Thanks to BOE chair

First, I want to thank chairman Benavente for his reconsideration on PRAXIS. I also appreciate the opportunity to present evidence to the ad hoc committee regarding the PRAXIS test. Hopefully it played a part in the chair’s new position on PRAXIS.

The majority of teachers are willing and ready to take the test. The primary concern of teachers had been the cost of the test, which I brought to the attention of the board. Their concerns were confirmed in a survey that I conducted with the help of the school reps at three schools, which represented 15 percent of PSS’ teachers. Some 82 percent of the teachers in the survey were against the test because of the cost, especially when PSS took $10 million in NCLB funding knowing they had to test teachers or create a method to certify their teachers as “quality teachers.”

The cost of getting the $10 million should not be shifted to teachers as teachers are already spending their own money to paint classrooms and buy materials to make the classroom experience successful. The NCLB law placed the burden of cost on the school boards and administrations—not on teachers—which is why states are paying for their teachers’ initial test.

There was also a concern by the AG’s office: “The requirement for passing PRAXIS as prerequisite for contract renewal and eligibility for employment when a teacher has a certificate that is valid for a period of time beyond Aug. 31, 2005, raises issues of due process and whether the regulation deprives those teachers of property without due process of law.”

I’m truly glad the board is listening to the concerns of teachers because teachers want the same thing the board wants—improvements. Teachers should also be on notice that their input does mean something to the board even though subsidizing the cost of PRAXIS still needs to be approved by the full board. There are still other issues concerning teachers that are being addressed.

It is now more vital than ever for all the school reps to do their part in attending meetings, communicating with their teachers and to disseminate, collect the necessary data from their teachers. The school reps’ primary task is to demonstrate to the board what teachers feel is best for teachers, students and the entire system.

I also want to thank the teachers and reps for their input through the survey, which made a big difference by helping substantiate how teachers really felt about PRAXIS. Presently, the school reps and myself are working to present data and lobbying for support that will convince the board and the Legislature to support the following issues:

I. A Tenure (or) Permanent Employee Policy Proposal to the BOE for Teachers;

II. A new systemwide survey to assess what teachers’ expectations are as PSS employees;

III. A new policy amendment to establish a “standard time frame for lunch.” There is a large disparity in the lunchtime of teachers at various schools.

IV. PRAXIS cost proposal – an alternative to help teachers in paying for the test.

V. Lobbying for a share of the unclaimed lottery funds – the bill is now in the Senate

VI. A proposed policy to establish a “formal” grievance process for “non-renewal” of contracts and to eliminate the “without cause” in teachers’ contracts.

VII. Lobbying for the Governor’s Education Initiative funding

Ambrose M. Bennett
BOE Teacher Rep