Latest in NJEA News and Publications

RA self-nomination form available online

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 07:06:05 -0500

NJEA members who wish to self-nominate for state delegate positions to the 2012 NEA Representative Assembly (NEA Convention) have the option of doing so online. Sign into Members Only to view procedure and form.

Online self-nominations must be received at NJEA headquarters by 5 p.m. on Feb. 27, 2012.

Research with an agenda

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 07:01:30 -0500

Everyone considers Ms. Jones a great teacher. Anyone who enters her classroom comments on the great learning environment she’s created. Former students visit her almost every week tracing their successes back to her. Parents do everything they can to have their children placed in her class. She leads one of her school’s professional learning communities.

Ms. Jones looks forward to being evaluated because she considers it a great opportunity to make her teaching practice even better.

But this year she has a new building principal. Last fall Ms. Jones had her first evaluation.

And what she found in the principal’s write-up stunned her.

After years of outstanding ratings, “needs improvement” is checked off in several areas, and here’s why:

Her lesson objective wasn’t written on the right-hand side of the board.
Her plan book wasn’t opened to the day’s lesson.
Her window shades were uneven.

“What do any of these have to do with my students’ learning?” she wondered.

New Jersey's "D+"

Late last month, New Jersey residents may have been similarly scratching their heads.

New Jersey is considered one of the best places in the nation to educate children. The 2011 administration of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) placed our reading and math scores among the nation’s best. We boast the highest graduation rate in the nation among all students generally and among minority students in particular.
Read more good news about NJ's public schools

At last year’s NJEA Convention, educator and historian Diane Ravitch quipped that today’s brand of education reformers should come to New Jersey, not to tell us what to do, but to learn from us how to do it well.

We’re used to hearing good things about our schools, our students, and our teachers.

So when even the right-wing American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) reported that New Jersey outperformed every state on the NAEP except Vermont and Massachusetts, you’d think ALEC would seek to identify the causes of that success and promote them for national emulation.

After all, another part of ALEC’s report reads, “…the greatest factor regarding a student’s academic success within school walls is teacher effectiveness.” One would think we must be doing something right when it comes to teacher quality.

Instead, ALEC placed into its report a nonsensical grade assigned to New Jersey by the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ): a D+ for Teacher Quality and Policies.

Florida, which scored 12^th on the NAEP, earned a C. South Carolina, which scored 50^th on the NAEP, earned a C-.

Vermont, ranked second on the NAEP, received an F from ALEC on Teacher Quality and Policies. First-ranked Massachusetts got a D+. In fact, no state that ranks in the top 10 in student performance scored higher than a D.

Window shades and merit pay

High performing New Jersey, Vermont, and Massachusetts received poor grades from ALEC for the same reason that Ms. Jones scored “needs improvement” on her evaluation: they were measured on criteria that has no basis in research.

Here’s why we earned a D+ from NCTQ:

ALEC and NCTQ support merit pay despite the absence of research backing it as a means to improve student performance.
ALEC and NCTQ report that “objective evidence of student learning” [read standardized test scores] are not the “preponderant criterion of teacher evaluations.”
ALEC and NCTQ mischaracterize tenure and evaluation in New Jersey.
ALEC and NCTQ oppose seniority as a fair means of laying teachers off during reductions in force.
ALEC and NCTQ oppose defined-benefit pensions.

Does any of this sound familiar? It should.

ALEC’s influence was at play in many of the state battles last year that garnered national attention. ALEC is a corporate-funded, right-wing think tank that specializes in creating model legislation, primarily for state legislatures. It claims to have nearly 2,000 state legislators among its members.

As NCTQ graded states, it was not measuring teachers and state policies based upon classroom performance or research on how students learn. NCTQ was measuring states against its political agenda. And that agenda is better served when the news blares the headline that in a national research study, high performing states like New Jersey earned a D for teacher quality.

Bad press about New Jersey’s public schools serves ALEC and its band of corporate education “reformers,” including our own governor. It does not, however, serve New Jersey’s students.

New Jersey’s teachers are among the very best in the nation. Their real-world results prove that. The state’s teacher policies helped build this excellent workforce.

When organizations like NCTQ and ALEC twist or disregard the data to support a political agenda, it’s irresponsible. When the media give them a largely uncritical platform to advance that agenda, it’s even worse.

This editorial appears in the February issue of the NJEA Reporter.

NJEA responds to Christie’s “State of the State” address

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:09:17 -0500

NJEA President Barbara Keshishian had a straightforward response to Gov. Chris Christie’s State of the State address, in which he urged legislators to support his proposals on tenure, seniority, compensation, and private school vouchers.

“Governor Christie needs to sit down with legislators, NJEA, and all other public education stakeholders to discuss research-based reforms that will keep the best teachers in our classrooms, and help our students succeed,” Keshishian said. “NJEA spent several months developing reform legislation that is solidly rooted in reliable research, and our proposals have gained the attention and interest of legislative leaders,” she said.

“Today, the governor cited a single research study on teacher evaluation, which has already been questioned by experts in the field. We would invite him and all others interested in serious reform to examine the voluminous research to the contrary,” Keshishian noted.

“It’s time to abandon bumpersticker and sound-bite solutions to the complex issues facing public education and to bring everyone together to support proven reforms. NJEA is committed to doing the hard work to improve struggling public schools, and we invite the governor to join us in the effort to bring about real, lasting, and meaningful reform.”

Best in the nation

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:58:53 -0500

High Technology High School, a math, science and technology high school in the Monmouth County Vocational School District, was recently named the best in the nation by U.S.News & World Report. Classroom Close-up, NJ featured the school last year in a segment about research done by two outstanding students.

The show's crew returned to the school recently to focus on the many elements that make this school one of the best in the nation, including dedicated teachers. The segment can be seen April 8 at 12:30 and 7:30 pm on NJTV.

One of the main factors that led to the high ranking is that students complete internships and research with major corporations to solve real world problems. "While I am proud of the top honors, I am most proud of the quality of students that graduate from the school, attend top colleges, and go on to impressive careers," stated the school's principal Daniel Simon.

