NCAE
NEWS BULLETIN December
2013
NORTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATORS
Volume 44, No. 5
NCAE Law Conference Helps Educate Members on Public Education Issues Members had an opportunity to hear from judges who serve on the NC Supreme Court and the NC Court of Appeals. From left: Justice Robert Edmonds, Justice Robin Hudson, Justice Cheri Beasley, Judge Donna Stroud, Judge Robert Hunter, Judge Sam J. Ervin IV and Judge Mark Davis. These judges make critical decisions on laws affecting public education.
The NCAE auditorium was filled to capacity with more than 170 participants.
General Counsel Ann McColl explains the 25 percent/ four-year contract law.
NCAE field attorneys Katy Parker (left) and Mary-Ann Leon discussed ways members can advocate for themselves and their students.
High-stakes evaluations were a hot topic. Leading a panel discussion, from left, are NCAE staff attorney Carrie Bumgardner; Clinton Montford, assistant principal at Bogue Sound Elementary; and NCAE Programs Director Angela Farthing.
Changes in employment law, NCAE’s litigation strategy, high stakes evaluations and school improvement teams were some of the topics covered during the NCAE Law Conference, where more than 170 participants filled the NCAE Auditorium. The power-packed day gave members an opportunity to receive extensive information on recently passed legislation that affects public schools and the profession, as well as tools to assist them in being stronger public education advocates in their school districts. Sponsored by the NCAE Advocacy Center, the conference also featured panel discussions on several topics, including ways members can advocate for themselves, their students and public education, as well as a powerful message on advocating for others from Enloe High School student Harley Payne. Payne shared the story of his brother, Franklin, who suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Payne saw the agony that his brother endured because of his condition and decided to become an advocate for others who are plagued with the disorder. “You cannot address what you can’t acknowledge,” he told the crowd. A highlight of the conference was the opportunity for members to meet and hear from judges who serve on the North Carolina Court of Appeals and the North Carolina Supreme Court. These judges will be instrumental in making decisions on vital employment and education law cases over the next few years. Guest speaker Harley Payne shares why he advocates for other students.
The day was chock full of helpful information that kept members focused and attentive.
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News Bulletin
December 2013
State Lawmakers Visit Schools During American Education Week A first-hand look at the at the great things that are happening in North Carolina’s public schools, as well as the challenges they face, is what several lawmakers experienced during NCAE’s American Education Week initiative “Walk Into a Public School and Walk Out Inspired!” NCAE extended a formal invitation to all legislators to participate in the event and asked that they spend some quality time having conversations with school personnel and show their willingness to “walk in their schools” and do their jobs for a day. “I would like this to become an annual event where the week is used by legislators to visit schools and monitor their progress,” said NCAE President Rodney Ellis. “Ideally, we want them in schools as much as possible, but at the very least, this can be an annual commitment for them to spend time in schools and use that knowledge to make sound decisions.”
Sen. Warren ney Ellis sident Rod Pre Daniel teaches an English class at Freedom High School in Burke County.
(Left) Rep. Hugh Blackwell at Liberty Middle School in Burke County. (Above) Rep. Nathan Ramsey at Owen Middle School in Buncombe County.
Setting the Record Straight
The release of a joint statement by Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger and Senator Neal Hunt about the Nov. 4 walk-in event at Lacy Elementary School in Wake County triggered a response from NCAE member Nanette Rhyne, who e-mailed Hunt to clarify some of the “misconceptions” the two shared about the event. Rhyne is a kindergarten teacher at Youngsville Elementary School in Franklin County. Click here to read what she expressed in her reply to Hunt, who represents her district.
Rep. Charles Steinburg Sr. visits with students at John Holmes High School in Chowan County.
While touring the playground at Highcroft Elementary School in Wake County, Rep. Tom Murry was surrounded by students, who wanted to know about his job as a legislator.
Rep. Susan Martin discusses an assignment with students at Beddingfield High School in Wilson County.
Message From the Vice President 2013 has been a tough year for educators. In his mid-term assessment of the year, Vice President Mark Jewell shares reasons why we all must continue the fight for public education. And as the year comes to a close, he reminds us to build in time to relax and rejuvenate for the challenges, and the fight, that will face us in 2014. Read more by clicking here.
