The Advocacy/Government Relations Committee shall promote advocacy for literacy by communicating with the public, press, and policy makers about reading, inform SoMLA members about legislation regarding literacy at the state and national levels, and solicit members' involvement in advocacy through a variety of activities.
The Choice is yours
Join the ASCD Lobby and make your opinions heard on these topics:
- Govs Love Ed
- More Money for Choice
- Fewer Protections for Students
Please Share This With Everyone Interested in Education:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2017/01/10/opposition-grows-to-senate-confirmation-of-betsy-devos-trumps-education-nominee/?utm_term=.14673155d4f3
The above article covers concerns about the nominee for Education Secretary, Betsy DeVos. Hearings are scheduled this week. Sadly our powerful voice on the HELP Committee, who will conduct the preconfirmation hearings, Barbara Mikulkski has retired. I sent emails to Patricia Murray(WA), Elizabeth Warren (MA) who are members of the HELP Committee as well as MD Senator Benjamin Cardin and my area Congressional Representative, Elijah Cummings. Another good contact, Senator Tim Kaine (VA) is a recent appointee to the HELP Committee. I encourage SoMIRAC members to contact Congress and share their opinions. Best method is to go to their congressional web site and use the email service on the site (can be accessed by a Google search). House members encourage contact from their specific district residents but a Senators accept email outside their state.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2017/01/10/opposition-grows-to-senate-confirmation-of-betsy-devos-trumps-education-nominee/?utm_term=.14673155d4f3
The above article covers concerns about the nominee for Education Secretary, Betsy DeVos. Hearings are scheduled this week. Sadly our powerful voice on the HELP Committee, who will conduct the preconfirmation hearings, Barbara Mikulkski has retired. I sent emails to Patricia Murray(WA), Elizabeth Warren (MA) who are members of the HELP Committee as well as MD Senator Benjamin Cardin and my area Congressional Representative, Elijah Cummings. Another good contact, Senator Tim Kaine (VA) is a recent appointee to the HELP Committee. I encourage SoMIRAC members to contact Congress and share their opinions. Best method is to go to their congressional web site and use the email service on the site (can be accessed by a Google search). House members encourage contact from their specific district residents but a Senators accept email outside their state.
Updates: Education Outlook, 2017
Information has come in fast and furiously over the past 2 months and it has been hard to keep up with the latest developments! Here is most recent information that I feel will be important to SoMIRAC members:
Donald Trump and K-12 Education: 5 Things to Watch in the New Administration
The new administration has had minimal contact with public education, and will bring many ideas that will require educators to watch and lobby. This article has many of the ideas he has verbalized during his campaign and post election period.
donald_trump_and_k-12_education.docx
Education.com article
New Education Secretary
Trump has nominated Betsy DeVos as his Education Secretary. DeVos does not have any experience as an educator, supervisor, superintendent, or any capacity that involves work in a school. She is a lobbyist and her cause is vouchers and charter schools, in keeping with the goals stated by Trump. Her confirmation hearing has been delayed, but she has powerful friends, through her donations, on the HELP Committee, who will review her nomination in the next week.
Here is information you should know about Betsy Devos:
conflicts_of_devos.docx
Betsy DeVos article
Elizabeth Warren and Massachusetts on DeVos
One of the members of the Committee who will preside at the hearings of Mrs. DeVos is Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. She opposes this nomination as does the Charter Schools Association of her home State. Here is information on their concerns.
sen._warren_and_ma_on_devos.docx
Article, Massachusetts opposition
We have lost our voice on the HELP Committee with the retirement of Senator Barbara Mikulski. But if you have feelings about the above issues, Senator Elizabeth Warren, MA, Senator Patricia Murray, WA, and our Maryland Delegation should hear from you. Their emails are best reached through Googling their web sites.
Additional news has to do with the Supreme Court who is currently hearing a case on special education services. See the article from my previous post to learn the details on this situation.
