NYSUT NEWS

1. Election activism was unprecedented. Lubin: 'In the history of our organization, a greater effort has never been put forth.'

NYSUT activists can be very proud of the work they did on behalf of the AFT-endorsed presidential ticket of Kerry and Edwards. New York certainly carried the vote for the Democratic hopefuls -- 3.9 million to 2.7 million for Bush. Unfortunately, the nation didn't follow.

"We know we have four very difficult years ahead of us," said Alan Lubin, NYSUT executive vice president.

Working more closely than ever with the AFT, NYSUT staff members, retirees and in-service members hit the pavement in battleground states to organize union members to get out the vote. "We can be proud of our work, but we now have more work to do," Lubin said.

NYSUT-endorsed U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer was re-elected, possibly tying the record for highest re-election percentage at 71%. In Congress, all NYSUT-backed incumbents were re-elected; in races for open seats, one of the union's candidates (Republican Randy Kuhl) won easily and the other (Democrat Brian Higgins) was holding onto a slim lead at press time.

In the state Legislature, "we made some endorsements this year where we usually do not -- we took chances," Lubin said. That includes not endorsing several legislators who failed to support NYSUT's positions on the crucial overrides last year. While most of those incumbents managed to win, NYSUT's action forced them to work harder and spend more this year.

"In those races we surely sent a message to incumbents who did not support us," Lubin said. "Hopefully, lessons were learned by those who opposed us and they will bear fruit in the next legislative session."

Overall, NYSUT made endorsements in 203 races statewide. Barring changes in the final tallies, the union was successful in 190 of those races -- a rate of 94%.

In the state Senate the Republicans still hold the majority, however initial returns show the GOP's advantage slipping from 38-24 to 35-27. The Democrats in the state Assembly seemed at press time to have picked up one seat to increase their control to 104-46.

NYSUT-endorsed Donna Lupardo won in the 126th district over incumbent Bob Warner. Union-supported challenger Dennis Tracey, a member of the NYSUT Board, lost to incumbent Nancy Calhoun in the 96th Assembly District. Bernie Bassett, another NYSUT-backed challenger, gave Republican incumbent Chris Ortloff a real run for the money in the 114th.

2. NYSUT activists push for higher ed overrides

Unionists are urging the state Legislature to return to Albany before the end of the year to consider overriding the governor's vetoes of higher education budget items.

"We're counting on our legislators to do the right thing," said NYSUT Executive Vice President Alan Lubin. "We're also counting on our members to let lawmakers know how desperately this funding is needed."

Gov. Pataki vetoed more than $1.8 billion in funding approved by the Legislature in August. The vetoes devastated the higher education budget as provided by the Legislature. The vetoes cut $723 million in additional capital funding for State University and City University campuses. They also canceled a plan to boost aid to community colleges by $50 per student and froze most of the additional $96 million in state operating aid intended to compensate for past underfunding by the state.

The coordinated campaign is being organized by NYSUT and its three higher ed leaders: Barbara Bowen, president of Professional Staff Congress/CUNY; William Scheuerman, president of United University Professions, representing SUNY; and Ellen Schuler Mauk, president of Suffolk Community College Faculty Association, who represents community colleges on NYSUT's Board of Directors.

You can join a coordinated day of faxing Nov. 10 by logging onto the Legislative Action page at www.nysut.org.

3. CFE case in the hands of the special masters

The special masters appointed to the Campaign for Fiscal Equity case heard final arguments from lawyers on both sides of the school-funding issue Monday, Nov. 1, in New York City. The three-panel committee now has until Nov. 30 to pass its findings and recommendations along to the presiding judge in the case.

At stake for New York City is an estimated $2 billion to $6 billion in additional funding for the nation's largest school district at 1.1 million students.

While the CFE case applies only to New York City, NYSUT argues that the remedy must be statewide to address the problems of all inadequately funded New York state school districts. NYSUT plans to continue fighting for a statewide solution. This includes demanding funding be drawn from additional sources of revenue and insisting districts be funded up without drawing funding away from other districts.

4. SUNY campuses lack ADA standards: UUP

A survey released by United University Professions Disability Rights and Concerns Committee Oct. 29 shows disabled students and faculty find it difficult, if not impossible, to perform efficiently and effectively at most State University of New York campuses.

The committee surveyed 234 UUP members with disabilities during the 2000-01 academic year to assess SUNY's compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination in employment and requires employers to provide "reasonable accommodation" to disabled workers. UUP found that, despite some improvements since the ADA took effect in July 1992, many of SUNY's 29 state-operated campuses don't comply.

"SUNY has made some progress in achieving accessible campuses but people with disabilities still report many places and programs that are difficult or impossible to access," said UUP President William E. Scheuerman. "The general picture is very uneven."

