Early Saturday morning, the House passed its budget proposal, which included a $784 million revenue package that will mitigate some of the worst cuts. The original revenue package would have generated about $940 million, but members of the House Finance Committee voted to eliminate additional taxes on tobacco products, beer, and wine. The final revenue package includes the following: an expanded sales tax base that will include more services; a quarter cent increase in the sales tax rate; two additional top income tax brackets; the elimination of some corporate loopholes; and, an increased liquor tax.
Below are some key restorations that came as a result of the revenue package:
Education:
-Maintains K-3 classroom sizes at current levels
-Low wealth funds for counties
-At risk student funding
Division of Child Development:
-Cuts in child care rates were fully restored
-The Smart Start cut was reduced from $25 million to $5 million
Health Choice:
-The proposed enrollment freeze is lifted
-The ER co-pay is eliminated
DSS:
-Funding for Child Advocacy Centers is fully restored
-State aid to counties for work-first is fully restored
-Foster care and adoption assistance is fully restored
Public Health:
-Early hearing program - fully restored
-2 nd dose of the chicken pox vaccine - fully restored
-Oral health program - fully restored
-Public health contracts - $5 million of $10.5 million cut restored
Medicaid:
-Provider reimbursement rate - rate is reduced by 3% instead of 5.5%
-PT/OT/ST - fully restored
-Adult optical and dental - fully restored
-Orthotics and prosthetics - fully restored
Mental Health:
-MH/DD/SA state funded services are fully restored ($50 million cut proposed)
-CAP/MR-DD state supplemental funds - cut reduced from $16 million to $8 million
Covenant Legislative Updates:
H88 - Healthy Youth Act (Sex-ed)
A group of Senators have come up with a piece of compromise legislation that limits parental choice and diminishes the comprehensive program. The bill was pulled off of the floor last week, and is scheduled to be heard this Tuesday.
H442 - Parental Involvement in School Discipline (corporal punishment)
The Senate Education Committee passed the bill last week. It was a contentious hearing with a very close vote. The bill was debated on the floor of the Senate, but due to opposition from all Republicans and some Democrats, the bill was not voted on. It is now scheduled to be heard on 6/24.
S526 / H548 - School Violence Prevention Act (Bullying Bill)
The House Judiciary I Committee will hear the bill this Tuesday with a floor vote later in the week. We don't expect the Committee vote to be a problem, but we know that the vote on the House floor will be extremely close.
OTHER COVENANT AGENDA BILLS
H177, Healthy Families and Healthy Workplaces Act (Paid sick-days) has now been heard in both the Senate and House Commerce Committees, which is a great step forward for this needed policy. We hope to get a study bill on this issue by the end of session.
H656 / S666 - MH Proceedings / No Restraint - This bill would prevent the shackling of youth during MH hearings. It's been referred to the House Judiciary II Committee and the Senate Judiciary I Committee. Unclear where this will go.
H783 - Study Comm. / Youth Aging Out of Foster Care (Adams, M. Alexander, Earle, Wiley). This bill passed out of the Juvenile Justice Committee last week and will move the House Rules Committee.
H804, an Act to Amend the Personal Education Plan Statute, passed the House the week before last. In short, this legislation would facilitate greater parental involvement in the education of their children. Thanks to Angella Dunston at the NC Justice Center for her work getting this bill passed.
H1414 - Youth Accountability Act
This bill would raise the age of juvenile court jurisdiction from 16 to 18, so that the state doesn't automatically prosecute 16 and 17 year-olds as adults (we're the only state in the country that still does this).
Unclear when this bill will come back up.
PASSED BILLS
Senate Passes Due Process / Suspension Bill
H218 / S737 - Parental and Student Educational Involvement Act (Due process for long-term suspensions and expulsions).
Yea! The bill has now passed both chambers and is headed to the Governor's desk. Kudos to the ACLU and others for their great work on this bill.
Financial Literacy Bill Passes Both Chambers
H817 / S1019, Establish NC Financial Literacy Council, have passed their respective chambers and seem likely to become law very soon. Kudos to Action for Children for its leadership on this issue.
