Fourth TELL Kentucky Survey is Live Until March 31 Kentucky public school teachers have another chance to tell administrators and education policy makers about the conditions in their schools and classrooms when the fourth TELL Kentucky Survey goes live March 1-31. Teaching, Empowering, Leading and Learning (TELL) Kentucky is an anonymous, online survey open to all teachers and certified staff in Kentucky’s public schools. The first TELL Kentucky Survey, in 2011, was conducted by the New Teacher Center and a broad coalition of public education stakeholders that included KEA, the Office of the Governor, the Kentucky Department of Education, the Kentucky Board of Education, the Education Professional Standards Board, the Kentucky Association of School Councils, the PTA, the Kentucky Association of School Administrators, the Kentucky School Boards Association, the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents, the Council for Postsecondary Education and the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. Then, as they did in subsequent TELL surveys in 2013 and 2015, Kentucky teachers responded at rates higher than in any other state. The 44,900 teachers and certified personnel who took the 2015 survey represented 89 percent of all those eligible to do so. And 1,339 of Kentucky’s 1,409 public schools met or exceeded the response threshold required for the production of a schoollevel data report. That means 95 percent of Kentucky schools have been able to use school-level survey response data in their planning—including the development of Comprehensive School Improvement Plans (CSIP), new evaluation tools, and
professional learning opportunities. Kristina Rice, principal of Adairville Elementary School in Logan County, said, “TELL results are discussed formally during the district’s ‘data day’ at the beginning of the school year on a biannual basis. Informally, results are addressed frequently through points of attention being addressed in Professional Learning Communities (PLC) and faculty meetings as they relate to current issues.” Logan County High School Principal Caycee Spears said he and his staff “look at each item” in their school-level TELL Survey report, “focusing on the lowest areas to get feedback from the staff.” After that, he said, he also uses PLCs to discuss and address the survey results, where “engaging conversations result in individual and collective growth.” KEA member Tyler Watts, who teaches first grade at Letcher Elementary School, told KEA News that in his school district, principals “use TELL data to develop a Working Conditions Goal. For example, if faculty perception indicates a low score in a particular area, that is an indication to the principal that this is an area to target for improvement.” He added that improvement measures can be documented in the school’s CSIP and/or in the principal’s growth plan. “I think our most powerful use of this data is applying it to the CSIP,” Watts said. “It guarantees that our areas in greatest need for improvement are addressed and monitored throughout the year, and thoroughly.” Robbie Davis, principal at Chandler’s Elementary in Logan County, said she also uses school-level TELL results “to
guide my Professional Growth Plan, and Working Conditions Goal each year.” Every certified Kentucky public school employee will receive a letter from Education Commissioner Dr. Stephen Pruitt containing their unique, anonymous access code for the survey. The letters are mailed to each school and distributed by the school’s KEA representative. There is no way that anyone who responds to the survey can be identified by their access number. By the time this issue of KEA News reaches you, your school
On the Cover of This Isssue of KEA News Amareeyah Sawyer, a third grader at Bardstown Elementary School, created this painting for KEA’s annual Student Empowerment Art and Essay Contest. It was entered by her teacher, KEA member Amanda Grubbs.
The theme for this year’s contest was “I love my public school because . . .” Amareeyah’s painting and other art created by students from across the state will be on display in the tunnel at the State Capitol Annex in Frankfort, March 13-17.
TELL contact should have arranged an informational meeting to answer questions and distribute the access code letters. If this has not happened yet, you should speak to your school’s KEA representative, or call the KEA office nearest you. For more information about the TELL Kentucky Survey, including complete data reports from the 2015 survey, a detailed description of the survey process, a copy of the 2017 access code letter and a list of frequently asked questions, go to https://TELLKentucky.org.