5. Info packets promote American Education Week

NYSUT is offering information packets with ideas for promoting American Education Week, Nov. 14-20. The theme of this year's annual observance is "Celebrating the American Dream." Making the week even more special is the celebration of the second-annual statewide SRP Recognition Day on Thursday, Nov. 18.

The packets, provided by NYSUT media relations, offer ideas for launching successful media events including a sample letter-to-the-editor, a sample press release, ideas for community outreach and pointers on developing a successful press kit.

Throughout the year, NYSUT media relations produces a series of information packets for local leaders highlighting and promoting important education issues as part of its Local Action Project.

Supplies are limited. For more information, contact media relations at (800) 342-9810, ext. 6313.

The National Education Association created the materials. The American Federation of Teachers, NYSUT's national affiliate, is a co-sponsor of the week-long celebration.

6. Regents mull master's requirement

Among many policy changes being considered by the Board of Regents is to restore the five-year period for new teachers to complete a master's degree for permanent certification. Last February, that time was reduced to only three years. If the Regents approve the measure it would bring the timetable back to where it was before the February change.

Second Vice President Maria Neira said NYSUT has always supported the five-year window: "Recent college graduates have a hard time immediately taking on a full load of graduate studies and participating in district-provided professional development while adjusting to their first classroom teaching assignment and working to pay off undergraduate loans," she said. The Professional Standards and Practices Board for Teaching also has supported the change to five years.

Members of the Regents' Higher Education Committee generally endorsed the change in September after a State Ed survey found overwhelming support among college presidents for a less-hurried combination of graduate study and on-the-job training for new teachers.

For a full report on policy changes pending before the Board of Regents, see the Nov. 4 New York Teacher or go to www.nysut.org.

7. Spitzer probes insurance companies

During October, State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer began investigating many insurance companies for improper actions regarding insurance broker commissions.

NYSUT Benefit Trust is monitoring this situation very closely. It has been in contact with top executives within the companies involved in Spitzer's probe who head up the divisions that service Benefit Trust programs.

In addition, Benefit Trust's outside counsel is in contact with all endorsed insurance carriers named in the probe asking them to identify whether the Trust's programs are under investigation and inform the Trust of procedures and safeguards in place.

Please be aware the Trust's contracts with providers are designed to provide full disclosure of all terms and conditions, and the Trust remains confident that none of the issues raised regarding improper commissions will impact its endorsed programs or the NYSUT members who depend upon them. The Trust will continue to monitor this situation very closely.

8. Give the gift of good jobs this holiday season
'Buy Union Week' comes in peak stretch, Nov. 26 * Dec. 5

Holiday shoppers can please friends and family and save good-paying jobs by buying union-made gifts for the holidays.

"Buy Union Week," Nov. 26-Dec. 5 targets the busiest 10-day shopping period of the year. Shoppers will spend a projected $1 trillion on gifts, food and other items for the winter holidays.

Under the slogan "Give the Gift of Good Jobs," Buy Union Week seeks to channel as many holiday shopping dollars as possible toward the purchase of union-made goods and services.

An all-union Internet shopping site -- www.ShopUnionMade.org -- was set up this fall by the Union Label and Service Trades Dept., AFL-CIO, to make it easy for consumers to find and buy union-made items. Publicity materials for Buy Union Week, including graphics and holiday "e-cards," may be downloaded from the Web site.

Go to www.nysut.org for a link to ShopUnionMade.org, or visit NYSUT's e-store at www.nysut.org/store , for this and other union-friendly resources.

"Local leaders can play a huge role in the success of Buy Union Week by getting the word out to their members now," said NYSUT President Tom Hobart. "Talk about the 'gift that keeps on giving,' this could be a much needed transfusion for union workers and unionized manufacturers."

"If people spread the word and pledge to buy at least one union-made gift for the holidays, we will have a large positive impact on jobs. We need a grassroots movement to make it happen," said Matt Bates, secretary-treasurer of the Union Label & Service Trades Department.

9. For the first time, worker pay declines as corporate profits increase

The share of the nation's economy -- Gross Domestic Product (GDP) -- going to wages and salaries fell dramatically over the past four years while the share going to corporate profits rose significantly, according to U.S. Dept. of Commerce data.

The decline in worker's pay for 14 consecutive quarters is unprecedented in the post-World War II era, reported the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The GDP share fell from 49.5% in 2001 to 45.4% today, a dramatic reduction of 4.1% or about $500 billion, also unprecedented. Meanwhile, the share of GDP going to corporate profits rose by 2.3% or more than $250 billion.

Adjusting for inflation, workers' real wage and salary income today is essentially the same as it was in early 2001 while corporate profits increased 40%. Source: www.cbpp.org/10-29-04pov.htm .