Anti-Smoking Bill Wins Final Passage
The House voted to approve the Senate's version of the secondhand smoking bill, which would ban smoking in all restaurants and bars across the state. This is a great victory for the health of children and families in North Carolina. The Governor is expected to sign the bill into law on Tuesday morning. Cheers to the NC Alliance for Health, the American Cancer Society, and the American Heart Association for the hard (and smart) work on this bill.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Legislative Updates from The Covenant with North Carolina's Children
Provided by Stacey Massengill, NCSPA Legislative and Public Policy Committee Member
The Covenant with North Carolina’s Children is a coalition of over 60 civic groups, professional associations, advocacy organizations and service providers who have formed a covenant by promising together to advance public policy to benefit children in North Carolina and to put children and youth first in our public and private lives. NCSPA is a part of this coalition and the Legislative Committee would like to share with you some of the updates provided to us by this organization.
Legislative Update - 6/8/09
BUDGET UPDATE
The House still hasn't included a revenue package in their budget, but momentum is moving in the right direction. It's fair to say that the Covenant and our allies have had a good bit to do with this change of course. Last Thursday, at the Durham Together NC Town Hall meeting, State Rep. Paul Luebke had this to say:
"Let me say first of all that because of events like this and events that have been happening around the state, and generally just a barrage of emails that have been coming in to members of the General Assembly, there is a growing consensus now that revenue must be raised. This was really not the case even 10 days ago."
If a revenue package is approved, we expect it to include a small increase in the tobacco tax, an increase in the liquor tax, a temporary increase in the sales tax, and an additional top income tax bracket. The package would raise about $1 billion, which will mitigate some of the worst cuts, but this budget will still be painful. It's also unclear as to whether or not the House will approve a revenue package before they pass the crazy, draconian budget proposal currently on the table.
Your legislators still need to hear from you! They are going to be flooded with emails telling them not to raise revenue, so we need to keep up the pressure. Click on the link below to tell your House member to take a balanced solution to the state budget:
http://capwiz.com/cwncc/issues/alert/?alertid=13453506
BUDGET CUTS
Action for Children has put together three extremely helpful documents that show the Governor's, Senate's, and House's proposed budget cuts side-by-side. To take a look, follow the links below:
HHS
http://www.ncchild.org/action/images/stories/PDFs/Budget/Long%20Session%202009-10%20HHS%206_5_09.pdf
EDUCATION
http://www.ncchild.org/action/images/stories/PDFs/Budget/Long%20Session%202009-10%20Public%20Education_6_5_09.pdf
JUVENILE JUSTICE
http://www.ncchild.org/action/images/stories/PDFs/Budget/Long%20Session%202009-10%20Juvenile%20Justice%206_5_09.pdf
ON THE MOVE
H88 - Healthy Youth Act (Sex-ed)
A group of Senators have come up with a piece of compromise legislation that limits parental choice and diminishes the comprehensive program. Bad. Please encourage your Senator to move a sound, comprehensive sexual education bill - http://eqfed.org/campaign/hya3(action alert courtesy of Equality NC).
H1414 - Youth Accountability Act
This bill would raise the age of juvenile court jurisdiction from 16 to 18, so that the state doesn't automatically prosecute 16 and 17 year-olds as adults (we're the only state in the country that still does this).
This bill will be heard in the full Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, June 10 - we expect a close vote.
H442 - Parental Involvement in School Discipline (corporal punishment)
The full House passed this bill by a whopping 91-24 vote. The Senate Education Committee should here the bill on Tuesday, 6/10.
S526 / H548 - School Violence Prevention Act (Bullying Bill)
The House Education Committee approved the Bullying Bill last week with no harmful amendments. We expect that Judiciary I will take up the bill this week with a possible floor vote by Thursday.
OTHER COVENANT AGENDA BILLS
H177, Healthy Families and Healthy Workplaces Act (Paid sick-days) didn't pass the House, but we think we might be able to get a study commission on the issue.
UPDATED - H539 - Merge Smart Start / More at Four (NOTE - this is not a Covenant agenda bill, but it is extremely important to the future of early childhood care in the state). It doesn't look like this will happen on the House side in the budget process. While they've proposed a large cut to More at Four, they don't seem intent on merging the programs. However, we don't know what will happen when the House and Senate start on their budget negotiations.