EducationDepartment Outlines Title II Guidelines for ESSA
The Department of Education has developed guidelines for funding for the Every Student Succeeds Act that will cover professional development funding from teacher training programs through administrator development. The attached document is an outline of their plans for this money under the new legislation.
essa.docx
essa.docx
Supreme Court to Rule on Education Law
How much instructional time is considered appropriate for a child who has an IEP? What degree of success is considered "meaningful educational benefit"?The Supreme Court has agreed to review a case that will review these and more questions and may result in some mandated changes for in Special Education and the development of an IEPs.
Download and read to find out the background and possibilities of their ruling when they hear the case of Endrew F. vs. Douglas County School District during this Court Session.
supreme_court_to_rule_on_special_ed_law.docx
Download and read to find out the background and possibilities of their ruling when they hear the case of Endrew F. vs. Douglas County School District during this Court Session.
supreme_court_to_rule_on_special_ed_law.docx
Do Clinton and Trump Really Understand?
Our Presidential Candidates sent their children to private schools. Do they actually understand the amount spent to educate a child in public school in comparison to the amount spent by average for a child in public school? Education Week provides a thorough analysis of the difference in spending for the children of the rich vs the general American public.
blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2016/07/clinton_trump_spending_per_student_tuition_private_school.html
blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2016/07/clinton_trump_spending_per_student_tuition_private_school.html
Online Students Have IDEA Rights, TOO!
The U.S. Department of Education has evaluated programs and classes offered for virtual or online students, and determined that many of them are missing components that are necessary to be in compliance with IDEA. The link in this article can take you to the USDE guidelines on this issue.
www.ajc.com/news/news/local-education/federal-government-releases-guidelines-for-special/nsDpN/
www.ajc.com/news/news/local-education/federal-government-releases-guidelines-for-special/nsDpN/
The True Meaning of Advocacy!
In Oklahoma, Kansas and New Jersey teachers are taking the fight for control of schools to a new level...they are running for state office! Read what has led them to work toward teacher control of education policy. www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2016/08/24/fed-up-with-states-k-12-stance-okla.html
Should School Systems Be Punished for Students Who Opt-Out of Testing?
Many states have had problems with an excessive number of students opting out of end of year testing. Some teachers were unable to be evaluated because so many students had not taken the state tests. Schools and systems were punished as well. Read this and see the repercussions in New York. How do you feel about this topic?
Ed. Dept: Schools Must Provide Behavioral Supports to Students Who Need Them
As you write your IEPs or 504s for students who are diagnosed as ADHD are you including Behavioral Supports? The Department of Education as issued a caution due to concerns since so many have been written without considering this support. Click here to read the entire article.
Advocacy Update: Presidential Nominees and their Education Awarenes
Now that the two major parties have chosen their nominees, I hope you will take a look at Education Week’s comparison of Clinton and Trump and their stands on Education Issues.
Visit the web site and as you click on each topic evaluate how their proposals and experience will affect your lives as educators.
http://www.edweek.org/ew/section/multimedia/president-candidates-trump-clinton-education.html?intc=main-mpsmvs
Visit the web site and as you click on each topic evaluate how their proposals and experience will affect your lives as educators.
http://www.edweek.org/ew/section/multimedia/president-candidates-trump-clinton-education.html?intc=main-mpsmvs
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 2016
Now that the new Elementary and Secondary Education Act has been passed here are resources to help you understand the expectations and changes. Thank you, ASCD!
Elementary and Secondary Education Act, 2016, Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
Implementation Timeline
Comparison of "No Child Left Behind" and "ESSA"
Now that the new Elementary and Secondary Education Act has been passed here are resources to help you understand the expectations and changes. Thank you, ASCD!
Elementary and Secondary Education Act, 2016, Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
Implementation Timeline
Comparison of "No Child Left Behind" and "ESSA"
More Food for Thought
How does SoMIRAC feel about this? Is it time to let Gov. Hogan know that we are proud of our schools in Maryland? Thanks for all your help in getting the information out!
Josh Kurtz: Getting Schooled by Larry Hogan
How does SoMIRAC feel about this? Is it time to let Gov. Hogan know that we are proud of our schools in Maryland? Thanks for all your help in getting the information out!
Josh Kurtz: Getting Schooled by Larry Hogan