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KEA Continues to Support Candidates for National Board Certification at All Levels KEA NBCT Jump Start Training KEA’s National Board Jump Start is a 2½ -day seminar that provides early support to National Board candidates to help you understand and be successful in the certification process ahead. Jump Start is intended to compliment yearlong candidate support provided by university, co-op and district programs and is led by an experienced team of National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs). The registration fee is $200 for KEA members and $500 for non-members, and includes lunch, all-day beverage service and snacks each day. Candidates are responsible for their own travel, lodging, and substitute costs if applicable. When you register for the training you will receive instructions by email about what training materials you should bring with you each day. Jump Start participants should be registered candidates with the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS)
before the start of the seminar they attend. Because this is a KEA-sponsored event, priority access will be given to KEA members who are officially registered with NBPTS. Contact NBPTS (www.nbpts.org) to pay the initial $75 fee and obtain a National Board ID number. Once you have done that you can register for Jump Start by going to www.KEA.org. Click on the “Professional Growth” tab to get to the section on National Board Certification. Each Jump Start session is limited to thirty (30) candidates. If you receive a message that the session is full, and you wish to be placed on the Jump Start waitlist or notified of other Jump Start sessions, please notify KEA by email to michelle.new@kea.org.
Home Stretch Training Home Stretch Training helps candidates prepare for the online examinations they must take at one of the National Board testing sites. The three-hour training costs $40 for KEA members, and $100 for non-members. KEA will offer a final round of Home Stretch training opportunities this month for candidates working on Component 1 in the 2016-2017 cycle. You can register for any of them at www.KEA.org or by contacting KEA Director of Professional Excellence Michelle New, at michelle.new@kea.org.
Home Stretch Peer Entry Review Candidates will bring a draft copy of their work in one component area, and will work with others completing the same component area to provide and receive feedback on their work. Each small group will receive the support of an NBCT to help guide them through this peer review process. Each session is three (3) hours long. Registration is $40 for KEA members and $100 for non-members. If you need further information or have questions for which you do not find answers at www.KEA.org, please contact Michelle New, KEA Director of Professional Excellence, either by email to michelle.new@kea.org, or by calling (800) 231-4532.
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KEA NEWS
Volume 53, Issue 3 March 2017 Stephanie Winkler President Eddie Campbell Vice President Mary Ruble Executive Director Charles Main Editor Periodical postage paid at Williamsport, PA. KEA News is published four times a year, in September, November, March and May, by the Kentucky Education Association, 401 Capitol Avenue, Frankfort, KY 40601. Phone 800-231-4532. KEA News is the official publi cation of KEA and reaches all KEA members. The annual subscription rate to members is $1.50, included in annual dues. The subscription rate to others is $5. ISSN 0164-3959 Postmaster: Send address changes to KEA News, 401 Capitol Avenue Frankfort, KY 40601
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145th KEA Delegate Assembly Meets April 5-7 in Louisville The KEA Delegate Assembly, which meets each spring in Louisville, is the highest decision-making body of the Association. This year more than 570 delegates have registered to attend the event at the Mariott Louisville Downtown Hotel. The first business session will begin at 7:00 pm (EDT) on Wednesday, April 5. Delegates will work all day Thursday, April 6 and until late in the afternoon of Friday, April 7. During the four business sessions delegates will vote on three proposed amendments to the KEA bylaws; elect one director each for the NEA and KEA boards; and debate and approve the KEA budget and legislative program for the coming year.
Statements of Candidates for KEA Offices to be Elected at the 145th Delegate Assembly Delegates to the 145th KEA Delegate Assembly will vote on Thursday, April 6, 2017, to elect one NEA Director (for which two KEA members have declared their candidacy) and one Ethnic Minority Director at Large (for which one candidate has declared). The following statements were submitted by the candidates, who are solely responsible for their content. KEA prints these statements as a courtesy to the candidates. Publication does not indicate support of or opposition to any candidate or candidate statement.
Robin Brown for NEA Director I am Robin Brown, from Murray, KY. I have been a teacher at Murray Elementary for 21 years. I taught 2nd grade for 12 years and have now been teaching kindergarten for 9 years. I received my Bachelors, Masters and Rank I from MSU. I joined MEA/KEA/NEA as soon as I began teaching and have been active in all ever since. I was an AR for several years. Then I became the local President of MEA, which in turn got me active with FDEA. I hit the ground running, as the FDEA CCC Representative, which I still am. When Kandie McDaniel
resigned, I was elected by the KEA Board of Directors as one of the NEA Directors for Kentucky. KEA is important to every teacher in Kentucky, not only for the past and present, but the future. I have enjoyed representing and serving KEA as one of the NEA Directors for Kentucky. I have Stood Up for Our Rights as Public School Employees and hope to be re-elected to serve again to build the Relationships, Respect and Rights for us as leaders of both the state and nation.
