CATE Resolutions - 2008
CATE 2008: Board Resolution 1 – Commendation of the Convention
Committee
CATE 2008, “Reading the Water, Writing
the Wind,” celebrates the unpredictable nature of the learning that
occurs in our classrooms and the sometimes gradual, sometimes monumental
waves of progress our students achieve. We are reminded that our efforts
mark each student's life; our hope for what they can be becomes the very
air they breathe.
This convention happens only because of
the volunteer efforts of many teachers and other volunteers who
sacrifice their time and energy to make this weekend possible.
Resolution
Resolved that the California
Association of Teachers of English thank and commend the following
outstanding volunteers:
Convention Chair: Nancy Himel
Convention Coordinator: Teisha Hase
Program Chair: Cheryl Hogue-Smith
Hospitality: Joanne Mitchell
Meals/Decor Chair: Marilyn Wells
Registration: Lisa Hernandez
Concierge: Joyce Bennett
Lesson Plan Exchange: Barbara Abramovitz
AV Chair: Bob Chapman
CATE Membership Booth: Joan Williams
Pre-Convention: Jayne Marlink
Autograph Chair: Kathy Allen
Volunteer Coordinator: Courtney Lockwood
Tech Chair/College Credit: Richard Hockensmith
New Teacher Reception: Akiko Morimoto
President’s Reception: Michelle Berry
Awards: Michelle Berry
Exhibitors’ Reception: Teisha Hase
CYRM: Audrey Fleming
CATE Treasurer: Anne Fristrom
Exhibits: Jeff Wilson
Registrar: Eddie Hase
Flyer/Program Publication: Carole LeCren
Convention Consultant: Punky Fristrom
Printer: Rick & Carol Benson
CATE 2008: Resolution 2-Teacher Professional Development
Background
Teaching is a vital and evolving profession, with
new research and pedagogy emerging daily. Many teachers work in isolated
situations without the opportunity for collegiality. New teachers are
mandated in Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment training to pursue
professional development.
While many subject area organizations offer
conferences for teachers, numerous school districts will not pay for
professional development unless it is required for credential renewal.
The failure to provide active accountability in the credentialing process is viewed by many districts as a tacit admission that professional development is no longer part of the California credential requirement and renewal.
Resolution
Therefore, let it be resolved that the California
Association of Teachers of English urges that the California Commission
on Teacher Credentialing continue to include ongoing professional
development as a requirement for part of the credential renewal process
in order to emphasize the value of professional development for
teachers.
TO: California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
California Department of Education
California State Board of Education
Gene Mullin, California State Assembly Education Committee
Jack Scott, California State Senate Education Committee
CATE 2008: Resolution 3 –
CAHSEE Test Questions and Essay Prompts
Background
Upon review of the California High School Exit Exam
(CAHSEE) released questions and essay prompts, it has been found that
this high stakes test includes questions and prompts that are unclear,
confusing, culturally and socio-economically biased, and inaccessible to
many students. In addition,
writing prompts often overwhelm students with overly wordy instructions
that contain unfamiliar vocabulary, which distracts students from the
task they are expected to accomplish.
In an age where our national government demands that
“no child be left behind,” students face an unfair situation when having
to answer questions or write essays about topics for which they have
little or no cultural framework.
Experienced language arts teachers, who are familiar
with the California state standards, and have worked with a variety of
student skill levels possess vital knowledge and expertise that should
be considered a fundamental resource when reviewing current and creating
future CAHSEE questions and writing prompts.
Resolution
Therefore be it resolved that
the California Association of Teachers of English urges the California
Department of Education and the State Board of Education to enlist the
assistance of experienced English Language Arts teachers, are familiar
with California state standards, and have worked with a variety of
student skill levels to review current and future CAHSEE questions and
writing prompts to assure that they include clearly defined wording and
instructions, are free of cultural, socio-economic and gender bias, are
grade-level relevant, and are accessible to all students.
TO:
California Department of Education
California State Board of Education
Gene Mullin, California State Assembly Education Committee
Jack Scott, California State Senate Education Committee
CATE 2008: Resolution 4 – CST Test Questions (all grades) and Essay Prompts (4th and 7th grades)
Background
Upon review of the California Standards Test (CST)
released questions and essay prompts, it has been found that this high
stakes test includes questions and prompts that are unclear, confusing,
culturally and socio-economically biased, and inaccessible to many
students. In addition,
writing prompts often overwhelm students with overly wordy instructions
that contain unfamiliar vocabulary which distracts students from the
task they are expected to accomplish.
In an age where our national government demands that
“no child be left behind,” students face an unfair situation when having
to answer questions or write essays about topics for which they have
little or no cultural framework.
Experienced English Language Arts teachers, who are
familiar with the California state standards, and have worked with a
variety of student skill levels, possess vital knowledge and expertise
that should be considered a fundamental resource when reviewing current
and creating future CST questions and writing prompts.
