TENNESSEE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
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TENNESSEE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
TEA LEGISLATIVE REPORT | JANUARY 21, 2015 | VOL. 1, ISSUE 1
It is time to make testing TEA CALLS FOR transparent and useful A SIX PERCENT “When I can’t see which questions my students get wrong, how do I help them improve? How can I be a professional if I can’t help my students?” This is what TEA Assistant Executive Director Jim Wrye heard when meeting with teachers in Newport. That conversation was the catalyst to TEA’s legislative push for test transparency on state standardized tests. “Test transparency” is a new concept in Tennessee, but the premise is simple: Give teachers and parents a chance to see the questions on tests the state is giving. If a teacher gives a test and a majority of students miss question 7, that teacher can go back and look at the question to be sure there wasn’t an error. Or, perhaps discover that the question didn’t get at the concept
she was attempting to assess. Or maybe determine that students need a little more work on that concept.
EDUCATOR RAISE
But, when the State of Tennessee administers TCAP, there is no way to make these determinations. The test questions are hidden away, never seen by those who are doing the teaching. If you can’t see the test, how can you be sure that you’re teaching the concepts in the best possible way? Or even worse, what if there are errors in the test question, but no one ever knows about it?
In anticipation of Governor Bill Haslam’s state budget proposal for the next fiscal year, TEA is keeping the pressure on the governor and the Tennessee General Assembly to fulfill the promise made more than a year ago to make the state the “fastest improving state in the nation in teacher pay.”
TEA believes that state tests like TCAP should be available for public viewing as soon as possible after the tests have been
In December, just days before Haslam conducted his first budget hearing for the Department of Education, TEA called on the
TESTING TRANSPARENCY go to page 2
RAISE A PRIORITY go to page 5
6% it’s right. it’s time.
Drop in corporate excise taxes doomed the last teacher raise. It is time to close the holes. A major source of state revenue comes from the corporate excise tax. While profits are up for large national and multinational corporations doing business in Tennessee, the amount of excise taxes (a type of tax on profits) has been plummeting. It was an unexplained drop in corporate excise taxes that wiped out the 2 percent raise governor Haslam promised for teachers last year.
TEA working to develop solutions to cratering corporate revenue to make sure schools are funded In the fall of 2013, Governor Bill Haslam pledged to make Tennessee the fastest-growing state for teacher fas salaries. It was an honorable pledge the demands the that recognized recog administration has placed on teachers in administr years and that the exceptionally recent ye slow growth of teaching salaries threatened the middle-class status of the largest profession in the state. found the governor The following spring s eliminating was a modest two percent teacher elim inating what w state education budget, condemning raisee from the stat mostt educators to another year of slow or no growth grow wth in take home hom pay. The reason was faltering revenues state corporate excise tax, which reven nues of the sta projections wass o wa off pr proj ojec ecti tion onss by more than $200 million. corporate excise tax is a duty levied on the The ccorp porate exci ts of companies profi fits compani doing business in Tennessee, signifi and d iis a sig igni nifi ficant nt revenue generator for the state, DROP IN EXCISE TAXES go to page 4
TENNESSEE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
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Publishing questions of the standardized test is common sense. The time to do it is now. TESTING TRANSPARENCY from page 1
administered. Testing transparency will give teachers insight into the concepts being assessed by TCAP and other state-mandated tests. It will also give teachers confidence that the questions on the tests match the standards being taught. Our neighbors in Virginia have been doing this for years. In fact, it is a requirement of Virginia state law. Their law says that state tests must be made available to the public in a timely manner as soon as practicable after the tests have been administered. TEA’s proposed legislation will impose the same requirement on any state-mandated test in Tennessee. It’s only fair that
teachers, parents and students know what’s expected of them on state tests. The easiest way to make this happen is through true test transparency. Imagine being able to review test questions from the previous year in order to ensure that what you’re teaching matches what your students are expected to know. You could also ensure that the test accurately assesses the standards you are expected to teach. The public can have confidence that the testing companies receiving tax dollars are putting forth a good product. Everyone wins with test transparency. It’s time to make it happen in Tennessee.
Legislators have shown real interest in publishing the questions of the state standardized test. It may be the opportune time, the state just signed a contract for the next generation of state testing with the company Measurement Inc., to be administered in the 2016 school year.
Meet “The Advocate” Welcome to TEA’s new legislative publication, The Public School Advocate.
It is important for public school educators to have a constant focus on the battles happening in the state legislature. TEA is the largest and strongest voice advocating for public education in Tennessee, but to be most effective it is crucial that every TEA member engage in the fight to protect our students and our public schools.
