On February 5th, Oklahomans will have an opportunity to vote for their choices in the presidential primary. What are the latest issues in education? How do the Republicans address these issues? What about the Democrats?
Make sure you know how all of the contenders measure up, and make sure you vote, as the battle for the "White House" continues.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
2008 Read Across America Program
NEA/OEA's 2008 Read Across America program is fast approaching. It's never too early or late to get started on ideas for the program. If you've got something unique that you'd like to share, go ahead and post it here or send it to our communications staff.
Friday, January 25, 2008
OEA Press Release on Merit Pay/Pay For Test Scores
Promised Base Pay before Merit Pay
OKC – The Oklahoma Education Association was both encouraged and concerned with Speaker Lance Cargill’s announcement yesterday of his plans for a merit pay system for Oklahoma teachers.
“We have always said we are open to discussing merit pay if it is available to all teachers and is fair and properly funded,” said OEA President Roy Bishop. “But before we do anything like that, we have to get our base pay right.
“Governor Henry got it right yesterday when he announced a plan to give teachers an average $1,200 to get Oklahoma teachers to the regional average. The governor and the legislature made a promise four years ago to raise teacher pay to the regional average by 2008, and he is making good on that promise.”
The OEA has a long history of taking a pro-active look at alternative pay plans, including the Association’s proposed Accomplished Teacher Project in 2002, a proposal that did not receive legislative funding. Last April, OEA members approved a list of principles they believe are needed in any proposed pay-for-performance plan. The Association was excited to hear many of those principles repeated in the speaker’s proposal.
“As for Speaker Cargill’s plan, we are encouraged that it requires teacher input into the development of the local plan, includes a professional development component, and allows for both teachers and support professionals to qualify for any proposed performance pay,” Bishop said.
However, Bishop was quick to point out that the Speaker’s plan would be very expensive to districts already strapped for funding. The speaker’s plan has no funding source identified. One of our OEA performance pay principles is local districts should not be burdened with additional cost. We cannot support a plan that might add more unfunded mandates on school budgets. Bishop reiterated OEA’s call to “keep the promise” of getting Oklahoma teacher pay to the regional average before implementing any alternative pay plans.
OKC – The Oklahoma Education Association was both encouraged and concerned with Speaker Lance Cargill’s announcement yesterday of his plans for a merit pay system for Oklahoma teachers.
“We have always said we are open to discussing merit pay if it is available to all teachers and is fair and properly funded,” said OEA President Roy Bishop. “But before we do anything like that, we have to get our base pay right.
“Governor Henry got it right yesterday when he announced a plan to give teachers an average $1,200 to get Oklahoma teachers to the regional average. The governor and the legislature made a promise four years ago to raise teacher pay to the regional average by 2008, and he is making good on that promise.”
The OEA has a long history of taking a pro-active look at alternative pay plans, including the Association’s proposed Accomplished Teacher Project in 2002, a proposal that did not receive legislative funding. Last April, OEA members approved a list of principles they believe are needed in any proposed pay-for-performance plan. The Association was excited to hear many of those principles repeated in the speaker’s proposal.
“As for Speaker Cargill’s plan, we are encouraged that it requires teacher input into the development of the local plan, includes a professional development component, and allows for both teachers and support professionals to qualify for any proposed performance pay,” Bishop said.
However, Bishop was quick to point out that the Speaker’s plan would be very expensive to districts already strapped for funding. The speaker’s plan has no funding source identified. One of our OEA performance pay principles is local districts should not be burdened with additional cost. We cannot support a plan that might add more unfunded mandates on school budgets. Bishop reiterated OEA’s call to “keep the promise” of getting Oklahoma teacher pay to the regional average before implementing any alternative pay plans.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Open letter to NBCT's
This letter was sent out via the OEA-NBCT list serv, the OEA Insider, and can be found on our web page.
Dear National Board Certified Teacher,
By now you should have received notice from Superintendent Garrett concerning the change in the way your $5,000 stipend for successfully achieving National Board Certification will be paid. This change came as a result of a settlement the state made with the IRS.