News Bulletin
December 2013
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Important Updates You Need to Know Career Status and 25 Percent Contracts While most educators, school boards and superintendents are focused on the selection process for identifying the 25 percent eligible for the four-year contract, NCAE's General Counsel Ann McColl and staff attorneys have completed a thorough review of the provisions in the contract and have crafted a detailed analysis that should weigh heavily in your decision-making. This information is provided in a "fact sheet" format for easy distribution and quick read. Click here to view the document in its entirety and please share with your colleagues. NCAE’s Legislative Agenda Here are educational issues that the Association will focus on during the Short Session, which begins in May 2014: • •
Plan to Fix the Master’s Pay Issue – Repeal the 2013 budget policy and fully fund teachers who earn a relevant master’s degree. Current State Salary Schedule – Place everyone on their correct step. Unfreeze funds for placement on the correct step. Teachers signed contracts with the expectation that they will receive a step increase as indicated on the salary schedule. At present, teachers
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are being advanced according to the salary schedule without the compensation that accompanies the step. Teachers feel the state is obligated to honor this commitment. Repeal the Excellent Public Schools Act – a) NCAE is pursuing legal action regarding career status [local boards are concerned over this issue regarding the three budget cycles and the connection to funding the “bonus”]; b) Cost issues connected to moving NC Teacher Corps to TFA should be investigated. Recruitment and Retention – Stop state liability insurance plan (only state that has the this type of plan) and use the $3 million to fund the Teacher Cadet and Teaching Fellows programs, or provide stipends to mentors. Repeal the $10 Million Voucher Plan – Use the funds where they will impact at-risk students: a) literacy coaches in K-6; b) dropout prevention programs that work; c) after-school programs in collaboration with community resources; and d) professional development for educators that is embedded in their work and their day. Address Time to Teach – The School Improvement Team was strengthened this session, but real teeth is needed to honor unencumbered planning time. The issues surrounding Time to Teach covers respect as well as learning and working conditions.
“Walking in” for Public Education Driven by frustration that the General Assembly has turned its back on children, public schools and public education, NCAE members across the state – joined by parents and other public education supporters – “walked into” public schools on November 4 in a show of solidarity for public education. Together, they gathered and walked in wearing the color red as a symbol of support, and in some districts they carried signs bearing messages that clearly stated the reason they were participating in the activity…the students. “The walk-ins were another avenue we used to make our voices heard,” said NCAE President Rodney Ellis. “Parents and communities are engaged and talking about what lawmakers have done to public schools. They are showing support and asking us how they can help. This is a huge opportunity for us and a great reason why we need to keep the momentum going. We have the ability to turn things around, but we have to keep the pressure on by continuing to support activities like this.”
Southport Elementary School, Brunswick County
NCAE President Mark Jewell at Colfax Elementary School, Guilford County
Lakeforest Elementary School, Pitt County
William W. Estes Elementary School, Buncombe County
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News Bulletin
December 2013
Two NCAE Members Appointed to Serve on the Governor’s Teacher Advisory Committee Governor Pat McCrory recently appointed to NCAE members – Karyn Dickerson and Beckie Bishop -- to serve on the Teacher Advisor Committee. Each is serving a one-year term. Dickerson, an English teacher at Grimsley High School in Guilford County who is currently serving as the 2013-14 North Carolina Teacher of the Year, says she views this opportunity as a Karyn Dickerson chance to share the stories of the outstanding teachers she has met this year, worked with in past years, and all of the other teachers who work hard every day to see their students succeed. “I hope that we engage in valuable dialogue that will end in some clear, measurable strategies to improve education in North Carolina and make teachers feel more valued as professionals.” During the committee’s first meeting, Dickerson said the group discussed some of the areas that are at the forefront of teachers’ concerns – compensation, master’s pay, career pathways, personalized learning and technology in the classroom, and new standards and assessments. “I want to see us draft a compensation plan that will show teachers how valued they are and make North Carolina more nationally competitive. I would also like to see us shape best practices in the classroom and assessments to meet the developmental needs of our students. “I look forward to engaging in more dialogue with other educators in the governor’s office about the future of public education in North Carolina. Hopefully, our conversations and proposed solutions to problems in education will influence legislators in the upcoming session.” A third-grade teacher and grade level
