AFT-WV Legislative Task Force on Education Update # 7
Education Task Force Completes Its Work
With a special session on education still planned for July 19th (although this is subject to change), the education task force completed its work. It is important to remember that, while AFT-WV was at the table, we did not have a vote nor could we offer amendments. Only the five Senators and Delegates were able to vote. Despite this handicap, AFT-WV was able to convince the task force to recommend legislation dealing with planning periods, alternative education, and class size. Moreover, the task force agreed to our request for a salary increase. However, we recognize that the increase is not nearly sufficient to address our needs. With the proposals now before the Governor, it is not certain whether he will accept all of the task force’s recommendations for introduction during the special session.
To view our recommendations (White Paper) we submitted to the task force, please visit www.aftwv.org.
I. Salary Increases: The task force has agreed to AFT-WV’s and WVSSPA’s request to recommend a salary increase. The task force has recommended a bill that provides a $1,000 increase for professional educators and $500.00 for school service personnel. We recognize that these salary increases are not enough. However, we are not voting members of the task force.
II. State Audit: The task force agreed to our request and has submitted a resolution that calls for an audit to be conducted (with recommendations to be presented by January, 2012) to investigate spending practices by all governmental departments, agencies and boards of education funded with public education dollars and examine the purpose for which the funds are used. All education related agencies that receive legislative appropriations will be examined to ensure that education funds are being used for the intended purpose. These agencies will include, but not be limited to, the State Department of Education, SSAC, OEPA, Center for Professional Development and the RESAs. This resolution requires passage by the legislature but action by the Governor is not required. The audit will also examine the feasibility of shared administrative services by two or more school boards with the possibility of creating efficiencies and reducing the number of central office personnel. It is our hope that the audit will uncover funds that can then be redirected to our classrooms.
III. Student Discipline and Alternative Learning Centers : The task force agreed to our concern that additional alternative learning centers need to be made available. While they did not agree to create additional centers in every county, a bill was passed to establish uniform standards for all alternative learning centers (ALCs) and to create a pilot program to include up to 5 multi-county ALCs as well as ALCs for elementary schools.
IV. Planning Period for Teachers: A recommendation made by AFT-WV and WVSSPA was accepted and a bill passed so that teachers may not be required to give up their planning period without their consent. The language shall read: “No teacher shall be assigned any responsibilities during this period without his or her consent….” The possibility of increasing the amount of planning period time for elementary teachers as well as time for collaborative team planning will be studied during this year’s legislative interims.
V. Class Size: AFT-WV and WVSSPA asked the task force to consider reducing class size at the middle school level. A bill was passed that stipulates that, as an innovation zone application, schools may limit class size at the 7th and 8th grades to 25 students.
VI. Additional compensation for certain professional school personnel:
A bill was passed to create a special community school pilot program will be implemented at one public school for the duration of five years. The school, to be designated by the State Superintendent, will have significant enrollments of disadvantaged minority and under-achieving students. The school will work with community organizations, higher education and the State Board to develop and implement strategies that could be replicated in other schools with similar enrollment characteristics. This pilot program is a direct result of the hard work, efforts and testimony by the community coalition led by Reverend Matthew Watts.
In addition, a pilot program will be created to:
Provide additional compensation for teachers in low performing, high poverty or high minority, or a critical shortage area. However, for schools to apply to participate in the pilot program, 80% of the faculty must agree.
Provide a career ladder system for teachers that will include a multitude of factors such as peer mentoring. The State Board of Education will develop the career ladder and present it to the legislature.
The pilot programs will be reviewed after two years for possible statewide implementation.
VII. Low performance of schools: A bill was passed that requires the State Board will develop a legislative rule related to high quality education standards that will include:
Culture and climate of schools;
Effective leadership;
Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment;
Effective Management systems;
Student support systems;
Educator development;
State Board will conduct a study of staffing levels, patterns and allocations (including class size at the middle school) to include;
Efficient scheduling of staff;
Teacher mentor programs;
Plan and implement changes to increase student learning and promote student success.
The required graduation rate shall be 90% within 10 years,
Schools with low performing status shall improve within 6 months or at a later date set by the State Board or be placed on temporary approval status.
VIII. Alternative training and certification of principals and teachers: A bill was passed that provides for alternative routes for teachers and principals to be certified. The bill also creates a new alternative route to principal certification and allows instruction for teachers in areas such as student assessment, classroom management, special education and diversity, etc., to be delivered through professional development equivalent to the currently required 18 semester hours in these subjects from a college or university. AFT-WV does not support legislation that allows principals to serve without classroom experience or promotes employment of teachers without proper training. The bill also provides for a process for the posting and filling of positions in areas of critical need. The legislation also directs the State Board to promulgate a rule to expedite the process for the renewal of expired certificates.
IX. Charter Schools: AFT-WV opposes the charter school bill. For a complete synopsis of the bill, please visit www.aftwv.org.
X. Annual evaluations for all professional personnel: A bill was passed that includes the following provisions:
The State Board will develop a legislative rule to include:
Procedures for approval of alternative teacher and principal education programs;
May be offered by school, RESA or other approved education providers;
Procedures for approving an entity to be an approved education provider;
Provisions for setting tuition charges;
Alternative program for licensure and certificate renewal for teachers whose license and certification to teach in the public schools have expired.
The program shall permit a teacher to complete a program of professional development approved by the State Board that is equivalent to, and in lieu of, the minimum semester hours of instruction required for renewal of the expired certificate.
To participate in an alternative teacher education program, an applicant must:
Receive a formal offer of employment in an area of critical need and shortage;
Alternative education program will include:
Three phases of intensive, on-the-job supervision.
XI. Compulsory health screening: A bill was passed that requires health screening for pre-enrollment, 3rd, 6th, and 9th grade but will not deny enrollment or bar attendance for failure to obtain the screening.
XII. Teacher empowerment teams: A bill was passed that stipulates, if at least 80% of the faculty senate and 80% of the LSIC agree, then a school can request a waiver of state board policy or statutes creating certain committees and replace them with collaborative teams. The role of Faculty Senates and LSICs remain unchanged.