H656 / S666 - MH Proceedings / No Restraint - This bill would prevent the shackling of youth during MH hearings. It's been referred to the House Judiciary II Committee and the Senate Judiciary I Committee.
H783 - Study Comm. / Youth Aging Out of Foster Care (Adams, M. Alexander, Earle, Wiley). This bill passed out of the Juvenile Justice Committee last week and will move the House Rules Committee.
H804, an Act to Amend the Personal Education Plan Statute, passed the House the week before last. In short, this legislation would facilitate greater parental involvement in the education of their children. Thanks to Angella Dunston at the NC Justice Center for her work getting this bill passed.
PASSED BILLS
Senate Passes Due Process / Suspension Bill
H218 / S737 - Parental and Student Educational Involvement Act (Due process for long-term suspensions and expulsions).
Yea! The bill has now passed both chambers and is headed to the Governor's desk. Kudos to the ACLU and others for their great work on this bill.
Financial Literacy Bill Passes Both Chambers
H817 / S1019, Establish NC Financial Literacy Council, have passed their respective chambers and seem likely to become law very soon. Kudos to Action for Children for its leadership on this issue.
Anti-Smoking Bill Wins Final Passage
The House voted to approve the Senate's version of the secondhand smoking bill, which would ban smoking in all restaurants and bars across the state. This is a great victory for the health of children and families in North Carolina. The Governor is expected to sign the bill into law on Tuesday morning. Cheers to the NC Alliance for Health, the American Cancer Society, and the American Heart Association for the hard (and smart) work on this bill.
Legislative Update - 6/10/09
The House Finance Committee just passed merged the revenue proposal and the appropriations bill. So, we now have a budget bill that is ready for a House floor vote tomorrow.
Follow the link below to see the legislation:
http://www.ncleg.net/sessions/2009/budget/2009/S202-ASVxf-21.pdf
Go to page 25 to see what cuts were restored as a result of the tax package, which totaled around $900 million.
To be clear, this debate is not over. HOUSE MEMBERS NEED TO KNOW THAT THEY MUST RAISE REVENUE. PLEASE TAKE ACTION NOW! http://capwiz.com/cwncc/issues/alert/?alertid=13453506
The Covenant with North Carolina’s Children is a coalition of over 60 civic groups, professional associations, advocacy organizations and service providers who have formed a covenant by promising together to advance public policy to benefit children in North Carolina and to put children and youth first in our public and private lives. NCSPA is a part of this coalition and the Legislative Committee would like to share with you some of the updates provided to us by this organization.
Legislative Update - 6/8/09
BUDGET UPDATE
The House still hasn't included a revenue package in their budget, but momentum is moving in the right direction. It's fair to say that the Covenant and our allies have had a good bit to do with this change of course. Last Thursday, at the Durham Together NC Town Hall meeting, State Rep. Paul Luebke had this to say:
"Let me say first of all that because of events like this and events that have been happening around the state, and generally just a barrage of emails that have been coming in to members of the General Assembly, there is a growing consensus now that revenue must be raised. This was really not the case even 10 days ago."
If a revenue package is approved, we expect it to include a small increase in the tobacco tax, an increase in the liquor tax, a temporary increase in the sales tax, and an additional top income tax bracket. The package would raise about $1 billion, which will mitigate some of the worst cuts, but this budget will still be painful. It's also unclear as to whether or not the House will approve a revenue package before they pass the crazy, draconian budget proposal currently on the table.