chair at Franklinton Elementary School in Franklin County, Bishop says she is excited that her hard work and dedication as a teacher leader in Franklin County will have a real and lasting effect on the future of education in North Carolina. “This appointment means that I will be collaborating with some of the most talented, accomplished and like-minded educators from across our state. Being part of a group that will collaborate on important educational issues and give recommendations for solutions is truly an honor.” Bishop, who is a National Board Certified Teacher, looks forward to having deep and focused discussions with teachers from across the state. She is excited knowing that Beckie Bishop, center the committee’s work will have an impact on the future of public education in North Carolina. The Teacher Advisory Committee is composed of 20 members. Their duties include: • Advising the governor on best practices to improve student outcomes and therefore drive economic development in North Carolina; • Advising the governor in his efforts to improve teaching and learning in North Carolina’s public schools; • Identifying, recognizing and celebrating innovative schools and school systems in North Carolina; • Recommending strategies for recruiting and retaining quality educators who drive results for their students; and • Advising the governor on the effective strategies for rewarding, supporting and compensating teachers so that they may pursue a meaningful career in the teaching profession in the service of students, especially the highest needs students of North Carolina.
Raise Your Hand & Share Your Public Education Story! NEA President Dennis Van Roekel is asking members who take action every day to ensure student success to share their stories. Please take a moment to go HERE and share your local's story on how you are driving student success so NEA can tell opinion makers, the media, and the public about your local's work to get people to Raise Their Hand. NEA has issued this renewed call to action -- Raise Your Hand -- as a national initiative to mobilize educators, parents and community leaders who share our commitment to ensuring the success of all our students. By tapping into their passion and power, NEA will unite members and join forces with people across the country to fulfill the promise of public education and prepare every student to succeed. More than a campaign and much larger than NEA, this movement will bring people together and lift up good ideas, smart policies and successful programs. It starts with you telling NEA your story of association-led work that helps to ensure student success. Tell NEA your story by clicking HERE and filling out the online form. NEA will use the stories from across the country to promote the good work of the association and its members to key state and local decision-makers, national and local media, and to parents and the public. NEA will also share those stories with you, our leaders, to lift up smart, successful programs and share best practices for building a studentcentered, association-led agenda. Thank you for sharing your story and thank you for Raising Your Hand for student success. Learn more about the Raise Your Hand initiative at www.nea.org/raiseyourhand.
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NCAE
December 2013
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It’s Time to Gear Up for the 2014 NCAE Elections and Convention March 22-31, 2014, are the days the NCAE Board of Directors has allocated for the 2014 election of state officers, district/cluster directors, NEA director, division officers and state-allotted NEA delegates. Positions for which nominations are in order include: • • • • • • •
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NCAE president/NEA alternate director – 2-year term NCAE vice president/NEA alternate director – 2-year term NEA director (Category 1 member only) – 3-year term District/Cluster directors (3-year terms) – 1B, 3B, 4A, 5A and 8A District/Cluster directors (1-year term) – 3A The Principals/Administrators Division is seeking to fill the positions of secretary and treasurer (2-year terms) The Student Services Division is seeking to fill the positions of vice president and treasurer (3-year terms), and district/cluster directors on the Student Services Board of Directors for 1B, 3B, 4A, 5A, 7A and 8A (3-year terms) Within the ESP Division, the offices of ESP president and ESP vice president are open (2-year terms), as well as the positions of district/cluster directors on the ESP Board of Directors for 1B, 3B, 4A, 5A, 7A and 8A (3-year terms) Since district/cluster officers (president, vice president and secretary) were elected in 2013 for 2year terms, the only vacancies this year are for those positions that were not filled during the 2013 election. Those who were appointed by the district/ cluster to fill the positions may run in this election to complete the term. The current vacancies are as follows: District 1A – president, vice president and secretary; District 1B – president and secretary; District 3A – vice president and secretary; District 3B – secretary; District 4A – president, vice
2014 MLK Scholarship Gala… Mark Your Calendar! The 2014 Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Gala will be held on Friday, January 10, 2014, at the Jane S. McKimmon Center in Raleigh. The event will feature His Excellence Ambassador Brian G. Bowler of Malawi. Tickets are $50 for members and $75 for the general public, and can be ordered at www.NCFSPC.org. The gala is sponsored by the NCAE Human and Civil Rights Commission. For more information, visit www.NCFSPC.org.