TENNESSEE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION PUBLIC SCHOOL ADVOCATE (USPS PP 332) is published nine times, biweekly, mid-January through mid-May, by the Tennessee Education Association, 801 Second Avenue North, Nashville TN 372011099. Pending Periodicals postage paid at Nashville, TN. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to TENNESSEE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION PUBLIC SCHOOL ADVOCATE, 801 Second Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37201-1099. Periodical postage paid at Nashville, TN. The subscription price of $2.57 is allocated from annual membership dues of $258.00 for active members; $129.00 for associate, education support and staff members; $16.00 for retired members; and $10.00 for student members. Member of State Education Editors (SEE). Postmaster: Send address changes to TENNESSEE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION PUBLIC SCHOOL ADVOCATE, 801 Second Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37201-1099.
Imagine this scenario. Your kids attend a school the state ranks as “low-performing.” Just down the street, another school is also rated low performing. The state is authorized to offer assistance, but only one school will receive the help. So, the state sets up a challenge. One of the two schools will be taken over and converted to a charter school. The “winner” will be the school whose parents and teachers provide the best “quality feedback.” In this case, the winning school is the one the charter operator gets to take over, regardless of the community’s wishes.
Now, the teachers at this school must all re-apply for their jobs. Parents who don’t want their kids in the new charter school have to find other options, and fast.
The Advocate will be published twice a month to keep you informed of the current battles and how you can get involved. This publication will be your guide to the key public education issues you should discuss with your legislators.
If you would like additional copies of The Advocate, please contact your UniServ coordinator.
Recent actions in Nashville show the sad reality of the Achievement School District
This is exactly how the state’s Achievement School District treated two Nashville Middle Schools. They told the schools that they were taking one of them over, no matter what. They held community meetings where parents pushed back against the takeover. And, ultimately, they handed over Neely’s Bend Middle School to a charter operator.
What happens at the state level affects every student, teacher and classroom in Tennessee. Most teachers will not get a raise unless one is passed by the General Assembly. Most students will not have access to appropriate technology, new textbooks or other resources unless mandated by the General Assembly.
We encourage you to share The Advocate with your colleagues and ask them to join you as a public school advocate and TEA member.
Secretary-Treasurer Princess Moss (pictured above, left, with TEA President Barbara Gray, center, and TEA UniServ Coordinator Antoinette Lee in front of Neely’s Bend Middle School) hold vigil December 4, 2014, in East Nashville in protest against charter takeover.
ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THIS PUBLICATION AVAILABLE FROM YOUR UNISERV COORDINATOR
MANAGING EDITOR: Alexei Smirnov asmirnov@tnea.org ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Jim Wrye EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & PUBLISHER: Carolyn Crowder
Tennessee Education Association 801 Second Avenue North Nashville, TN 37201-1099 Telephone: (615)242-8392, Toll Free: (800)342-8367, (800)342-8262 Fax: (615)259-4581 Website: www.teateachers.org
BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT: Barbara Gray* (800)342-8367 VICE PRESIDENT: Beth Brown* (931)779-8016 SECRETARY-TREASURER: Carolyn Crowder (615)242-8392 DISTRICT 1 Joe Crabtree (423)794-9357
DISTRICT 2 Lauren McCarty (865)385-5220 DISTRICT 3 Michael Carvella (865)212-9774 DISTRICT 4 Anthony Hancock (865)293-9232 DISTRICT 5 Shawanda Perkins (423)385-9569 DISTRICT 6 Scott Price (931)455-7198 DISTRICT 7 Regina Harvey (615)765-3168 DISTRICT 8 Kevin King (615)504-0425 DISTRICT 9 Theresa L. Wagner (270)776-1467 DISTRICT 10 Becky Jackman (931)980-0206 DISTRICT 11 Wendy R. Bowers (731)645-8595 DISTRICT 12 Suzie May (731)779-9329 DISTRICT 13 Nellie Keeton (901)840-9700 DISTRICT 14 Tiffany Reed (901)412-2759 DISTRICT 15 Tom Emens (901)277-0578 ADMINISTRATOR EAST Jessica Holman (865)591-4981 ADMINISTRATOR MIDDLE Julie Hopkins (615)822-5742 ADMINISTRATOR WEST Dennis Kimbrough (901)494.0105
The real irony? The Achievement School District’s student performance is no better than that of district schools. In fact, sometimes it’s worse. But they do spend more money than district schools, including some $18 million in Race to the Top funds.
them by the ASD. Community resistance is reaching fever pitch. Despite this, the district’s superintendent, Chris Barbic, said in a recent interview that the ASD will be taking over more schools in Nashville. That means more families displaced by unwanted charter operators. It also means more teachers faced with losing their jobs. And it means more chaos in school systems that serve the state’s neediest students. The end result: Students aren’t better served, teachers are left behind, and stability is replaced with disruption in school systems struggling with challenges like concentrated poverty.