NJEA president on the passing of Assembly Minority Leader DeCroce

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 09:30:21 -0500

NJEA President Barbara Keshishian released the following statement on the passing of Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce:

“NJEA deeply regrets the passing of Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce. As a member of the Assembly since 1989, Alex long ago developed strong relationships with NJEA’s leaders and members at state, county, and local levels. He was particularly close with members of the Morris County Council of Education Associations. Always a gentleman and always accessible, he was always willing to take time to meet with educators from his district.

Assemblyman DeCroce was a forceful, passionate advocate for policies in which he believed. Over the years, we had many areas of agreement and a few areas where we did not see eye to eye. But in all cases, he was a man of integrity who fought the good fight and never let differences over political convictions tarnish his close personal friendships with the people he represented in the 26^th Legislative District and with those in our Association.

NJEA and our members will sorely miss Assembly Leader Alex DeCroce.”

NJEA supports Urban Hope Act

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 09:34:29 -0500

NJEA today announced its support of the Urban Hope Act, sponsored by Sen. Donald Norcross and Asm. Angel Fuentes. NJEA president Barbara Keshishian issued this statement about the legislation:

“The Urban Hope Act is an innovative effort to improve educational outcomes for children in some of our most challenging educational settings. NJEA supports this legislation because it allows for innovation while providing meaningful public accountability. It is a creative expansion of public school choice that uses public funds to support public education.

“We appreciate the opportunity to work with the sponsors of this legislation. This bill ensures that employees in the proposed Renaissance schools will have all of the rights of other public school employees, which will help create a climate of innovation and creativity in the classroom.

“NJEA has long supported public school choice options that provide good educational opportunities and are accountable to taxpayers, from charter schools, to intradistrict school choice, to the conversion of high-performing private schools into public charter schools.

“NJEA’s support of this legislation is another good-faith effort by NJEA and its members to explore new ways of giving every child in New Jersey access to a great public school. The sponsors wisely made this a limited pilot so that everyone involved can focus on making these schools successful. We call on the public education community to join NJEA in working for the success of these Renaissance schools. Their success will once again demonstrate that New Jersey’s public schools work.”

New Jersey routs DC on test scores

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 13:59:46 -0500

Test results from the 2011 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) show that New Jersey’s black and poor students dramatically out-perform their counterparts in the District of Columbia and the vast majority of other states.

"The wide disparity in scores raises serious questions about why Governor Christie's education reform front group - Better Education for Kids (B4K) - would join forces with former D.C. schools chancellor Michelle Rhee to lead the reform effort in New Jersey,” said NJEA President Barbara Keshishian.

"We still have a lot of work to do for poor and minority students," Keshishian said, "but the answer doesn't come from the District of Columbia. Looking at their NAEP scores, why would we take advice from Michelle Rhee?"

Christie and the state Department of Education are focusing on the so-called "achievement gap" between black and white students, and between poor and wealthier students, as the rationale for their reforms - none of which are supported by reliable research.

A story launched by NJEA on Dec. 1 showed that while New Jersey's "achievement gap" remains, both black and white students' scores are rising rapidly, and are near the top in the nation in their respective subgroups. But NAEP scores for black students and for students receiving free and reduced-price lunches (indicating poverty) show that New Jersey is doing a better job educating both groups of students than most states, and far outperforms the District of Columbia.

Not only are DC scores for black and poor students among the lowest in the nation, said Keshishian, but the district was investigated for alleged test score cheating under Rhee's watch.

A chart summarizing 2011 NAEP scores shows that New Jersey's black and poor students dramatically outscore their D.C. counterparts in both reading and math, at both the 4^th and 8^th grade levels.

In addition, when it comes to the percentage of black and poor students scoring at or above proficient - the equivalent of an "A" grade - D.C. students perform at or near the lowest in the nation, while New Jersey students perform consistently above average, and in some cases near the top.

Keshishian noted a recent New York Times op-ed showing the inherent dishonesty in claiming to address the achievement gap without acknowledging and dealing with the effects of poverty.

"We don't need more advice from a celebrity education reformer like Michelle Rhee, whose reputation far outshines her results," Keshishian said. "We need comprehensive, research-based reforms that tackle both the cause of the achievement gap - poverty in America - and its effect on children's ability to learn."

Christie’s “straw man” for reform

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:23:28 -0500

The Christie administration’s primary rationale for education reform – the so-called “achievement gap” between white and black students in the state’s urban districts – is “a classic straw man,” NJEA President Barbara Keshishian said today.

“The administration has acknowledged the documented successes of the vast majority of New Jersey’s public schools, because the evidence of our success is irrefutable," Keshishian said. "That’s why the governor is trying to use some of our lower-performing urban districts to make the case for reform.

“There’s only one problem with that strategy,” Keshishian said. “It’s based on a deliberate misuse of the data. Using the ‘achievement gap’ as a basis for a host of unproven reforms is a classic straw man.”

Just last Nov. 11, acting Commissioner of Education Christopher Cerf cited the state’s “shameful, shameful achievement gap” in remarks to educators at the NJEA Convention.

“Here’s the truth: New Jersey has an achievement gap between white and black students, but it is narrowing,” Keshishian said. “And the real story is that both groups out-perform the vast majority of their counterparts across America.”

Results from the 2011 4^th grade math and reading scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) – the benchmark for state comparisons – showed that:

> New Jersey’s white fourth-graders scored third in both math and reading, when ranked against other states’ white students.

> New Jersey’s black fourth-graders scored fifth in math and second in reading, when ranked against other states’ black students.

That point was driven home in a Nov. 30 column by Dr. Howard Wainer, on NJSpotlight.com. Wainer, a research scientist with strong experience in education issues, used the 2011 NAEP 4^th grade math scores to explain the issue.

