided with help from enthusiastic members in their districts, Turner and Parkinson crushed their That’s why these opposition, and later expressed their full support groups attack Gary Vote for courage, leadership and for members of the United Education Association Rep. Gary Hicks successfully fought and won against a double dose of conservative big city special interests trying to take our tax dollars to of Shelby County and TEA (you can view their fund all kinds of city private schools and corrupt charter common sense we need in corporations. He fought for the largest improvement in video on the TEA YouTube channel). state funding for our local schools without a tax increase. Nashville. Vote Gary Hicks! Now that is a double dose of conservative common sense. “The fact is TEA is the only political entity on the 30 So where you see these big city groups attack Gary, GOP EARLY VOTING THRU JULY remember his courage and leadership stopping their scheme ELECTION DAY AUGUST 4 pro-public education side in Tennessee elections,” to drain our tax dollars and send to places we don’t approve. PRIMARY said Jim Wrye, head of TEA Government Relations and chief political strategist. “We should be proud of what we have accomplished. We may get outspent four-to-one or even seven-to-one on Above is an example of TEA created $18,000 in mail and radio, to counter races by these shadow privatization groups, but mail sent to voters. In the GOP primary the attacks and make the race about we still come out on top on almost every race. We have something that the out-of-state special for House District 9, TEA supported vouchers, after polling showed voters interests do not have, and that is members that educator Gary Hicks. He was attacked by in the East Tennessee district opposed vote and get involved in every corner of this state.” privatization special interests groups, the idea. With a strong ground effort Wrye notes that while the TEA Fund for Children backing his opponent with more than by members and a great campaign by and Public Education--the association’s political $100,000 in spending. TEA spent Hicks, he won handily in his primary. action committee--is outspent, there are other resources that allow TEA to be more strategic and effective in winning races. Privatization groups A civil rights fighter. didn’t just attack in “We have the best voter data in the state, and we Republican districts. use polling to target and invest in campaigns,” Dedicated to the Wrye said. “Also, for the first time we created a lot These groups spent of our own mail and radio spots to combat the children of Memphis. more than $200,000 special interest campaigns, and we did most of trying to unseat pro- that in-house. The TEA communications staff did Defending our public education a great job. It’s nice to put these shadow groups public schools. Democrats in Memphis. and their candidates on the run. Now we off to the TEA worked to defend general election!” That’s Johnnie Turner! staunch advocates like EARLY VOTING JULY 15-30 Rep. Johnnie Turner PRIMARY DAY AUGUST 4 (left).

PRIVATIZATION GROUPS POLITICAL SPENDING $1,957,600 TEA FCPE POLITICAL SPENDING $324,442 SCORE: TEA 14 - PRIVATIZERS 1

PUBLIC SCHOOL 4 ADVOCATE groups in August elections The main election where privatization groups You know Amy Frogge. We need and TEA squared off was in House District 9, As a dedicated public school parent where TEA-backed candidate Gary Hicks won on the school board Amy: to re-elect her! It is clear our schools convincingly (see campaign mail on facing Listens to parents and the community are moving in the right direction, with student Reduced standardized testing for our achievement up and page). This race sent shockwaves throughout expanded opportunities youngest students for all. To keep progress going, vote to re-elect the Tennessee political establishment. Ensured time for daily recess Amy to the Metro Nashville School Board. Supported the hiring of Dr. Joseph to Early voting unify the community through July 30. Advocated for Nashville’s fair share of Election Day Aug. 4. PAID FOR BY THE NEA ADVOCACY FUND. state funding NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE OR CANDIDATE COMMITTEE

MNEA had success protecting incumbents like Privatization GOP House allies Curtis Amy Frogge (MNEA mail above) and winning an groups spent Halford and Jimmy Eldridge Anti-voucher candidate heavily to defeat were successfully defended open seat, shifting the board from pro-charter John Crawford (above) beat a privatization-backed black Democrats by TEA when attacked. to anti-privatization. The win was even more in Memphis to JMCEA also won several key TEA friend Rep. challenger in House District 1 prove citizens school board races in Jackson, impressive when it was discovered shadow Kelley Keisling with close TEA support. want vouchers strengthening the pro-educator groups spent more than $300,000. The beat back a tea and charters. majority. party challenger. With TEA’s help, outcome made national news. Representatives Parkinson and Turner (above) whipped their challengers. UEA also protected a school board member. Overton County Education Association won two of three school In Greene County, local board races, continuing associations defeated a their tremendous success. referendum that would have crippled county government and schools for generations. EARLY VOTING PRIMARYSTARTS DAY AUGUST 4. ALL VOTERS ARE ELIGIBLE.

