KEEPING YOU INFORMED - Negotiations Update By Ruben Mancillas
Dr. Fraser and I had our PAL meeting earlier this week. We discussed our progress thus far at the negotiating table. There are no further sessions scheduled at this time.
I did receive a question from a member regarding what our upcoming calendar will look like. The 2024-2025 calendar is part of what we are negotiating at the moment so it would be announced when a tentative agreement is reached.
We do not, however, anticipate any significant shifts away from our current calendar. That is, a reasonable estimate is that we would again have our first day with students in mid August of 2024 and our last day with students at the end of May 2025.
In Unity,
MEMBERSHIP UPDATE - YOUnion Social
It’s time to get social!
Please join members of the ABCFT leadership along with your fellow teachers and nurses for a YOUnion social on December 14th from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. at B.J.’s near the Cerritos mall. These gatherings were a mainstay of how we connected with each other prior to the pandemic. Those days are behind us, so let's reconnect and enjoy each other outside of work. We hope to see YOU there!
CalSTRS RETIREMENT WEBINAR
Are you trying to decide when to retire? Have you been offered a retirement incentive?
If you’re comfortable with technology and want to better understand your retirement options and calculate your own retirement estimates, this Retire Now or Later online workshop is perfect for you. With the guidance of a CalSTRS benefits specialist, you’ll learn how to:
Access CalSTRS online resources.
Log into your myCalSTRS account and access your Retirement Progress Report.
Use the CalSTRS Retirement Benefits Calculator to generate multiple retirement estimates.
Determine if you can retire now or later.
Here are the Retire Now or Later webinars currently available:
For additional webinars, visit CalSTRS.com/webinars.
Spotlight on Special Education Issues - by Brittney Parker-Goodin
This month’s academic service update is vital for all teachers. We hope you will take a moment to look at this monthly report, which discusses changes in academic services that could impact your classroom. This document provides the union with a means of giving the District feedback on the many programs or changes they are proposing at any time. Without your feedback or questions on these changes, it is harder for ABCFT to slow down and modify the district’s neverending rollout of new projects. Please submit your comments and questions to the appropriate ABCFT liaison.
This month’s Spotlight on Curriculum and Classroom In our ongoing efforts to strengthen collaboration, Dr. Verduzco and I wanted to share the positive outcomes of our recent visits to many of your classrooms. These interactions have been instrumental in strengthening our understanding of your work and the unique needs of our special education teachers and staff.
During our visits, we were impressed by:
Your dedication to fostering a caring and supportive learning environment for all students
Your innovative teaching strategies that cater to diverse learning styles
Your commitment to ensuring the success of every student
The insights we gained from these visits have allowed us to start to identify areas where we can further support your efforts and enhance the special education program. We are currently working on developing customized professional development opportunities, providing access to additional resources, and exploring potential projects and activities that align with your goals.
Historically we have always had a PROPS committee. For those who may not know, PROPS (Pro-active Problem Solvers) was a bimonthly meeting of representative staff and admin that served as a means of bringing potential concerns to the table with special education administration to brainstorm solutions. This year, we have made the decision to pivot from the PROPS committee and explore ways that we can better collaborate for meaningful solutions to many of the issues we face in the Special Education Department. As we continue our PAL Partnership journey, we remain committed to visiting the remaining classrooms in the coming weeks. We look forward to engaging with each of you, learning from your expertise, and collaborating to create an even more impactful special education experience for our students.
Thank you for your unwavering dedication to our special education students. Your partnership is invaluable, and we are grateful for the opportunity to work together to make a positive difference in the lives of our learners.
For Special Education Issues please email Brittney at Brittney.Parker-Goodin@abcusd.us if you have any questions or concerns, Elementary curricular issues, please email Megan at Megan.Mitchell@abcusd.us and for Secondary curricular issues, please email Catherine at Catherine.Pascual@abcusd.us if you have any questions or concerns.