Your legislators still need to hear from you! They are going to be flooded with emails telling them not to raise revenue, so we need to keep up the pressure. Click on the link below to tell your House member to take a balanced solution to the state budget:
http://capwiz.com/cwncc/issues/alert/?alertid=13453506
BUDGET CUTS
Action for Children has put together three extremely helpful documents that show the Governor's, Senate's, and House's proposed budget cuts side-by-side. To take a look, follow the links below:
HHS
http://www.ncchild.org/action/images/stories/PDFs/Budget/Long%20Session%202009-10%20HHS%206_5_09.pdf
EDUCATION
http://www.ncchild.org/action/images/stories/PDFs/Budget/Long%20Session%202009-10%20Public%20Education_6_5_09.pdf
JUVENILE JUSTICE
http://www.ncchild.org/action/images/stories/PDFs/Budget/Long%20Session%202009-10%20Juvenile%20Justice%206_5_09.pdf
ON THE MOVE
H88 - Healthy Youth Act (Sex-ed)
A group of Senators have come up with a piece of compromise legislation that limits parental choice and diminishes the comprehensive program. Bad. Please encourage your Senator to move a sound, comprehensive sexual education bill - http://eqfed.org/campaign/hya3(action alert courtesy of Equality NC).
H1414 - Youth Accountability Act
This bill would raise the age of juvenile court jurisdiction from 16 to 18, so that the state doesn't automatically prosecute 16 and 17 year-olds as adults (we're the only state in the country that still does this).
This bill will be heard in the full Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, June 10 - we expect a close vote.
H442 - Parental Involvement in School Discipline (corporal punishment)
The full House passed this bill by a whopping 91-24 vote. The Senate Education Committee should here the bill on Tuesday, 6/10.
S526 / H548 - School Violence Prevention Act (Bullying Bill)
The House Education Committee approved the Bullying Bill last week with no harmful amendments. We expect that Judiciary I will take up the bill this week with a possible floor vote by Thursday.
OTHER COVENANT AGENDA BILLS
H177, Healthy Families and Healthy Workplaces Act (Paid sick-days) didn't pass the House, but we think we might be able to get a study commission on the issue.
UPDATED - H539 - Merge Smart Start / More at Four (NOTE - this is not a Covenant agenda bill, but it is extremely important to the future of early childhood care in the state). It doesn't look like this will happen on the House side in the budget process. While they've proposed a large cut to More at Four, they don't seem intent on merging the programs. However, we don't know what will happen when the House and Senate start on their budget negotiations.
H656 / S666 - MH Proceedings / No Restraint - This bill would prevent the shackling of youth during MH hearings. It's been referred to the House Judiciary II Committee and the Senate Judiciary I Committee.
H783 - Study Comm. / Youth Aging Out of Foster Care (Adams, M. Alexander, Earle, Wiley). This bill passed out of the Juvenile Justice Committee last week and will move the House Rules Committee.
H804, an Act to Amend the Personal Education Plan Statute, passed the House the week before last. In short, this legislation would facilitate greater parental involvement in the education of their children. Thanks to Angella Dunston at the NC Justice Center for her work getting this bill passed.
PASSED BILLS
Senate Passes Due Process / Suspension Bill
H218 / S737 - Parental and Student Educational Involvement Act (Due process for long-term suspensions and expulsions).
Yea! The bill has now passed both chambers and is headed to the Governor's desk. Kudos to the ACLU and others for their great work on this bill.
Financial Literacy Bill Passes Both Chambers
H817 / S1019, Establish NC Financial Literacy Council, have passed their respective chambers and seem likely to become law very soon. Kudos to Action for Children for its leadership on this issue.
Anti-Smoking Bill Wins Final Passage
The House voted to approve the Senate's version of the secondhand smoking bill, which would ban smoking in all restaurants and bars across the state. This is a great victory for the health of children and families in North Carolina. The Governor is expected to sign the bill into law on Tuesday morning. Cheers to the NC Alliance for Health, the American Cancer Society, and the American Heart Association for the hard (and smart) work on this bill.
Legislative Update - 6/10/09
The House Finance Committee just passed merged the revenue proposal and the appropriations bill. So, we now have a budget bill that is ready for a House floor vote tomorrow.
Follow the link below to see the legislation:
http://www.ncleg.net/sessions/2009/budget/2009/S202-ASVxf-21.pdf
Go to page 25 to see what cuts were restored as a result of the tax package, which totaled around $900 million.