JULY 15. PROTECT OUR SCHOOLS Sen. Doug Vote Sam Whitson! Overbey was The one loss for TEA was the effort to Let’s stand for public schools by voting attacked by unseat Sen. Dolores Gresham. She for Sam Whitson in the special interests lost six of her eight rural counties, Republican primary! and with TEA August 4, early voting begins July 15! but was able to squeak out a win in Tennessean The Photo: help won his GOP Tennessee Education Association 801 Second Ave. N Non-Profit Org. primary. Nashville, TN 37201 U. S. Postage her home county of Fayette. PAID Nashville, TN Permit No. 1570 Hamilton County Education Association won two of the three WCEA helped defeat school board races they Knox County Education Association 3 BIG STRIKES ON DOLORES GRESHAM disgraced representative were involved with, used the voter file, candidate She fought to revoke our teaching and vocal voucher advocate strengthening their licenses based on TVAAS scores. Jeremy Durham and backed position on the panel. recruitment, election knowledge and Sam Whitson (above), a She pushed vouchers, charters staunch voucher opponent. a lot of work to create amazing success and other privatization schemes. The association also helped with school board elections in their She tried to eliminate our students’ defeat a radical Tea Party district. Voters chose all five of the constitutional right to an education. challenger to House Budget Chair Charles Sargent KCEA-endorsed candidates. One local TIME TO CALL HER OUT! (above). pundit said the school board now looks Every voter can participate. Early voting starts July 15. GOP primary August 4. like a teachers’ union meeting.

Tennessee Education Association It’s not easy to do, but Delores Gresham has the 801 Second Ave. N Non-Profit Org. Nashville, TN 37201 U. S. Postage worst record for education in the Tennessee General PAID Assembly. She was the sponsor of a constitutional Nashville, TN Permit No. 1570 amendment that would have stripped the rights of rural students to get fair education funding. She attacked the teaching profession by basing our licenses on TVAAS. And there isn’t a privatization scheme she won’t back. EVERY educator, and their family and friends, need to turn out in this primary and turn her out of office. Secretive voucher lobbyist took anti- TEA lawmakers on beach trip The Tennessean on September 26, broke a story about an undisclosed trip paid for by a leading secretive voucher lobbyist for legislators who are anti-TEA. The trip to a luxury Alabama beach condo was “I don’t like politics and don’t want to schools, we need to be ready to fight. hosted by voucher advocate participate.” That is the feeling of many That is the importance of The TEA Fund Mark Gill. Reps. Andy Holt, educators, especially in these turbulent for Children and Public Education, Mike Carter, Billy Spivey and recently ousted lawmaker Voucher lobbyist Mark Gill times. The enemies of public education, the political action committee of our Jeremy Durham stayed at Gill’s shadow groups coining the phrase association. It is the only organized condo and left one morning for a “government schools,” are counting on funding for pro-public school legislative half-day deep sea fishing trip paid for by Gill. Rep. Jimmy teacher apathy and indifference to push candidates in Tennessee. We are it. Matlock also made the trip but went to the beach instead of fishing because he gets seasick, reported the Tennessean. vouchers and charters. They are active, Your contributions to the Fund are critical Spivey was a prime sponsor of the payroll deduction bill. well funded, and trying to elect legislators to our tremendous electoral success. Let’s The others were advocates for vouchers and signed on to bill willing to do their business. To defend keep the fund strong and go on to win! attacking TEA. TEA is barred by state ethics laws on lobbying (and common sense on using dues money) from providing junkets like this trip. Gill does not report his lobbying activities and lavish spending on behalf of the Federation for Children because PUBLIC SCHOOL he claims not to be paid. Speaker Beth Harwell promises to 5 ADVOCATE close this loophole next legislation session. TENNESSEE EDUCATION NEWS IN BRIEF Win in Shelby County lawsuit proves Students First changes power of teachers united across state