Click Here For This Month’s Full Report
ABCFT PRESIDENT’S REPORT - Ray Gaer
Consistent and regular communication is a union’s most important tool for advocating for its members at the bargaining table. Every conversation with members is focused on the end result of negotiating for the future prosperity and well-being of ALL ABCFT members. This weekly report informs members about issues impacting their working/learning conditions and mental well-being. Our work as a Union is a larger conversation and united, we make the YOUnion.
“You have to be involved during midterm elections, you have to care about what happens at a school board level.” - Barack Obama
Every year during the December school board meeting, they do what is called the reorganization of the board. Board trustees have organizational positions that temporarily elevate a trustee into another level of responsibility. The position of Clerk who maintains order and any speakers that engage the board during public comments. The Vice President of the board works with the board and takes over when the board president is not available to attend a meeting or has temporarily been handed the gavel due to some conflict of interest. Then there is the President who is the leader of the board who builds agendas with the district administration and board trustees and maintains the order of the school board in addition to a number of other duties that happen throughout their term of President. Each of these positions is for the term of one year.
During the reorganization meeting there is an opportunity for the outgoing board president to be recognized by the community and employees. This past year we had trustee Brad Beach who served a year as school board president and there were a number of city council members and organizations who recognized these efforts during 2023. In my opinion, as President of the board, Brad Beach has been the right person for this position at the exact moment that ABCUSD needed his type of leadership. His consensus style of leadership has created a school board that does less infighting and has proven themselves as a body of forward thinking leaders. I may not agree with everything that has been said over the year by the rest of the trustees but I am thankful that Mr. Beach was fair about providing equity while at the same time he was guiding the school board to keep their eye on the big picture. The health and wellbeing of the ABC School District has always been the focus of Mr. Beach’s tenure and his spotlight on our schools and programs in his campaign of 30 schools in 30 weeks was a testament to his dedication. I hope that we continue to have school board presidents who take this example of leadership as a standard to uphold.
As President Beach’s last duty as president he oversaw the reorganization of the board. I am thankful that this year the reorganization meeting was without drama or political infighting to smear our good name. Typically the Vice President becomes the President and the Clerk becomes the vice president and we have had a couple times in recent history where this became…..messy, and didn’t follow the succession process. I’m happy to say that this year there were no surprises and it speaks volumes to the growth and professionalism of our school board members. Things have not always been easy with this group of trustees but over the last couple of years they have truly shown their dedication to the success of ABC and a desire to put this district on a path of success going forward. Thank you Mr. Beach for your leadership and guidance this year, you are appreciated (Mr. Beach is an avid reader of the YOUnion news each week).
The ABC Community and the employees of ABC have had great leadership at the school board level by experienced school board members. I think we all kind of took that leadership for granted. Our current school board members have had to learn the hard way how to learn their purpose and the importance of their positions through great adversity. They have guided us through a pandemic, a change of superintendents, a Work to Rule Campaign, and a number of disruptive social attacks on public education. Calmer heads and logical solutions have prevailed but these are important reminders that school board elections matter. As a Union, it is imperative that we continue to be part of the school board election process so we can continue to have school board members that are dedicated to our students and the employees of ABC. The politics of the school board has a direct impact on our livelihood. In the next year, there will be four school board seats up for election. ABCFT needs to continue to ensure that those incoming or returning school board members are true to public education and the students we serve. I urge you to get involved when the moment is upon us.
Congratulations to Sophia Tse and the rest of her board for their successful transfer of power.
Mrs. Sophia Tse, President
Mr. Ernie Nishii, Vice President
Mr. Francisco Noyola, Clerk
Mr. Brad Beach, Board Member
Dr. Michael Eugenio, Board Member
Dr. Olga Rios, Board Member
Mrs. Soo Yoo, Board Member
In YOUnity,
Ray Gaer
President, ABCFT
CALIFORNIA FEDERATION OF TEACHERS
In Remembrance
Mary Bergan
September 13, 1941 – November 30, 2023
Educators, classified professionals and the union movement lost a true champion and advocate of collective bargaining rights with the sudden passing of long-time CFT President Mary Bergan on November 30.
