IN MEMORIAL
ABCFT sends condolences to the Carmenita Middle School staff and community for the shocking loss of a classroom teacher this week. Members of the community are devastated by the passing of Mr. David Lee, who has been a math teacher and cherished colleague at Carmenita since 1995. Principal Robert Castillo sent a beautiful letter commemorating Mr. Lee to the staff and community, so we were compelled to share this with you via the link below. On behalf of all of the teachers and nurses of the ABC Federation of Teachers, we send our sympathy and healing thoughts to the Carmenita community.
In YOUnity,
ABCFT
Click here for the link to Mr. Castillo’s letter announcing the passing of Mr. David Lee
KEEPING YOU INFORMED - Negotiations Update By Ruben Mancillas
The negotiating team met recently to work on a calendar survey. We have received questions about the possibility of coming to an agreement for a calendar over multiple years. This survey will provide us with information to take to the table. This year, we will bargain salary and benefits, a calendar, and master contract language.
The calendar survey will go out next week.
This week I was able to meet with our nurses and attend the empathy interviews at Carver Elementary School. The interviews reinforced the need for consistent systems of support that we have written about previously. The last question was open ended and was an opportunity to reframe the needs of now with a “why?” connected to future outcomes. It asked if we were to meet one of our students years from now outside of the academic environment, what would we want them to say about what they learned in our classroom? The answers our teachers gave were as profound and thoughtful as you might expect but everyone has their own variation. It may be difficult to stand outside of the pressures of the moment to consider what our students might say in this hypothetical future but it was a positive exercise to remind us of the lifelong impact of our work. I have been fortunate to be able to meet some former students, either when they return to school or occasionally in the community, and it is rewarding to see their smiles and hear their stories about their now adult lives. Education is a profession that asks so much of us in the present without the perspective to always realize the positive foundation we provide.. So thank you for the great work that we all do as leaders in helping to prepare our students for their future.
In Unity,
KEEPING YOU INFORMED -
GRANT OPPORTUNITIES By Michael Hartshorn VP of Membership
Calling All Union Educators—Grants for Your Classroom Projects!
Union members, here’s a great opportunity to get some extra funding for your classroom! The ABC Education Foundation is offering mini-grants for the 2024-25 school year. Toyota of Cerritos is once again sponsoring two Education Grants of up to $10,000 each. There are also additional grants: Education Mini-Grants up to $2,500 and Special Mini-Grants up to $1,000.
The total number of grants will depend on how many of us apply and how much funding the ABC Education Foundation secures, so don’t be shy, apply, and make sure we get the extra resources we deserve. Early applications help raise more funds for our schools, so don’t wait! The deadline to apply is 4:30 pm on Thursday, October 31, 2024.
Every grant helps us keep our classrooms thriving! Take advantage of this opportunity to support our students’ learning conditions and show the value of teachers in students’ lives.
In Solidarity,
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 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.
“Clean your backyard before you invite the relatives over for a party.” - a speaker at the Equity California Institute Presentation that took place at LACOE this week discussing LGBTQ+ topics.
It’s been a busy October for everyone and this week didn’t disappoint with excitement, heartbreak, and overall running around like a _____________ in a ____________ (insert your saying here). This week, we all experienced the annual Great Shakeout event, which has become a staple of our safety requirements for California. I think this is a good use of our time in preparation for such a catastrophic event rather than the pointlessness of having state-mandated fire drills. There was a trash can fire at one of our elementary schools last year, but when did you hear of a fire burning down a school? I’ll stop my ranting there and just say that the Shakeout helps prepare us for a number of emergencies and I think all of us see the value of this annual exercise in safety just as many of us appreciate the lockdown exercises as a way to prepare our responses to those types of events.
Ruben and I have been working with Dr. Castro on a series of “Empathy Interviews” with Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten to discuss students' strengths and challenges and understand individual schools' structural and support systems. A CAPITALIZED THANK YOU to all those teachers for your time and input at these local meetings. During an American Federation of Teachers Policy Committee that I attended, I heard from union leaders from every major city in the United States that is experiencing systemic strain due to some of the challenging behaviors of this age of students. It is rare to have such a specific issue become a universal educational issue for districts nationwide. I hope that there will be discussions across the country that will positively impact all grade levels and all students as legislators are forced to look at the reality of the learning conditions of teachers and students. I am pleased that Dr. Castro and the ABC administration are focused on looking for short-term support and long-term systemic solutions. ABC is ahead of most districts in addressing TK/K challenges.