Lakilia Bedeau for NEA Director We Are…B.E.D.E.A.U. (Bold Educators Determined to Empower, Advocate & Unify). Lakilia Bedeau, as the Director of Tornado Alley YSC, helps to remove the non-academic barriers students and families face on a daily basis. As a part of the Family Resource Youth Services Center, Tornado Alley YSC addresses the needs of children and enhances students’ abilities to succeed in school. This is accomplished through program development and partnerships promoting academic achievement, physical well-being, graduation and successful transition into adult life. She is a devoted member of the Kentucky Education Association and the National Education
Association. She serves on the KEA Board of Directors, KESPA Board of Directors and is currently the KEA Ethnic Minority Director. Lakilia also participates in several committees: KEA Diversity Committee, KEA Legal Assistance Committee, NEA Resolutions Committee and is currently serving as the NCESP Mid-Atlantic Regional Director. Other notable accomplishments include: KEA Fellow, NEA Leaders For Tomorrow Alumni, White House Champions of Change Finalist, KEA ESP of the Year and was recently named a Young Leaders of Paducah Finalist. Although you don’t need a title to be a leader, it would be an honor to serve as one of your NEA Directors.
Lucretia Starnes for Ethnic Minority Director at Large A native of California and blessed mother of three daughters: Anticia, Michelle and Jasmine and proud Nana of two beautiful granddaughters Amareeyah and Sarai. I am a teacher at Bardstown High School where I have worked for 7 ½ years. In 2005 after my place of employment lost funding, I decided to return to college after more than 20 years. I have since received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English (2009) and certification in Postsecondary English (2010) from the University of Louisville. I returned to complete Graduate studies at Campbellsville University and obtained a Master’s degree in Special Education (2011) and
Kentucky Education Association
Organizational Leadership (2012). I am currently a Doctoral student at Walden University with a concentration in Business Administration with an anticipated completion date of December 2017. Community/ Educational Involvement: President of Mu Delta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Fort Knox; BEA President; President of Habitat for Humanity (Nelson, Washington & Marion Counties); President & Secretary of Tau Sigma National Honor Society -University of Louisville; Youth Director of First Baptist Church in Bardstown; Sponsor of Numerous Mentoring Clubs (ASCEND, STRIDE & RETRO); and columnist for the Kentucky Standard.
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Proposed Amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws of the Kentucky Education Association To be Voted on by Delegates to the145th KEA Delegate Assembly in Louisville 1. Amend Bylaw 3.5 to read as follows: B-3.5. Parliamentary Procedure. b. Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall be the authority governing all matters of procedure not otherwise provided in the Constitution and Bylaws. c. At the first meeting of the Delegate Assembly, the President shall appoint a parliamentarian. d. In elections with more than two declared candidates, the candidate with the fewest number of votes will drop off the ballot after each round of voting. This Bylaw shall apply to all offices elected by the Delegate Assembly.
mechanism by which those entities “report” to the executive director, and this requirement is not actionable by the executive director. Furthermore, any obligation on the executive director to receive reports from affiliates who want to submit or share information is covered by newly relettered subsection j, “other duties as assigned.”
3. Amend Bylaw B-6.2 to read as follows:
Submitted by: Compliance/Constitution Committee Rationale: This change reflects the actual practice of the Delegate Assembly. Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised control when the constitution, bylaws or standing rules don’t address a specific situation, and the circumstance of multiple candidates for office is not currently addressed in the governing documents. Although the body has voted to amend the standing rules on an ad hoc basis to allow this practice, in order to insure consistency in future elections and to provide adequate notice to affected candidates, the CCC recommends formally changing the bylaws to permanently establish this election procedure.