Mary became a middle school English teacher in Pittsburg, California and joined the then known Pittsburg-Antioch Federation of Teachers, AFT Local 2001. Mary had a profound and lasting impact on the course of the California Federation of Teachers and the state labor movement. She dedicated her professional life to improving the working conditions for educational employees and the working class in general. Mary was CFT president for 16 years and served the union for 35 years.
Prior to being elected CFT President, Mary was CFT's first lobbyist and close confidant to then-Governor Jerry Brown, being recognized as one of the most effective legislative advocates in Sacramento. As CFT lobbyist, Mary helped bring collective bargaining for educators and classified employees to Governor Brown’s desk and signature in 1975 with the passage of the Rodda Act. This landmark legislation changed the course of education unionism in California.
Mary also helped shape national policy as the first Californian to be elected an AFT Vice President in nearly 40 years. She was a founding member of the Coalition of Labor Union Women and is the only woman who has served as CFT President in the modern era. She received the union’s highest honor in 2009. In her retirement, she continued her electoral advocacy work with the League of Women Voters. Mary’s intellect, leadership, and advocacy have left us a lasting legacy.
Mary resided in Oakland but had recently moved to Eau Claire, Wisconsin — where she died — to be closer to her family. She was 82.
Thank you, Mary! May you rest in peace.
With gratefulness and solidarity forever.
The latest CFT articles and news stories can be found here on the PreK12 news feed on the CFT.org website.
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS
Follow AFT President Randi Weingarten: http://twitter.com/rweingarten
----- NEWS STORY HIGHLIGHT-----
California State Treasurer Fiona Ma and ABCUSD Board Member Sophia Tse met at the California School Board Association Conference on December 1.
ABCUSD Board Vice President Sophia Tse enjoyed meeting California State Treasurer Fiona Ma in San Francisco recently at the CSBA conference. This conference brings Board Members throughout California together to update them about current issues, district budgets, local control of funding, declining enrollment and how to provide the best service for district students. Mrs. Tse enjoyed listening to Board Members from other districts sharing their experiences at the conference. California State Treasurer Fiona Ma and ABCUSD Board Member Sophia Tse met at the
California School Board Association Conference on December 1.
State Treasurer Fiona Ma brought up many possible changes for the 2024 Budget:
1. Upcoming funding for ADA (Average Daily Attendance).
2. The State Budget will be very tight. 3. When closing a school, the focus needs to be on students’ best interest and minimizing stress on teachers and other staff members. 4. Possible 14 days of paid leave for our teachers. 5. And much more…
By Linda J. Hernandez
----- TEMECULA USD UPDATE -----
Law firm seeks court order to stop Temecula Schools from enforcing transgender policy
The law firm suing Temecula’s school district over its critical race theory ban announced it is seeking a court order to stop the district from enforcing the ban and a policy requiring parents be told if their child identifies as transgender. The motion asks a judge to bar the Temecula Valley Unified School District from enforcing the school board policy.
----- NATIONAL NEWS -----
Oklahoma's teacher pipeline in crisis
Oklahoma is facing a severe teacher shortage, with more emergency certified teachers in classrooms than university-based teacher education program graduates. This trend is concerning as research shows that underprepared teachers are associated with decreased student achievement. To address this issue, Oklahoma has introduced the Inspired to Teach scholarship and employment incentive program. Undergraduate students enrolled in an accredited teacher education program in Oklahoma can qualify for the program, committing to teach in any Oklahoma public school for five consecutive years upon graduation. Participants receive financial benefits, including $1,000 in their freshman, sophomore, and junior years, $2,500 in their senior year, and $4,000 per year for their first five years of teaching. The program aims to boost retention and stability in classrooms, as Oklahoma currently has the highest teacher turnover rate in a decade. While the program shows promise, challenges such as low salaries and negative attitudes towards education in the state may still deter prospective teachers from staying in Oklahoma.