To be clear, this debate is not over. HOUSE MEMBERS NEED TO KNOW THAT THEY MUST RAISE REVENUE. PLEASE TAKE ACTION NOW! http://capwiz.com/cwncc/issues/alert/?alertid=13453506
Thursday, February 19, 2009
NCSPA Newsletter Article
The legislature convened 12:00 Noon, on January 28th. Our Lobbyist, Steve Shaber talked to Representatives Rick Glazier, Doug Youngue, and Maggie Jeffus, who all have shown us support in the past. While we are not sure exactly who will sponsor our bill this session, we plan on reintroducing the bill in conjunction with NCAE. The bill, an act to establish a salary schedule rate increase for certified personnel of the public school who are paid on the advanced degree (sixth year) or doctorate degree salary schedule, will be pursued despite the projected 2 billion dollar state budget shortfall. We are staying positive, while recognizing that this will be a difficult year not only for state institutions, but also for those of us who are paid by those institutions. Stay tuned, and read our Legislative Blog, accessible through the NCSPA website to obtain the most up to date information as the 2009 legislative session gets underway.
In other news, the legislative and public policy committee needs your help. If you are interested in making contacts with your legislators or being involved in the exciting changes facing our profession, please contact Chris Tufts, ctufts@wcpss.net. As a profession, we have a great deal to offer our legislators, who are concerned about the future and welfare of the students in our schools. They want to hear from us on issues that we know about.
In other news, the legislative and public policy committee needs your help. If you are interested in making contacts with your legislators or being involved in the exciting changes facing our profession, please contact Chris Tufts, ctufts@wcpss.net. As a profession, we have a great deal to offer our legislators, who are concerned about the future and welfare of the students in our schools. They want to hear from us on issues that we know about.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Passed along to you from the newsletter: From the Ground Up
The Newsletter of the NC Education and Law Project, NC Justice Center
www.ncjustice.org
____________________________________________________________________________________
Dec. 15, 2008
Greetings, parents, advocates, and education partners.
It has been a decade since education officials in North Carolina vowed to close, or at least significantly narrow, the achievement gap that exists between minority students and their white peers. It hasn't happened yet. Eight years ago, federal officials promised to rally around all students, particularly those most likely to fail, by increasing standards of accountability for states, school districts, and schools. Yet, their underfunded No Child Left Behind Act has done as much to undermine disadvantaged students as help them. Now, everyone from Beverly Perdue to Barack Obama are pledging to raise the high school graduation rate.
They will struggle to succeed until more education policy makers recognize that low retention rates are a symptom of the same unsolved problems of the past. The public school system is failing to engage poor and minority students.
A study released recently by the Education Trust and the University of Pennsylvania, indicates that disparities in teacher quality are at least partly to blame. According to the report, low-income high-school students and students of color in the United States are about twice as likely to be enrolled in core academic classes taught by teachers who possess neither certification in the subject they have been assigned to teach nor an academic major in that subject. Read the entire report: http://www2.edtrust.org/EdTrust/Press+Room/CoreProblems.
Get the facts about graduation rates
The Alliance for Excellent Education has released Understanding High School Graduation Rates, a series of one-page reports about what the the drop out crisis looks like in each of the fifty states and the District of Columbia. The report reveals graduation gaps between demographic groups in most states, discrepancies in graduation rates reported by government and independent sources, and the high economic costs of dropouts to individuals and society. Click [here] to access graduation and dropout statistics for North Carolina.
Education coalition to meet in January
North Carolina Community Advocates for Revitalizing Education (NCCARE) will meet Jan. 10 at the Justice Center's office in Raleigh. If you are a parent, youth development professional, or advocate for public school students and would like to network with other education advocates from around the state, please join us. For more information about joining NCCARE or attending the January meeting, please call Beth Jacobs at 919.861.2064 or email beth@ncjustince.org
Site designed to help students navigate road to diplomas
The value of a North Carolina high school diploma is rising. The state continues to increase standards so that most students who graduate from high school leave with the credentials it takes to get into community colleges, colleges, and universities. Unfortunately for students, the policy changes regarding diploma pathways are being phased in over the course of the next few years creating confusion for parents and students. Many young people are unsure about what courses, credits and projects are required to receive a diploma. The Department of Public Instruction recently created a page on its Web site to answer some of those questions. For more information about the ever changing graduation requirements go to www.dpi.state.nc.us/gradrequirements/ .