10. Setting the pace for 'Strides'

NYSUT participation is heading for another record in the American Cancer Society's "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" fund-raisers this year. The numbers are still coming in.

Without New York City totals (last year the city raised $105,000) NYSUT is already over $500,000.

NYSUT had 800 walkers in Buffalo (a record at that site). North Country members participated for the first time and raised more than $4,000. School-related professionals raised $4,300 at their leadership conference in Rye. It looks as though Nassau County NYSUT members will surpass their record of $150,000 from last year, as well. Final numbers will be reported sometime later this month.

11. ECB Policy Conference set for December

The Educational Conference Board, a broad coalition of state education organizations, is holding its First Annual Policy Conference Monday, Dec. 6, in Albany. More than 30 NYSUT officers and staff are slated to attend.

The theme for the conference is "Investment and Accountability for Student Success" with workshops examining the federal No Child Left Behind Act and the ramifications of the Campaign for Fiscal Equity decision on New York state schools.

For more information or a registration form, go to the ECB Web site at www.nysecb.org.

12. Applicants sought for LRS internship

NYSUT is seeking applicants for a paid internship as a labor relations specialist. The internship, not to exceed one year, will begin in January and will be assigned initially to the United University Professions (SUNY) at NYSUT headquarters in Latham. Interested applicants should contact and send resumes to Mark Chaykin, Director of Field Operations, 800 Troy-Schenectady Rd., Latham, NY 12110-2455 or via e-mail mchaykin@nysutmail.org.

13. Conference targets energy issues in schools

The NYS Energy Research and Development Authority will present "Energy in Schools," a conference for educators, administrators and facility professionals, Nov. 18-19 at the Albany Marriott. You can visit www.nyserda.org, e-mail questions to info@nyserda.org, or call 1-866-NYSERDA for further information. For a full conference program and registration form, visit www.nesea.org/EnergyInSchools.

14. Statement of deductions sent

Members and agency fee payers who participate in any NYSUT Member Benefits programs through payroll or pension deduction will soon receive a statement of deductions in the mail. This is not an invoice, but a statement outlining programs the member participates in and the amount of deduction per program per pay period or monthly pension benefit.

The statement of deductions is sent to payroll and pension deduction participants twice a year for informational purposes. Any questions should be directed to NYSUT Member Benefits at (800) 626-8101 or e-mailed to benefits@nysutmail.org.

NYSUT News fron The NYSUT Leader

TEACHER STRIKE IN ILLINOIS ENDS
Members of the Harlem Federation of Teachers in Illinois were back at work Sept. 3 after nearly two weeks on strike. The local, which represents about 500 teachers, reached an agreement Sept. 2 with the Harlem School District that ended the strike and allowed classes to resume. The local went on strike on Aug. 23 after months of trying to reach a fair compromise with the school board. The strike ended when the board accepted a union proposal to move to binding arbitration. The main issue to be decided by the arbitrator is the salary schedule that will determine the amount of pay increases for teachers in the second and third years of the agreement. For details, go to http://www.harlemft.org.

REMINDER: PER CAPS, AUDITS AND MEMBERSHIP UPDATES
The AFT's new per capita dues increase took effect Sept. 1. As approved by AFT convention delegates this summer, the AFT monthly per capita will increase by 40 cents, from $12.35 to $12.75 (one-half, $6.38, one-quarter, $3.19). This is a good time to ensure that your local's finances are in order and that your membership roster and officer list are up to date with the AFT. The AFT's financial services and information technology departments help locals get through the paperwork and ensure that they're in compliance with the union's constitution and bylaws, including requirements for audits or financial reviews. During September and October, the IT support team will extend its telephone hours and offer special online courses to assist affiliates with questions on the union's Membership Suite and Membership Lite programs, the Affiliate Maintenance System and other technology resources. It's crucial to update member and officer information to ensure your per capita invoices are correct. For questions about per capita billing, e-mail billinginquiry@aft.org. For more information on the membership programs and technology, go to http://membership.aft.org.

BILL AIMS TO SPARE SCHOOLS FROM UNFAIR GRADES UNDER NCLB Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.) and Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) have introduced legislation to require the Bush administration's Department of Education to adhere to its own new rules for determining whether public schools have met a key measurement of student achievement under the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). Miller and Kennedy are co-authors of the education law, introduced on June 17. Under pressure from Democrats and education groups, including the AFT, the department finally issued revised rules providing some flexibility in how the progress of students with disabilities and students with limited English proficiency is assessed. A number of schools labeled as failing to make adequate yearly progress (AYP) would have made AYP had the new policies been in effect from the start, says the union, but the department refuses to allow schools to apply these new rules to tests taken last year. The new bill, the No Child Left Behind Fairness Act of 2004, would bring relief to schools that may be unfairly labeled as failing to make AYP because the department won't apply its new rules retroactively. The AFT has been especially critical of the AYP component of the law, pointing out widespread inconsistencies and confusion on how states measure and meet those requirements. The AFT supports the new legislation as a step in the right direction, noting that the administration's delay in addressing these issues over the past two years "has caused unnecessary confusion, mislabeling of schools and misdirection of resources." The AFT will continue to work to remedy this and other problems with NCLB.

