MTA Today - Fall 2015

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.