The Newsletter of the NC Education and Law Project, NC Justice Center
www.ncjustice.org
____________________________________________________________________________________
Dec. 15, 2008
Greetings, parents, advocates, and education partners.
It has been a decade since education officials in North Carolina vowed to close, or at least significantly narrow, the achievement gap that exists between minority students and their white peers. It hasn't happened yet. Eight years ago, federal officials promised to rally around all students, particularly those most likely to fail, by increasing standards of accountability for states, school districts, and schools. Yet, their underfunded No Child Left Behind Act has done as much to undermine disadvantaged students as help them. Now, everyone from Beverly Perdue to Barack Obama are pledging to raise the high school graduation rate.
They will struggle to succeed until more education policy makers recognize that low retention rates are a symptom of the same unsolved problems of the past. The public school system is failing to engage poor and minority students.
A study released recently by the Education Trust and the University of Pennsylvania, indicates that disparities in teacher quality are at least partly to blame. According to the report, low-income high-school students and students of color in the United States are about twice as likely to be enrolled in core academic classes taught by teachers who possess neither certification in the subject they have been assigned to teach nor an academic major in that subject. Read the entire report: http://www2.edtrust.org/EdTrust/Press+Room/CoreProblems.
Get the facts about graduation rates
The Alliance for Excellent Education has released Understanding High School Graduation Rates, a series of one-page reports about what the the drop out crisis looks like in each of the fifty states and the District of Columbia. The report reveals graduation gaps between demographic groups in most states, discrepancies in graduation rates reported by government and independent sources, and the high economic costs of dropouts to individuals and society. Click [here] to access graduation and dropout statistics for North Carolina.
Education coalition to meet in January
North Carolina Community Advocates for Revitalizing Education (NCCARE) will meet Jan. 10 at the Justice Center's office in Raleigh. If you are a parent, youth development professional, or advocate for public school students and would like to network with other education advocates from around the state, please join us. For more information about joining NCCARE or attending the January meeting, please call Beth Jacobs at 919.861.2064 or email beth@ncjustince.org
Site designed to help students navigate road to diplomas
The value of a North Carolina high school diploma is rising. The state continues to increase standards so that most students who graduate from high school leave with the credentials it takes to get into community colleges, colleges, and universities. Unfortunately for students, the policy changes regarding diploma pathways are being phased in over the course of the next few years creating confusion for parents and students. Many young people are unsure about what courses, credits and projects are required to receive a diploma. The Department of Public Instruction recently created a page on its Web site to answer some of those questions. For more information about the ever changing graduation requirements go to www.dpi.state.nc.us/gradrequirements/ .
Friday, October 17, 2008
Representative of Obama/Biden Campaign to Speak to NC Children's Coalition
From The Covenant with North Carolina's Children:
Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) will be speaking with North Carolina child advocates, Covenant with North Carolina ’s Children members and the public as a representative from the Obama/Biden campaign. This is a great opportunity to educate a Presidential Candidate’s policy committee on important child and family issues that need to be addressed at the Federal level.
The forum is open to the public and The Covenant encourages individuals, families, advocates, community organizations, professionals, and anyone concerned with children and families to attend.
Date: Monday, October 20th Time: 11 a.m.
Where: North Carolina Association of Educators
Spread the word and plan to attend! Please come with QUESTIONS!
For directions to 700 South Salisbury Street , Raleigh , NC visit www.ncae.org or go to http://www.ncae.org/cms/Directions+to+NCAE/1
Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) will be speaking with North Carolina child advocates, Covenant with North Carolina ’s Children members and the public as a representative from the Obama/Biden campaign. This is a great opportunity to educate a Presidential Candidate’s policy committee on important child and family issues that need to be addressed at the Federal level.
The forum is open to the public and The Covenant encourages individuals, families, advocates, community organizations, professionals, and anyone concerned with children and families to attend.
Date: Monday, October 20th Time: 11 a.m.
Where: North Carolina Association of Educators
Spread the word and plan to attend! Please come with QUESTIONS!
