NBI 09-01 Collective Bargaining/Labor Relations – Transfer Policies
Referred to appropriate committee
In any future legislation pertaining to modifications of the collective bargaining or labor relations laws, MSEA will seek to add voluntary/involuntary transfer policies to the list of permissible topics of conversation at the bargaining table.
Rationale:
Current law gives the local board of education unilateral authority to refuse to bargain this topic. Currently, management is using the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to subvert longstanding transfer policies – through Alternative Governance – moving large portions of school faculties from schools found to be in need of improvement.
Submitted: Kenneth Haines, PGCEA
Seconded: Charles Burt, PGCEA
Strategic Objective #3 Public Agenda
Cost: Personnel time
NBI 09-02 N-SIZE OF AYP SUBGROUPS
Passed as amended
The MSEA will appeal to the Maryland State Department of Education to change the N-size of Maryland subgroups for the purposes of reporting Adequate Yearly Progress under No Child Left Behind. The MSEA will work to increase the N-size to at least 20.
MSEA will publicize its purpose to the Maryland legislature and lobby our Senators and members of congress to place appropriate N-size ranges in the next reauthorization of ESEA.
In addition, the MSEA will make sure that counties and schools with very small numbers of students should not be penalized regarding full funding if some of their subgroups do not get counted.
Rationale:
The current Maryland N-size of five is statistically unsupportable and results in cases of false negatives for public schools which are then labeled as failing to reach AYP. The NCLB requires states to determine subgroup numbers that meet the following requirements:
1. Ensure statistically reliable information and
2. Do not reveal personal information regarding the students.
The number five for Maryland subgroups fails the test for both requirements. Everyone knows who the five students are and the margin of error is so large for such a small group that many schools fail to make AYP undeservedly. The test results of a subgroup have a disproportionate impact on the identification of a school relative to the test results of the whole school. By increasing Maryland’s N-size to 20 or beyond we will ensure a statistically fairer playing field for our students and teachers. Maryland is the only state in the USA with an N-size of five. The closest states to us are: Louisiana, South Dakota and Utah (all with 10); and New Hampshire (11). The most common N-sizes are 30 and 40.
In small schools/districts, no minority scores or special needs scores will be reported, even though these students often score basic on state tests.
Submitted by: Terri Mullikin, KCTA
Seconded by: Yvonne Baicich, PGCEA
Strategic Objective #3 Public Agenda
Cost: Personnel time
NBI 09-03 Posting NBI Progress
Passed as amended
The MSEA will post, on its Members Only portion of the Web site, updates of progress towards fulfilling the mandates of New Business Items adopted or referred to committee at the annual Convention. The postings will be made monthly and as information becomes available. If no progress has been made, the posting for the New Business Item will state that and give a possible reason.
If a possible posting contains information that will compromise the work of MSEA or compromise progress toward fulfilling the NBI, such information will be withheld from our Web site.
Rationale:
The members of MSEA have a vested interest in following the progress of work being done to fulfill the will of their representatives through NBIs adopted at MSEA’s annual convention. New Business Items are an important part of the work done toward fulfilling our agenda for public education in Maryland. There are instances when we do not know what has happened to NBI’s and what actions were taken. Individual members must contact MSEA on their own initiative to track down the status of NBIs.
At the NEA-RA in San Diego the NBI I submitted to have NEA provide resources and materials on drop-out prevention and best practices starting with elementary students.
Submitted by: Mavis Ellis, MCEA
Seconded by: Evelyn Joray, MCEA
Strategic Objective #3 Public Agenda
Cost: Personnel time
NBI 09-05 Modular Classroom Investigation
Passed
MSEA will create and provide each local with a report on modular classroom building codes and requirements. The report will include, but not be limited to, state building requirements, county building requirements and the Americans with Disabilities Acts requirements. MSEA will then provide an action plan for any local association that reports to MSEA that their modular classrooms do not meet the reports specified criteria.
Rationale:
Due to the ever increasing school population, schools continue to place modulars in school sites to accommodate the population. Many of these modulars are placed behind school buildings, and have no running water, no bathrooms, and worst of all, are not able to hear the school’s fire alarm. Students must walk outside in the elements in order to use the bathroom, switch classes, and get water. This creates many safety issues, as well as concern about the amount of class time students miss going in and out of the building. Another concern that should be looked at is how the increased number of students attending schools because of the modular classrooms affects the building’s capacity to operate efficiently. Also, students must still go outside the building and cross parking lots despite how cold, wet or icy it is outside. If our students are to come first and if students are to receive an equal education, then we must also make sure that our students are comfortable and safe. It has been often said that people don’t care what you know until they know that you care. Let’s show the students that we do care about their physical needs, as well as their educational needs.
Submitted by: Blair Todd, PGCEA
Seconded by: Yvonne Baicich, PCEA
Strategic Objective #1 School Quality
Cost: Personnel time
NBI 09-06 Mental Health Booth
Passed
MSEA will establish a booth at its Health Fair dealing with mental health issues and services.
Rationale:
We would like to see MSEA and its staff continue their efforts to include this important issue at our health fair.
