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
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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

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.

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!

Last, but not least, a great big CONGRATULATIONS to Carol Vatz, who retired from Wake County Public School System this year!!! She has been an incredibly valuable staff member with a mental library of knowledge and a great talent for sharing it. Her contributions in working with colleagues and students, as well as advocating for our profession and children will be remembered and frequently referenced as we ponder: "What Would Carol Do?" The chartreuse rubber bracelets with the reminder "WWCD" will be distributed for a $100. donation to the Carol V. Retirement Fund at the Fall Conference. (just kidding)



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.


Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Lobbyist's Update on Raises

I hate to have to report that our attempt to increase salaries for school psychologists and others with the "six year" masters degree or doctorate failed this session. We had hopes for the Senate, but without success.

We know some Senators -- notably Vernon Malone and Tony Rand -- were very interested in our issue. But budget talks are a mystery cloaked in a puzzle, wrapped in an enigma, and when the Senate budget came out of its cocoon, what little new money was available for education went for More at Four and the UNC system. Across-the-board teacher salary increases were way below what the Governor wanted.

We have had encouragement for the coming session, which starts in February. Sen. Rand urges us to try again. Rep. Rick Glazier, who received NCSPA's public service award for 2005, has promised to work hard on this issue in 2009.

Conventional wisdom, or maybe it's folklore, says a new bill usually takes 4 years to go through the General Assembly. Let the conventional wisdom be true.

Thanks to Carol Vatz, Chris Tufts and Sarah Greene, who worked hard on this. Thanks also to those of you who sent in stories of your work with children. They were very effective. Finally, thanks to NCAE and its lobbyist on this issue, Marge Foreman, who worked hard.

Steve Shaber

Thursday, June 12, 2008

House Budget

Excerpt: June 2008 From the Ground Up Newsletter
http://www.ncjustice.org/

2008 Legislative Session Moving Full Speed Ahead!

Last week, the NC House approved its budget proposal. The $21.3 billion budget included $11 billion for total education spending, $7.7 billion of which would go for K-12 public education. The House included a 3% salary increase for teachers and administrators and a salary increase of 2.75% or $1100, whichever is greater, for all other state employees. Other items worth noting in the House budget include:

K-12 Public Education
· $15 million in one-time money for dropout prevention grants
· $70 million in ABC bonus funds
· $6.2 million more for children with disabilities
· $3.2 million more for academically gifted students
· $3.4 million to expand Learn and Earn high school programs
· $45 million for diesel fuel costs for school buses
· $23 million to expand More at Four by 4,200 slots
· $6 million more for the Disadvantaged Student Supplemental Fund (DSSF)
· $2.9 million more for the Low-Wealth Supplemental Fund
· $500,000 for Communities in Schools' at-risk youth programs
· $1 million expansion for Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC)
· $10 million for gang prevention and intervention.

The budget will now go to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittees, which will make adjustments to the House budget. Then the full Senate Appropriations Committee will vote on the Senate version. If there are items up for debate, a Conference Committee made up of House and Senate members will create a final version, which the two bodies will adopt and send to the governor to be signed or vetoed. Senate members have already expressed their intentions of increasing the pay raise for teachers and funding for the Disadvantaged Student Supplemental Fund (DSSF).

The General Assembly has a proposed deadline of early July to finalize the budget and wrap up the entire 2008 session.

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Update on the 5% and 10% raises

Our lobbyist, Steve Shaber, reports that the money for our raises is not in the House budget. Ordinarily, the fact that the House has omitted it would not mean anything with regard to the Senate, because the Senate typically has no role in the House version of the budget. But the subcommittees are meeting jointly (i.e., the House and Senate members are meeting together in a single meeting) to a greater degree than in the past, and the Senate seems to have had some input into the House budget this year -- which is unique. The House version of the budget goes to the floor today for what's known as "second reading." It will be debated all day and probably into the evening. Eventually it will pass. Tomorrow (Thursday) it will have its "third reading," which is the final vote in the House. There will probably be some debate, but certainly less.

