November 19, 2009
Legislative Update: Senate Passes Education Reform Bill; House Will Act in January
On November 17, the state Senate passed the Education Reform Act of 2009 by a vote of 28 to 11. On November 18, the House announced that it will take up the legislation in early January, with the goal of passing a final bill before January 19. Click here to read a letter about the bill from Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo to the legislature.
Many amendments were made to the Senate bill before it passed, and we are awaiting the final language. After receiving the full language, we will provide AFT MA members with an analysis of the bill and the changes we will seek in the House.
Legislators have received thousands of phone calls, postcards, and e-mails from AFT MA members over the last three months, and your efforts have made a huge difference. Thank you for your tremendous work!
But our job is far from over. Please visit our website frequently in the coming days and weeks to learn more about what’s in the Senate bill and the steps we can take together to pass final legislation that is both good for children and fair to teachers.
Members
Don't Miss Out!
If you are not registered to vote there is still time to do so to be able to vote in the Primary Election for the U.S. Senate. You have until Wednesday, November 18th to register so you can vote on Tuesday, December 8th. Click here for information on how to register for the election.
12th Annual AFT MA Scholarships
The AFT Massachusetts Shanker/Feldman/Porter Scholarship Program will be awarding 8 scholarships to eligible high school seniors who are dependents of AFT MA members. The deadline for the applications to be returned to AFT MA is December 18, 2009. Click here to read the criteria and print the application form.
Listening to Experts:
What Massachusetts Teachers are Saying about Time and Learning and the Expanded Learning Time Initiative. Click here to read the report.
AFT MA and AFT Partner Organizing Early Childhood Care Workers:
We believe the way to improve young children's education is to improve the working conditions for Early Educators. AFT Massachusetts along with our national organization, American Federation of Teachers, to assist early educators to work together to bring together the professionals who educate our youngest students. Click here to read more about this campaign.
Education
AFTMA SPED Taskforce
We represent general and special education professionals whose mission is to provide our members with updated information about teaching students with disabilities (SWD) in all educational settings. The taskforce members will be available for trainings and to assist AFTMA locals in solving issues related to teaching SWD. Read more for updated information and useful websites that will provide our members with user-friendly information and links that will enhance instruction for all.
AFT Massachusetts Advocate now online
You may read the current issue of the AFT Massachusetts newspaper The Advocate online.
The Advocate won a first prize in the AFT newspaper contest for the editor's story about the devastating impact the repeal fo the income tax would have had on public education. Congratulations
AFT Massachusetts Executive Board:
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the AFT MA Executive Board will be on Saturday, December 12, 2009 beginning at 10:00 AM.