Wainer acknowledged an achievement gap in 2011 (whites outscored blacks 256 to 231, a gap of 25 points). But in 1992 (the first year 4^th grade scores were available), whites outscored blacks by 38 points (236 to 198). As Wainer notes, New Jersey’s black students made steep gains over that time period (their scores rose from 198 to 231, a gain of 17 percent), a much steeper rate of improvement than white students (whose average score rose from 236 to 256, or 8.5%).

“What the governor isn’t telling the public is that New Jersey is a national leader in closing the achievement gap,” said Keshishian. “That obviously doesn’t serve his agenda.”

Keshishian cited a 2010 article by noted education researcher Linda Darling-Hammond in which she singled out New Jersey for closing the achievement gap:

New Jersey has succeeded because of its systematic approach to education improvement. Across the state, it invested in quality preschool. It made real investments in quality teacher pedagogy…. The results speak for themselves. Today, New Jersey, a state where 45 percent of students are of color, ranks first in the nation in writing performance on NAEP and among the top five states in every other subject area – competing neck-and-neck with states that have many fewer low-income students of color. It has cut its achievement gap in half over the last decade, and its African American and Hispanic students outscore the average student in California.

“If the Christie administration genuinely cared about the achievement gap, it wouldn’t have retreated from the proven reforms that Darling-Hammond cites,” said Keshishian, using Christie’s cutting of funding for expanded preschool as one example.

Research indicates that while there is an achievement gap between white and black students, the most reliable predictor of test score results is family income.

“There is a clear correlation between wealth and test scores,” Keshishian said, “and it’s not unique to New Jersey. What is unique about New Jersey is the success we’ve had in closing the gap, thanks to the reforms we’ve instituted in our most economically challenged districts.

“Ironically, as the wealth gap in America widens every day, our achievement gap is narrowing,” Keshishian said. “We must be doing a lot of things right, and the goal is to do even more, so that all students can reach their potential.”

Helping military families pays off

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:35:04 -0500

As the wife of a Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer, NJEA member and third-grade teacher Terry Dougherty knows first-hand how stressful military life can be on parents and children. During her husband’s 30-year career, her family faced several moves which meant new schools, new friends, and new expectations. On Nov. 8, Dougherty won the Great American Teach off and a $10,000 grant for her efforts to help children of military families. She was honored in a surprise ceremony during a Veterans’ Day assembly at Roland Rogers Elementary School in Galloway Township.

Three years ago, Dougherty started a program called Military Child Tutoring: They Are Heroes, Too, with the support of the Rotary Club of Absecon-Galloway. The program provides military children with one-on-one instruction in areas that need remediation due to their transient lifestyle.

“Curricula are not always the same as you move from state to state, so military children have difficulties that full-time residents don’t face simply because of these changes. They might be on the same level, but the work is different,” Dougherty explained. Dougherty tutors the students before and after school and in the summer. She is currently working with 12 children including a few who live in neighboring school districts. She also works closely with the military parents and helps them understand how they can best advocate for their children.

Dougherty is partnering with Richard Stockton College of New Jersey to expand the program using college students as tutors. She has been invited to deliver the keynote address at the College’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Program.

The Great American Teach Off is a national program which recognizes innovative teachers. The Great American Teach Off, sponsored by GOOD and the University of Phoenix, featured ten exceptional teachers who were highlighted in videos on the website http://www.good.is/great-american-teach-off. Each week, visitors to the website could vote for their favorite teachers and the two least vote-getters were eliminated. This month, The Great American Teach Off launches a new campaign to spotlight high school teachers.

In addition to the grant and award, Dougherty was recognized for her work by the group Employer Support for the Guard and Reserves with a Seven Seals Award which is the highest honor bestowed on a civilian.

Convention draws thousands

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 07:10:03 -0500

Gallery

Tens of thousands of NJEA members from across the state flocked to Atlantic City for the 157^th annual NJEA Convention Nov. 10-11.

The convention draws teachers and educational support professionals (ESP) who participate in over 300 seminars, workshops, and programs. It is one of the largest educational gatherings of its kind in the world.

In her keynote address, education historian and author Diane Ravitch addressed members on the education reform debate. Ravitch used her speech to discuss the motivations of corporate education reformers who are funding efforts to undermine public education.

She also criticized No Child Left Behind and Race to the Top and encouraged members to call on legislators to end funding these failed programs.

“Our public schools are vital community institutions,” Ravitch said. “Not chain stores that can be opened and closed at will.”

See the NJEA’s Facebook page and Twitter feed for excerpts and a video clip of her speech.

On the floor

On the convention floor, over 700 vendors and exhibitors were on hand to share resources and materials. Also on the exhibit floor convention goers had the opportunity to visit the Great Ideas Forum to learn about exciting new projects from previous NJEA Hipp Foundation grant winners and purchase books from NJEA member-authors in Authors’ Alley.

Each year, High Tech Hall grows bigger and better. In the Technology Integration Showcase, sponsored by the N.J. Center for Teaching and Learning, NJEA members demonstrated how they have successfully integrated technology into their instruction.

In the Thinkfinity Classroom members had the opportunity to learn how to use Thinkfinity.org to enhance student learning. In the Dell Connected Classroom NJEA members and others showed many exciting ways to use technology for lively instruction.

This year, High Tech Hall has grown to include the Teacher-to-Teacher Learning Lab where member-presenters give one-hour presentations showcasing their use of technology in classroom instruction.

Attendees also had the opportunity to attend a State Board of Education meeting and ask questions about educational policy.

Friday’s events

On Friday, one of California teacher Erin Gruell’s original “freedom writers,” Manuel V. Scott, shared his inspirational story of overcoming great obstacles to achieve success.

Convention goers also heard from Acting Commissioner of Education Christopher Cerf on a number on a full range of issues confronting education in New Jersey.

