Fw: News from AFT Teachers, February 2012

 YAY! ~K

http://www.kathyskids.org

Ms. Kathy's Kids Blog: http://mskathyskids.blogspot.com/

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: "Roger Glass, Editor"
To: msk
Sent: Friday, February 24, 2012 1:28 PM
Subject: News from AFT Teachers, February 2012

AFT endorses Barack Obama for re-election Declaring that President Obama is the only candidate who will fight to preserve and expand the middle class, close the inequality gap and ensure everyone has a "fair shot" at success, on Feb. 7 the AFT announced its endorsement of President Obama and Vice President Biden for re-election. The AFT executive council voted on the endorsement following months of surveys, meetings, online forums and conversations with thousands of AFT members who made it clear they support the re-election of Obama. "While we have not agreed with every decision President Obama has made," says AFT president Randi Weingarten, "he shares our deep commitment to … ensuring everyone has an opportunity to achieve the American dream." For full election coverage, visit AFT.org/election2012 Watch a video message from AFT President Randi Weingarten Read more about the endorsement on AFT.org Fixing the fixation on testing "Teachers don't want to spend valuable time endlessly preparing for 'the test,'" AFT president Randi Weingarten writes in her most recent New York Times column. "They want to guide their students to ask insightful questions, offer well-reasoned opinions, and work diligently until they master content. Those are the types of classroom experiences that unleash students' ingenuity and reveal their understanding of the material." Weingarten writes that she agrees with President Obama when he says standardized tests should be used to diagnose students' strengths and weaknesses, not to punish students or schools. Read AFT President Randi Weingarten's recent piece in the New York Times Let women vote: election-year history The election year is a great time to celebrate Women's History Month (March) by teaching about women's voting rights. The Library of Congress lesson guide uses a rich array of primary sources—from lyrics to 19th-century songs for "young ladies" to a photo of picketing suffragettes. For grades 6-12 For more women's history Optimizing extended learning time The AFT applauds the study, "Time Well Spent," for showing how extended learning time can improve student achievement, and for identifying eight best practices to make the most out of an expanded schedule. At the same time, AFT president Randi Weingarten warns that such programs must include teacher input, and teachers must be compensated for their time. Read more on AFT.org New union for New York's Evergreen Charter School Teachers at the Evergreen Charter School in Hempstead, N.Y., have won the right to organize and affiliate with the New York State United Teachers, but only after a bitter fight that included the illegal firing of a pregnant special education teacher for her work organizing the union. Get the full story on AFT.org Good jobs, fair funding and quality services top economy agenda The AFT's prescription for creating good jobs that pay a living wage, building our nation's long-term economic infrastructure, and finding better ways to fund essential public services is outlined in a new report, "Building a 21st-Century Economy for All: Recommendations on Good Jobs, Fair Funding and Quality Public Services." The AFT executive council approved the comprehensive plan, which is a road map for policy advocacy, during its Feb. 7-8 meeting in Los Angeles. Read the report on AFT.org In This Issue AFT endorses Obama Fixing the fixation on testing Let women vote Optimizing extended learning time New union for Evergreen Charter School Good jobs, fair funding and quality public services Teachers help develop Common Core Standards Watch this video to learn more about the Common Core Standards and how AFT members were involved in developing them. AFT on Jane Howard posted:  "When there is high stakes testing, the children do not benefit. They are subject to endless test prep and practice tests." Join AFT on Facebook Contact Us » | AFT 555 New Jersey Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20001 | © American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO. All rights reserved.