Florida and California governors clash over education
Book bans, learning loss, and school closures were the focus of a heated recent debate between Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and California Gov. Gavin Newsom. The debate highlighted the deep divide between blue and red states when it comes to education policies. DeSantis enacted the Parental Rights in Education Act in Florida, while Newsom resisted similar policies in California. The governors clashed over banned books, with DeSantis accusing Newsom of allowing schools to "groom and indoctrinate students, and Newsom accusing DeSantis of banning acclaimed works by Black authors. The debate also touched on pandemic-related school closures and their impact on student learning. Despite their states' similar performance on national assessments, both governors accused each other of overseeing significant learning loss. DeSantis blamed Newsom's decision to keep schools closed, while Newsom criticized DeSantis for passing policies that harm LGBTQ+ youth and students of color. The debate showcased the ongoing battle over education policies and the culture war surrounding schools.
Ed. Dept. pressed over Title IX delays
House Democrats are urging the U.S. Department of Education to finalize Title IX regulations as quickly as possible, warning that delays leave sexual assault survivors, transgender students, and other historically marginalized groups without adequate civil rights protections. The Biden administration missed the October deadline it set to release the two rules. One would direct how federally funded schools must investigate and resolve sexual assault complaints and include LGTBQ+ students in sex discrimination protections, while the other would prevent blanket bans on transgender students participating in athletics aligned with their gender identity. The Education Department has not disclosed when it will issue the final regulations.
----- STATE NEWS -----
California schools struggling to implement new math curriculum
After a contentious road to approve a new set of statewide guidelines on teaching students math, California officials must still figure out how to support school districts with implementation. The 2023 math framework, which the State Board of Education passed in July, is a 1,000-page document that details what many state and education officials accept as the best practices to teach mathematics. Although not everyone agreed and controversies arose during the four years of work it took to reach approval, math experts and organizations across the state are beginning to discuss what a statewide rollout could look like. Historically, framework rollouts have not been funded and are implemented with outside collaborators who are experts in the topic. For the most part, district officials must find ways to fund professional development independently.
California posts annual K-12 book recommendations
Each year, the California Department of Education publishes a curated list of recommended literature tailored for K-12 students. Spanning a broad spectrum, the list includes everything from picture books for pre-K students to high school-level literary novels. Each grade level includes a collection of books delving into nuanced topics, such as race and mental health, and spotlights narratives of often marginalized voices. The experiences of other groups, including Black, Latino, Muslim, Jewish, Hmong and a dozen more groups, are also represented in the state’s recommended books. The list, developed with input from educators and parents, aims to help students, teachers and families find books that “entertain, inform, and explore new ideas and experiences.” The list is not all-inclusive and should be considered a helpful tool in finding books for kids.
California's juvenile justice system 'lacking'
California is failing to provide a high-quality education to students in the juvenile justice system, according to a report from the national Youth Law Center. The report highlights the inadequacies of current data collection practices, which do not accurately measure student needs and outcomes. The report calls for better metrics to ensure that these students are not forgotten. It also reveals that the majority of students attend court schools for less than 31 instructional days, which is not captured by the current data system. The report emphasizes the need for instructional programming that reflects the transitory nature of student attendance in the juvenile justice system. The report also highlights the overrepresentation of students with disabilities and foster youth in the system.
California's rural schools struggle with transition to electric buses
California's rural schools are facing challenges in transitioning to electric buses due to the limitations of electric bus technology and the lack of charging infrastructure in remote areas. While the state has implemented aggressive mandates for zero-emission school buses, rural districts argue that the current range of electric buses is not sufficient for their long and snowy routes. Additionally, the lack of public electric vehicle chargers in rural areas poses a problem for school buses. Critics of the mandates claim that urban Democrats fail to understand the realities of rural areas and dismiss any objections as climate change denial. Despite the push for electric buses, some rural districts have experienced issues with the technology, including buses catching fire and requiring frequent repairs. The cost of electric buses and the need for diesel generators in remote areas also present financial challenges. Rural residents and school officials believe that the focus should be on forest management rather than investing billions in electric buses.