The IRS found, for the purpose of the bonus payment, that teachers are subject to the will and control of the School District, State, and Statutes in performing their duties as public school teachers. The fact that the bonus was paid by the State, rather than the school district, does not change the teachers’ classification from employee to independent contractor. Internal Revenue code 3401 (d) provides that an employer (for the purposes of withholding) can be someone other than the common law employer, if that person has control of the payment of wages. These wages are subject to Social Security, Medicare, and income tax withholding per IRC 3402 (d).
Oklahoma law provides that all teachers who attain National Board certification shall receive a bonus in the amount of $5,000 no later than January 31st. Your district previously received a “Statement of Eligibility” form from the State Department of Education to verify the number of teachers who qualify for the bonus. Once the State Department receives that eligibility form, they will make payment directly to each qualifying school district.
Depending on your family income and tax status, you may find that this method of payment will actually increase your “bring home” amount from the bonus. Let’s hope that is the case.
Unfortunately, your district will not be receiving an amount large enough to cover the district expense of this payment method at this time. Superintendent Garrett does intend to request a supplemental appropriation to cover this expense to your district. Please be assured that the OEA will support this supplemental request and will work to see that it is provided.
If we can be of any help, please feel free to contact us.
Sincerely,
Roy Bishop
President
Oklahoma Education Association
Dear National Board Certified Teacher,
By now you should have received notice from Superintendent Garrett concerning the change in the way your $5,000 stipend for successfully achieving National Board Certification will be paid. This change came as a result of a settlement the state made with the IRS.
The IRS found, for the purpose of the bonus payment, that teachers are subject to the will and control of the School District, State, and Statutes in performing their duties as public school teachers. The fact that the bonus was paid by the State, rather than the school district, does not change the teachers’ classification from employee to independent contractor. Internal Revenue code 3401 (d) provides that an employer (for the purposes of withholding) can be someone other than the common law employer, if that person has control of the payment of wages. These wages are subject to Social Security, Medicare, and income tax withholding per IRC 3402 (d).
Oklahoma law provides that all teachers who attain National Board certification shall receive a bonus in the amount of $5,000 no later than January 31st. Your district previously received a “Statement of Eligibility” form from the State Department of Education to verify the number of teachers who qualify for the bonus. Once the State Department receives that eligibility form, they will make payment directly to each qualifying school district.
Depending on your family income and tax status, you may find that this method of payment will actually increase your “bring home” amount from the bonus. Let’s hope that is the case.
Unfortunately, your district will not be receiving an amount large enough to cover the district expense of this payment method at this time. Superintendent Garrett does intend to request a supplemental appropriation to cover this expense to your district. Please be assured that the OEA will support this supplemental request and will work to see that it is provided.
If we can be of any help, please feel free to contact us.
Sincerely,
Roy Bishop
President
Oklahoma Education Association
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Governor's '08 Salary Plan
Today Governor Brad Henry, flanked by First Lady Kim, announced his plan to invest in teachers by increasing Oklahoma teachers salaries by an average of $1,200. The Governor is committed to fulfilling his commitment to Oklahoma teachers made 4 years ago. His plan was to provide single premium health insurance the first year and salary increases over the next four years to get us at or above the regional average.Also speaking in support of the importance of the commitment were First Lady Kim Henry and State Superintendent Sandy Garrett. First Lady Kim talked about the financial difficulties she and her daughters would have dealt with had something happened to her husband, stating that they would have qualified for free and reduced lunch programs on her teacher's salary.
State Superintendent Garrett added that while it has been important to get teachers to the regional average, the highly respected publication, "Quality Counts Report", ranks Oklahoma in the top ten in teacher quality. Superintendent Garrett said when we get to the regional average, it's now time to talk about the national average.
The Governor answered questions relating to some who believe that salary increases should come via merit pay/pay for test scores. He stated that he was committed to getting Oklahoma teachers to the regional average with his proposal.
Governor Henry leads a group of people who understand that investing in salaries is an investment in education and Oklahoma. Businesses will come to our state because of our continued commitment to education. Our streets will be safer because kids will be in school. The investment will pay huge dividends as kids graduate, stay in state, and become Oklahoma tax-payers. They will broaden our tax base as our state continues to be competitive with the rest of the country.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
2008 Western Region Leadership Conference
This last weekend, 55 OEA members attended the Western Region Leadership Conference held in Austin, Texas. This year's conference theme "One Message, May Voices...Great in '08-Great Schools, Great Voices, Great Leaders featured a variety of workshops to enhance leadership development at the local, state, and national level.