TEA will be looking at legislation to place caps on the ASD’s reckless growth. Operators of the ASD should remember that the children in our schools don’t exist for trendy education reform experiments. The 2015 session should bring legislation that will curb the reach of the ASD and force them to put students first. TEA will be looking at legislation to place caps on the ASD’s reckless growth until it starts producing the level of achievement promised when the district was first created. Tennessee students cannot continue to be the guinea pigs for another failed reform experiment by the state.
The ASD created so much chaos in Memphis that several charter operators refused to take over schools offered to
HIGHER EDUCATION Clinton Smith (901)230-4914 BLACK CLASSROOM TEACHER EAST Pam Thompson (615)948.7378 BLACK CLASSROOM TEACHER MIDDLE Kenneth Martin (615)876-1948 BLACK CLASSROOM TEACHER WEST Sarah Kennedy-Harper (901)416-4582 STATE SPECIAL SCHOOLS Debi Ponder (615)969-4362 NEW TEACHER Carrie Allison (812)205-7689 ESP Stephanie Bea (901)265-4540 TN NEA DIRECTOR Melanie Buchanan (615)305-2214 TN NEA DIRECTOR Diccie Smith (901)482-0627 STEA MEMBER David Johnson (865)828-5324 TN RETIRED Linda McCrary (423)473-9400 * Executive Committee
TEA HEADQUARTERS STAFF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Carolyn Crowder; ASST. EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS: Terrance Gibson ; Steve McCloud; Jim Wrye;
TECHNOLOGY & BUILDING OPERATIONS MANAGER, Galen Riggs; COMPTROLLER: David Shipley; FIELD MANAGER, Karla Carpenter; STAFF ATTORNEYS: John Allen, Virginia A. McCoy; GOVERNMENT RELATIONS COORDINATOR: Drew Sutton; WEB MASTER & COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR: Amanda Chaney; MANAGING EDITOR & COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR: Alexei Smirnov; INSTRUCTIONAL ADVOCACY & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COORDINATORS: Rhonda Thompson; William O’Donnell; COORDINATOR OF ORGANIZING SUPPORT & AFFILIATE RELATIONS: Shannon Bain; ADVOCACY HOTLINE COORDINATOR: Forestine Cole, Gera Summerford & Cynthia Wood.
UniServ Staff contact information can be found on page 6.
TEA pushes ‘hold harmless’ period for new state assessment During the 2014 legislative session, TEA called for a moratorium on using the PARCC assessment in teacher evaluations for a period of two years until a complete transition could be made to the new test. The legislature heard our call and took it a step further by backing out of PARCC altogether. Since that time, a new testing vendor has been selected – Measurement Inc. – and the new tests are set to be administered next school year. TEA has proposed a suspension of TVAAS use in evaluations while the transition to new standards and standardized tests is being implemented. That perspective is gaining traction in the statehouse, with lawmakers finding the TEA insistence on a “hold harmless” period one that makes sense. Gov. Bill Haslam now seems to be on the same page for the testing and standards transition. Recently he proposed his own “hold harmless” proposal. According to the governor’s announcement, his proposal would: •
Adjust the weighting of student growth data in a teacher’s evaluation so that the new state assessments in ELA and math will count 10 percent of the overall evaluation in the first year of administration (2016), 20 percent in year two (2017) and 35 percent in year three (2018). Currently, 35 percent of an educator’s evaluation is comprised of student achievement data based on student growth;
•
Lower the weight of student achievement growth for teachers in nontested grades and subjects from 25 percent to 15 percent;
•
And make explicit local school district discretion in both the qualitative teacher evaluation model that is used for the observation portion of the evaluation as well as the specific weight student achievement growth in evaluations will play in personnel decisions made by the district.
This is a step in the right direction, but ultimately it does not go far enough in protecting our educators. TEA will continue to work until teachers are truly held harmless during this period of transition. The association plans to push legislation to suspend TVAAS data from teacher evaluations while the state transitions to the new assessment. The second step in this fight is to continue to question the validity of value-added measurements in teacher evaluation. Period.
TVAAS and its use in high-stakes decisions. In the 2014 legislative session, the General Assembly overwhelmingly supported TEA’s bill to prohibit the use of TVAAS estimates in teacher licensing decisions – overturning a policy put in place by the State Board of Education and supported by the governor and former Commissioner of Education Kevin Huffman. With your help, TEA will continue to gain ground in its fight against the unfair use of flawed TVAAS estimates in high-stakes decisions. It is important for educators statewide to contact legislators to share your experience with TVAAS.