For directions to 700 South Salisbury Street , Raleigh , NC visit www.ncae.org or go to http://www.ncae.org/cms/Directions+to+NCAE/1
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Focus on Graduation
From Thursday, September 9th NC Justice News
GRADUATION RATE: Smart Policies Can Keep Kids in School
State Superintendent June Atkinson kicked off "Graduation Awareness Week" yesterday with a proclamation from Governor Mike Easley and a Call to Action to raise the state's graduation rate. Only about 70% of North Carolina high school students graduate in four years.
Superintendent Atkinson says this campaign will "underscore the activities that schools, families and community groups must take to help all students stay in school to graduate." But there are numerous steps state policymakers can take to help students graduate. One would be to revise North Carolina's retention policy, which results in tens of thousands of students not being promoted to the next grade each year, increasing the chances they will drop out. Revising suspension policies to keep more students in class would also be a big step toward getting more children to graduation day.
Superintendent Atkinson says this campaign will "underscore the activities that schools, families and community groups must take to help all students stay in school to graduate." But there are numerous steps state policymakers can take to help students graduate. One would be to revise North Carolina's retention policy, which results in tens of thousands of students not being promoted to the next grade each year, increasing the chances they will drop out. Revising suspension policies to keep more students in class would also be a big step toward getting more children to graduation day.
Interested in working to improve public education in North Carolina? NC Community Advocates for Revitalizing Education (NCCARE) is a statewide coalition of parents, teachers and community leaders dedicated to ensuring that every student in North Carolina receives a sound basic education.
For more information, contact Beth Jacobs at mailto:beth@ncjustice.org
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Traditional School Year Begins!
Those of you on year-round schedules may not be feeling the tingles at this point, but many of us who work on the traditional calendar are gearing up for another exciting school year. As the school supplies are getting organized and packed up, and this school year's trendy outfits are filling closets at home, and as families prepare to send their children to schools across the state-- school psychologists have other things on their minds in addition to supplies and fashion. We're thinking about how to better manage our time this year, how to find some way to do some mental health work amidst all the special education referrals, thinking about ways to help our schools implement RTI, and, once again, looking forward to the exciting changes occurring in our profession.
As you take some time before the students return-- or if you are on a year-round schedule, take some time when you have it--- think about ways that you can advocate for our roles in the schools. Think about any changes you would like to see happen in your schools. Would you like a greater role in developing interventions? Would you like to make yourself available for workshops and in-services to help educate your school staff on behavior management, RTI, various presentations of mood disorders....? How would you go about trying to change how things have been done in the past? Would it be appropriate to sit down with your principal and propose changes? Maybe a meeting with specific teachers? Do you need to compile some data and reading to distribute, to get staff excited about a topic? Would a needs survey help give you an idea of what your school may require your help in? How about district-level change? All school districts are different. Do you know who to talk to if you see an area that needs attention? Is change possible in that area? Who holds the power and control to make change happen? Have you developed a relationship with that person? Remember to check the Legislative/Public Policy link on the NCSPA website to get resources to help you advocate for yourself, your profession, and the children you work for.
Speaking of relationships- remember, it is always good practice to keep in touch with your legislators so that they know you are available for questions regarding psychology in the schools. Let them know what that means. Remind them of what you do. A link to the NC General Assembly web page is in the left column of this blog.
We are still working on the 5% and 10% raises. The more our legislators know about us, and the more they understand the vital role we play in the schools, the more likely it is that they will advocate for our professions. They would be happy to hear from you. Email, written letters and phone calls are all appropriate ways to contact your legislator.
We look forward to seeing you all at the Fall Conference in Charlotte. The Legislative and Public Policy Committee will be featuring Teresa Smith of DPI as a speaker. Teresa will be giving an informative report on the latest news impacting the work of Student Support Services personnel on Monday, October 6th, 1:45- 3:15 PM. She is a very good speaker, and you are sure to enjoy spending time with her!
Please feel free to contact Chris Tufts ctufts@wcpss.net, or Carol Vatz bcvatz@gmail.com, if you have any questions or input regarding Legislative and Public Policy work for NCSPA.
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