A. Building Opportunities for All Students and Teachers (BOAST)

This bill has come before the legislature for the past several years and failed to make its way to the floor for a full vote. The concepts of the bill have been opposed by MSEA, PGCEA and a large number of other education advocates. The bill would create an income tax credit for up to 75% of the contributions made a by a business or non-profit organization to an eligible non-profit organization that provides scholarships (neo vouchers) to students or teachers at non-public schools, or certain grants for innovative educational programs to public schools.

Governor O’Malley appointed a BOAST Interim Study Group that has been charged with drafting a report to the Governor and the General Assembly that outlines the opportunities and risks posed by the enactment of BOAST to the State. The committee is composed of nine members, and I was selected by MSEA to represent the State association on the committee. The other members are representing groups such as Mid- Atlantic Catholic School Consortium, Public Schools Superintendents Association of Maryland, Maryland Business and Economic Development Department, Agudath Israel of Maryland, Maryland Boards of Education Association and the Governor’s Office.

The committee has been receiving reports from groups with interest in the legislation including hearing from other states with similar legislation and from study groups that may oppose or support such legislation.

I view this as extremely important work for the State, and more importantly, for our membership as it may open up the opportunity for a possible drain on student enrollment in Prince Georges County, the absolute last thing that we need to occur now given our enrollment changes. As we work through this process, additional updates will be provided both by MSEA and in my reports.

B. MSDE Pilot

As some of you may be aware, PGCPS has been selected as one of seven school districts from across the state that must participate in the MSDE Pilot on Educator Effectiveness (PILOT). For the purpose of the Pilot, 100 teachers in 37 schools have been identified as being part of the process. The identifications were made by school and class to provide as large a cross section of information as possible without regard to any particular teacher. The essence of the pilot is to collect data to share with MSDE on linking student growth to teacher evaluation. All seven of the Pilot districts will be doing basically the same thing and providing the results back to the State. The selected classrooms will use a variety of assessments to determine and validate student growth such as MSA, HSA, FAS test and other pre- and post-tests. The data will not be linked to teachers by name or used in any way as part of the selected teacher’s evaluation. It is about the data, not the teacher.

The State has established teams from each of the affected districts that must meet once a month to discuss challenges and opportunities to improve the process. At this time, I am on the PGCPS team along with the HR Director, Chief of Academics, the Director of Human Capital and the Director of Testing and Assessment.

C. International Teachers Case

PGCEA has just received word that the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) has ruled against the interests of our members in the settlement that was reached between PGCPS and the Department of Labor (DOL). As you know, PGCEA, MSEA and NEA pooled our resources to support representation of those members that were actually identified in the case as being “interested parties.” Our hope was that if they were to prevail in their objection of the proposed settlement agreement between PGCPS and DOL, then all of our members that are on H-1B status would prevail. Unfortunately, it appears that will not happen.

In the decision and order, the ALJ has approved the settlement agreement as reached by PGCPS and DOL and ruled that the objections made on behalf of our members ultimately were not substantial enough to overrule the settlement agreement. The ALJ ruling appears to indicate their interest in this matter was protected by virtue of the individual back-pay awards that were called for in the settlement and agreed upon by the parties. While the ruling took note of the fact that many of the teachers uprooted their families and traveled thousands of miles to take positions with PGCPS, it also stressed in its ruling that the teachers are not guaranteed employment or valid immigration status under immigration laws.

PGCEA, MSEA and NEA will be consulting to determine if any additional next steps can be taken and if the merits exist for continued challenge of this matter given this decision.