VOTENET ONLINE VOTER REGISTRATION When a national election can be decided by just 537 votes out of more than 100 million cast, we can no longer question how essential it is for each of us vote. Too many issues important to AFT members and their families are decided by political leaders who may not always have our best interests in mind. In 2004, we have an opportunity to make our voices heard through our votes. AFT wants to make registering to vote as easy as possible. Thanks to new technology, AFT members and their families can register to vote quickly and securely through a new program called Votenet. Registering to vote has never been easier. Simply go to the AFT Votenet Web site , follow the instructions for filling out the form, print it, sign it and mail it in to the address indicated on the form. Not only will you be registered to vote, the site will also provide you with the location of your polling place and key dates for elections in your state.Registering to vote has never been more important or easier to do. Log on to Votenet today.

AFT News from Inside AFT

WHO SHOULD MONITOR CHILDREN’S EDUCATION?
Babette Hankin of Croyden, Pa., likes to show off her home-schooling program. Not only do her seven children stay occupied all day, but the five of school age seem to thrive in her regimented rotation covering earth science, reading, math, and even piano practice. Yet despite pride in the program, Mrs. Hankin is suing the Bristol Township School District for requiring a yearly review. At dispute is the question of who owns the children, and who therefore should oversee their education - the parents, the state, or God? Hankin's is one of two landmark cases pending in Pennsylvania courts. In each, home-schooling families are using a new religious freedom law to fight what they see as state interference. Twelve states have recently passed similar laws, putting a potentially powerful tool in the hands of those who educate the nation's 1.1 million home-schooled children.

G. Jeffrey MacDonald
“Does the state have a right to monitor?”
The Christian Science Monitor, August 31, 2004
http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0831/p14s02-legn.htm



DEMAND FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS INCREASING IN SUBURBS
Suburban parents are driving much of the new demand for charter schools and other public school choices in Minnesota. A record 20 charters will open this fall, including seven in the Twin Cities suburbs, also a record. They range from Spanish immersion to a Stillwater school focused on the classics. There are 107 charter schools in Minnesota, about half in St. Paul and Minneapolis, with 21 in the suburbs and 34 in greater Minnesota. Charters are publicly funded schools that operate outside the traditional public school system. They must find a sponsor, which is usually a local school district, the state Department of Education or a private organization, and then get state approval. If these schools find a sponsor, they get planning and implementation funds from the federal government's Charter Schools Program or various private foundations. All other funding comes from the state on a per-pupil basis. The charter school movement was born in Minnesota in 1991, when state lawmakers passed charter school legislation. The first charter school in the nation, City Academy in St. Paul, opened in 1992.

Megan Boldt
“Charter demand rising in suburbs”

St. Paul Pioneer Press, August 31, 2004
http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/news/local/9539853.htm



RECORD NUMBER OF MINORITIES TAKE SAT
More than a half-million minority students in the high school class of 2004 took the SAT, a record and a sign that the nation's college-bound population is growing more diverse. But as measured on the high-profile college entrance exam, the basic skills of African-American, Hispanic and American Indian students still lag far behind those of white and Asian students, according to scores released August 31. A record 37 percent of the 1.4 million college-bound seniors taking the test in 2004 were minorities, up from 31 percent in 1994, according to The College Board. The percentage of first-generation college-bound students also grew to 38 percent of all SAT takers and to 53 percent of African-American and 69 percent of Hispanic SAT takers. The average score for all students remained unchanged from 2003. It has jumped 23 points since 1994, to 1026 out of 1600.

Greg Toppo
“Record number of minorities take SAT”
USA Today, August 31, 2004
http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2004-08-31-sat-scores_x.htm



SCHOOLS INSTALL “BULLY BOXES” TO REDUCE STUDENT ABUSE
The Lewiston-Porter School Board is having a "bully box" installed in each of the district's four schools. Board member Louis M. Palmeri, who got the board to approve the measure on March 24, said the "bully box" policy is designed to give children and high school students a way to confidentially report kids who make school a miserable place to be and provide district staff with a way to end that situation. "The administration would investigate each complaint in a professional and confidential manner, check its validity and correct situations by taking appropriate action," such as monitoring a bully and keeping him or her in check, Palmeri said.

Paul Westmoore
“Installation of 'bully boxes' seeks to put a lid on students who abuse others”
The Buffalo News, September 1, 2004
http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20040901/1058757.asp

National Education News from EdNet Briefs