At Friday’s Celebration of Excellence, NJEA celebrated the successes of New Jersey educators and public schools by introducing the 2011-12 NJEA Frederick L. Hipp Foundation grant winners and their innovative new projects. Attendees also met the 2011-12 N.J. State Teacher of the Year and the Awards for Excellence winners. Awards for Excellence recognize successful New Jersey public school graduates who have excelled in their professions. This year’s recipients included: award-winning writer and editor of books for children and young adults, Lee Bennett Hopkins; Wendy J. Galloway, who currently serves as the Director of Programs for the N.J. Department of State; and nationally-renowned educator, educational consultant, and motivational speaker Principal Baruti Kafele.

See your December NJEA Reporter and NJEA Review for more convention coverage.

NJEA unveils its reform agenda

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:25:53 -0500

The New Jersey Education Association is rolling out its education reform agenda, asking legislators to act in the upcoming “lame duck” session to pass comprehensive research-based reform.

Beginning with a Star Ledger op-ed on Nov. 6 by NJEA President Barbara Keshishian calling for an overhaul of New Jersey’s tenure and evaluation systems, NJEA is publicly calling for a broad range of education reforms designed to improve student achievement.

“No one has more invested in the success of our students and our public schools than NJEA members,” said Keshishian. “We understand that great teachers are critical to great public schools. That’s why our plan includes an improved evaluation system that helps identify teachers who are succeeding and those who are struggling. And if struggling teachers are unable to improve their performance, NJEA’s fair dismissal tenure plan makes it easier for districts to remove them.”

“But we also know that teachers are not the only factor in student success,” continued Keshishian. “That is why our plan contains other proven reforms, including wider access to preschool, full-day kindergarten for all students and smaller class sizes in the early grades. We also call for legislation to help increase parental involvement. Research proves that these things boost student achievement, so they must be part of any true education reform agenda.”

The next step: pairing NJEA’s proposals with legislative sponsors.

“In the coming weeks, we will work with public education supporters in the Legislature to introduce and pass bills to implement these proven, common-sense reforms,” said Keshishian.

“Our members are committed to making New Jersey’s public schools the very best they can be, and to protecting them from those who think that every problem in education can be solved just by testing students more often, or giving up on public education and turning schools over to the private, for-profit sector.”

NJEA TV ad tackles teacher dismissal

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 13:43:56 -0400

The New Jersey Education Association today launched a statewide TV ad campaign to begin publicizing its comprehensive education reform proposal.

The 30-second ad tells viewers that the NJEA plan will identify excellent teachers and make it easier to remove those that are ineffective.

“NJEA is calling for a strong evaluation process that identifies excellent teachers and removes ineffective ones,” said NJEA President Barbara Keshishian. “At the same time, it will ensure that employment decisions will be based on performance, not politics or standardized tests that are unfair to students and teachers alike,” she said.

The ad, which will air in the New York and Philadelphia broadcast markets and on New Jersey cable networks, is an “unequivocal statement by NJEA that it insists on excellent teachers for all students,” Keshishian said. “Our priority has always been to have great public schools for every child.”

Education reform will be a central focus of the upcoming “lame duck” session of the Legislature – beginning Nov. 9 – which will feature a major debate on a host of issues including evaluations, tenure reform, and the use of standardized tests.

“NJEA disagrees with Governor Christie’s approach, which would strip away fair dismissal rights from teachers,” Keshishian said. “He places far too much emphasis on standardized tests in evaluating teachers. Both parents and teachers know that’s not good policy.”

Christie’s proposal also allows teachers to continue in the classroom after two years of negative evaluations. The NJEA proposal would make these teachers immediately subject to dismissal proceedings.

“The bottom line is that a teacher who cannot or will not do his or her job effectively should be dismissed,” Keshishian said.

The NJEA tenure proposal lengthens the time for new teachers to earn tenure by adding a fourth “residency” year to the tenure process, during which first-year teachers would receive intensive mentoring by Teacher Leaders, more support, and more comprehensive evaluations.

The NJEA reform plan also calls for changes in evaluations, professional development, mentoring, charter school accountability, expanded early education opportunities, family involvement, and strong restrictions on privatization of public education.

Register in advance for childcare, workshops at the NJEA Convention

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:55:33 -0400

Has this happened to you? You select a workshop at the NJEA Convention you really don’t want to miss, only to arrive at the door and find out it’s filled up. It’s frustrating. Help is on the way. NJEA is offering advance registration for the workshops that will take place in Rooms 311 and 313. Sign in and follow the link to sign up for some or all of the sessions listed.

Child care available

This year, NJEA has enlisted the services of ACCENT on Children’s Arrangements to offer NJEA members attending the convention low-cost child care. To take advantage of this service, you must sign in and register.

157th NJEA Convention Coming to Atlantic City

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 10:10:38 -0400

Appearances by renowned education historian and author Diane Ravitch and acting Commissioner of Education Christopher Cerf will headline the 157^th annual NJEA Convention November 10-11 in Atlantic City.

Tens of thousands of NJEA members are expected to attend this year’s convention, regarded as the largest educational gathering of its kind anywhere in the world. Teachers and educational support professionals from across the state will attend over 300 professional development seminars, workshops, and programs to help them hone their skills and stay current in their careers.

“This year’s convention includes even more programs in High Tech Hall, with the addition of Teacher-to-Teacher Learning Labs,” said NJEA President Barbara Keshishian. “There’s nothing more fascinating than watching educators training their colleagues.”

This year’s two plenary sessions will feature Ravitch and Manuel V. Scott, an original “freedom writer.” (See the NJEA Reporter Official Convention Issue for a complete listing of all events, including speakers, times, and topics.)

In addition to the seminars and programs designed to meet members’ state-mandated, 100‑hour professional development requirement, convention-goers take advantage of the Convention Center’s huge exhibit area, featuring more than 700 vendors and exhibitors.

Other highlight events include A Celebration of Excellence to honor NJEA Hipp Foundation grant recipients, the 2011 New Jersey Teacher of the Year, and this year’s Awards for Excellence recipients Baruti Kafele, Wendy Galloway, and Lee Bennett Hopkins. Please see the Convention Highlights Sheet for details.

