The Baldwinsville Teachers’ Association is a union of over 450 professionals dedicated to providing the best education possible to students in the Baldwinsville Central School District.
Budget Battle Lines Form:
A coalition of business leaders and real estate magnates called the Committee to Save New York began airing a new advertisement Tuesday on television stations around the state.
They plan to spend millions on ad campaigns. (insert your Vote Cope campaign here)
http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Budget-battle-lines-form-953691.php
State Tweaks Kindergarten Standards to Improve Graduation Outcomes:
The Board of Regents is revamping the curriculum all the way down to the kindergarten level to make sure students are prepared for the rigors of higher education.
http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/State-standards-tweaks-target-early-learners-953033.php
West Genesee Superintendent Asks Unions to Freeze Pay:
The West Genesee school superintendent has asked all unions to take a voluntary pay freeze for the 2011-12 school year. Last year teachers agreed to forego a 4% pay increase for a 2% raise....
http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2011/01/west_genesee_school_superinten_2.html
Judge Rules NYC Can Disclose Names in Teacher Rankings:
A Manhattan judge ruled Monday that the city may release performance rankings of thousands of teachers to the public, denying a request by the teachers union to keep the teachers’ names confidential. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/11/education/11data.html?_r=1&ref=nyregion
Who Stands Up for Kids Mr. Governor?
Creating a boogeyman of greedy educators and their unions is a long-running show in Albany. But polls show New Yorkers don't buy it.
Northern NY Makes Case for Low Wealth School Aid:
While all school districts faced cuts last year, the reductions hit poor schools harder because they are so heavily dependent on state aid for operating revenue. Poor districts have been forced to slash teachers and programs and could be forced into bankruptcy if the cuts continue.
http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20120107/NEWS05/701079941
To "Shel" with Gov's Ed. Commission Proposal:
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver suggested there may be no need for a new education commission Cuomo proposed and urged the governor to help resolve a dispute over teacher evaluations that has cost the city $58 million.
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/to_shel_with_your_teacher_eval_board_875eyj9wRdVyitqMf6mzOJ
Local President to Gov - You Take the Tests:
Westhill president Greg McCrea gives his view of Governor as an advocate for NY's Students.
http://blog.syracuse.com/opinion/2012/01/governor_should_take_tests_alo.html
Message from Commissioner King: Your Critical Role
Dear Colleagues,
Happy New Year! I want to take this opportunity to wish you, your families, your students, and your school communities a safe, healthy, and happy 2012. As we embark on a new year, New York continues to be a leader in education reform. The role you play in your classrooms is the critical element in our state’s reform efforts.
Our work in teaching and learning is now guided by the Common Core Learning Standards. These standards are driving twelve “shifts” in instruction – six shifts in English Language Arts (ELA)/Literacy and six shifts in Mathematics. You can find a concise list of the shifts and a series of short videos about them on the EngageNY.org website.
This Spring semester, we have asked all teachers in the state to teach at least one unit that is aligned to the Common Core. You can work in teams to think through the ways each shift should impact a unit of instruction and plan these learning experiences together. You also could adopt or augment one of our curriculum exemplars. In every math classroom (or any classroom where math plays a significant role), the Common Core calls for us to create classroom time to dive deeply into the math fluencies and applications necessary for every student to reach deep understanding of a priority math concept. In every ELA classroom (or any classroom where literacy plays a significant role), the Common Core calls for thoughtful learning experiences around rigorous texts – you should conduct close readings of those texts with your students and ask deep and thought-provoking, evidence-based questions about the texts to facilitate evidence-dependent conversations and build students’ ability to marshal arguments about the texts.
Please be sure to visit EngageNY.org, which we offer as your go-to website for teaching and learning resources. In addition to the helpful materials on the website now, more will be on the way in the coming months. Curriculum units, exemplar videos, and professional development resources will all be available on EngageNY.org and will be aimed at supporting the statewide implementation of the Common Core Learning Standards.
We designed EngageNY.org specifically for you: it is an evolving, collaborative platform for educators. As the Regents’ reform agenda moves forward across the state, we want you to be able to access and share resources that work for you. If you have questions about the Common Core Learning Standards, check out the “Get Started” page on EngageNY.org. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, let us know by signing up and commenting at the website itself or by sending us an email at info@engageny.org.
Thank you for all you do every day to serve your students and for your continued commitment to improving education in New York State .
Sincerely,
Dr. John B. King, Jr.
Follow me on Twitter @JohnKingNYSED