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2009 Legislative Check out our new
Legislative Action Center
page,
where you can e-mail your legislators, get updates on current issues, and
contact your local media. |
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Members, log in to access list |
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The 65 Percent 'Deception'
SDEA once again expects legislators to debate a proposal called the "65 Percent Solution". While the title might seem catchy, the reality of such a plan would mean significant cuts to several essential school support programs. The plan does not provide additional funding for education; rather it forces districts to rob Peter to pay Paul. The problem with the "65 Percent" plan is that it sounds like a good idea, but it is not the solution to South Dakota’s funding woes. |
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States, School Districts Not Required To Spend Own Funds To Comply With Law On
the same day President George W. Bush held a press conference in Chicago
to defend the failing No Child Left Behind, and on the eve of NCLB’s sixth
anniversary, a
federal appeals court delivered yet another major blow to the
controversial law. The United States Court of
Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled that Secretary Spellings is violating
the Spending Clause of the Constitution by requiring states and school
districts to spend their own funds to comply with the law. Check out these related stories: |
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Rounds’ proposed budget sets off discussion over education funding SDEA is preparing for the South Dakota Legislative Session, which begins on Jan. 13, 2009. Funding, pre-k standards and the 65 percent solution are expected to be hot education topics during the 40-day session. SDEA is hopeful that as legislators gather in Pierre they are willing to have a meaningful discussion about the level of funding for k-12 education. |
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S.D. Lawmakers to look at State Legislators will once again debate giving the South Dakota Board of Education the authority to set standards for pre-k education programs. Currently, the state has no authority to set such standards. As outlined in Gov. Rounds’ 2010 Initiative, establishing preschool accreditation standards and preschool teacher certification standards is a priority for the administration and SDEA expects legislation to be introduced in the upcoming session. |
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Merit Pay/Pay-for-Performance
Several of the current education funding proposals contain some provisions for Teacher Compensation Assistance Programs (TCAP). The SDEA supports TCAPs, which hold teachers accountable, but are also aimed at enhancing education across the board. However, some of these plans have been amended to include merit\performance pay. We support legislation that ensures there are salaries and incentives to attract and retain quality educators without linking salaries to performance pay schemes and or standardized test scores. |
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| SDEA Lobbyists.... You are the Lobbyists that are the most effective, but working for you full time are SDEA/NEA President Sandy Arseneault and SDEA/NEA Executive Director Bryce Healy and General Counsel Anne Plooster. Please e-mail us with your questions or concerns. |
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Sandy Arseneault, SDEA/NEA President
Bryce Healy, SDEA/NEA Executive Director Anne Plooster, SDEA/NEA General Counsel - Constitutional and Legal Issues Sandra Waltman - SDEA/NEA Loren Paul, UniServ Director - Post Secondary Issues
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SD
EPIC recommends
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Legislative issues |
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Achievement gaps exist when groups of students with relatively equal ability do not achieve in school at the same levels. In fact, one group often far exceeds the achievement levels of others. Achievement gaps may be based on race or ethnicity, income levels, language background, disability status, and gender. NEA members are working to improve achievement for all students and close the achievement gaps, particularly for low-income and minority students. NEA guide offers strategies to
tackle disproportionality Kids Thrive with Full-Day Kindergarten Nine NEA Affiliates Report Policy Victories |
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School QualityNEA is committed to doing all it can to make public schools great for every child. Continuously improving the quality of our schools and the education that America's children receive has always been a top priority of teachers and school staff. A commitment to making all public schools great requires:
Efforts at improving school quality must involve teachers and school staff in the process, must be adequately funded, and must use proven reform methods—methods that are research-based and field-tested. NEA's KEYS Initiative
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