Ambassador Brian Bowler
president and secretary; District 4B – vice president; District 5A – president, vice president and secretary; District 5B – vice president and secretary; District 7A – president, vice president and secretary; District 7B – president, vice president and secretary; District 8A – president and secretary; and District 8B – president. Nomination forms for candidates running for NCAE president/ NEA alternate director, NCAE vice president/NEA alternate director, NEA director or district/cluster director MUST be accompanied by an official NCAE biographical form, personal statement and a professional-quality photo (either print or a high- resolution digital image that is 300 dpi or higher). Digital images can be e-mailed to Linda.Powell@ncae.org. Print photographs and all other materials should be forwarded via CERTIFIED MAIL to Derevana Leach, P.O. Box 27347, Raleigh, NC 27611. INFORMATION SUBMITTED AFTER THE JANUARY 7 DEADLINE, OR WITHOUT ALL OF THE PROPER DOCUMENTATION, WILL NOT BE PUBLISHED IN THE NCAE NEWS BULLETIN. The filing deadline for all offices is January 7, 2014. Nominations must be mailed to the NCAE Center by certified mail and must be postmarked no later than January 7. Contact Derevana Leach at 1-800-662-7924, ext. 205 or Derevana.Leach@ncae.org with questions. Locals will have the opportunity to place nominations for NEA local delegates on the NCAE-NEA ballot. The deadline for submitting local NEA delegate nominations is February 10, 2014. Locals that are sending delegates to the NCAE Constitutional Convention in Hickory (March 21-22), must return a list of state convention delegates to NCAE by February 10, 2014. A copy of the following items must also be submitted with the list: 1) notification of the election to members, 2) the ballot used, 3) the reporting form, and 4) the tally sheet. NOTE: All election forms are available on the NCAE Web site, www.ncae.org.
Housing Information for the 2014 NCAE Convention The 2014 NCAE Convention and Representative Assembly will be held in Hickory, March 21-22. Delegates are responsible for making their own hotel accommodations through the Hickory Convention and Visitors Bureau at www.hickorymetro.com. Hotels near the convention center include Hampton Inn, Quality Suites, Fairfield Inn Suites, Courtyard by Marriott, Best Western and Crowne Plaza. If you have questions, please contact Carolyn Evans at 800-662-7924, ext. 203, or Carolyn.Evans@ncae.org. The deadline for making hotel reservations is February 18, 2014.
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December 2013
School Systems Can Request Waiver to Use Growth Data for Teacher Ratings The State Board of Education (SBE) is allowing districts to submit requests for the use of school-wide data to determine Standard 6 ratings for specific groups of educators. Due to state and federal requirements, teachers in grades K-3, teachers who administer End-of-Grade and/or End-of-Course assessments, and high school Career and Technical Education teachers must administer required assessments, and the results must be used to determine their Standard 6 ratings. However, districts can request flexibility for teachers who would administer the NC Final Exams and for middle school Career and Technical Education teachers. There are several important requirements for this additional flexibility: 1. Districts are not exempt from the administration of the End-of-Grade assessments, End of-Course assessments, Career and Technical Education High School Assessments, the Beginning-of-Grade English Language Arts assessment for Grade Three or the K-2 process that measures students’ reading skill development. Teachers in grades/subjects or courses with these assessments will receive a Standard 6 rating based on growth of students as measured with these tools.