TEA WINS EXCESSING LAWSUIT name, keeps tune from page 1 One of the state’s leading pro-voucher groups is TEA just made getting a new name. StudentsFirst is changing its The principle claims in the case excessing illegal! name to TennesseeCAN as part of the 50-state were on behalf of five “excessed” That’s what being Campaign for Achievement Now network. tenured teachers. TEA’s legal team Don’t be fooled by the name change, the UNITED means for you. decided to also name the now- TEA took Shelby County Schools to federal court to stop organization will remain a leading opponent of disaffiliated MSCEA as a party to excessing and tenure rights denial. WE WON! That means every member of UEA-TEA-NEA won! Make sure to sign a public education and will be funded by a group prevent the district from settling member form to keep your rights and benefits. of out-of-state privatizers. In fact, their own press individually with the educators release says, “TennesseeCAN will function as a without obtaining a judicial If you pay dues by payroll deduction, you must sign a new form in August to keep new organization whose legislative agenda, policy declaration about the lawfulness or priorities, staff and underlying mission remains your membership. Call (901) 379-6939, or unlawfulness of “excessing.” email [email protected] UEA-TEA-NEA is not affiliated with unchanged.” MSCEA. They left the TEA-NEA family. “This victory achieved by TEA’s For the last four years, that mission has been to legal team for all Tennessee Teachers statewide are now spend millions of dollars to pass school vouchers. educators proves the power of protected from facing similar Year in and year out, TEA has been the leader standing united,” said TEA Executive in opposing risky voucher schemes. Your calls, practices in their home districts, Director Carolyn Crowder. “At a time emails, and personal contact with legislators thanks to the hard work of TEA’s made the difference. when tenure rights are often under legal team. attack, this ruling reinforces the You can trust TEA’s legal team with In 2017, we know that TEA members will again right to due process.” make the difference and defend public schools more than 60 combined years of from privatizers no matter what name they claim. While the practice of excessing experience in Tennessee education began in Shelby it was quickly law, to defend your rights and spreading to other districts in the protect you when you need it most. Rocketship down: state, sometimes under a different Our team has won virtually all of name. Some districts viewed this the important cases dealing with another charter on ropes as their opportunity to fire tenured teachers’ rights statewide, works Andre Agassi’s national charter school network teachers without cause. effectively with school district Rocketship already has two schools in Nashville. “The TEA members who have come attorneys and officials for the good of teachers, understands legal In 2015, the local affiliate applied to open before us fought hard to win tenure TEA General Counsel Richard Colbert additional schools in the city. That application rights for Tennessee educators,” strategy and issues of statewide led the legal fight to protect tenure was denied, in part due to Rocketship’s poor Crowder said. “We certainly were significance, and is in the trenches rights for all Tennessee teachers. performance in terms of academic achievement. not going to let districts violate the fighting for you when a fight is Rocketship appealed to the State Board of rights of our members with a fight.” needed. Education and was denied again. Despite the clear message that Rocketship needed a stronger track record in Nashville