TEA has already made great progress in discrediting
TEA ready for next round of voucher fight By TEA President Barbara Gray As TEA prepares for the third round of battle with private school voucher proponents, it remains the only organization fighting unproven privatization schemes on behalf of teachers and other public school employees in the state. Last year, TEA dealt voucher advocates debilitating blows in their attempts to steal money from our public schools while more states across the country fell victim to voucher schemes. While Tennessee is now below Alabama and most other neighboring states in investment per student, out-ofstate groups continue their efforts to take what little we have left to divert public money to private schools through unproven vouchers, stripping our public schools of much needed funds to provide a quality education to all students. Vouchers and the threat of privatization are not just issues in urban school districts. If voucher proponents prevail in Tennessee like they have in Florida and Indiana, all of our schools will suffer.
efficient and effective use of taxpayer dollars. Unproven school voucher programs in other states have wasted taxpayer money by supporting substandard and unaccredited programs, effectively doing less with more. Proposed voucher bills have been defeated two years in a row in Tennessee. Unfortunately, that’s unlikely to stop privatization groups from trying again. As TEA continues to educate state legislators Hundreds of teachers that came to the state capitol during Civication were instrumental in defeating vouchers. It is hoped TEA members will come to Nashville on the dangers of school in even greater numbers this year to push back privatization efforts. vouchers, out-of-state groups like Students First, Americans for vouchers or demonstrated any sustained improvement Prosperity and the Koch Foundation are sparing no in student achievement over public schools. expense in trying to pass a voucher bill this year. Every legislator must honor the Tennessee constitution, which requires the General Assembly to “provide for the maintenance, support and eligibility standards of a system of free public schools.”
Vouchers and the threat of privatization are not just issues in urban school districts. If voucher proponents prevail in Tennessee like they have in Florida and Indiana, all of our schools will suffer.
Currently, Tennessee schools are able to achieve one of the top graduation rates in the country on one of the lowest rates of funding per student, demonstrating their ability to do more with less. Our public schools have proven that they are the most
TEA will rely on teachers across the state to remind legislators that they must provide adequate funding for our public schools as required in our state constitution.
In the more than 50 years since school vouchers were first proposed, the concept remains controversial, unproven and unpopular, and has failed students where its implementation was forced in spite of mounting proof of its ineffectiveness. Only the unified voice of teachers will be able to defeat out-of-state groups and their push to divert public school scho funds into private hands in Tennessee. Barbara Barba a Gray is an Arlington Community Arl i Schools administrator Sc c aand TEA president.
As the legislative session gains momentum, TEA will continue to sound alarm that no credible study or research has ever proven the effectiveness of school
PUBLIC SCHOOL 3 TENNESSEE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
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STATE FUNDING CRITIC Plummeting corporate excise tax doomed last year’s pay raise. We are going to have to do something about it. DROP IN EXCISE TAXES from page 1
or at least it used to be. Over the past two years the excise tax has been cratering, and there has been little explanation as to why. In fact, corporate profits are up in Tennessee, especially in large national and multi-national companies doing business in the state, according to their federal tax returns. That state revenues from these entities are decreasing makes little common sense. But often, common sense has no place when it comes to antiquated state tax laws or the ability of sharp lawyers and accountants who create tax avoidance strategies. TEA has been working with NEA experts and others to develop strategies to reduce or eliminate avoidance shell games. Any solutions will be a tremendous political battle with the special interests, and will need the combined effort of the administration and legislative leaders. Last November provided a good illustration of the problem. Overall, state revenue collections for November were $823.7 million, which is 3.1 percent more than November 2013. Tennessee Finance and Administration Commissioner Larry
economics and director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Tennessee.
Martin reported that sales tax revenues in Tennessee were “showing significant improvement over this time last year, but it remains to be seen if this growth pattern is sustainable.” For the same period, taxes collected by the state from corporate franchise and excise tax, totaled a paltry $16.1 million in November, which is $29 million below the estimate of $45.1 million. “Franchise and excise taxes remain volatile and have been less than what we budgeted for the past two months, and that concerns us,” Martin was quoted by state reporters. While the citizens of Tennessee pay one of the highest sales taxes in the country, some major corporations have increasingly avoided paying taxes in Tennessee.
“It’s not about the taxes of the wholesaler, it’s about the taxes of the companies that sell to the wholesaler,” Fox added. Tennessee has closed avoidance strategies in the recent past. One scheme where big box stores and other corporations paid themselves exorbitant rent to reduce their reported income was made illegal back in 2007, but now new strategies may have been formed. Overall tax revenue in Tennessee is ticking up. Growth would be even better if corporate loopholes are closed and excise taxes returned to normal.
Altogether in fiscal year 2014, franchise and excise tax revenues in Tennessee were down $162 million from the fiscal 2013. Most of that loss can be attributed to aggressive avoidance efforts by corporations, according to state experts. “If companies can save millions in legal tax planning, if it comes down to it, they’ll do it,” said Bill Fox, professor of
If, for example, a company moves its sales activity from Tennessee to Mississippi, the tax formula is based on where the sales are going.
