Volume 18, Issue 6
February, 2010
MCALLEN AFT NEWS
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
RAISE?, SMALL CLASS SIZES, AND ELECTIONS
In the publication, TEN (Texas Education News dated 2/22/10), Whether and/or under what conditions school districts are obligated to provide step pay raises in the second year of the biennium (School Year 2010-11) for teachers, nurses, librarians, school counselors and school psychologists is the focus of the request for an AG’s opinion sought by Education Commissioner Robert Scott. Scott said clarification was needed in the 2009 salary-related legislation (HB3646-Hochberg, et. Al.) The AG has up to six months to issue an opinion.
In other words, the raise for 2010-2011 is questionable. We are beginning to see Red.
Small Class Size Benefits
Compelling evidence demonstrates that reducing class size, particularly for younger children, has a positive effect on student achievement overall and an especially significant impact on the education of disadvantaged children. The American Federation of Teachers is a strong advocate for reducing class size to help raise student achievement, especially in high-poverty, at-risk schools.
Large gains in both math and reading stem from more effective teaching and more focused learning. More teacher-student interaction allows teachers to recognize the needs of individual students and customize instruction and assignments. Teachers know the students better and can recognize problems and special needs early. For their part, students are more likely to be on task and less likely to talk amongst themselves. They create fewer discipline problems and engage in more pro-social behavior, allowing teachers to devote more time to instruction and less to controlling the class. Smaller classrooms are more pleasant and have fewer distractions.
As participants in early class size experiments enter the workforce, researchers have found long-term effects of small classes in the early years.
Students with two or more years of small classes in elementary school score higher on tests in middle and high school, are more likely to graduate and are more likely to take the SAT or ACT and apply to college.
They are also healthier and eventually earn more, paying more taxes and receiving less welfare.
Consensus on the benefits of small classes has led parents, teachers, administrators, policymakers and politicians to adopt some form of class size reduction in all but six states.
Simply cutting class size does not guarantee significant increases in performance for all students, however.
The AFT supports class size reduction plans that:
Aim for classes between 15 and 19 students each. School wide or district wide averages mean that some students remain in classes far exceeding the optimal size.
Target schools with low-achieving and low-income students. "One size fits all" class size plans neglect staffing problems and overcrowding in low-achieving schools, which gain the most from class size reduction.
Have a thoughtful implementation plan so that districts have the time and money to provide adequate classroom space and hire highly qualified teachers.
Texas AFT
Primary Endorsements
for March 2, 2010
Governor (Democratic): Bill White
Lieutenant Governor (Democratic): Linda Chavez-Thompson
Attorney General (Democratic): Barbara Ann Radnofsky
Land Commissioner (Democratic): Hector Uribe
Agriculture Commissioner (Democratic): Hank Gilbert
State Board of Education District 5 (Democratic): Rebecca Bell-Metereau, San Marcos
State Board of Education District 5 (Republican): Tim Tuggey, Austin
State Board of Education District 9 (Republican): Thomas Ratliff, Mount Pleasant
State Board of Education District 15 (Republican): Bob Craig, Lubbock
State Senate District 19 (Democratic): Carlos Uresti, San Antonio
State Senate District 22 (Republican): Kip Averitt, Waco
State Senate District 29 (Democratic): Jose Rodriguez, El Paso
State House District 7 (Republican): Tommy Merritt, Longview
State House District 20 (Republican): Stephen Thomas, Cedar Park
State House District 27 (Democratic): Dora Olivo, Missouri City
State House District 36 (Democratic): Sandra Rodriguez, Pharr
State House District 39 (Democratic): Armando Martinez, Weslaco
State House District 41 (Democratic): Veronica Gonzales, McAllen
State House District 43 (Democratic): Tara Rios Ybarra, South Padre Island
State House District 45 (Democratic): Patrick Rose, Dripping Springs
State House District 76 (Democratic): Norma Chavez, El Paso
State House District 83 (Republican): Delwin Jones, Lubbock
State House District 84 (Republican): Mark Griffin, Lubbock
State House District 87 (Republican): endorsement decision pending
State House District 99 (Republican): Charlie Geren, Fort Worth
State House District 100 (Democratic): endorsement decision pending
State House District 105 (Democratic): endorsement decision pending
State House District 127 (Republican): Dan Huberty, Humble
State House District 146 (Democratic): endorsement decision pending
U.S. House District 15 (Democratic): Ruben Hinojosa, Edinburg
U.S. House District 18 (Democratic): Sheila Jackson Lee, Houston
U.S. House District 23 (Democratic): Ciro Rodriguez, San Antonio
U.S. House District 28 (Democratic): Henry Cuellar, Laredo
Ruth Skow - McAllen AFT President &Becky Moeller - Texas AFL/CIO President