before pursuing additional schools, the charter network again applied to open new schools in Nashville Bedford Co. legal victory proves MOU enforceable in 2016. Again, they were denied by the MNPS Board on an 8-1 vote. They appealed, citing the Ruling establishes PECCA as powerful tool for teachers results of their own, internally-administered tests. The appeal was denied. Now, it is up to the State Board of Education to again decide the fate of Rocketship. One part of When collective bargaining said TEA General Counsel Richard legal assistance to recover what their appeal says they should automatically be was replaced with collaborative Colbert. “There is value to having an that teacher lost when the Board allowed to open a new school because MNPS was conferencing in 2011, many thought MOU, and there is value to having a breached the MOU. one day late in scheduling the appeal hearing. it was the end of enforceable rights strong local association to negotiate “This is a tremendous victory for Otherwise, they cite the results of tests other for Tennessee teachers. A TEA legal that MOU and to go to bat for teachers statewide and gives us all schools in the district and state don’t take. victory has proven otherwise. new confidence in the collaborative The official hearing took place in September, and A recent ruling in a TEA lawsuit The PECCA law allows conferencing process,” said TEA members of the MNPS School Board and new filed in Bedford County proves that locals to conference on President Barbara Gray. “This ruling Director of Schools Shawn Joseph appealed to the MOUs signed through collaborative means ALL local associations need State Board to deny Rocketship’s expansion. conferencing can have the same salary, benefits and to get an MOU in place immediately legal significance as collectively working conditions. A to protect the rights of their A final decision on Rocketship’s fate will be made bargained contracts. members.” this month. signed MOU can have the The Bedford County Board of same legal significance as The PECCA law allows locals to Education was bound by the MOU a contract. conference on topics like salary, BEP review committee negotiated by the Bedford County benefits and working conditions. Education Association to pay a Less than half of the school districts urges focus on teacher pay certain level of its teachers’ health teachers when it is not followed by in the state have an MOU in place insurance premiums. When the the district.” right now. The BEP Review Committee, the state body board failed to live up to its legal “Now is the time to organize the tasked with annually reviewing school funding Our local association negotiated the obligations, TEA’s legal team went teachers in your district and start in Tennessee and making recommendations MOU that provided the contractual to work. the collaborative conferencing for improvement, decided in late July to send a right that this settlement vindicates. As a result of the victory, Bedford process,” Gray said. “TEA field letter to the governor and other key state leaders BCEA fought to protect the rights County teachers will be reimbursed staff are ready to help locals initiate outlining priorities for future education funding. of their teachers. Without the local for a year and a half worth of association, no single teacher could PECCA and guide you through the Here’s what the committee’s minutes say about premiums that the board owed have negotiated the contractual process. this letter: under the MOU and didn’t pay. commitment in the MOU, and no Visit www.teateachers.org/staff to EDUCATION NEWS IN BRIEF “This outcome proves two things,” single teacher could have afforded find your UniServ coordinator. go to page 7

