The Massachusetts Teachers Association
2 Heritage Drive, 8th Floor
Quincy, MA 02171-2119
800.392.6175 or 617.878.8000
FAX: 617.742.7046
www.massteacher.org
BESE approves PARCC-infused MCAS 3
Editorial: Together, we are making a difference 4
MTA-backed candidates running for MTRB seats 5
Message to legislators: Put educators on the BESE 5
National spotlight on charter fight 6
Loss of funding is key focus of hearing testimony 6
An approach ‘all about discipline’ 7
EMAC Conference to feature nationally prominent speakers 8
Springfield celebrates success of grant effort 8
Open bargaining builds union power 9
Retirees focus on union-building and honor award winner 10
MCCC fights ‘unfair’ contract demands 11
Budget commission says funding falls short 12
ESP Conference is set for April 8-9 12
Educators seek support for early education 13
Another winning season for MTA-Red Sox partnership 14
Student association wins recognition for continued growth 15
MTA leaders elected to state AFL-CIO posts 16
MTA nomination papers available 17
2016 nomination form 18
NEA RA delegates to be elected by mail 19
Regional ethnic minority delegates to be chosen 19
Bylaws and Rules Committee now accepting proposals 19
MTA Resolutions Committee accepting submissions 20
Candidate Recommendation Committee nominations sought 20
Statewide Retired District delegates to be chosen 20
Retired Members Committee has four open seats 20
Many hands make Ritzer peace garden a success 21
Contact EIA for advice on your family’s insurance needs 22
Travel the world with Collette tours 22
National award honors Haverhill educator’s work 23
Collective action carries the day in Leominster 24
Just for New Teachers Conference agenda is set 27
Obituaries 29
Classifieds 30
MTA beats signature goal for tax initiative 32
IN THIS ISSUE
M TA TODAY, ISSN 08982481, is published
quarterly by the Massachusetts Teachers
Association. Subscription: $3.24 of MTA
members’ dues is designated for MTA Today.
Periodicals postage rates paid at Boston, MA,
and at additional offices. POSTMASTER: Send
address changes to: M TA Today, 2 Heritage
Drive, 8th Floor, Quincy, MA 02171-2119.
Copyright ©2015 by the Massachusetts Teachers
Association. All material in this periodical may
be reproduced by educators for distribution
to students or by affiliate associations for their
own publications. Unless expressly stated,
acceptance of advertising does not necessarily
imply endorsement of the product by MTA or
MTA Benefits.
MTA’S MISSION STATEMENT
The Massachusetts Teachers
Association is a member-driven
organization, governed by democratic
principles, that accepts and supports
the interdependence of professionalism
and unionism. The MTA promotes
the use of its members’ collective
power to advance their professional
and economic interests. The MTA is
committed to human and civil rights and
advocates for quality public education in
an environment in which lifelong learning
and innovation flourish.
MTA President
Barbara Madeloni
MTA Vice President
Janet Anderson
Executive Director-Treasurer
Ann Clarke
Publisher
Ann Clarke
Communications Director/Editor
James Sacks
Staff Assistant
Janice Morrissey
Graphic Designer
Joshua Degregorio
Quote-Unquote
“Charters were originally intended to provide
innovative education models that could be
shared with all students. That didn’t happen.”
— State Senator Marc Pacheco, lead sponsor
of legislation seeking a moratorium on
Commonwealth charter schools
ON THE COVER
The fight against Commonwealth
charter schools has continued to
gain strength this fall, with MTA
members testifying at a State House
hearing and working in a coalition
with parents,
social justice
organizations
and community
activists.
Coverage of the
charter issue
begins on Page 6.
Lucas Donohue,
pictured in his classroom at the
Cunniff Elementary School in
Watertown, is featured in a story
beginning on Page 7. Donohue
contrasts his experiences as a public
school teacher in Watertown with
his years in two highly regimented
charters. Meanwhile, educators
turned out at a hearing on Nov. 16
to oppose the adoption of PARCC
and demand a moratorium on
high-stakes testing. The next
day, the Board of Elementary and
Secondary Education voted to
implement a PARCC-infused version
of the Massachusetts Comprehensive
Assessment System. A story appears
on Page 3.
Cover photo by Chris Christo
Cover design by Joshua Degregorio
The MTA Human Relations Committee is soliciting nominations for the 2016 MTA Human and Civil Rights
Awards, which honor those who have shown extraordinary dedication to civil rights and human relations.
The awards will be presented on Friday, June 17, at the 33rd annual Human and Civil Rights Awards
celebration at the Westin Waltham Boston Hotel.
For further information, please e-mail Mary Gilgallon, director of the Division of Governance and
Administration, at mgilgallon@massteacher.org.
NOMINATIONS ARE DUE MARCH 25
Forms are available at massteacher.org/hcr
H U M ANANDCIVILRIGHTSAWA R D S
This edition of MTA Today also includes
the Fall edition of the MTA Advantage