2. When a district requests the use of school-wide growth data to determine the Standard 6 ratings for a specific group of educators, the request, if approved, must apply to all teachers in that group. For example, if a district elects to use school-wide growth data to determine the Standard 6 rating for high school chemistry teachers, the decision must apply to all high school chemistry teachers in the entire district. There will be no exceptions for schools that would like to use individual teacher-level growth data. 3. The request form requires the signature of the district superintendent, the local board of education chair, and a teacher representative, as this process is connected to the Race to the Top grant process. The Department of Public Instruction will not present a request to the SBE
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for approval without these three signatures. While not every district has a local affiliate of the North Carolina Association of Educators, the Department of Public Instruction strongly recommends that districts with local affiliates seek a teacher signature from a leader of the local association.
4. There will be teachers who have individual student growth data from an End-of-Grade assessment, End-of-Course assessment, or Career and Technical Education High School Assessment while also teaching courses and grades/ subjects covered in the flexibility request. In those situations, the teachers’ Standard 6 rating will be based only on the individual teacher-level student growth data. For example, a high school science teacher may teach one section of biology and five sections of chemistry. If the district is approved to use school-wide growth data to determine Standard 6 ratings for chemistry teachers, this teacher’s Standard 6 rating will be based on the individual teacher-level growth data in biology. In its waiver from the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), NC committed to the use of educator effectiveness data to inform personnel decisions. The SBE has adopted a policy that only an educator’s overall status of effective, highly effective, or in need of improvement will inform personnel decisions, not individual ratings on Standards 1 – 6. According to SBE policy, a teacher only receives an overall effectiveness status when he/she has three years of student growth data specific to his or her individual students and grade/subject or course. The SBE has not yet adopted specific personnel consequences for a teacher with a status (after three years of data) of in need of improvement. NCAE strongly supports teacher collaboration and teamwork in regards to student success and teaching and learning conditions. Our hope is that each SIT and/or district SIT will have conversation on this important decision before voting on this type of waiver. NCAE does not advocate for the proposed waiver of using school-wide data to populate Standard 6. NCAE would like teachers to have their own test scores along with other multiple measures to assist in demonstrating impact on student achievement.
NEA Click & Save Imagine nearly everything you want to shop for being on sale every day! That’s what shopping is like on NEA Click & Save, an online mall that connects NEA members with the best deals at thousands of merchants. Want to join? Click here to see how. Happy shopping!
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NCAE
December 2013
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Student Services Employees Important to the Functionality of Schools It is my hope that everyone is having a productive year. The NCAE Student Services Division consists of seven different professional categories: school counselors, school social workers, media specialists, school nurses, technology specialists, physical therapists, curriculum coordinators, and school psychologists. Each of our areas is important to the functionality Gordon, president of our schools. We want to make Rhonda Student Services Division certain that we remain knowledgeable of resources and best practices in our fields. One of my goals is for us to share resources and best practices with one another.
Communication is very important if we are to function in a productive manner in our schools and as a division. As a way of increasing communication across the state and our division, we will use a variety of methods to share and solicit information. Our first division newsletter can be found on the NCAE Web site by clicking here. Please take the time to read it and respond. If you have co-workers who are not yet members of NCAE and the Student Services Division, please have a conversation with them and encourage them to become part of our NCAE family so we can all take the lead and meet the challenge together. Thank you greatly for the work that you do each and every day for the children of North Carolina and public education. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. Ronda Gordon is a school social worker in Forsyth County.
Dates to Remember December 2013 6th
Deadline for Minority Affairs Arts Contest Entries 7th National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day 21st Winter Solstice 24th NCAE Winter Holiday begins (all offices closed through January 1, 2014) 31st New Year’s Eve January 2014 1st New Year’s Day 10th Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Gala, Jane S. McKimmon Center, Raleigh 15th NEA Minority Leadership and Women’s Leadership Training Conferences 20th Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday (NCAE offices closed) 25th Regional Professional Learning Day, NC Wesleyan College, Rocky Mount National Creativity Month
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Positions stated in this publication do not necessarily reflect the official position of NCAE unless so identified. The NCAE News Bulletin, a journal of the Association, is published by the North Carolina Association of Educators, 700 S.Salisbury St., Post Office Box Box 27347, Raleigh, NC 27611, 1-800-662-7924. Linda Powell-Jones, Editor/Designer
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