Better start cramming...

NEA Today, Sep 1998

Could North Carolina-style teacher competency testing make its way to your state? At least one Tarheel, NEA Executive Committee member Eddie Davis, thinks so.

"North Carolina is a leader in many school reform issues, so our colleagues around the country can expect to see the same thing," warns Davis, a high school English teacher in Durham.

In many places, "public opinion is shaped by anti-public education people who see teachers as scapegoats," Davis points out. "We need to let the public know about our Association-led reform movement."

Davis's advice: Tell folks about how NEA members in many places "help colleagues who may have difficulty delivering instruction to children-through peer assistance, peer review, or other collaborative efforts to ensure teacher quality."

The Contract That Counts

In Vermont, an arbitrator has ruled that the Colchester school board violated the union contract when it contracted out custodial services last year and laid off nine Colchester Education Association members. The arbitrator ordered reinstatement and back pay for the nine.

No Drugs in This Deal

Her legal costs paid by the Minnesota Education Association, Spanish teacher Teresa Robertz has reached a mediated settlement with a Duluth-area student who planted a bag of marijuana in her desk. The settlement includes "education for and community service by the student in exchange for dismissal of the lawsuit against him."

School Officer Is Robbed

In Conroe, Texas, school police Sergeant Mike Thompson somehow was designated "salaried" and denied overtime pay while other sergeants drew time and a half. NEA member Thompson grieved and won $28,540 in back pay.

Advice to the wise: Save copies of those time sheets!