TEA members want proper investment in education and a middle class salary, so does the Governor. That means we all will have to work to find solutions to this major revenue problem.
First in the South for graduation and standards, behind the South for funding Barely ahead of Mississippi, behind Alabama, while Arkansas, Kentucky and the rest of the nation leaves us far behind. Is this what Tennessee wants for investment in children?
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PUBLIC SCHOOL TENNESSEE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
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Tennessee ranks 8th in the nation for on-time graduation rates, and has the county’s second highest academic standards for graduation. Tennessee schools achieve this remarkable outcome with very little resources. Our state ranks 43rd for investment per child, and is far below most of its neighboring states in education funding. Tennessee taxpayers are getting the country’s best value for its education dollar. Imagine what we could do with Kentucky-style investment!
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CAL FOR ALL SCHOOLS If it is not in the state budget, most teachers won’t get et a ra raise RAISE A PRIORITY from page 1
governor to fulfill the promise he made in October 2013. “Governor Haslam has said he intends to make Tennessee the fastest-improving state in the nation in terms of teacher pay,” said TEA Executive Director Carolyn Crowder. “Teachers are eagerly anticipating his budget proposal to see if he will start living up to that promise.” State teacher salaries have remained flat since 2011, Haslam’s first year in office, when compared with the Consumer Price Index. “When you factor in rising insurance premiums, some Tennessee teachers’ salaries are worth less now than they were when Haslam took office,” Crowder continued. “We are hopeful that the governor will rectify this situation and include a desperately needed raise in his proposed budget.” NEA President Lily Eskelsen Garcia echoed TEA’s call last month during her visit to Nashville to protest the unnecessary expansion of the Achievement School District. She said she supports increased pay for Tennessee teachers because it’s necessary to take care of their families, as well as to pay off
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college loans they used to get into the profession. “They’re going to be making some financial decisions and I’m afraid that because of the low pay, a lot of them are going to decide I can’t teach in Tennessee schools,” Garcia said. “I want to ... but I can’t feed my family.” Garcia also said low salaries could deter those interested in becoming teachers. TEA is asking Haslam and the Tennessee General Assembly to ultimately increase the state’s BEP funding for teacher salaries from $40,000 to $45,000 per BEPgenerated teacher. Based on 2014 salary numbers, that would be a net increase to the average teacher’s salary of 11.3 percent. “We’re not asking for this to happen all at once, but we are asking for the governor to get serious about investing in our teachers. The povertization of the teaching profession in Tennessee must stop,” Crowder said. TEA’s proposal would mean a six percent increase in pay this year, with the remainder of the increase to be phased in over two to three years. Crowder noted that many teachers didn’t get a raise this year or last, while inflation and classroom supplies coming out of teachers’ pockets have hit family budgets hard. “Six percent is fair and critical, helping us break even with inflation because of stagnation at the state level and gets us on the road to becoming the fastest-improving state in the nation in teacher pay.” By building the pay increase into the BEP formula, local school systems would receive additional financial support from the state. “This proposal represents an investment in our state’s teachers and their students, but it also represents an investment in communities across Tennessee struggling to meet their budgets. We’re simply asking Governor
Teachers across the state are ready to be made whole after years of lost raises and increased costs of benefits.
Haslam to honor his promises and make investing in public schools a priority,” Crowder said. TEA will continue to work with the legislature to push for what’s fair to Tennessee teachers--a well-deserved increase in salaries.
Tennessee Teacher Salary Facts Tennessee ranks 40th in the nation in overall teacher pay and 40th in rate of improvement in teacher pay over the past decade (Appalachian Regional Comprehensive Center, October 2014, arccta.org)
The Consumer Price Index calculator at the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the average Tennessee teacher salary today has the same buying power as it did in 2011, when Governor Haslam took office. That is, teacher pay has remained effectively stagnant during the Governor’s first term (http://www.bls.gov/bls/inflation.htm)
There is a nearly 42 percent disparity in teacher pay among the highest-paying and lowest-paying districts in Tennessee. Tennessee’s funding formula was ruled unconstitutional in 2002 when the disparity reached 45 percent. The Haslam administration set aside $8 million for this school year to assist salaries in rural districts. The current weighted average teacher salary in Tennessee is $44,024 (Report to BEP Review Committee, October 2014)
In 2013-14 school year, Tennessee teachers saw their lowest average salary increase in decades. The average increase in a teacher’s salary was a paltry $198 (BEP Review Committee).