There’s much more to report over the next couple of weeks. The full moon is in full force this week, so we’ve been unable to devote as much time to the newsletter. We look forward to providing more details about negotiations, the ABCFT LGBTQ+ Committee, and other important events and issues. Have a great weekend!
In YOUnity,
Ray Gaer
President, ABCFT
CALIFORNIA FEDERATION OF TEACHERS
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-----
Report: How dual enrollment in California compares with other states
A national report finds that dual enrollment can be a powerful strategy for addressing equity gaps in college enrollment and completion rates, but that the students who most need dual enrollment — Black, Latino and low-income students — still struggle to access it.
The problem of limited access to dual enrollment is true in California, as well as the rest of the nation, according to a report released Monday night by the Community College Research Center (CCRC) at Teachers College, Columbia University.
The study followed students who began taking dual enrollment courses in 2015, typically high school juniors or seniors, through 2021 using data from the National Student Clearinghouse. Researchers say this report is the first look at college outcomes for dual enrollment students after they graduate from high school with results broken down by race, income and gender — at both the state and national level.
This report demonstrates how California’s dual enrollment students fare in college compared with other states through a data dashboard.
----- NATIONAL NEWS -----
Florida’s sex ed policies put teens at risk, says women’s rights leader
Debbie Deland, president of Florida National Organization for Women, strongly criticizes Florida's current sex education policies, calling them inadequate and dangerous for students. The state’s Department of Education has enforced an abstinence-only curriculum, restricting discussions on topics like anatomy, consent, contraception, and LGBTQ+ issues. Deland argues that the lack of comprehensive sex education puts students at greater risk of teenage pregnancy, STDs, and sexual violence, particularly against girls. She emphasizes that parents overwhelmingly support a more comprehensive approach and calls for a campaign to push for balanced, realistic, and effective sex education in Florida’s schools. Deland stresses that without addressing these critical gaps, the state’s youth are being denied essential knowledge that can protect them
Balancing privacy and transparency in schools
Public school districts are grappling with the use of nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) to protect student privacy while maintaining transparency. An analysis by Education Week reveals that a minority of districts employ these legally binding agreements, which can prevent employees from discussing sensitive information. Critics, including Ronn Nozoe, chief executive of the National Association of Secondary School Principals, argue that while protecting confidential information is essential, “a balanced approach that prioritizes transparency” is crucial. The use of NDAs can create a culture of fear, deterring employees from reporting misconduct. A recent survey indicated that 86% of administrators do not require NDAs, highlighting their uncommon nature in K-12 education. Legal experts caution that existing federal laws, such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), already provide adequate protections, making NDAs potentially unnecessary.
----- STATE NEWS -----
Math placement inequities persist in California
Despite the passage of California's Math Placement Act in 2015, which aimed to address inequities in ninth-grade math placement, many students—particularly students of color and low-income students—are still disproportionately held back. The law mandates the use of multiple objective measures, discouraging subjective teacher recommendations, yet a recent Rand Corp. report reveals that 95% of California high schools continue to use teacher input, with 31% relying solely on recommendations, a violation of the law. While other states like Washington, North Carolina, and Texas have implemented successful automatic enrollment policies to improve access to advanced math, California lags behind in ensuring equitable math opportunities, calling for urgent reforms to monitor and improve math placement practices statewide.
California students show incremental gains
California students have made slight progress in regaining pre-COVID achievement levels, with increases in English language arts, math, and science scores for the 2023-2024 school year. According to state data, English language arts proficiency rose from 46.7% to 47%, while math and science scores increased from 30.2% to 30.7%. Linda Darling-Hammond, president of the State Board of Education, expressed optimism, stating: “California’s public schools are making encouraging gains in all of the key subject areas.” Notably, low-income students showed larger gains, with 36.8% meeting English standards, a 1.5% increase. However, challenges remain, as the last federal pandemic relief funding must be utilized, prompting districts to seek creative funding solutions. Despite these gains, the overall performance gap persists, particularly among English learners, where proficiency dropped from 16.5% to 14.6%.
Sacramento launches regional data partnership linking schools, colleges
The Sacramento Regional K-16 Collaborative, a partnership between the area’s school districts and colleges, announced a new data-sharing agreement between Elk Grove Unified School District, the Sacramento County Office of Education, Los Rios Community College District, Sacramento State and UC Davis.
Unlike traditional one-to-one data-sharing agreements, this will connect the entire educational ecosystem in the Sacramento region, according to a press release from the collaborative. Other school districts and institutions of higher education in the region will be invited to join the data sharing agreement once it is fully implemented.
