Good morning.
Save the date: On Friday, June 17 members of the Boston Teachers Union will be doing a walk-in at our schools to support our goal of reaching a fair contract that is good for students, good for schools, and fair to our members. We are seeking a host of items that would improve our schools, teaching, and profession. The district is seeking to implement many proposals that would create questionable changes in our classrooms, foster instability in our schools, and undermine our profession. We will have more information as we approach June 17, but for now, please circle that date on your calendar.
Last Thursday afternoon we sent out a sudden notice to alert you to a controversial proposal the School Department has implemented which calls for the creation of District Determined Measures, by which student performance data would be mandated to be used to measure a teacher’s impact on student learning. Despite widespread condemnation of the mandate of using DDMs for this purpose — the Massachusetts Association of School Committees board voted last week to support the elimination of the mandate — the school department has stubbornly plowed ahead.
Later on Thursday the Massachusetts Senate added the following amendment to the state budget, one that would eliminate the mandate:
Notwithstanding any other provision of the general or special laws, the board shall not mandate any school district to include as part of an educator evaluation system or as a teacher performance standard the use of student performance data that is intended to measure an individual educator’s impact on student learning, growth, or achievement.
While this budgetary amendment still has to go through normal legislative channels, including an approval vote by the Massachusetts House, it is a step forward even to have reached this point, inasmuch as the legislative branch seldom gets involved in issues that fall generally within the DESE’s purview. See an excellent summary prepared by the Massachusetts Teachers Association.
See yesterday’s Boston Globe report on this issue, sure to gain even more traction.
We will have more on this issue as the district moves into the next phase of its planning.
Practice PTPP Session: Please join us this Friday, June 3 from 4:30-6:30 PM at the BTU for a Practice/Mock Pool Post Transfer Placement Process Info Session. This session is for still-excessed permanent BPS teacher bargaining unit members. Run jointly by the BTU and the BPS OHC, there will be an explanation of the entire process as well as opportunities to inquire or clarify your status concerning PPA (Primary Program Area), seniority, and other areas. You will also have access to assistance with resume writing and interview skills.
Still-excessed teachers: Please review your contact information on the HUB, including updated phone numbers and email addresses. The OHC will be emailing you via BPS concerning the PTPP process, so please check it regularly. Contact Caren or Michael with any related questions or concerns.
Professional Learning Conference this Saturday, June 4
Register today for our 3rd Annual Professional Learning Conference this Saturday, June 4th at the BTU. The full schedule of workshops, activities, panels and speakers is now live. Highlights include:
- Workshops and panels led by BTU educators
- An update from the Mayor’s Office of Education on the BPS Facilities Master Plan, including a Q&A session
- Keynote speaker Zac Chase: teacher, blogger, US Department of Education ConnectEd Fellow and co-author of the acclaimed Building School 2.0: Creating the Schools We Need
- A design conversation where we shape the future of PD in BPS
Breakfast and lunch will be served. The event is free, but please RSVP for planning purposes.