Community College. District 4 — Duran Williams, KCEA, 451, Livingston, TN 38570, (931)279-9530, fax: Wayne Co. District 13 — Mary Campbell, Susan Dalton, Co., Henderson Co., Lexington, McNairy Co., West Need information, services? 2411 Magnolia Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917; (865)522- (855)299-5674; Assns: Fentress Co., Lenior City, Metro Nashville, 531 Fairground Court, Nashville, Tennessee School for the Deaf. District 17 — Terri Tennessee Education Association 9793, fax: (865)522-9866; Assns: Knox, Pellisippi Loudon Co., Meigs Co., Morgan Co., Oneida, Overton TN 37211; (615)347-6578 (Campbell), (615)476-3161 Jones, P.O. Box 2140, Cordova, TN 38088; (901)258- 801 Second Avenue N., Nashville, TN 37201-1099 State Comm. College, UT-Knoxville, TSD. District Co., Rhea-Dayton Co., Roane Co., Scott Co., York (Dalton), fax: (855)299-4968 (Campbell), (855)299- 3902, fax: (844)270-8083; Assns: Bradford, Crockett (615) 242-8392, (800) 342-8367, FAX (615) 259-4581 5— Jason White, P.O. Box 5502, Oak Ridge, TN 37831; Institute. District 9 — Jackie Pope, 2326 Valley Grove 5837 (Dalton); Assns: Dept. of Higher Ed., Metropolitan Co., Dyer Co., Dyersburg, Dyersburg State Community (615)521-1333, fax: (855)301-8366; Assns: Athens, Dr., Murfreesboro, TN 37128;phone: (615)898-1060, Nashville, TN School For The Blind, MTSU, Murfreesboro College, Gibson Co., Hardeman Co., Haywood Co., UniServ Coordinators Alcoa, Anderson Co., Blount Co., Clinton, Etowah, fax: (855) 301-8214, Assns: Bedford Co., Bledsoe Co., City, NSCC, Rutherford, TSU. District 14 — Maria Humboldt, Lake Co., Lauderdale Co., Milan, Obion Co., District 1 — Harry Farthing, P.O. Box 298, Lenoir City, Loudon Co., Maryville, McMinn Co. (except Coffee Co., Franklin Co., Grundy Co., Manchester, Marion Uffelman, P.O. Box 99, Cumberland City, TN 37050; Tipton Co., Trenton, Union City. District 18 — Zandra Elizabethton, TN 37644; phone: (423)262-8035, Athens City - see District 7), Monroe Co., Oak Ridge, Co., Moore Co., Motlow State Community College, phone: (931)827-3333, fax: (855)299-4925; Assns: Foster, 3897 Homewood Cove, Memphis, TN 38128; fax: (866)379-0949; Assns: Bristol, Carter Co., Polk Co., Sweetwater. District 6 — Shannon Bain, P.O. Sequatchie Co., Tullahoma. District 10 — Jeff Garrett, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville-Montgomery (901)377-9472, fax: (855)320-8737;—Assns: Bartlett, Elizabethton, Johnson Co., Hancock Co., Hawkins Box 3452, Lebanon, TN 37088, phone: (615)547-7769, P.O. Box 1326, Lebanon, TN 37088-1326; (615)630- Co., Henry Co., Houston Co., Paris, Stewart Co., Weakley Collierville, Fayette Co., Germantown-Arlington- Co., Kingsport, Northeast State Community College, fax: (844)274-0765; Assns: Cannon Co., Cumberland 2605, fax (855)320-8755; Assns: Clay Co., Jackson Co., UT-Martin. District 15 — Cheryl Richardson, P.O. Lakeland, Millington, Southwest State Community Rogersville, Sullivan Co. District 2 — Jennifer Gaby, Co., Cumberland University, DeKalb Co., Lebanon, Co., Macon Co., Pickett Co., Robertson Co., Smith Co., Box 354, Goodlettsville, TN 37070; phone: (615)630- College, University of Memphis. District 19 — Karla P.O. Box 70, Afton, TN 37616; (423)234-0700, fax: Putnam Co., Van Buren Co., Warren Co., Wilson Co., Sumner Co., Trousdale Co. District 11 — Antoinette 2601, fax: (888)519-4879; Assns: Benton Co., Central, Carpenter, UniServ Field Manager; UniServ Director: (855)299-0723; Assns: Cocke Co., Greene Co., East White Co., TTU. District 7 — Theresa Turner, HCEA 4655 Lee, P.O. Box 1412, Antioch, TN 37013; (615)308-5293, Cheatham Co., Clarksburg, Decatur Co., Dickson Co., Tom Marchand, 6520 Stage Road, Bartlett, TN Tennessee State University, Greeneville, Hamblen Co., Shallowford Road, Chattanooga, TN 37411; (423)485- fax: (888)519-7331; Assns: FSSD, Williamson, TN Hickman Co., Humphreys Co., Huntingdon, Lewis Co., 38134; phone/fax (901)379-6939; United Education Johnson City, Newport, Unicoi Co., WashingtonPUBLIC Co. SCHOOL9535, fax: (423)485-9512; Assns: Athens City, Bradley Dept. of Ed. District 12 — Sue Ogg; P.O. Box 210486, McKenzie, Perry Co., West Carroll. District 16 — Lorrie Association of Shelby County, www.unitedshelby.org. District 3 — Tina Parlier, P.O. Box 70288, Knoxville, Co., Chattanooga