Heastie said despite agreement on some issues over the
weekend, he does not foresee any “major policy trades” before session ends,
particularly involving the teacher evaluation bill that Senate Republicans are trying to tie to an increase in the number of charter
schools allowed in the state and weaker oversight at yeshivas from the state
Education Department.
“If they want to pass teacher evaluations, a straight bill,
we’d be happy for them to do it,” Heastie said. “But we’re not trading
charters, we’re not trading anything on yeshivas, for this — it’s clear two-way
agreed-upon bills. No trades.”
It almost sounds like the Democrats have a bit of a spine here. Maybe they have seen that most teachers aren't enthusiastic about a slight change in the law that leaves the current system mostly in place. My guess is Democrats are expecting to win the State Senate this November. If that happens, isn't it time to scrap the entire evaluation mess as our petition calls for? No half baked compromise bill.
Meanwhile, I am not surprised that the Supreme Court is saving the Janus decision until close to the end of their term. It is kind of rare for the Court to overturn a forty year precedent, which is what they will be doing if they overturn the Abood decision and allow people to benefit from the union without paying fair share fees.
Big decisions often come at the end of the term. It could be Thursday or Monday. We will react as soon as we read the decision.
There is a good analysis over at Vox. Please read.
2 points: 1) The democrats in the legislature SUPPORTED the shitty tweak to the evaluation bill in the assembly. They are no friends of ours on this topic so I do not know why you think they will repeal it after November. 2) If on the rare chance it does get repealed after November, it will do us no good for the 2018-2019 school year as we will already be 2 months into the school year. Thus, we are all stuck with HEDI and no S/U for at least another year. The only possible "good" news would be in the UFT can get us 2 observations in the next contract. However, even that would have to get done before the 1st day of school in September. Fingers crossed on this. With Janus happening at any time, the UFT needs to get us 2 observations if they want to avoid a mass exodus of pissed off veteran teachers.
ReplyDeleteUnity is responsible for the harassment on experienced teachers by crazy principals.
DeleteI don't see a mass exodus coming. Unity is very skilled at preserving their Empire. Do not bet against them, 2 observations or not.
ReplyDeleteIt is up to us, real live breathing human beings, to put pressure on legislature on repealing eval.
James, I have written the legislature, I have written NYSUT, I have written the UFT. I got lots of people to sign the petition. Guess what? I don't see a single budge from any of the powers that be to repeal the evaluation system and return us to S/U. The only person who has openly supported repealing it is Cytnthia Nixon. Since I don't live in New York, I can't even vote for her. After 20 plus years as a teacher, I am on my last hope. I am not sure what the hell I am going to do. I just want to teach in peace with no fear for the next 8 years so I can retire and collect my pension. Do you honestly think we can get 2 observations? Do you honestly think that the legislature will try to push for a repeal of the eval system if they get the votes in November? I mean what do you really think the possibilities are? We have been getting jerked around with this evaluation nightmare for 7 years now. I still see no light at the end of the tunnel. The current tweak to the evaluation bill is bullshit and does nothing for us. Is this the best that the democrats and the NYSUT/UFT can do for us? I am loosing hope pretty fast here.
ReplyDeleteI just received a text from the UFT that I can get a movie discount as a UFT member. I don't even know what to say anymore. Popcorn anyone?
ReplyDeleteWhen UFT and NYSUT Have nothing to offer but the Janus Decision and crappy APPR legislation and the continued kissing of Cuomos ass what's left but to disaffiliate. What are we losing discounted movie tickets. Frankly a local I am associative do with can reproduce virtually all of the member benefits being offered by NYSUT AT an equal or better rate. HOW.?.? Simple we just don't take a piece of the action and pass the savings on to members. It is a service not a revenue source. So After we retain our own counsel that we control we are thousands ahead of the game that eventually equals a dues rebate for members. It's coming
ReplyDeleteThat is what the UFT wants, that experienced teachers leave.
DeleteAFT will fight as will NYSUT. Being independent might not be so easy. Receivership coming.
ReplyDeleteIf the trade off for the repeal is more Charter Schools, then the real reason for the existence of this dreadful anti-teacher evaluation law is to promote the privatization of public schools. The evaluation law and charter schools are linked together like a boa constrictor and its prey.
ReplyDeleteJanus is two-faced and so too is our UFT president.
ReplyDeleteDont worry, the new contract will be hammered out soon and on time.
ReplyDeleteOur UFT is useless letting ATR supervisors harassed senior teachers.
ReplyDeleteI’m an ATR that been constantly sent to combined middle and high schools over the past five years. I was told by Lara I had to cover classes if the school was so combined even though I have a 9-12 license. Another ATR told me she was told by Arundel last year she didn’t have to cover middle school classes. Anyone know the rule on this so I don’t have to call Sill and his ATR?
ReplyDeleteAmy lies like all of them.She also said that no ATRs cam get a U except for attendace and lateness.
DeleteAlso, if you can believe this, I just received last year's rating sheet to sign of on for this year. I seriously can’t take this ATR bullshit anymore.
ReplyDeleteThe senior people, who have been ROYALLY SCREWED by this union over the past 10 years will drop out.
ReplyDeleteFor the Union there is only 1 issue: parental leave.
ReplyDeleteBeing independent may not be easy but when you ain't got nothing you ain't got nothing to lose. It could only be better
ReplyDeletePeople making over $100K per year with generous pensions and medical benefits all complaining about evsrything. How many charter school teachers would leave and join DOE> in a second for that deal?
DeleteHey anno 8"52, I beg to differ. The main issue that matters is TWO OBSERVATIONS.. Not every teacher is planning on having kids but every teacher gets observed and is sick and tired of having 4 observations per year.
ReplyDeleteDues are the only issue for the UFT. People are too afraid to drop out even if they upped the observations to 10 a year and made everyone over 30 an ATR.
ReplyDeleteSome people just want a lawless country.
ReplyDeleteIm confused, why did a mother drag her daughter with downs syndrome so many miles and then, by illegal means, enter another country. I dont think a doctor would say that's the healthiest thing to do for a 10 year old with downs syndrome.
ReplyDeleteThe kid was applying for a NYCDOE teaching position. She would have gotten it too. But in all seriousness that family has never ever seen a doctor and if you were living in that country you’d be sneaking across the border too. If Trump gets another term we all may be sneaking into Canada.
DeleteDemocrats are experts at using emotion.
ReplyDeleteSo the alternative is to let everyone come in? I am waiting for suggestions. Go!
ReplyDeleteCharge each country for each refugee
Delete