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)