After the budget passes third reading in the House, it will go to the Senate, which may rewrite it as much as it likes. Given the extent to which the Senate seems to have been included in the House budget process so far, the Senate may stick more closely to the House budget than it usually does. It is unclear, however, the extent to which the house and senate agree at this point.

Nevertheless, it appears that we may still be alive in the mind of the Senate. Regardless, Senator Rand may still be able to put our money in the Senate version of the budget. If it is in the Senate budget, but not in the House, then it will go to conference committee to be worked out.

Note:
Governor Easley wanted a 7% raise for teachers. The House gives 3%.
Governor Easley wanted 1.5% plus bonus for state employees. The House gives 2.75% or $1,100, whichever is greater.

Monday, June 2, 2008

Dropout Prevention Forum

From:
http://campaign-archive.com/?u=5a8d71688e2ed0ea815d2aebc&id=yLyXM7R5Jw&e=%5bUNIQID%5d

Staying in School, Preparing for Life: Prevention in North Carolina 's Rural Communities is a Rural Roundtable discussion with state leaders on dropout prevention. On Friday, June 6, 2008 8:45 a.m. to Noon, find out what North Carolinians can do at the community and state levels to confront this crisis and help our children stay in school and succeed. For every 100 students entering ninth grade in North Carolina , only 70 graduate four years later. That means 30 lack what state Board of Education Chairman Howard Lee calls "the bare minimum for economic survival." Rural communities, whose resources are already stretched thin, need creative, practical strategies to help students reach their potential and survive in the global economy.

Go to the above link to learn more.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Thank you for the letters!

Over 20 of you responded with incredible and compelling stories to share with our legislators. Our lobbyist, Steve Shaber, and NCAE lobbyist, Marge Foreman went to the legislature to talk with Senator Rand today. They had a very positive meeting.Your personal stories were greatly appreciated and did make a difference. We also had a very supportive colleague from Dare County, Mitchell Bateman, contact his friend Senator Basnight's office today, in support of the bill. Special thanks to Mr. Bateman!

Stay tuned in the coming days- we hope to have good news!

THANK YOU ALL!!!

Friday, May 16, 2008

Lobbyist Update

The General Assembly returned to town on Tuesday for the "short session" to adjust the budget for the coming fiscal year, 2008-09.

The Legislature has set a very fast timetable for the session. Any new spending bills had to go to the Legislative staff for drafting by Friday, May 16, and ours did -- see below. All spending bills will have to be introduced by Tuesday, May 27.

The House appropriations subcommittees plan to act on their respective parts of the budget by Friday, May 30. The House plans to finish its version of the budget by Friday, June 6.

Then the Senate takes over. It plans to do all its sub-committee work by Friday, June 13. It plans to pass its version of the budget by June 20.

The House and Senate intend to work out all their differences and finish the budget by June 27.
Pigs will fly on June 28. Hell freezes the following day.

Kidding aside, Rep. Ray Rapp and Sen. Vernon Malone have each, separately, asked the Legislature's staff to prepare a bill that would give school psychologists and others with "six year" degrees and PhD's percentage bonuses instead of the flat dollar bonuses that have been in place for so many years. These two bills will be introduced as soon as possible, and in plenty of time to be considered during this short session, however short and fast it may be.

Steve Shaber
NCSPA Lobbyist

Friday, May 9, 2008

Dropout Prevention Exerpt: April 2008 From the Ground Up Newsletter

www.ncjustice.org
Dropout Prevention Commission Agrees to More Funding to Combat Problem

The Joint Legislative Commission on Dropout Prevention and High School Graduation began the process of finalizing its list of recommendations for the upcoming 2008 session. When the committee met last week, there was a great deal of discussion about raising the dropout age as well as the need to allocate additional funding for dropout prevention grants. The entire General Assembly will receive the commission’s report and have a chance to accept or decline the recommendations when the session begins in May. Highlights of the report include the following:

  • The State Board of Education and the State Board of Community Colleges are to create a system to identify students who have dropped out of high school and enrolled in a community college GED or adult education program.
  • The NC General Assembly will appropriate $2,700,000 to hire dropout prevention coordinators for high schools that have a four-year graduation rate of less than 65%.
  • The Joint Legislative Commission on Dropout Prevention and High School Graduation will continue until 2010 and will present a final report on recommendations and proposed legislation before the 2011 legislative session.
  • The Committee will meet again on April 29th to finalize the list of recommendations.