Topics range from closing achievement gaps, the partnership for 21st century learning skills, IDEA, NCLB, bipartisan political action and taxation, economic development and school funding to name just a few.
The WRLC is preceded by both the Women's and Minority Issues conferences. Pictured here are some of the attendees of the Minority conference: Francisca Jensen, Norman;Debbie Hogue-Downing, Retired; Veronica Tolliver, Edmond; Lori Duncan, Ft. Gibson; Pam Ramey, Lawton; Deitrya Anderson, Tulsa; and Bruce Harrison, Lawton.
During the conference, hearings are held for input on the NEA Budget, Legislative program and Resolutions. All attendees have the chance to ask questions and provide input to the development of these areas.
Raising dollars to support the NEA Fund for Children and Public Education is also done at the conference. Dues dollars are not given to political candidates so the Fund relies on contributions from members. Oklahoma participants donated over $2100 to the over $25,000 collected at this year's conference.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
August 28th, 1963
Sunday, January 20, 2008
What are you Reading?
With one nephew in college and a number of sibling's children still in school, I try to make sure that they see me enjoying a good book or two. The one I've just finished is by New York Post columnist Mike Vaccaro entitled "1941 The Greatest Year in Sports" with the subtitle "Two Baseball Legends, Two Boxing Champs, and the Unstoppable Thoroughbred Who Made History in the Shadow of War".It's an excellent look at baseball greats DiMaggio and Williams, boxing kings Louis and Conn and Whirlaway the Triple Crown winning race horse and how they provided a diversion from the realities of the events of World War II.
No matter what you read, be an example for children and adults and let them know how much you enjoy reading for pleasure.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Flawed Research: Vouchers and Florida Schools
REPORT OVERSTATES CLAIMS FOR FLORIDA’S A+ ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM
Reviewer says report presents strong analysis of Florida’s system, but wrongly implies vouchers can be singled out as a cause of school improvement
EAST LANSING, Mich. (Jan. 15, 2008) – A new study from the Urban Institute’s CALDER center examines whether Florida’s system of sanctions and incentives for its poorest performing schools led to improved student achievement. The report concludes that the system, including the threat of vouchers, appears to have spurred schools to improve practices and thereby improve performance. A new review of the study praises its comprehensive analysis of data, but identifies several key instances where the report overstates its case.
The CALDER report,“Feeling the Florida Heat? How Low-Performing Schools Respond to Voucher and Accountability Pressure,” was authored by Cecilia E. Rouse, Jane Hannaway, Dan Goldhaber, and David Figlio.
The report was reviewed for the Think Twice project by Damian Betebenner of the National Center for the Improvement of Educational Assessment.
In their report, the authors seek to understand the extent to which accountability sanctions and incentives impact school practices and student achievement. Based on statistical analysis of the lowest performing schools, the authors conclude that, in Florida, schools receiving a grade of “F” in the state’s A+ Plan for Education actually did alter their teaching practices, leading to higher test scores.
Though Betebenner commends the report for its thorough analysis of the data, he observes that the most prominent shortcoming of the report is its overstatement regarding the relationship between the pressure of accountability sanctions and improvements in school achievement. He notes that the report’s title and some of the statements in the body of the report suggest that vouchers and other accountability measures are the cause of the achievement gains though there is no supporting evidence that such a causal connection exists.
Betebenner adds, “Moreover, even if it is true that the Florida policy of vouchers plus other accountability provisions did lead to the changes in policy and practice, nothing in this new research allows a policy maker to single out either vouchers or other accountability provisions (or a combination) as having such an effect.”
Betebenner concludes that the Urban Institute report does offer reason to believe that one or more elements of Florida’s accountability systems “may offer … a lever” to improve student achievement. But he continues, “because changes in school policy and practice can occur for many reasons, this research should not be read to show that the accountability system ‘led to’ or ‘caused’ the student achievement increases. Nor does the new report consider whether the accountability levers in Florida are the most effective means of quickly and beneficially transforming the policies and practices of schools in a way that leads to increased student achievement.”