NJEA donates $30,000 in flood relief

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 16:40:05 -0400

The Bergen County Special Services Education Association received a donation for teachers at Brownstone School. From left: Veronika Callirgos of Optical Academy, Bergen County EA President Joseph Coppola, NJEA Secretary-Treasurer Marie Blistan, Brownstone teacher Susan Silvestri, BCSSEA co-presidents Elyse Schifrien and Carol Ennis, and Yasmen Bagh of Optical Academy.

NJEA has made donations totaling $30,000 to six schools in New Jersey that sustained serious damage to instructional materials in the floods following Hurricane Irene. Optical Academy, an NJEA Member Benefits partner, donated an additional $1,000 to be distributed among the schools.

NJEA donated $5,000 per school to four schools in Passaic County: Paterson School #4 in Paterson, Lincoln School in Pompton Lakes, Memorial High School in Woodland Park, and Memorial Elementary School in Totowa. The Brownstone School that is part of the Bergen County Special Services School District and Adlai Stevenson Elementary School in Fairfield Township, Essex County also received donations.

“No amount of money can overcome the trauma many of our members and their students experienced in August and September, but I hope that these funds will provide some measure of relief,” said NJEA President Barbara Keshishian.

The donations were distributed to the local associations in each of the districts to assist members in replacing instructional materials.

“Teachers and support staff spend a considerable amount of their own money every year on instructional materials, so we know they need help to even begin to rebuild a career’s worth of teaching supplies,” said NJEA Secretary-Treasurer Marie Blistan.

“I didn't realize all of what was gone until I needed something for a lesson,” said Brownstone speech and language pathologist Susan Silvestri. “The teachers lost everything they had collected over the years to enhance the learning environment for our children.”

Fairfield Education Association Co-President Carrieann Malanga said that anything made of wood or paper at Stevenson Elementary School was destroyed as well as much of the technology that teachers use in the classroom.

“There were dumpsters and dumpsters and dumpsters filled damaged books and supplies,” Malanga said. “Everything became garbage.”

FEA Co-President S. Holly Eisenberg said that even though school opened late due to the flood damage, FEA members came into the school voluntarily to ready it for the students. She also said that many members volunteered beyond the school’s walls during the flood disaster, particularly at St. Thomas More Church where they helped serve meals and assisted families as they sorted through donations.

“I’ve been teaching in this community for 15 years, and this is what we do,” Eisenberg said. “We take care of one another.”

Looking for deals on sports tickets or cool contests for kids?

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 13:13:28 -0400

Then visit NJEA's sports and contests page. There you'll find discounts on tickets to see your favorite teams, as well as student contests with chances to win all kinds of prizes.

NJEA sends message of support to striking Vermont teachers

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 12:47:25 -0400

On behalf of its 200,000 members, the NJEA has sent a message of support and solidarity to striking teachers in the Bennington, VT area. The teachers have been working without a contract for 15 months. In June, the boards unilaterally imposed working conditions on them, wiping out 25 years of collective bargaining.

The strike, which began on October 19, impacts 250 teachers and the children they educate. Although progress is being made at the bargaining table, the boards are insisting on using the terms they imposed upon the teachers in June as the starting point for negotiations.

For more information about the strike, go to the Vermont-NEA website.

To make a donation to the SWVEA Strike Help Fund, go to www.vtnea.org/swveahelp.aspx or send a check made payable to "Southwestern Vermont Education Association" and mail it to:

SWVEA
P.O. Box 4762
Bennington, Vermont 05201.

NJEA PAC endorses 69 candidates for Legislature

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:42:44 -0400

The 125-member political action committee of the 200,000 member New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) voted to endorse 69 candidates for election to the New Jersey Legislature this November.

The NJEA PAC Operating Committee (NJEA PAC) endorsed 48 Assembly candidates and 21 Senate candidates in 29 of the state’s 40 Legislative Districts. They include 2 Republicans and 67 Democrats.

We are excited to support these candidates,” NJEA President Barbara Keshishian said. “The incumbents we endorsed are proven supporters of public education and working families. The challengers show a real determination to return this state to its progressive, pro-education roots.”

Keshishian acknowledged that NJEA is endorsing fewer candidates this year, and that some previously-endorsed legislators are not on this year’s list.

While the screening committees took many issues into account in making their decisions, as a result of the recent pension and benefit legislation, our members will be facing significant financial consequences,” said Keshishian. “NJEA members make these endorsement decisions and they have made it clear that they will not endorse legislators who have impaired their right to collectively bargain and who have imposed thousands of dollars of additional costs on public employees.

Our members refuse to give precious resources and their own time to campaign for legislators who hurt them and their families,” Keshishian said. “But make no mistake, fewer endorsements do not mean NJEA will be less involved in the upcoming elections. If anything, we will be more committed and will work harder to support pro-public education candidates who have shown they care about public school employees, our families, and the students we educate.”

NJEA PAC voted on the recommendations of local interview teams from each legislative district. Those endorsements are:

