Transcript August 2014 PowerPoint presentation

The Boston Teachers Union
Welcomes You Back
to School!
Today’s Objectives!
Members will be able to:
• 1. Describe the role and purposes of the BTU
• 2. Unpack common misconceptions about BTU
positions
• 3. Describe ways you can get more involved in
the union
1. Who we are:
The Boston Teachers Union proudly represents 5,500
teachers and other professionals including nurses,
psychologists, and guidance counselors. In addition,
we represent approximately 1,400
paraprofessionals, and close to 500 substitute
teachers. We also are pleased to have a retired
teacher chapter with close to 3500 members.
Our 2013-2014 Teacher-Leader Fellows discussing policy and advocacy!
Our Mission:
The Boston Teachers Union is a community of educators that
believe all students can succeed and deserve a quality education
that meets their diverse needs. We advocate for justice and
equity in the communities we serve and for the members we
represent1. As one of the leading urban school district in the
country, we are committed to building on our professionalism,
experience, and teamwork to serve all students in Boston and
strengthen our public schools.
We believe in the promise of quality public schools for
ALL students.
1 According
to National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and
Council of Great City Schools
Voices of the Union:
“The Boston Teachers Union matters to me because it offers
an opportunity for growth and a sense of community to its
members. Information is made easily and readily
available…the union allows its members to form a
community of educators, sharing tips and tricks, supporting
each other and helping each other out. Although we
educators may be large in number and spread all over the
city, the union provides a place where
we can all meet and discuss what
matters to us as educators, and how
we can best reach and teach our children!”
-Ronetta Holloway, paraprofessional at the
Ellison Parks Early Learning Center
Voices of the Union
“…One of my great hopes is that many of my
students decide to become teachers in Boston
when they grow up. It is important that these
wages and benefits are there for them in their
future careers as teachers so that they can build
strong families and strong communities.
The union is a place where we
can come together to advocate
for stronger schools and stronger
communities.”
-Ross Kochman, 5th Grade Teacher at the
Henderson K-12 School
Voices of the Union
“… Many of us are so busy with work, families,
and continuing education, that individually, we
don't have the time to be politically active or
fight for increased benefits, but collectively,
members of the BTU do. …The union works for
you because you are the union!”
-Alicia Silva, 3rd/4th Grade Teacher at the
Mission Hill K-8 School
*You can see the full mission, vision and
teacher voices on our website!
We are committed to working with students,
families, and community members to improve
our schools for:
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Safe and Welcoming Schools
Well-Prepared and Supported Teachers
Engaging Curriculum
Access to Wraparound Services
Extending the School Day for Arts and Enrichment
Parent, Student, and Teacher Voice in Decision
Making
Check out www.bostonedtruth.org for a more detailed
vision created with parents, students, and
community members.
2. Here are some common
misconceptions about the BTU:
• A. The BTU members hate all charter
schools.
• B. The BTU is the reason provisional
teachers don’t get rehired.
• C. Strong unions hurt student
achievement.
A. Does the BTU really hate all
charter schools?
• No! In fact, some of our members are a part of
Horace Mann Charter Schools, also known as “indistrict” charter schools, such as Boston Day and
Evening Academy, Health Careers Academy, and UP
Academies.
• However, we ARE against expanding Commonwealth
Charters because of their high attrition rates,
selective admissions, and disproportionately low
numbers of ELL and Special Education students, and
severe impact on the budget of BPS schools (we are
losing over 104 million dollars to them just this
school year).
B. Is the BTU contract the reason
provisional teachers don’t get rehired?
• NO! In fact, in our contract it states: “Principals
will be required to make recommendation as to
which provisional teachers they want to make
permanent by February 1st of each year.
Principals will be notified by February 15th if their
recommendations will be approved. The
Superintendent shall make permanent
appointment of provisional teachers by March
27th.” THIS CAN HAPPEN ANY YEAR AT THE
DISCRETION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT!
C. Do unions hurt achievement?
• TRUTH: UNIONS = HIGHER ACHIEVEMENT
The highest scores on the National Assessment of Educational
Progress (NAEP) and the SAT and the ACT tests are all
correlated to the most unionized states in the country (like
Mass). The lowest scoring states are also ones that restrict or
have outlawed collective bargaining rights (unionizing).
For more specifics see: http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/studies/statemapping/
3. What’s Happening In Our Schools—The Hot
Topics We Have Heard About from YOU!
-Concerns about the new evaluation system
-Over-testing and the misuse of
standardized assessments
-Concerns about the roll out of inclusion in
20 new schools and how it will impact
students
-Threats of Level 4 and Level 5 identification
-Improving professional development
What we are doing about it--Our
collective responses:
• Help with evaluation needs, support, and
quality professional development workshops.
• Creation of organizing committees to find
solutions to many of our common concerns…
For example, check out our members advocating
with students and community members for
“More Teaching and Less Testing,” an ongoing
campaign that is now state-wide!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qpO7MBJjRM&list=UUWT
PZonFYOHJ4UYXi4dwFIg
Your Union-Your Voice:
Take action to improve your schools
through your union membership.
• Stay informed!
• Read the E-Bulletin regularly (you can be added
at www.btu.org)
• Attend membership meetings at the school,
BTU, and/or monthly regional meetings closer to
your school or home.
• Make sure you have filled out a membership
card, COPE Card, and Health and Welfare Card
to take full advantage of your union benefits.
Upcoming BTU Dates!
• Saturday, September 6, 3-6pm:
First Annual Back to School Fair for BPS Families!
• Wednesday, September 10:
4:15—Monthly Membership Meeting (2nd Wed of
every month)
• October 24-26: Annual Building Reps Conference
• Saturday Nov 8: Parent 2 Parent Conference for
Families AND teachers.
You can find these dates and more important
information in the BTU E-bulletin or your school’s
BTU Bulletin Board!
Your Voice. Your Union. Your Future.
• You have the power to impact the decisions of your
union-get involved!.
• Stay informed, get engaged, and strengthen a union
that you can be proud of. You are the union!
• Don’t forget to browse the BTU paper for important
information, too.
Building Representative Election—
We need you to lead!
• There can be 1 representative for every
25 members or portion thereof BTU in a
school.
(i.e. If your schools has 26 members, you
can have 2. If you have 51 members, 3.)
• The Building Rep Election will be…
(set a day, location, and time!)