State Community College, Cleveland, Nashville, TN 37211-0486; (615)856-0503, fax: Butler, P.O. Box 387, Henderson, TN 38340; (731)989- 6TN 37938-0288, (865)688-1175, fax: (866)518-3104; Hamilton Co., (855)427-6660 — Assns: Fayetteville City, Giles Co., 4860, fax: (855)299-4591; Assns: Chester Co., Jackson- www.teateachers.org Assns: Campbell Co., Claiborne Co., Grainger Co., UT-Chattanooga. District 8 — Josh Trent, P.O. Box Lawrence Co., Lincoln Co., Marshall Co., Maury Co., Madison Co., Jackson State Community College, Hardin www.nea.org Jefferson Co., Sevier Co., Union Co., Walters StateADVOCATE 6 PUBLIC SCHOOL TENNESSEE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION ADVOCATE TENNESSEE EDUCATION TEA fights for money to offset NEWS IN BRIEF

health insurance premium hikes from page 6 “The committee resolved with no dissenting votes to send a letter to the Governor, the Commissioner of Participants in the state group insurance program, The problem is that the state plan is self-funded, Finance and Administration and the Commissioner which covers over 100,000 educators and their meaning the money collected from the insurance of Education outlining the five priorities of the families, will see an average premium increase of just premiums is used to pay the cost of the claims filed committee for funding. over 6 percent next year. The increase is not spread by employees. A massive increase in enrollment in The five priorities, in order: evenly across all plans, and is focused mostly on the the Limited PPO essentially shifted an enormous cost cheaper, high deductible plans. The premium hike onto the state plan, which created a large run on 1. Sustained commitment to teacher compensation is higher than it’s been in years, the state plan has reserves that were going to be used to prevent claims 2. English Language Learner funding (to bring averaged less than a 2.5 percent increase over the last increases next year. ratios closer to the level called for in the BEP decade, but is accompanied by millions in additional “It’s really unfortunate that some school systems Enhancement Act of 2016) funds coming from the state. The actual impact to thought they were getting a free lunch, and now 3. Funding the number of guidance counselors at a teacher paychecks will depend on the decisions made teachers across the state are suffering as a result,” said level closer to national best practices by local boards of education regarding whether or TEA Executive Director Carolyn Crowder. “The math is not to absorb the premium increase. 4. Funding Response to Instruction and fairly simple, when the state self-funds, if there’s less Intervention positions Some systems have elected to do just that, and money coming in and the same or more going out, employee share of premiums is decreasing next you’re going to have a problem.” 5. Sustained technology funding.” year, while others have elected to pass through Another consequence of the massive increase in Let’s hope this steers the Gov. Bill Haslam the increase to employees. It’s important to note enrollment in the limited plan was that it lowered the administration to close the wage gap sorely felt by Tennessee’s educators. The good news is the that even though premiums are increasing, there is amount of money every school system receives for state now has a $925 million surplus, a portion extra money available to districts. TEA has pushed insurance through the BEP, regardless of whether or of which could be used to help close that gap. in the last two years to finally fund the eleventh not they participate in the state plan. The BEP uses and twelfth months of teacher insurance through Doing this would also meet another long-term a weighted average to determine how much money goal of the BEP review committee: Providing the BEP, which provides more than $60 million. school systems receive for insurance per employee, There is also an additional $24 million that the districts with teacher compensation that more and when thousands