The agreement will give colleges and universities additional information to offer targeted supports to students, and will allow school districts to track students post-graduation to aid in fine-tuning academic programs, according to the collaborative.
https://edsource.org/updates/sacramento-launches-data-partnership-linking-schools-colleges
----- DISTRICTS -----
Mayor Breed calls for halt to SF school closures
Mayor London Breed has urged the San Francisco USD to “immediately” halt its school-closure process, expressing that she has “lost confidence” in Superintendent Matt Wayne's management.Her comments discussions with families at schools identified for potential closure or merger. Breed's statement reflects her concerns about the district's current approach, emphasizing the need for a reassessment of the situation.
San Francisco schools face closures
San Francisco USD has announced plans to close or merge eight elementary schools, one K-8, and two high schools, aiming to save up to $22m. The district is facing declining enrollment, with approximately 14,000 empty seats and a projected loss of 5,000 students over the next five years. Schools selected for closure have 260 students or fewer, and decisions were based on a “composite score” that considered facility conditions, student achievement, and the impact on disadvantaged students. Families at the affected schools are determined to fight for their institutions, and the district will hold town halls and public meetings before a final vote in December.
----- TECHNOLOGY -----
California school district builds in-house AI to meet teacher needs
Arcadia USD in California has been developing an internal chatbot for staff since before the rise of ChatGPT. Greg Gazanian, the district's chief strategy and innovation officer, noted that the project was paused during the pandemic but resumed in 2022 after the public release of ChatGPT. The district aims to create a customized AI tool that addresses specific needs of its teachers and staff, ensuring privacy by processing data internally. Gazanian emphasized the importance of early stakeholder engagement, stating: "We have teachers working with us on this development internally." Feedback from staff has been positive, highlighting the tool's accessibility and cost-effectiveness. Gazanian advises other districts to consider their resources and engage the right people in the development process, fostering a community around AI in education.
Students embrace AI tools in schools
According to a new report by Common Sense Media, students are actively engaging with generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools, often without guidance from their schools. The survey revealed that 70% of teens have tried at least one AI tool, yet many schools lack clear policies on its use. Amanda Lenhart, head of research for Common Sense Media, stated, “Schools have been the real point of interaction, and one of the real places we see the frictions around AI emerging.” The report highlights that 53% of teens use AI for homework help, but notes that communication between parents, students, and teachers about AI remains insufficient. The findings suggest that educational institutions need to foster discussions about AI to enhance understanding and responsible use among students.
----- WORKFORCE ----
Gen Z struggles with soft skills
Investing over $40,000 in a college education may not suffice for Gen Z graduates, as a recent report by intelligent.com reveals that 60% of employers have fired new hires within months. The report highlights a significant lack of soft skills, with half of the surveyed hiring leaders citing insufficient motivation and initiative as key issues. Furthermore, 75% of employers found recent graduates unsatisfactory in various aspects, including punctuality and professionalism. The pandemic exacerbated these shortcomings, as remote learning hindered the development of essential interpersonal skills. As a result, many colleges are now offering classes focused on workplace networking skills, acknowledging that graduates are not adequately prepared for the workforce. The report underscores the importance of soft skills in achieving success in today's job market.
Nearly three-quarters of schools experience trouble filling teacher vacancies
A nationally-representative survey released Thursday by the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics found that 74% of public schools said they had a difficult time filling one or more vacant teaching positions before beginning the 2024-25 school year. The School Pulse Panel survey of 1,392 schools found that a “lack of qualified candidates” and “too few candidates” applying for open positions remained the most common challenges public schools said they faced in filling vacant positions. The trickiest positions to fill were in general elementary teaching, special education, and English language arts. Last year’s data showed improving sentiment among public schools about their staffing levels. Less than half, or 45%, said they felt their school was understaffed — down from 53% feeling understaffed entering the 2022-23 academic year.
Teaching: A calling, not a career
Rachel Herrera, a physics teacher at Mission High School in San Francisco, reflects on the challenges faced by K-12 teachers regarding career growth and professional development. She notes that "teachers being perceived as saints and martyrs... is one of the more glaring issues facing K-12 education in the United States." Herrera emphasizes the lack of structured career advancement opportunities within the teaching profession, which discourages talented individuals from pursuing long-term careers in education. She highlights the disparity between teaching and other industries, where clear paths for growth and compensation exist. Herrera calls for policymakers and stakeholders to develop stronger routes for professional advancement to retain a diverse and skilled teaching workforce, warning that without such changes, teaching may increasingly be viewed as a dead-end job.