----- DISTRICTS -----
School choice expanding amid claims of benefits to wealthier families
Critics argue that Arizona's expansive school choice law, which allows public funding to be used for private schooling or homeschooling, primarily benefits wealthier families. Data from other states with similar programs support this claim. Supporters of the program argue that it provides parents with the choice to fund the education they want for their children. However, opponents argue that these programs drain resources from public schools. Arizona's program has seen significant growth, with over 70,000 children now receiving funding through Empowerment Scholarship Accounts. Like Arizona, other states have found many students already enrolled in private schools are taking advantage of new choice laws. In Florida, among more than 120,000 students newly enrolled in expanded school choice programs, 69% were already in private school, according to data from September. In Iowa, among an initial batch of 17,000 students approved for its Education Savings Account, 60% came from private schools. Elsewhere, Republican governors in Texas and Tennessee have recently proposed making all families eligible for private-school subsidies. Choice advocates also see Louisiana as a prime opportunity after a Republican was recently elected governor, replacing a Democrat who had vetoed choice efforts.
El Segundo Unified launches AI policy lab
The El Segundo Unified School District (ESUSD) has partnered with EdSAFE AI Alliance to establish an AI Policy Lab focused on promoting safe and ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI) in educational settings. The lab aims to develop AI strategies and policies that prioritize equity, safety, ethical practices, effectiveness, and transparency. Melissa Moore, Superintendent at ESUSD, emphasized the importance of incorporating diverse perspectives in the process, including policymakers, industry experts, educators, students, and families. The lab will provide policy recommendations and educational resources for teachers, students, and parents, with a focus on community engagement. The national network, led by the EdSAFE AI Alliance, consists of 12 districts working together to develop a comprehensive policy stack for responsible AI integration in K-12 education.
Oakland educators defy district and teach Palestinian curriculum
Educators in Oakland Unified have defied district leaders and taught a curriculum focused on the Palestinian "liberation struggle" to students ages four to 18. The teach-in, organized by about 100 educators, aimed to provide a more rounded picture of the Palestinian struggle. The educators compiled their own materials after finding the district-provided materials to be one-sided. The teach-in sparked controversy, with some Jewish groups and parents expressing concerns about the curriculum being harmful and divisive. Despite the pushback, the educators proceeded with their plans, stating that the district's materials had biased goals and erased Palestinian perspectives. The Oakland Education Association, the teachers' union representing 3,000 educators in the district, previously condemned the Israeli government for creating an apartheid state.
----- TESTING ----
Post-pandemic test scores lag
New research suggests that reading and math test scores still lag pre-pandemic levels as schools grapple with ongoing learning loss and inequitable funding models. The data, published by the Commonwealth Foundation, shows marginal improvement in math proficiency between 2022 and 2023, though more than half of fourth graders and nearly three-quarters of eighth graders still score below grade level. Reading scores slumped over the last year and still trail 2019. Fourth grade proficiency dropped 0.4 percentage points, while eighth grade declined 2.9 percentage points. The foundation said the state’s list of “low achieving schools,” those that test in the bottom 15%, average proficiency rates of 11.4% for math and 24.5% for reading. The data echoes a June report from The Nation’s Report Card that shows average reading and math test scores for 13-year-olds fell 4% and 9%, respectively, compared to pre-pandemic levels.