Submitted by: Evan West, ACTA
Seconded by: Deborah Weisenmiller, ACTA
Strategic Objective #1 School Quality
Cost: Personnel time
NBI 09-07 NAACP 100th Anniversary
Passed as amended
I move that MSEA take the following actions in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP):
1. ActionLine will publish an article explaining to the membership the importance of the history of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) with respect to public education for all students, teachers, and other educators. This information should be placed on our official Web site.
2. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) 100th Anniversary will be included in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Breakfast.
Rationale:
The NAACP has been an advocate organization for our public schools. The NAACP was the lead organization in the Brown v. Board of Education case.
Submitted by: Theresa Dudley, PGCEA
Seconded by: James Woods, PGCEA
Strategic Objective #2 Member Well Being and Strategic Objective #3 Public Agenda
Cost: Personnel time
NBI 09-08 Defend Education in Washington, DC
Referred to committee
The Maryland State Education Association sends this message of solidarity to the teachers and other school personnel who have been laid off by the Washington, D.C. Public School system.
We applaud the educators, parents, and students who are raising their voices in opposition to these layoffs. We add our voice in opposition to the overcrowded classrooms and disrupted instruction caused by these layoffs.
Rationale:
Public education is under attack. Teachers and their unions are being singled out as the cause of complex educational problems. Under the guise of budget shortfalls, disputed by D.C. Council members, experienced teachers and counselors have been fired and marched out of schools under police escort, like common criminals.
The need for our unions to protect teachers and public education has never been greater. The old adage “An injury to one is an injury to all” applies more than ever. In solidarity we salute you and support you.
Submitted by: Barbara Greenway, MCEA
Seconded by: Randy Changuris, MCEA
Strategic Objective #3 Public Agenda
Cost: Personnel time
NBI 09-09 Improve and Correct MSEA Pocket Calendar
Referred to Board of Directors
MSEA will take the necessary measures to ensure certain improvements and corrections in the 16-month POCKET CALENDAR that is published by MSEA and distributed to MSEA members and local affiliates. These improvements and corrections include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Beginning in 2010, the POCKET CALENDAR will commence with the month of August of the distribution year and provide monthly pages that extend through November of the following year.
- Everything printed in the POCKET CALENDAR will conform to the accepted standards and conventions of language usage in English. In particular, the seven days of the week will be capitalized.
Rationale:
In the state of Maryland, most school districts open for staff development and student instruction during the month of August. Additionally, MSEA-sponsored meetings and other activities scheduled for the month of August will be listed.
The 2009-2010 POCKET CALENDAR contains at least 112 errors. On each of the 16-month pages, the seven days of the week are spelled with lower-case letters. The necessity for ensuring correct language usage conventions is axiomatic. As educators, we must model the standards of excellence that we demand from our students.
…..AGAPE…..
Endorsed unanimously by the PGCEA Board of Directors on 10/14/09.
Approved by the Prince George’s Delegation on 10/16/09.
Submitted by: Dr. Joseph Webb, PGCEA
Seconded by: Malou Cadacio, PGCEA
Strategic Objective #2 Member Well Being
Cost: Personnel time
NBI 09-10 Educator Support
Passed
MSEA should take a position in support of the recommendations and action steps detailed in the July 2009 report from the Maryland Teacher Professional Development Advisory Council called, “Ensuring High-Quality Professional Development for All Maryland Teachers” that was accepted by the State Board of Education.
Rationale:
Comprehensive induction programs with the explicit goal of ensuring that all new educators have the knowledge skills and support necessary to be successful in their classrooms and schools are needed. Districts should support high-quality school-based professional development that meets the needs of all educators.
Submitted by: Joan Mory, MCEA
Seconded by: Valeria Arch, ACTA
Strategic Objective #1 School Quality
Cost: Personnel time
NBI 09-11 Increase Student Attendance
Passed
MSEA will work with MSDE to add an attendance requirement as a condition for graduation as well as considering other avenues to increase student attendance.
Rationale:
With all the state requirements for graduation, the most important one for teachers is to give us a chance to actually teach a student in front of us. How can we be held accountable for student progress if the state doesn’t help us get students in our classes?
Submitted by: David Nicholson, MCEA
Seconded by: Melissa Richards, MCEA
Strategic Objective #1 School Quality
Cost: Personnel time
NBI 09-12 Endorsements of Candidates and Referendum Questions
Passed
It is recommended that the MSEA Board of Directors change current policies to enable MSEA RA delegates to vote to endorse any referendum questions at the Spring RA in May.
Rationale:
Early endorsement of candidates is unwise when there are so many unknown variables that can evolve from the Maryland General Assembly session.
Submitted by: Theresa Dudley, PGCEA
Seconded by: Gwendolyn Wood, PGCEA
Strategic Objective #3 Public Agenda
Cost: Personnel time
NBI 09-13 MSEA Did Not Forget
Passed
MSEA shall facilitate the organization of a voluntary group of MSEA/NEA RA 2010 delegates to provide a community service project to benefit an Orleans Parish school affected by Hurricane Katrina.
MSEA will provide financial assistance not to exceed $5,000 for transportation, food, and materials.
Rationale:
The cost estimate is based on the voluntary work being completed during the delegates’ free time at the NEA Convention.
After four years, regions along the Gulf Coast affected by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina are still in dire need of revitalization.
Submitted by: Eboni N. Walker, MCEA
Seconded by: Anna-Maria Halstead, CCEA
Strategic Objective #2 Member Well Being
Cost: $5,000