Teachers feel undervalued, report shows
According to EdWeek's 2024 State of Teaching report, 70% of teachers believe the public views their profession negatively. This perception can impact teachers' job satisfaction and performance, ultimately affecting the quality of education. A North Dakota middle school teacher commented: “Teachers are overworked, underpaid, and disrespected.” The survey, conducted with 1,498 teachers in October 2023, highlights challenges such as increased workloads and political pressures. Matthew Kraft, a professor at Brown University, noted that the public's limited perspective on teaching contributes to this negative perception. He stated: “When people rate the quality of public schools broadly, they give schools middling grades.” Kraft advocates for a shift in focus towards attracting highly qualified individuals to the teaching profession, emphasizing the need for structural changes, including better pay and redefining teaching roles. A follow-up report in early 2025 will further explore these issues.
----- CLASSROOM -----
Students feel less connected in school
Recent findings from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s Youth Risk Behavior Survey reveal a decline in student connections at school, dropping from 62% in 2021 to 55% in 2023. David Arencibia, a former middle school principal, emphasized: “We all really need to be all-in on addressing this,” highlighting the importance of strong relationships for improved mental health and academic performance. The survey indicates that girls and LGBTQ+ students report feeling less connected, with girls at 50% and LGBTQ+ students 13 percentage points lower than their peers. The turnover of experienced educators during the pandemic has also contributed to this issue. The CDC suggests strategies like mentoring and student-led clubs to foster connections, which can lead to long-term benefits, including reduced risky behaviors in adulthood. Arencibia concluded that traditional teaching methods are outdated, advocating for more collaborative classroom environments.
----- LEGAL -----
TikTok's legal woes: Schools at risk
The recent lawsuits against TikTok by 13 states and the District of Columbia highlight concerns over the platform's addictive design and its impact on children's mental health. Danny Weiss, chief advocacy officer for Common Sense Media, stated: “For young people in particular, their brains are still developing,” emphasizing the difficulties they face in resisting the platform's powerful algorithms. The lawsuits, which echo previous legal actions against e-cigarette manufacturers, argue that social media use is harming students' ability to learn and increasing the need for mental health resources in schools. TikTok has countered these claims, asserting that it has implemented various safety measures for young users. As schools navigate these challenges, Weiss believes the lawsuits present an opportunity for educators to engage students in discussions about healthy social media use.
----- HEALTH & WELLBEING -----
Teen smoking levels hit record low
According to a report published Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), teen smoking has reached an all-time low in the U.S., with a 20% decrease in tobacco use among middle and high school students. The number of students using tobacco products dropped from 2.8m to 2.25m, marking the lowest level since the CDC began tracking in 1999. Deirdre Lawrence Kittner, director of CDC's Office on Smoking and Health, said: “Reaching a 25-year low for youth tobacco product use is an extraordinary milestone for public health.” The decline is largely attributed to reduced vaping rates, which fell to under 6%. Other tobacco products, including hookahs, also saw decreased usage. The survey included nearly 30,000 students, revealing that while overall tobacco use among high school students dropped to 10%, there was no significant change among middle school students.
-----CHARTER SCHOOLS -----
Education crossroads: Charter growth sparks congressional divide
Charter schools have experienced a notable surge in enrollment, rising by 9% between the 2019-20 and 2022-23 school years, while public school enrollment dropped by 3.5%, according to a 2023 analysis from the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. This growth, fueled by the pandemic and continued after traditional public schools reopened, highlights the increasing demand for alternatives to public education. Despite their rising popularity, charter schools face ongoing criticism regarding accountability and closure rates. A federal report found that 14% of charter schools receiving federal funding through the Education Department’s Charter Schools Program closed or never opened, sparking debates about oversight. Proponents argue that the charter system is self-regulating by closing failing schools, while critics claim charter schools lack the same accountability standards as traditional public schools. In Congress, lawmakers remain divided on charter oversight, with some advocating for increased scrutiny while others push for further support and expansion of charter schools. Despite the controversies, competition for students between charter schools, public schools, private institutions, and homeschooling continues to rise.
----- OTHER -----
----- A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR -----
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We’re so thankful for the strong partnership we have with ABCFT, and we look forward to continuing to support and serve your incredible educators.
If you’d like to learn more, feel free to reach out anytime:
- Leann Blaisdell: 562-822-5004 | leann.blaisdell@horacemann.com
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