Approximately 60 percent of all Tennessee teacher salaries comes from the state, while 40 percent comes from local sources Most teachers did not see a raise in 2013-14. They received (excluding teachers “bonuses” that did not reflect on their retirement earnings funded by federal or could be counted on in future years. The legislature did dollars.) Clearly state pass a 1.5 percent raise that year, yet most did not recieve funds drive teacher it because of the gutting of the minimum salary schedule pay, and demonstrate the critical nature by the State Board of Education in the summer of 2013 of a state teacher that eliminated annual step increases. pay raise in any given NEA estimates that Tennessee teachers have lost 4.4 budget year. Even when percent of their purchasing power of their paychecks there were contracts, if over the past decade because of slow or stagnant salary state funds did not materialize growth. The loss for teachers ranks Tennessee 36th in this there were no guarantees bargained dubious category. (NEA Rankings and Estimates, 2014) raises would come.
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PUBLIC SCHOOL 5 TENNESSEE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
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Above, TEA member, Warren County Middle School History teacher, and newly sworn in State Representative Kevin Dunlap stands with his students on the state capitol on January 13. Dunlap ran a campaign strong on education, something that resonated with voters in White, Warren and Grundy counties that Dunlap now represents. An example of TEA sponsored campaign mail for Dunlap is at right.
Raised here. Teaches here. Farms here. Raises his children here. That is why Kevin Dunlap knows how important our rural schools are!
VOTE KEVIN DUNLAP, STATE REPRESENT ATIVE DISTRICT 43. EARLY VOTING
STARTS OCT. 15. ELECTION DAY NOV.
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Tough and successful election fights pay education dividends When the buses arrived at Capitol Hill on the frosty morning of January 13, newly elected Rep. Kevin Dunlap could not contain his excitement as he greeted every one of his 123 students from his school. “I love all of you and I thank you for coming,” Dunlap told his students on Capitol steps. “Let’s agree on a secret signal, if I touch my ear during the swearing-in ceremony, it means ‘Go Warren County!’” As the group walked around the Capitol, Dunlap stopped at nearly every portrait and statue to share bits of Tennessee history with his students. Dunlap is a teacher, doing what comes naturally even as he assumes new responsibilities as the Tennessee representative from District 43. That’s good news for all of us who care about public education in Tennessee. Newly sworn in Rep. Coach David Byrd with his family on the House floor (above). Below is one of many mailers sent to TEA members in Coach’s district. A historic turnout of members in the Southwest Tennessee district put Coach over the top in the GOP primary in August.
The education voice in the General Assembly is getting stronger. Another career-long TEA member elected to the General Assembly is Coach David Byrd, long-time principal and teacher at Wayne County High School. Byrd beat an incumbent in the GOP primary in the heavily leaning Republican district. A historic turnout of TEA members in the primary was the difference in the election. We work in public education, and that means those who are elected get to decide the future of our careers and what we hold dear. That is why every educator needed to go out and vote in party primaries and the general election. The good news is that TEA saw a huge up-tick in primary participation by members, and that members made the difference in many critical races. That is important as national privatization groups flex their muscle (and spent their money) trying to influence elections and the political process in favor of anti-public school laws and policies. Americans for Prosperity, Students First, Stand for Children and a myriad of other groups spent more than $1 million of out-of-state money on Tennessee legislative elections this year. They attacked legislators who stood with TEA to oppose vouchers, especially GOP members of the House and Senate, attempting to bully lawmakers into aggressive privatizing of public education in our state. National privatization groups far outspent the campaign contributions of the TEA Fund, the political action committee of the association (which did spend approximately $250,000, a record for the association). Where these groups relied on their outof-state funds, TEA relied on the members that live in critical districts.
