JCAFT RED ALERT!

August 22, 2006

NCLB, AYP, ARI, BBST, STI, SIT, IEP, IDEA, HQ

All MAKE EMPLOYEES AND  STUDENTS

NEED AN R&R AND SCHOOL HAS JUST STARTED

     Mrs. McCloud was my fourth grade school teacher.  She was a no-nonsense, strict disciplinarian who taught me a love of learning that has lasted my entire life.  Those were the days when school bullies got bloody noses during recess; where children actually had time to eat lunch while visiting with friends; and where there was always time during the school day for show-and-tell and a good story.  Physical Education allowed me the time to win the Four Square championship and to play baseball with the boys. 

     I don’t remember having overweight friends.  I don’t remember much about national tests, adequate yearly progress or any reading initiative.  I do remember learning how to play the ukulele during our study of Hawaii.  I remember my teacher playing the bagpipes and wearing a kilt during our study about Scotland.  I remember my teacher encouraging me to run for a school office.  I remember working on the Student Council, writing for the school newspaper and running faster than some of the boys in my class.  I remember having time to attend church on Wednesday night and participate in the choir and in Girl Scouts.  I even had time to take dancing after school.

What do all of these have in common with schools of today?  I guess not much.  Students today are faced with an alphabet of well meaning programs to make schools accountable to tax payers. They are taught to bubble in answers to tests with the “best of um”. They eat without talking at lunch and have limited time to socialize, because tests govern the curriculum, not the needs of students.

     JCAFT is receiving calls daily about the increased demands being placed on employees and students in our schools.  Many teachers and support workers who care about their students are concerned about the increased requirements placed on their personal time. In an effort to increase test scores, school administrators are requiring teachers and support workers to start the instructional day during “bus duty” at 7:20 a.m.   Well meaning administrators are adding before and after school activities, removing the required by law, “duty free time,” and holding faculty meetings past 5:00 on Mondays.  Additionally, employees are required to attend all after school committees that they have been assigned, attend all PTA meetings, and attend Open House, Meet and Greet, another Open House, and Family Reading Night.  Employees are also required to be involved in curriculum meetings after school, parent conferences after school, workshops after school, and don’t forget the data driven meetings and IEP meetings --- not to mention bus duty that extends throughout the school year.  

     Teachers and support workers attend required meetings on Sundays, help with fund raisers on Saturdays and try to work on grading papers, lesson plans, skills agendas, improvement plans, data plans, and accreditation, while they document every move exceptional education students make in case the school system officials are sued.  Every skill taught must be documented at least three times to make sure it correlates with the curriculum and whatever programs school officials determine are necessary.  Teachers are spending their entire, short summers meeting the increasing demands of “No Child Left Behind.”  Heaven forbid if any employee is not considered “Highly Qualified” by the Bush administration.  It makes you wonder if George Bush ever went to school.  Where are the days when outstanding teachers actually had time to teach?

     Calls to the JCAFT office are numerous and serious regarding the pressures being placed on students and employees.  One parent called to voice her concerns about her children.  She wanted to know if the next move will be to place all students in yellow jump suits, since students are treated like prisoners. 

     JCAFT leaders are devoting the September 12 Membership Meeting and future meetings and events to address these concerns.  The JCAFT attorney will be present to answer questions and to help determine what can be done legally to help.  A committee will be appointed from the floor to determine actions that will be taken by the JCAFT.  Make no mistake, the JCAFT will provide resources and staff to help with any action recommended by the members.  JCAFT will partner with parent groups, churches and organizations interested in participating. It is a complicated problem that will require time and resources

COME TO THE JCAFT MEMBERSHIP MEETING ON

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 at 5:00 P.M. AT THE JCAFT AUDITORIUM DINNER WILL BE PROVIDED                    DRAWINGS FOR PRIZES

MEMBERS AND NON - MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND

JOIN JCAFT TODAY.  HELP US FIGHT FOR YOUR BENEFITS!