Mattie C. Stewart Foundation Partners with NC To Decrease Dropout Rate

The Mattie C. Stewart Foundation, along with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and Executive Women International, has partnered with the Winston-Salem, Durham, Edgecombe, and New Hanover school districts to unveil a powerful new documentary to address the alarming national dropout crisis. The film, appropriately titled Inside Out , is one tool that NC educators and communities can use to combat the high dropout rate in the state. The documentary, which shares the life stories of inmates in the Alabama Prison System, is the brainchild of Shelly Stewart, a former homeless student who later became a successful business man.

Throughout the film, the inmates provide words of wisdom and a message of encouragement to potential dropouts. Each inmate echoes the importance of not only completing high school but also of making wise decisions that will prevent them from ending up in the prison system.

Viewings will be held in Edgecombe, New Hanover and Durham counties in April and May. For more information about the film and the Mattie C. Stewart Foundation visit their website http://www.mattiecstewart.org/.

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Fitzsimon File Summarizes Impact of Legislative Budget Numbers

By Chris Fitzsimon

"The numbers Wednesday morning brought good news and bad news to the pundits, politicos and policy advocates poring over them, trying to understand what happened and looking for information to help them predict what will happen next..."

Read on: http://app.bronto.com/public/?q=preview_message&fn=Link&t=1&ssid=6663&id=jvoxygz1htmg8w6hizo066m5pxa45&id2=1sr4z6otou57u0hob5ldvp2wa74ui

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

NCSPA Legislative and Public Policy Committee Launches its New Blog

Welcome to the first post of our Legislative and Public Policy Update blog! First, let us introduce ourselves. Chris Tufts and Carol Vatz co-chair the NCSPA Legislative and Public Policy Committee. We work closely with NCSPA's lobbyist, Steve Shaber. Here is a quick summary of what we've been doing lately. Feel free to comment and ask questions!

Carol, Marge Foreman (lobbyist for NCAE) and Steve met with Rep. Michaux to discuss a bill to provide percentage pay increases (5 and 10) for specialist and doctoral level educators. Chris, Marge and Steve met with Sen. Swindell to discuss facts about the bill. Rep. Rapp has agreed to introduce a bill if needed. Steve has also talked to Sen. Rand. Steve and Marge are working hard to contact all of the representatives and senators whom they feel are key to getting this approved. There is no real opposition and most legislators easily see this as an equity issue. The short session will begin in May. We believe we are getting closer to having equity pay be a reality!

Chris, Carol, Sarah Greene (NCSPA President) and Laurie Bober (NCSPA President Elect) met with Teresa Smith (Student Support Services) at DPI. The group discussed Teresa's role as well as expressing an interest in collaborating with her more in the future. The possibility of getting a full-time school psychologist position at DPI was also a topic of discussion. We advocated for including “school psychologist” in the job description of a possible full time position opening at DPI. We also discussed the Performance Appraisal Instrument (PAI) for school psychologists. Development and revision of the instrument is a long circumscribed process. Teresa expressed an interest in obtaining articles from school psychologists for her Student Support Services newsletter. A form for submission will be available on the NCSPA website.

Steve will monitor the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee meetings in light of our agenda and contact Chris and Carol as issues that we are interested in appear.

A School Based Mental Health Summit will take place in Raleigh on May 16th. We will give you a summary following the meeting.

Carol and Chris are working on the Legislative and Public Policy Fall Conference workshop presentation.