2. Amend Bylaw 9.1 to read as follows:
B-9.1 Duties of the Executive Director. a. To supervise the work of and assign duties to all employees of the Association and be responsible that their activities are directed toward the achievement of the Purposes, Goals, and Objectives of the Association. b. To recommend to the Board of Directors the employment, continuation in service, and/or dismissal of all members of the employed staff. c. To serve as the Executive Agent of the Association to see that all policies and directives are carried out. d. To keep an accurate record of the proceedings of the Delegate Assembly and the Board of Directors. e. To serve as Treasurer of the Association if so designated by the Board of Directors. f. To receive and to acknowledge receipt of dues through the issuance of membership cards. g. To keep an exact roll of all classes of membership of the Association. h. To receive reports from affiliated groups. i. h. To assign professional staff members liaison responsibilities with committees or other official groups within the Association where appropriate. j. i. To administer the Association’s budget. k.j. To perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Constitution, these Bylaws, or the Board of Directors Submitted by: Compliance/Constitution Committee Rationale: This change reflects the actual practice of the Association. “Affiliates” as defined by the KEA Constitution are the local and district education organizations, including the local and district education support professional associations. There does not currently exist any formal
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B-6.2. Types and Functions of Standing Committees. a. Standing Committees are established to facilitate the operations of the Association and to advise the Association’s governing bodies in various areas. Membership of each committee shall consist of one person elected from each district association, one person elected from the Retired association, and one member elected from the Student association. Each district association, the Retired association and the Student association shall also elect one (1) alternate member of each Standing Committee. Members from district associations and the retired association shall be elected for a term of two years beginning July 1. Student members shall be elected for a term of one year beginning July 1. A member shall serve for no more than six consecutive years except in the case where the member was originally elected to fill a partial unexpired term which had become vacant. In that case, the member may serve no more than the unexpired term plus six consecutive years. These committees are: 1. Compliance/Constitution 2. Government Relations 3. Visibility Membership, Organizing, Visibility & Engagement (MOVE) 4. Diversity 5. Program and Budget b. The functions of the Standing Committees shall include the following: The Visibility MOVE Committee shall: • promote the activities of the Standing Committees; • conduct surveys and needs assessment of members to share with the Board of Directors and other committees for the purpose of assessing member needs; • promote and enhance the image of the Association both internally and externally; • conduct programs providing grants, scholarships, awards, and competitions; • oversee and promote the Member Benefits Program; • encourage current members to retain KEA membership and encourage non- members to join; and • develop effective communication programs and assist local and district associations in doing so. Submitted by: KEA Visibility Committee Rationale: The new name for the committee will more accurately reflect the full scope of its constitutional charges.
Kentucky Education Association
6 Nominations for Delegates to NEA Representative Assembly and Student Leadership Conference due by March 24 The KEA Student Program will hold an online election, if necessary, to choose its voting delegates to the 2017 NEA Representative Assembly to be held July 1 to July 6 in Boston, MA. Elected delegates also will attend the NEA Student Leadership Conference June 27-30, which is also in Boston. The number of delegates elected will be based on KEA SP membership as certified by NEA on March 15, 2017. Any member of the KEA Student Program who wishes to represent Kentucky as a delegate to the Representative Assembly and Student Leadership Conference must complete and submit the official nomination form to KEA Headquarters by 5:00 p.m. (EDT) on Friday, March 24, 2017. The form is printed here and is available at www.kea. org. Only the official nomination form or an exact duplicate thereof will be accepted.
If there are more nominations than KEA SP slots, an online election will be held at www.kea.org, beginning at 6:00 a.m. on Friday, March 31 and ending at 6:00 p.m. (EDT) on Friday, April 7. If you are a member in good standing of the KEA Student Program you are eligible to vote in the election. To log in you will need to provide your last name, the last four digits of your social security number and the name of the county in which you attend school. The results of the election will be unlocked and posted on the KEA website on Monday, April 10. KEA provides a stipend to all elected delegates to offset the cost of attending the NEA RA. The KEA Student Program pays for transportation, lodging and meals for delegates to Student Leadership Conference. All delegates must submit a completed
Kentucky Education Association
voucher, with appropriate receipts, within 60 days of adjournment of the NEA RA, as required by KEA Board Policy 3.2. Nominees must read the guidelines for delegates posted at www.kea.org and agree to be bound by them. Completed nomination forms may be mailed to KEA Headquarters at 401 Capital Avenue, Frankfort KY, 40601. Or, they may be scanned and sent by e-mail to Rosalind. bryant@kea.org; or faxed to (502) 696-8905. Only the official nomination form will be accepted. For more information about the Representative Assembly, the Student Leadership Conference or the election, or to get a paper copy of the form, send an e-mail message to State Student Organizer Rosalind Bryant (rosalind.bryant@kea.org).
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