General Assembly News
MSTA is talking about …
Rehiring retired teachers
This week, the House Appropriations Committee heard MSTA testify in support of three bills that address the statewide teacher shortage. MSTA believes that by expanding the rehired retired program, students will get the benefit of veteran certified teachers in schools and subject areas where there is a shortage or critical need. Here's a brief look at the bills:
Be a Five Minute Activist: Support expanding opportunities for rehired retired teachers to address the teacher shortage!
Select "Take Action" to email your legislator!
House Bill 478 Expands the program to place retired rehired teachers at any school MSDE defines as having a critical shortage.
House Bill 562 Changes the criteria for rehiring retired teachers and makes more schools eligible for Title I funding under NCLB.
House Bill 962 Increases the number of retired teachers that a county can hire without subjecting them to an earnings offset. Allows more administrative flexibility in hiring retired teachers.
Read MSTA's testimony rehired retired legislation >> 
More testimony on hot issues: merit pay and testing on HSAs. MSTA proposes class size legislation
Bill urges “concrete definition” for class size
Before anything can happen on the hot button issue of class size, the state must agree on a definition. In Maryland, collection of class size data has been sketchy and incomplete, usually a simple pupil–teacher ratio, not a clear accounting of the number of students for whom a classroom teacher is responsible.
Senate Bill 478* asks legislators to formalize data collection so it reflects commonly adopted standards. This is a first step toward fulfilling a New Business Item, passed by MSTA's October RA, which requested the Association pursue legislation making class size a subject of bargaining by Local Associations and boards of education, if both agreed. Learn more >>
*Delegates hear House Bill 439 on March 21
Urge your Senators to support SB478!
Select "Take Action" to email your senators!
MSTA testimony to the Senate Education, Health,
and Environmental Affairs Committee
Visit Reduce Class Size Now! www.reduceclasssizenow.org
Help stop SB265/HB973
Don't be fooled! The Building Opportunities for All Students and Teachers (BOAST) Maryland Tax Credit is not a strategy for improving public schools! “This is a thinly veiled voucher program designed to offer tax credits to large businesses who subsidize student tuition at private and religious schools,” said Amy Maloney, MSTA lobbyist. “This tax credit will rob public school students of the funding they deserve and need.” Learn more!
Contact your legislator NOW!
MSTA testifies in support of the Healthy Maryland Initiative Fund
HB288 proposes to expand Medicaid coverage to children, pregnant women, and parents.
Maryland Coalition for Excellent Schools (MCES)
Coalition focuses on school funding
MSTA hosted a press conference today to announce the creation of a new statewide coalition. The coalition will work to ensure schools get the funding needed to raise the achievement of students, provide adequate school facilities, and improve teacher quality. The 16-member MCES organization represents parents, school boards, teachers, principals, superintendents, advocates and business leaders.
“We believe that by joining forces as a coalition on these issues of common interest, we can amplify our collective voice,” said Betty Weller, MSTA vice president, “and bring vast experience, expertise and knowledge to the table that will enhance this state's commitment to its students and public education.” Learn more >>
Members speak up to defend students on HSA testing
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“The educational community encourages teachers to use a variety of methods to assess student learning, yet the Maryland High School Assessments program requires all students to pass the same four tests in order to receive a high school diploma,” said Leslie Schroeck, a Charles County guidance counselor. She, teacher Erin Frere and EACC President Bill Fisher spent today in Annapolis explaining to members of the House Appropriations and Ways and Means committees how the current High School Assessments (HSA) places stress on students, educators and school resources.
Read Leslie Schroeck testimony >>
Read Erin Frere testimony >>
MSTA testifies at hearings
Senate Bill 58: Member Mara Egorin, a nationally certified school psychologist in Baltimore County, testified in support of an amendment to SB 58, which expands the state stipend for National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) to include school psychologists and other non-classroom professionals. “By providing a stipend aligned with that provided NBCTs for our highly qualified school psychologists, who are certified by the National School Psychology Certification Board, we encourage them to stay in Maryland instead of going to states where they do offer such compensation,” said Egorin.
Read Vera Loyd’s testimony >>
Read Mara Egorin’s testimony >>
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Read other MSTA testimony:
Testimony in Support of Senate Bill 57
Vera Loyd MSTA School Quality
Education – Teachers – State and Local Aid Program for Certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee
January 31, 2007
Testimony in Support of Senate Bill 58
Vera Loyd MSTA School Quality
Study Commission to Explore the Expanded Application of State Stipends for National Certification of Teachers
Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee
January 31, 2007
Testimony on Teacher Compensation Options
Clara Floyd MSTA President
Dale Templeton MSTA Affiliates & Advocacy
Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs and
House Ways and Means Committee
January 23, 2007
Testimony in Support of SB 109
Amy Maloney MSTA Government Relations
Education – Geographic Cost of Education Index – Funding
Senate Budget and Taxation Committee
January 31, 2007
Session takes off with new governor's inauguration
O'Malley takes office, delivers budget with historic education increase
Governor O'Malley released his first budget proposal just a day after taking office. The budget boasted a historic increase in education spending of more than $700 million, including $120 million for pensions, plus an additional $400 million for school construction.
It looked for a minute as if Governor O'Malley was going to ignore funding the long-neglected GCEI* his first year in office, but news today helped mollify some concerns that some counties would again be denied assistance promised in the Thornton legislation. Read more >>
*The Geographic Cost of Education Index: Thornton funds promised to counties where the higher costs of living and working make education more expensive.
Governor O'Malley's budget
More Local Association legislative events
O'Malley's Inauguration Day