Need information, services? Tennessee Education Association 801 Second Avenue N., Nashville, TN 37201-1099 (615) 242-8392, (800) 342-8367, FAX (615) 259-4581
UniServ Coordinators
District 1 — Harry Farthing, P.O. Box 298, Elizabethton, TN 37644; phone: (423)262-8035, fax: (866)379-0949; Assns: Carter, Hancock, Hawkins, Rogersville, Johnson, Sullivan, Bristol, Elizabethton, Kingsport. District 2 — Jennifer Gaby, P.O. Box 70, Afton, TN 37616; (423)2340700, fax: (423)234.0708; Assns: Cocke, Newport, Greene, Greeneville, Unicoi, Washington, Hamblen, Johnson City. District 3 — Tina Parlier, P.O. Box 74, Corryton, TN 37721, (865)688-1175, fax: (866)518-
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3104; Assns: Claiborne, Grainger, Jefferson, Sevier, Union, Scott, Campbell, Oneida (in Scott Co.). District 4 — Duran Williams, KCEA, 2411 Magnolia Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917 Assns: Knox,TSD, District 5— Jason White, P.O. Box 5502, Oak Ridge, TN 37831; (615)521-1333, fax: (865)200-5254; Assns: Anderson, Clinton, Oak Ridge, Blount, Alcoa, Maryville, Lenoir City, Loudon. District 6 — Chris Brooks, P.O. Box 3629, Chattanooga, TN 37404, (615)332-2636; Assns: Bradley, Cleveland, McMinn, Athens, Etowah, Meigs, Monroe, Sweetwater, Polk, Rhea-Dayton, Roane. District 7 — Theresa Turner, HCEA 4655 Shallowford Rd., Chattanooga, TN 37411; (423)485-9535, fax: (423)485-9512; Assns: Hamilton. District 8 — Josh Trent; Assns: Clay, Cumberland, Fentress, Jackson, Morgan, Pickett, Putnam, Overton, York Institute, TN Tech. Univ,
PUBLIC SCHOOL TENNESSEE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
ADVOCATE
Bledsoe, Sequatchie,Van Buren, White. District 9 — Jackie Pope, 2326 Valley Grove Dr., Murfreesboro, TN 37128;phone: (615)898-1060, fax: (855) 301-8214, Assns: Bedford, Moore, Cannon, DeKalb, Coffee, Franklin, Grundy, Manchester, Tullahoma, Marion, Warren. District 10 — Jeff Garrett, P.O. Box 1326, Lebanon, TN 37088-1326; (615)6302605, fax (855)320-8755—; Assns: Rutherford, Murfreesboro, Sumner, MTSU, Macon, Smith, Trousdale. District 11 — Antoinette Lee; Assns: FSSD, Williamson. District 12 — Sue Ogg; phone: (615)856-0503 — Assns: Giles, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Fayetteville, Maury, Wayne, Marshall, Perry. District 13 — Mary Campbell, Susan Dalton, Metro Nashville, 531 Fairground Court, Nashville, TN 37211; (615)347-6578 (Campbell), fax: (855)299-4968 (Campbell); Assns: Metro Nashville,
“They may have the money, but we have the votes, people who actually live in the districts who care about their schools,” said TEA Executive Director Carolyn Crowder. “We worked hard to make sure education came out on top during these elections. Now as we move forward in a new legislative session, we’ll be working to capitalize on these victories to give support to pro-education legislators.” For many members across Tennessee in key districts, TEA sent automated calls, direct mail, and held social events to meet candidates to encourage members to vote in the primary for legislators. There were some losses. TEA member Gloria Johnson lost in Knoxville, and long time educator Dennis Roach lost his rural East Tennessee district. But TEA was overall the winner, defeating anti-school incumbents in races across the state and defend a dozen GOP anti-voucher lawmakers from privatization groups. Most important were the votes. As we saw in the past legislative session, the General Assembly has the final say on so many of the issues affecting educators. Getting proeducation lawmakers elected is critical to fixing what’s wrong in education today. “Lawmakers want to do what is right, but it is critical for them to know folks back home will stand with them and that these big national groups do not hold more power than their teachers,” said TEA Government Relations Manager Jim Wrye. “We proved that this election, and it will help with our continued success in the General Assembly.”
TN School For The Blind, Lebanon, Wilson. District 14 — Maria Uffelman, P.O. Box 99, Cumberland City, TN 37050; phone: (931)827-3333, fax: (855)2994925; Assns: Clarksville-Montgomery, Robertson. District 15 — Cheryl Richardson, P.O. Box 354, Goodlettsville, TN 37070; phone: (615)630-2601, fax: (888)519-4879; Assns: Benton, West Carroll, Central, Clarksburg, Huntingdon, McKenzie, Henry, Paris, Houston, Humphreys, Stewart, Cheatham, Dickson, Hickman. District 16 — Lorrie Butler, P.O. Box 387, Henderson, TN 38340; (731)989-4860, fax: (855)299-4591; Assns: Chester, Hardeman, West TSD, Henderson, Lexington, Jackson-Madison, McNairy, Decatur, Hardin. District 17 — Terri Jones, —Assns: Crockett, Dyer, Dyersburg, Gibson, Humboldt, Milan, Trenton, Haywood, Lake, Lauderdale, Obion, Union City, Tipton, Weakley.
District 18 — Zandra Foster, Ashley Evett, 3897 Homewood Cove, Memphis, TN 38128; (901)3779472, fax: (855)320-8737;—Assns: Arlington, Bartlett, Collierville, Germantown, Lakeland, Millington, Fayette. District 19 — Assns: MemphisShelby County Education Association — Ken Foster, Executive Director; Memphis-Shelby County EA UniServ Directors: Glenda Jones, Tom Marchand, 126 South Flicker Street, Memphis, TN 38104; (901)454-0966, fax: (901)454-9979; Assn: Memphis-Shelby County.
www.teateachers.org www.nea.org
TEA MEMBERS! WHAT ARE YOU DOING THE TUESDAY OF YOUR SPRING BREAK?