of employees signed up for closely matches the actual cost of hiring a teacher. state has made available in light of the premium the cheapest option, it meant less money was sent increases. Finally, dozens of systems were purchasing The projected cost of this, according to the 2014 from the state to every school system. The end result BEP Review Committee report, is around $500 gap or supplemental insurance through private was that all schools in the state were paying for the million. vendors, which is disallowed for 2017, meaning the decisions of a few. accompanying savings can also be used to offset the extra cost. Now that the gap insurance that had been sold to school systems has been disallowed by the state, it The reasons for the increase are also important. The is expected that enrollment patterns will normalize state plan has an excellent track record, and this year’s once again. Employees with fixed health costs increase stands out as an aberration. According to who tend to use their insurance will likely return to the state’s analysis, the premium increases are due to the plans with richer benefits, while those who are 40% a more than 500 percent increase in enrollment in the less likely to use their insurance may opt to stay in LOCAL Limited PPO, a low cost, high deductible option. This cheaper plans with more out-of-pocket costs. “This 60% plan was paired with gap insurance, which acted to plan has been good to teachers over the years,” STATE pick up the higher out-of-pocket costs. This meant an Crowder said. “We expect that school systems will use employee got a similar benefit to higher cost plans, SOURCE OF FUNDS FOR the considerable extra state money they’re receiving TEACHER SALARIES IN while the district and the employee paid much less. to absorb the premium increases.” TENNESSEE

First in the South for graduation and standards, TALE OF TWO SYSTEMS: behind the South for funding. TEA has been fighting Teachers in Hancock Co. earn 56% less in total to get us out of the investment basement compensation than their colleagues in Kingsport due to pay inequity. $1,446 $2,048 PER Tennessee ranks 8th in the nation for MORE $1,386 MORE STUDENT on-time graduation rates, and has PER STUDENT MORE PER STUDENT the country’s second highest academic standards for graduation. Tennessee schools achieve this remarkable outcome OF NATIONAL AVERAGE with very few resources. Our state ranks ON INVESTMENT PER $98PER 46th for investment per child, and is far STUDENT STUDENT below most of its neighboring states in $737 79% LESS education funding. MORE PER STUDENT $1148 Teacher pay gap MORE (Teacher pay as measured against other $181 $164 $779 PER STUDENT professions in Southern states) Louisiana 80.5% TEA FIGHTS FOR PAY EQUITY South Carolina 79.2% from page 8 Kentucky 78.8% average teacher pay in 2015 was Haslam’s administration and in teachers’ pockets,” said TEA Mississippi 74.8% less than the 2013 weighted approaches the level of inequity President Barbara Gray. “We Arkansas 74.8% average – a decline not fully ruled unconstitutional in the will continue to work with the explained by normal attrition and most recent small schools state legislature and the State Florida 74.6% replacement. lawsuit. Board of Education to adopt West Virginia 74.6% Additionally, the disparity “While TEA appreciates recent laws and policies that result in between teachers in the state’s investment in public education both increased funding for pay Alabama 71.8% best-paying systems and the and teacher salaries, we believe raises and fair raises received Tennessee 70.7% lowest-paying systems remains more must be done to ensure by teachers across the state, no at a steady 40 percent. This that when the General Assembly matter what district teachers Georgia 69.3% trend has been fairly constant appropriates funds for teacher work in.” Virginia PUBLIC SCHOOL66.9% throughout Governor Bill raises, those funds wind up 7North Carolina ADVOCATE65.4% Absence of data spells end to TVAAS. Now what?