Find the complete review by Damian Betebenner.
Reviewer says report presents strong analysis of Florida’s system, but wrongly implies vouchers can be singled out as a cause of school improvement
EAST LANSING, Mich. (Jan. 15, 2008) – A new study from the Urban Institute’s CALDER center examines whether Florida’s system of sanctions and incentives for its poorest performing schools led to improved student achievement. The report concludes that the system, including the threat of vouchers, appears to have spurred schools to improve practices and thereby improve performance. A new review of the study praises its comprehensive analysis of data, but identifies several key instances where the report overstates its case.
The CALDER report,“Feeling the Florida Heat? How Low-Performing Schools Respond to Voucher and Accountability Pressure,” was authored by Cecilia E. Rouse, Jane Hannaway, Dan Goldhaber, and David Figlio.
The report was reviewed for the Think Twice project by Damian Betebenner of the National Center for the Improvement of Educational Assessment.
In their report, the authors seek to understand the extent to which accountability sanctions and incentives impact school practices and student achievement. Based on statistical analysis of the lowest performing schools, the authors conclude that, in Florida, schools receiving a grade of “F” in the state’s A+ Plan for Education actually did alter their teaching practices, leading to higher test scores.
Though Betebenner commends the report for its thorough analysis of the data, he observes that the most prominent shortcoming of the report is its overstatement regarding the relationship between the pressure of accountability sanctions and improvements in school achievement. He notes that the report’s title and some of the statements in the body of the report suggest that vouchers and other accountability measures are the cause of the achievement gains though there is no supporting evidence that such a causal connection exists.
Betebenner adds, “Moreover, even if it is true that the Florida policy of vouchers plus other accountability provisions did lead to the changes in policy and practice, nothing in this new research allows a policy maker to single out either vouchers or other accountability provisions (or a combination) as having such an effect.”
Betebenner concludes that the Urban Institute report does offer reason to believe that one or more elements of Florida’s accountability systems “may offer … a lever” to improve student achievement. But he continues, “because changes in school policy and practice can occur for many reasons, this research should not be read to show that the accountability system ‘led to’ or ‘caused’ the student achievement increases. Nor does the new report consider whether the accountability levers in Florida are the most effective means of quickly and beneficially transforming the policies and practices of schools in a way that leads to increased student achievement.”
Find the complete review by Damian Betebenner.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Super Tuesday
In a few weeks, Oklahomans will be voting in the 2008 Presidential Primary. Many of our members ask us which candidates truly support education. This summer, with a number of people running for office, these were the candidates who filled out the NEA questionnaire, went through the interview process and spoke before us in Philadelphia:
(listed in no particular order)
Former Governor Mike Huckabee of Arkansas
Former Senator John Edwards of North Carolina
Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico
Senator Chris Dodd, Connecticut
Senator Barack Obama, Illinois
Senator Hillary Clinton, New York
Congressman Dennis Kucinich, Ohio
Senator Joe Biden, Delaware
All of the serious contenders for President were invited to participate. Sadly, some declined. Since these candidates went through the NEA process, I believe you should find out where they stand on educational issues as you prepare to make your decision on Super Tuesday.
Some of the candidates may have dropped out of the race after the last two primaries, but I wanted to give you an idea of the people who take education seriously enough to participate in our process.
You can hear excerpts of what the candidates said at the RA in Philadelphia to help make your decision.
(listed in no particular order)
Former Governor Mike Huckabee of Arkansas
Former Senator John Edwards of North Carolina
Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico
Senator Chris Dodd, Connecticut
Senator Barack Obama, Illinois
Senator Hillary Clinton, New York
Congressman Dennis Kucinich, Ohio
Senator Joe Biden, Delaware
All of the serious contenders for President were invited to participate. Sadly, some declined. Since these candidates went through the NEA process, I believe you should find out where they stand on educational issues as you prepare to make your decision on Super Tuesday.
Some of the candidates may have dropped out of the race after the last two primaries, but I wanted to give you an idea of the people who take education seriously enough to participate in our process.
You can hear excerpts of what the candidates said at the RA in Philadelphia to help make your decision.
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