Resolution
Therefore be it resolved that
the California Association of Teachers of English urges the California
Department of Education and the State Board of Education to enlist the
assistance of experienced teachers who have a background in English, are
familiar with California state standards, and have worked with a variety
of student skill levels to review current and future CST questions and
writing prompts to assure that they include clearly defined wording and
instructions, are free of cultural, socio-economic and gender bias, are
grade-level relevant, and are accessible to all students.
TO:
California Department of Education
California State Board of Education
Gene Mullin, California State Assembly Education Committee
Jack Scott, California State Senate Education Committee
CATE2008-Resolution 5- Grading of
Writing on State-wide Standardized Tests
Background
The California Department of Education requires a
number of standardized writing assessments throughout the school career
of California students and California students represent one of the most
diverse and mobile student populations in the country.
Currently readers with a non-English B.A. can score
student writing on-line from home with on-line training.
Resolution
Let it be resolved that the California Association
of Teachers of English requests that the California Department of
Education and State Board of Education have student writing graded
in-state by experienced English Language Arts teachers, some of whom are
currently in the classroom.
And let it be further resolved that two or more
readings be given to the papers to ensure reliable scores are
maintained.
TO:
California Department of Education
California State Board of Education
Gene Mullin, California State Assembly Education Committee
Jack Scott, California State Senate Education Committee
CATE 2008: Resolution 6-21st Century Literacies
Background
Today's students are experiencing the shift from a
page-based to a screen-based society, resulting in the need for advanced
technological skills to navigate that society.
Both oral and written communication, as well as
reading skills and working collaboratively are viewed as essential job
skills.
Approximately 50% of four-year colleges and 30% of
community colleges now use electronic course management tools.
Students attending the richest schools in
California have a student to computer-ratio of 4.74, as compared to a
ratio of 6.13 for the poorest schools.
Schools with the highest poverty level have 80% of
classrooms connected to the Internet as opposed to 93% in well resourced
schools.
Teens with access to home computers are 6 to 8
percentage points more likely to graduate from high school creating more
of a digital divide for students who do not have access to computers at
school.
Resolution
Therefore let it be resolved that the California
Association of Teachers of English
asks that the California Department of Education assist with
eliminating the digital divide in California schools to guarantee that
all California students have access to computers with broadband
connections in multiple school locations.
TO:
California Department of Education
California State Board of Education
CATE 2008: Resolution 7-Support for Journalism Teachers
Background
Freedom of expression and of
the press are fundamental to a democratic society and are granted by the
First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
These freedoms are meant to ensure a lively and
broad-based discussion of issues that lead to informed and educated
citizens and so these freedoms need to be taught, practiced and
cherished in public schools. In reflection of this fundamental belief of
the significance of these freedoms, the California Legislature has
established some of the strongest protections for student press in this
country, but currently, these rights are under attack by those who would
circumvent the students' right to an uninhibited press.
The First Amendment rights of students are
protected by California Education Code (section 48907 and section
48950), but advisers have no comparable protection.
At least six California
journalism advisers have been threatened, disciplined, reassigned or
fired because of the protected speech of their students in student
publications during the 2006-07 school year, joining a significant
number of other California teachers who have suffered similar
mistreatment in recent years for adhering to the California Education
Code and the First Amendment.
Resolution
Therefore let it be resolved
that the California Association of Teachers of English (CATE) supports
protection for student media advisers from intimidation, harassment,
termination, involuntary transfer, reassignment,
removal or other discipline for refusing to suppress the legally
protected expression of student journalists.
Let it be further resolved
that CATE recommends that the California Department of Education and the
State Board of Education compel school districts to develop freedom of
expression policies within the framework of the First Amendment and the
California Education Code. Such policies should include reasonable
guidelines concerning adviser support of student expression, and which
specifically restrain public schools from disciplinary action against
advisers for supporting protected student expression.
Be it further resolved that
CATE supports SB 1370 (Yee)
which is the Journalism Teacher Protection Act.
TO:
California Department of Education
California State Board of Education
National Education Association (1201 16th Street NW,
Washington, DC
20036-3290)
American Society of Newspaper Editors (11690B Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, VA 20191-1409)
National Council of Teachers of English
California Teachers Association
Journalism Education Association (Kansas
State University, 103 Kedzie Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506-1505)
Associated Press (1215 K St., Suite 960, Sacramento, 95814)
Capitol Morning Report (925 l St., Ste 290, Sacramento 95814)
Capitol News Service (530 Bercut Dr., Ste E, Sacramento 95814)
San Jose Mercury News (1215 K St., Ste 930, Sacramento 95814)
San Francisco Chronicle (Senator Hotel office Bldg, Sacramento 95814)
Sacramento Bee (925 L St. Suite 600, Sacramento 95814)
Orange County Register (925 L St., Suite 315, Sacramento, 95814)
San Diego Union-Tribune (925 L St., Suite 1190, Sacramento 95814)
Education Beat (980 9th St, Suite 175, Sacramento 95814)
Fresno Bee (925 L St., Suite 600, Sacramento 95814)