Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Teachers union election: a look at caucuses and candidates | GothamSchools

Teachers union election: a look at caucuses and candidates | GothamSchools

Teachers union election: a look at caucuses and candidates


In part two of a rough guide to the upcoming teachers union elections, here’s a look at the union’s internal party system and who’s running for major positions.
Part of the reason why UFT ballots have the heft of a college acceptance package is that they’re filled with a dizzying number of names. This year, 1,485 candidates are running for about 900 positions.
Most of those positions are for delegates to the conventions held by the national and state union branches, as well as the country’s largest teachers union, the National Eduction Association. But others have a direct influence on how the union is run and where it stands on issues like merit pay, charter schools, and how difficult it is to fire a teacher.
Along with voting for a union president, UFT members also cast their votes for ten officer positions and 78 executive board positions. The executive board, which meets once a month and votes on resolutions, breaks down into 42 “at large” positions held by any UFT member, and 36 positions that are parceled out among elementary (11), middle (5), and high school teachers (6), as well as “functional” employees (14) such as guidance counselors.

Rise & Shine: Frozen school aid may not come until June

  • Governor David Paterson said he could delay $2.1 billion in school aid until June. (Legislative Gazette)
  • Boy Scouts rallied at City Hall to protest the sale of the city’s only Scout campground. (SI Live)
  • A Brooklyn woman is organizing a prom dress giveaway for city high school students. (Daily News)
  • Many school districts are agreeing to do more to protect against bullying. (SI Live)
  • A former Fortune 500 CEO makes the case for common standards. (Wall Street Journal)
  • Richard Cohen wonders why parents don’t get more blame in bullying cases. (Daily News)
  • Colorado officials will meet today to decide whether to apply to Race to the Top again. (Denver Post)
  • A member of Massachusetts’ first Teach for America class praises the experience. (Boston Globe)
  • The Philadelphia Inquirer supports school turnarounds, but warns against relying too much on charters.
  • A Boston Globe columnist argues that a lack of money is killing public education.

Remainders: Screaming tabloids hurt NY’s RttT shot, Randi says