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! l o t i p a C ! e s h r t o t o t a l e s i ! m g n o e C our l catio y r edu hville o t s k l a o f N a T d up ght) in i n n a d t S ay (an
d t a e r g a y o Enj
! S E L I M R O F S E S R U B TEA REIM FAST AT TEA HQ! K A E R B ! T D A E E G N A GR R R A S G N I T E E CAPITOL M L FOR LONG TRAVEL! E T O H D I A P E ! S PR R E B M E M OPEN TO ALL
Do you have h plans l for f your Spring Break? Consider coming to the capitol to talk to your legislators and enjoy the great entertainment of Nashville! It’s a Civication, combining vacation with civic pride in our profession. TEA pays mileage for any members who want to come on the Tuesday of Spring Break. There is a complimentary breakfast at TEA Headquarters in downtown
h ll ffree parking, k shuttle h l Nashville, service to the Capitol, TEA staff to arrange meetings with your legislators, and House and Senate Education Committee meetings to witness how the sausage is made!
a successful and important next day on Capitol Hill. Members who took part in Civication last year had a tremendous experience, and had a huge impact on the legislative success of TEA!
If you live more than 50 miles outside of Nashville, TEA has a supply of pre-paid hotel rooms for members for Monday night (limited basis). Come to Music City, enjoy the evening and then have
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO LET US ORGANIZE YOUR TRIP CONTACT TEA GOVERNMENT RELATIONS STAFF JAKE KING AT:
jking@tnea.org Email only please
PUBLIC SCHOOL 7 TENNESSEE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
ADVOCATE
TEA TO BUILD ON BANNER YEAR IN LEGISLATURE Teachers rally around their profession, association TEA had a banner legislative session last year with teaching licenses protected from TVAAS, vouchers stopped, salary schedule restored, and tenure and benefits saved. Tennessee educators rallied around their profession and association, helping TEA achieve the seemingly unachievable as nearby states struggled under attacks by privateers and swashbuckling school reformers. Teaching licenses protected – Our most valuable possession was under threat because Kevin Huffman, our former education commissioner (who resigned last November), made it possible to lose a teaching license on low TVAAS scores. Dentists don’t lose their licenses if their patients return with cavities, but Huffman thought—and was able to convince the State Board of Education in August of 2013—that it was sound policy to change teaching licensure from credentials to outcomes. TEA fought the change and convinced
132 lawmakers to vote it down. While Governor Bill Haslam and his administration lobbied against the TEA bill, he eventually signed it into law. In the process, Dresden Middle School teacher and TEA member Cynthia Watson used her personal scores to expose TVAAS for what it is—an imprecise statistical estimate that can fluctuate wildly, especially in upper grades. Also of note, dozens of local education associations and school system directors expressed “no confidence” in Huffman over the past year, possibly prompting his decision to retreat to a life of writing and private consulting work. Vouchers stopped—TEA dealt voucher proponents debilitating blows two legislative sessions in a row and is gearing up for another battle this year. Voucher proponents have one goal in mind— commoditizing public education while depriving public schools of much-needed funds and painting
them as inefficient. They stop at nothing to achieve their goals and will undoubtedly pour more money into their lobbying efforts, but we as professional educators know what’s best for students. We encourage you to share your expertise and personal stories to educate your elected officials during the upcoming legislative session. Tell them vouchers are not needed and not wanted in Tennessee! Salary schedule restored, pay equity funds protected—Keeping teacher pay front and center during every legislative session, we hope to build on last year’s success in protecting $8.5 million in the state education budget for pay equity funds slated for school systems with the lowest resources and salaries. Tennessee teaching salaries must improve, and the fight for improvement never stops, even when the governor reneges on his promise to make Tennessee the fastest-growing state in teacher pay.
2014 GENERAL ASSEMBLY SUCCESS GOOD BILLS PASSED AND BAD BILLS DEFEATED BY THE ASSOCIATION
TEACHER LICENSES
PROTECTED!
Teacher licenses shall not be based on TVAAS scores.
Attack on profession overturned by law.
TEACHER CONTROL OF PLANNING PERIOD!
Tennessee law now guarantees individual duty free planning time for teachers.
TVAAS CAN’T CORRUPT OBSERVATION SCORES!
Forced correlation of TVAAS and observation scores now against the law.
TENURE AND OTHER RIGHTS PROTECTED! Effort to suspend spend most education laws, including TCRS participation, stopped.
PRIVATIZATION DEFEATED! Vouchers, radical charters and other attacks killed.
TEA MADE PROGRESS ON TESTING, TVAAS, AND MANY OTHER CRITICAL ISSUES!
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FOR MORE INFORMATION ON PUBLIC SCHOOL ISSUES AND HOW TO JOIN THE ASSOCIATION GO TO: TENNESSEE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
ADVOCATE
TEATEACHERS.ORG