LD 1 Assembly: Nelson Albano (D)
LD 2 Assembly: Alisa Cooper* (D) and Damon Tyner (D)
LD 3 No endorsements
LD 4 Assembly: Shelley Lovett (R)
LD 5 No endorsements
LD 6 No endorsements
LD 7 No endorsements
LD 8 No endorsements
LD 9 No endorsements
LD 10 Assembly: Gregory McGuckin (R) and Bette Wary (D)
LD 11 Senate: Raymond Santiago (D); Assembly: Vin Gopal (D)
LD 12 Senate: Robert Brown (D); Assembly: William Spedding (D) and Catherine Tinney Rome (D)
LD 13 Senate: Christopher Cullen (D); Assembly: Kevin Lavan (D)
LD 14 Senate: Linda Greenstein (D); Assembly: Daniel Benson (D) and Wayne DeAngelo (D)
LD 15 Senate: Shirley Turner (D); Assembly: Bonnie Watson Coleman (D) and Reed Gusciora (D)
LD 16 Senate: Maureen Vella (D); Assembly: Marie Corfield* (D) and Joe Camarota (D)
LD 17 Senate: Bob Smith (D); Assembly: Joe Egan (D) and Upendra Chivukula (D)
LD 18 Senate: Barbara Buono (D); Assembly: Pat Diegnan (D) and Peter Barnes (D)
LD 19 Senate: Joe Vitale (D); Assembly: John Wisniewski (D) and Craig Coughlin (D)
LD 20 No endorsements
LD 21 No endorsements
LD 22 Assembly: Linda Stender (D) and Jerry Green (D)
LD 23 Senate: John Graf, Jr. (D); Assembly: Karen Carroll (D)
LD 24 Senate: Ed Selby* (D); Assembly: Leslie Huhn (D) and Jim Nye (D)
LD 25 Senate: Rick Thoeni (D); Assembly: Gale Heiss-Colucci (D) and George Stafford (D)
LD 26 No endorsements
LD 27 Senate: Richard Codey (D); Assembly: Mila Jasey (D) and John McKeon (D)
LD 28 Senate: Ronald Rice (D); Assembly: Cleopatra Tucker (D) and Ralph Caputo (D)
LD 29 No endorsements
LD 30 Senate: Steven Morlino (D); Assembly: Howard Kleinhendler (D) and Shaun O’Rourke (D)
LD 31 Senate: Sandra Cunningham (D); Assembly: Charles Mainor (D) and Jason O’Donnell (D)
LD 32 Senate: Nicholas Sacco* (D); Assembly: Vincent Prieto (D) and Angelica Jimenez (D)
LD 33 Assembly: Sean Conners (D) and Ruben Ramos* (D)
LD 34 Assembly: Thomas Giblin (D)
LD 35 Senate: Nellie Pou (D); Assembly: Benjie Wimberly* (D)
LD 36 Senate: Paul Sarlo (D); Assembly: Gary Schaer (D)
LD 37 Senate: Loretta Weinberg (D); Assembly: Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D) and Gordon Johnson (D)
LD 38 Senate: Robert Gordon (D); Assembly: Connie Wagner* (D)
LD 39 No endorsements
LD 40 Assembly: Cassandra Lazzara* (D)

* NJEA Member

New NJEA TV ads highlight teacher quality

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 11:36:21 -0400

NJEA is airing two new TV ads highlighting our commitment to teacher quality. For too long, Governor Christie has told the public and the media that NJEA "protects bad teachers." That's all part of the administration's overall assault on the rights of NJEA members, and it needs to be countered. These ads are an important step in that effort.

The first ad focuses on NJEA's creation of the internationally renowned New Jersey Center for Teaching and Learning, which now trains more physics teachers than the entire state college system - and which is now training math and chemistry teachers.

The second ad details the contribution of "Support on Site," a program actually begun by NJEA members in Gloucester Township (Camden County). NJEA then created a statewide program to make it available to all districts. It's a fact that 40 percent of new teachers leave the profession within the first three years, many simply because they feel overwhelmed and under-supported. SOS has been enormously successful in stopping the flow of "early leavers" by providing new teachers with a supportive environment in which veteran colleagues help them understand and deal with the myriad challenges new teachers face.

Both ads send the same fundamental message,” said NJEA President Barbara Keshishian. “NJEA is committed to ensuring a steady supply of high-quality teachers for our excellent public schools. NJEA puts its dues dollars into programs that are making a real difference, and no governor should be allowed to even suggest that our only interest is in ‘protecting bad teachers.’ I urge all members to share that thought with colleagues, parents, and the public.

Both ads are running on broadcast and cable systems statewide, including the New York and Philadelphia markets.

SEHBC approves programs and rates for active and retired employees

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:40:02 -0400

At their October 12, 2011, meeting, the School Employees’ Health Benefits Commission (SEHBC) approved several changes to the School Employees’ Health Benefits Program (SEHBP) from which many of our active members receive their benefits. These changes will take effect January 1, 2012. It is important to keep in mind that while there are some changes to the program, all of the current health plans for active members have been preserved.

P.L. 2011 Chapter 78 mandated that the SEHBP offer at least two (2) new health benefit programs and at least one (1) high-deductible health insurance plan. While the law mandates these new plans to be offered, a member is not required to take one of the new plans.

P.L. 2011 Chapter 78 also mandates all active employees to pay a percentage of the premium for their health benefits at the expiration of any collective bargaining agreement, or beginning June 28, 2011, if no collective bargaining agreement is in effect. Employee contributions will vary by salary and level of coverage. The percentages are being phased in over four years, and the contribution is subject to a minimum contribution of 1.5 percent of the employee’s salary required under P.L. 2010 Chapter 2.

In addition, the SEHBC approved a recommendation to increase each category of coverage by different percentages to reflect actual SEHBP experience. To view the premiums or an outline of benefits of the current and new programs, visit the Pensions and Benefits page.

Below is a chart that shows the overall renewal increase for each of the plans currently offered:

NJ Direct 10	NJ Direct 15	Aetna HMO	Cigna HMO	SEHBP Rx Card
10.0%	10.0%	10.0%	10.0%	11.4%

Should an employee wish to consider one of the new programs being offered as of January 1, 2012, the rate for Plan A will be 8 percent less than the cost for NJ Direct 10, Plan B will be 12 percent less than NJ Direct 10 and the HDHP will be 18 percent less than NJ Direct 10.

Those members that wish to make a change should complete the necessary paperwork made available through their board of education office during the open enrollment period beginning October 17, 2011, and ending November 11, 2011. Those members who are content with their current program do not have to do anything.

Programs and Rates For Retired Employees

At their October 12, 2011 meeting, the School Employees’ Health Benefits Commission (SEHBC) approved several changes to the School Employees’ Health Benefits Program (SEHBP) from which many of our retired members receive their benefits. These changes will take effect January 1, 2012. It is important to keep in mind that while there are some changes to the program, all of the current health plans for retired members have been preserved.

P.L. 2011 chapter 78 mandated that the SEHBP offer at least two (2) new health benefit programs and at least one (1) high deductible health insurance plan. While the law mandates these new plans to be offered, a retiree is not mandated to take one of the new plans. Those members who are content with their current program do not have to do anything.