----- WORKFORCE -----
Veteran California superintendents are leaving amidst pandemic fallout
The number of California school superintendents leaving their jobs is climbing, despite increased salaries and benefits. Some have reached retirement age or are moving to less stressful jobs. Some are being pushed out by newly elected school board majorities. A new crop of less experienced district leaders is taking their place. Superintendent turnover in California grew from 11.7% after the 2019-20 school year, to 20.9% after the 2020-21 school year. Just over 18% left after the 2021-22 school year, says Rachel S. White, an assistant professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, who runs a research lab that collects data about school superintendents. Chris Evans decided to step down as superintendent of Natomas Unified in Sacramento at the end of last school year. He stayed on to help the new superintendent transition. “The job was always hard to begin with, and it’s become infinitely harder,” says Evans, who led the district for 11 years. “There are a number of folks in their 50s and 60s who are saying they are done.”
Five departing California school superintendents interviewed
Five school superintendents in California who recently left or are leaving their jobs are interviewed to understand their reasons for stepping down. Former Natomas Unified Superintendent Chris Evans blames the COVID-19 pandemic and its politics for exhausting him and shortening his career. Despite retiring, Evans is temporarily working in the district to help with the transition of the new superintendent. He plans to focus on his new role at an education consulting firm that assists superintendents and school boards.
Veteran California superintendents leaving amidst pandemic fallout
The number of California school superintendents leaving their jobs is climbing, despite increased salaries and benefits. Some have reached retirement age or are moving to less stressful jobs. Some are being pushed out by newly elected school board majorities. A new crop of less experienced district leaders is taking their place. Superintendent turnover in California grew from 11.7% after the 2019-20 school year, to 20.9% after the 2020-21 school year. Just over 18% left after the 2021-22 school year, says Rachel S. White, an assistant professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, who runs a research lab that collects data about school superintendents. Chris Evans decided to step down as superintendent of Natomas Unified in Sacramento at the end of last school year. He stayed on to help the new superintendent transition. “The job was always hard to begin with, and it’s become infinitely harder,” says Evans, who led the district for 11 years. “There are a number of folks in their 50s and 60s who are saying they are done.”
----- CHILD DEVELOPMENT ----
Federal agencies assert ‘renewed urgency’ for early ed inclusion
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Education have updated a policy document to assert that young children with disabilities should be included in high-quality early childhood education programs alongside peers without disabilities so they can receive individualized supports and achieve their full potential. Underlining a “renewed commitment and urgency,” the 68-page document reiterates the expectations for inclusive early childhood settings for children from birth through age five. The document also updates recommendations for state and local agencies charged with implementing or overseeing any early childhood education program, including Head Start, child care, home visiting, preschool, and public schools, as well as programs that provide early childhood special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The updated statement builds upon one issued by HHS and the Education Department in 2015.
----- HEALTH & WELLBEING -----
Telehealth booms as schools address student mental health crisis
As schools across the country grapple with the student mental health crisis, the use of telehealth therapy for students has skyrocketed. At least 16 of the 20 largest U.S. public school districts are now offering online therapy sessions, with schools signing provider contracts worth over $70m. Teletherapy has made therapy more accessible, particularly for rural schools and lower-income students. The growth of teletherapy companies has raised concerns about the quality of care offered. However, educators say teletherapy works for many kids and helps prevent them from falling through the cracks. Schools are using federal pandemic relief money to fund teletherapy services, but competition with telehealth providers is making it harder to hire in-person school counselors. Despite concerns, teletherapy companies like Hazel Health are focused on ensuring child welfare. Other providers, such as TalkSpace, are also entering the space. The goal is to normalize and democratize access to mental health care for young people.
---- HIGHER EDUCATION -----
Fewer students enrolling in college as freshman enrollment declines
Even before the Supreme Court blocked President Joe Biden's plan to forgive student debt, freshman enrollment in college has been declining. Nationwide, freshman enrollment sank 3.6%, with the most significant declines in bachelor's programs at public and private four-year institutions. Completion rates have also stalled, with only about 62% of students who started college in 2017 graduating. Rising college costs and student debt have caused more students to question the return on investment. Financial obstacles, including program costs and the need to work, have led low-income students to put their education on hold. While Biden's promise of debt forgiveness may have influenced some unenrolled students to reenroll, the relief never came. The impact of a new plan on enrollment remains uncertain.
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