BREAK IN THE TVAAS CHAIN Association says using value-added data, like TVAAS, A study published in the Teachers’ College Record from page 1 is a poor predictor of individual teacher performance, last year focused on Tennessee and noted that middle As we move forward in this new world, it’s important to explaining only between 2 percent and 14 percent school teachers tend to receive lower TVAAS scores remember some key facts: of a teacher’s impact on student learning. TVAAS than their high school counterparts and middle doesn’t provide accurate, relevant insight into teacher school ELA teachers were more likely to receive low First, it’s impossible to make a valid comparison performance, even under the best circumstances. TVAAS rankings than their peers who teach math. between the old TCAP and new TNReady tests when it The Tennessee Department of Education’s own report comes to TVAAS. Third, to have meaningful comparison, Tennessee would need at least three years of data using the on educator effectiveness revealed the same finding – According to a study published in the Journal of new testing format, but we don’t have any data from middle school teachers tend to get lower scores and ELA Educational Measurement, “[research] results suggest TNReady yet. There is no baseline, and no ability to teachers are often scored lower than math teachers. that conclusions about individual teachers’ performance make a comparison between year one and year two, Even without a TNReady break in data, TVAAS offered based on value-added models can be sensitive to the because we don’t have any year one data, in large part little value in terms of individual educators. Now, there’s ways in which student achievement is measured.” because of the TNReady test failure. no value at all. In short, the findings of the study demonstrated that It’s also important continuing to note the flaws of “Because of the many failures and false promises of different types of tests (like TCAP vs. TNReady) yield TVAAS. As we’ve pointed out in the past, teachers in TVAAS, Tennessee’s teachers believe now is the critical different value-added results. Thus, making a valid different subjects and grades are treated differently time to move forward without TVAAS,” said TEA comparison between the two is impossible. when it comes to TVAAS results. Executive Director Carolyn Crowder. “Our students Second, the American Statistical can’t afford another year of false promises and our educators don’t deserve the stress associated with preparing students for tests that don’t contribute -- and often detract -- from learning.” A judge in New York ruled recently that evaluating teachers based on value-added data was “arbitrary and capricious.” Both Hawaii and Oklahoma have moved away from using value-added data in teacher evaluations. Policymakers around the country are beginning to realize what educators have been saying all along: Value-added data fails to capture the true impact of teachers. It’s critical that you remind your lawmakers that Tennessee must move beyond TVAAS. Educators don’t mind accountability, but the measure used must be fair and transparent. TVAAS is neither. “With this last talking point now effectively over, we have an opportunity to revisit our evaluation system and talk alternatives to TVAAS,” said Crowder. TEA will continue to raise the alarm about TVAAS and fight for educator evaluation policy that treats teachers as professionals.

National experts and groups have called for a moratorium on the use of value-added in high-stakes decision for teachers (left). Now, other states have been repealing their use of the flawed statistical estimates. TEA FIGHTS TO CLOSE SALARY GAP A new study by the Economic Policy Institute TEA FIGHTS FOR PAY EQUITY close the gap, Tennessee teachers would need an examines teacher pay relative to pay received by go to page 7 average raise of about $10,000 a year. other, similarly-educated workers and reveals a TEA succeeded in pushing the state legislature to growing gap. pass 4 percent BEP salary increases in the past two Not surprisingly, teachers are on the losing end, legislative sessions, but those funds don’t always earning roughly 23 percent less than their peers in make it into teachers’ paychecks due to the pay other professions. Here in Tennessee, teachers earn 29.3 plan instituted by former Education Commissioner percent less than similarly-prepared professionals. Kevin Huffman and inaction by the State Board of In fact, Tennessee’s wage gap for teachers is among the Education. worst in the Southeast. The average of 11 southern Specifically, the Huffman pay plan eliminated the states is a 26.5 percent gap, leaving Tennessee state minimum salary schedule and went to a nearly three points behind. four-step schedule. Additionally, the State Board The weighted average teacher salary in of Education has only increased the mandated Tennessee according to the BEP Review BEP salary by 2 percent and 3 percent respectively Committee is just under $44,000 a year. To fully in last two budget cycles. The result: Weighted PUBLIC SCHOOL 8 ADVOCATE