We did it! In recent days, thousands of you have contacted state education officials to express your opposition to linking your license to your evaluation. MTA members sent e-mails, spoke out at DESE’s “town halls,” organized building meetings and made plans to attend upcoming DESE meetings in Malden and Bridgewater.
Today, the commissioner of education released a letter that says: “… we are rescinding the draft options that link licensure to educator evaluation.”
Our message — Union Strong — is making a difference.
While the immediate threat is lifted, there is much more to be done to make sure state officials hear what educators think we and our students need.
Here's the background on the licensure story.
Twenty-five days ago, MTA received notice of licensure changes proposed by DESE that would connect performance evaluation to license renewal and advancement. These proposals and the façade of voice given within the DESE “town halls” exposed the deep disconnect between educators and the department. Union members spoke out resoundingly. Several members of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education joined us in telling the commissioner they opposed this licensure plan.
The decision announced today is a good start, but other aspects of proposed licensure changes are still unsettled, and the disconnect between educators and DESE remains.
The commissioner has invited us to “continue the conversation.” Let’s do just that by showing up in Malden on Nov. 19 and Bridgewater on Nov. 20 to tell our stories, speak our truth, and reclaim public education.
Here are the details of the meetings next week:
DESE-sponsored Town Hall on Licensure
Thursday, November 20
4:30-7 p.m. (arrive at 4:15 p.m.)
Bridgewater State University
Crimson Hall – Dunn Conference Room
200 East Campus Drive
Bridgewater
Even as we move forward with our plans to make our voices heard, this is a moment to celebrate our strength and acknowledge the hard work of our members on this crucial issue. So thank you, and let’s keep up the fight!
3 comments:
This is proof that your voice means something. Politicians and bureaucrats fear public pressure. Don't stop now. Keep the momentum going. Withhold endorsements and donations. Locally the same must be done. Pia Durkin was hired to fix the New Bedford Public Schools not drop a nuclear bomb on it. Keep it up.
Paul Toner would have worked out a compromise that would have left us compromised.
Good point about Toner and the prior leadership. We now have two activist females that arise each day as watchdogs for teachers and students. True public education allies.
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