The premiums for each plan primarily impact retirees paying for their benefits out-of-pocket. For those people who do not have state-paid, post-retirement medical benefits, they may want to consider one of the new, slightly less expensive plans. Retirees who receive the state-paid, post-retirement medical benefits, will not be impacted by the premiums of the different programs. To view the premiums or an outline of benefits of the current and new programs, visit the Pensions and Benefits page.

Those retirees who wish to stay in their current program do not have to contact the Division of Pensions and Benefits. Those who wish to make a change should download a Retired Change of Status Application from the Division of Pensions website. This form should be filled out and mailed directly back to the Division of Pensions and Benefits.

Those retirees who decide to stay with their current program will see no change in the medical or prescription copayments. In fact, the prescription copayments and out-of-pocket maximum, which have normally increased each year, will be frozen for the calendar year 2012 and the mail order generic copayment will be decreased to $5. In order to achieve this benefit, the SEHBC approved a change to the structure of the Retiree Prescription Drug Program. The change will allow the state to receive significantly more reimbursement from the federal government to help maintain the program. As of January 1, 2012, all Medicare-eligible retirees will be automatically enrolled in Medco Medicare Prescription Plan. This program includes the Medicare eligible retiree being automatically enrolled in Medicare Part D. This will allow Medco to first submit prescription drug claims to the federal government. After the prescription is submitted to the federal government, the state will pick up any additional cost, leaving the retiree liable only for their copayment. It is important to keep in mind that retirees will continue to pay only their copayment at the time they fill a prescription. Those retirees eligible for Medicare will be notified by Medco and sent a welcome packet along with new ID cards.

The cost of the Medicare Part D program will be reimbursed by the State of New Jersey in the same manner as retirees are currently reimbursed for Medicare Part B.

Meet Jeanne DelColle, 2011-2012 NJ Teacher of the Year

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 10:42:10 -0400

Gallery

Jeanne DelColle, a History teacher at Burlington County Institute of Technology, has been selected as the 2011-2012 New Jersey Teacher of the Year.

DelColle was named the 2011-2012 Burlington County Teacher of the Year, the 2009-2010 Teacher of the Year at Burlington County Institute of Technology, the 2010 Teacher of the Year for New Jersey Council of the Humanities, and the Burlington County Outstanding Woman of the Year for Education.

DelColle has been teaching for 15 years at the middle and high school levels. She has traveled extensively and has participated in environmental projects for Earthwatch and archaeological digs in Jordan.

DelColle has a master’s degree in Liberal Studies from Rutgers University. She earned her teacher certification in Liberal Arts with Social Studies at Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. In addition, she has a postgraduate diploma in Politics and International Studies from the University of Warwick in England. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey.

DelColle will be a featured speaker at the 2011 NJEA Convention. She will be speaking at the Celebration of Excellence on Friday, November 11 at 1:30 p.m. in the Sheraton Crown Ballroom in Atlantic City.

As the New Jersey Teacher of the Year, DelColle will be a teacher leader. In January, she will begin a six-month sabbatical, courtesy of Educational Testing Service, to tour the state and talk about educational issues. NJEA will provide a rental car, equipped with EZ Pass, to help her travel across the state. In addition, NJEA will provide media training and support. SMART Technologies will be providing a SMART Board for her classroom. ING is contributing to her expenses.

NJEA would like to join with the New Jersey Department of Education in congratulating her on this award and her many other achievements.

Can you dig it?

DelColle is hailed for her accomplishments as a teacher and her remarkable ability to connect history and culture with the worlds of her students. In this video DelColle leads her students through an exercise in which decorated terra cotta flower pots are broken then reassembled just as an archaeological team would reconstruct a piece of ancient pottery.

Classroom Close-up, NJ wins Emmy for story on Camden music teachers

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 13:25:04 -0400

Classroom Close-up, NJ, which showcases success stories in New Jersey’s public schools, has won an Emmy Award for “Musical Thread.

The show shares the story of two brothers and their best friend who grew up in Camden, returned after college to teach music in the public schools, and are now inspiring and motivating their students to achieve their dreams through hard work. Jamal Dickerson teaches at the Creative and Performing Arts High School. His brother, Nasir, teaches at Morgan Village Middle School and their best friend, Hassan Sabree, works at Forest Hill Elementary. As friends and colleagues, they collaborate on their lesson plans to make sure students are prepared for each step in their education, from elementary to high school and beyond.

This was Classroom Close-up, NJ’s eleventh Emmy Award. The award was presented at a ceremony on Saturday, September 24 in Philadelphia. Classroom Close-up, NJ’s is beginning its 18^th season. The program is available online at njea.org and airs on NJTV on Sundays at 6:30 a.m., 12:30 a.m., and 7:30 p.m.

NJEA Secretary-Treasurer Marie Blistan represented NJEA at the awards ceremony, alongside Wanda Swanson and Christina Farrell, the NJEA staff who produce the program. Jamal Dickerson, Nasir Dickerson, Hassan Sabree, and their families were present to see their story win the award.

For more information about Classroom Close-up, NJ or to watch episodes online, go to www.classroomcloseup.org. You can follow Classroom Close-up, NJ on Facebook and on Twitter via the user name @CRCUNJ.

NJEA joins in lawsuit over pension, benefit law

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 16:53:49 -0400

NJEA, in conjunction with unions and organizations representing other public employees in New Jersey, has filed a lawsuit over Public Law 2011, Chapter 78, the new pension and health benefits law implemented in June.

The suit, which has been in preparation since Chapter 78 was passed, charges that the state has illegally taken away promised and earned contractual benefits by eliminating the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) that is part of the pension formula for most New Jersey public employees, including teachers and educational support personnel.

The suit also challenges other aspects of the law on similar grounds, arguing that provisions requiring future retirees to pay a substantial percentage of their health insurance premiums and requiring substantially larger pension contributions from employees also violate the state and federal contract rights of the affected employees.

Basic fairness

“This lawsuit is about basic fairness and justice,” said NJEA President Barbara Keshishian in a statement issued this morning. “Gov. Christie and the Legislature passed a law that illegally takes away benefits that school employees and others have already earned through their service to the people of New Jersey.”

Keshishian called the law a classic “bait and switch” for current retirees who worked their entire careers believing in the promise that their pension benefits would be honored.

“Now that they’re living on a fixed income, they’re being told that the state is reneging on its promise,” she said. “That’s a travesty.”

Keshishian pointed out that pensions and health benefits are not gifts, but earned compensation.

“What our members have been promised and have already worked to earn cannot be taken away by the governor or the Legislature simply because politicians have failed to do their part to keep the pension system on a sound footing,” she said.

Pension’s unfunded liability

The final element of the suit concerns the state’s choice to make the unfunded liability of the pension systems substantially worse by phasing in its contributions over seven years rather than paying its full actuarially required contribution immediately.

“We would have preferred not to have to contest this issue in the courts,” Keshishian said. “These issues should have been discussed and dealt with collaboratively, with all parties at the table and all options under consideration. Unfortunately, politics triumphed over pragmatism, and New Jersey was presented with an illegal, indefensible, and false solution to a very real problem.”

Keshishian said that NJEA remains committed to working with other public employee unions and the Legislature to negotiate sustainable solutions that treat public employees, including teachers and educational support professionals, fairly and justly.

Members protest legislation

In June, NJEA members by the thousands joined other public employees in Trenton to protest the then proposed law three times over the course of one week. Tens of thousands more followed developments via njea.org, Twitter, and Facebook through accounts set up for the protest—@TrentonBattle2 on Twitter and Trenton Battle 2.0 on Facebook—as well as NJEA’s standard Twitter and Facebook accounts. NJEA also launched a text messaging service to keep members informed of up-to-the-minute developments.

Introduced by Senate President Steven Sweeney with the strong backing of Christie, the bill could not have passed through the Legislature without additional Democratic support. Not one of the Legislators—Democratic or Republican—who voted for Chapter 78 (then S-2937 and A4133) was endorsed by the NJEA PAC Operating Committee at its meeting on Aug. 6.

“Our members refuse to give precious resources and their own time to campaign for legislators who hurt them and their families,” Keshishian said. “But make no mistake, fewer endorsements do not mean NJEA will be less involved in the upcoming elections. If anything, we will be more committed and will work harder to support pro-public education candidates who have shown they care about public school employees, our families, and the students we educate.”

Reference:

Mark your calendar for Fall Focus

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 16:52:32 -0400

Every year, Fall Focus is the opportunity for local leaders to meet with an NJEA officer and interact with their county leadership as well as leaders from area local associations. You’ll leave Fall Focus ready to face the challenges of the year ahead.

Every local and county association should make sure that members of their leadership teams - officers, building reps, and committee chairs-attend their county’s meeting.

2011 Fall Focus meetings

County	Date	Location
Atlantic	Oct. 20	The Carriage House
Bergen	Sept. 20	The Venetian
Burlington	Oct. 4	The Merion
Camden	Oct. 25	Shannon's Country House
Cape May	Oct. 19	Wildwood Country Club
Cumberland	Oct. 26	Regency Ballroom
Essex	Oct. 19	Valley Regency Fine Catering
Gloucester	Sept. 27	Masso's Crystal Manor
Hudson	Oct. 27	Meadowlands Plaza
Hunterdon	Oct. 6	Mountain View Chalet
Mercer	Oct. 27	Mercer Oaks Catering
Middlesex	Oct. 26	Pines Manor
Monmouth	Oct. 24	Colts Neck Inn
Morris	Oct. 18	Zeris Inn
Ocean	Oct. 20	Eagle Ridge Golf Club
Passaic	Oct. 11	The Brownstone
Salem	Oct. 5	Riverview Inn
Somerset	Oct. 4	Imperia on Easton
Sussex	Oct. 24	Lafayette House
Union	Oct. 25	Westwood
Warren	Oct. 5	Bello Giorno

Meet New Jersey’s 2011-2012 County Teachers of the Year

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 16:38:56 -0400

New Jersey is home to some of the best educators in the nation. They’re a key reason why New Jersey’s public schools are ranked the best in the country. Meet this year’s New Jersey County Teachers of the Year and stay tuned for this year’s state Teacher of the Year to be named in October. For more information about the Teacher of the Year program and to read about previous Teachers of the Year, visit http://www.nj.gov/education/clear/teach/toy/.

Atlantic County - Frank Marascio
Bergen County - Jennifer Dee
Burlington County - Jeanne DelColle
Camden County - Patti McBride
Cape May County - Kelley Hogg
Cumberland County - Tara Cotton
Essex County - Erica DePalo
Gloucester County - Lori Bathhurst
Hudson County - Kathy Kuchar
Hunterdon County - Sean Chappe
Mercer County - Amy VanTreuren

Middlesex County - Terri Thompson
Monmouth County - Christine Delmas
Morris County - Andrew Buchanan
Ocean County - Michael Dunlea III
Passiac County - Debra Redding
Salem County - Peter Mazzagatti
Somerset County - Karen Hoffman
State Facility - Matthew Jones
Sussex County - Nicholas Demsak
Union County - Erin Devaney
Warren County - Amanda Abbiate

Thank you NJEA members

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 15:01:20 -0400

Gallery

Your efforts over the last two weeks have been outstanding. Despite the outcome, your voice was heard. We will build on what we've started to regain justice for NJEA members and all public employees.

On Thursday, 25,000 union members and supporters flooded into Trenton to protest the against the anti-collective bargaining bill under consideration by the Assembly. NJEA president Barbara Keshishian fired up the crowd, declaring, “We didn’t come looking for a fight, but if you attack us, you are going to have a fight!”

Other speakers, including rank-and-file members from many different unions across the state called on legislators to remember their values and “kill the bill.”

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