CATE 2009: Board Resolution 1 —
Commendation of the Convention Committee
Voices from the Epicenter of Change is about the impact of teachers. Educators shake up the lives of students so they can go out and shake up the world. As CATE recognizes fifty years of teachers speaking out to strengthen English Language Arts education, we honor those who continue to reshape the landscape of education.
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.
Convention Chairs Charleen Delfino and Elizabeth McAninch
Convention Coordinator Punky Fristrom
Program Chair, Cheryl Hogue Smith
Hospitality Bev Kreps
Meals/Decor Chair Susan Dillon, Megan Petersen
Registration Charles Schaefer
Concierge John Thomas
Lesson Plan Exchange Lorrraine Tracey
AV Chair William Foreman
CATE Membership Booth Joan Williams
Pre-Convention Jayne Marlink
Autograph Chair Brucine Doherty
Volunteer Coordinator Jan Goodspeed
College Credit Jonathan Lovell
Technology Kathy Nichols
Graphic Novels Kathleen Cecil
New Teacher Reception Trevor Guina
President’s Reception Robert Chapman
Signage Michelle Berry
CYRM JoAnne Mitchell
CATE Treasurer Anne Fristrom
Exhibits Jeff Wilson and Tammie Harvey
Registrar Eddie Hase
Flyer/Program Publication Carole LeCren
Printer Rick & Carol Benson
Awards Robert Chapman
Certificate Creation Tamra McCarthy
Printer Rick & Carol Benson
CATE 2009: Resolution 2 — Eligibility for CAHSEE
BACKGROUND
Whereas California offers multiple administrations of the CAHSEE each year, with sophomores having one opportunity and juniors and seniors having several opportunities based on eligibility by grade level and Whereas California Ed Code is silent on a definition of grade level, leaving districts and school boards to make that determination, using either age or units, creating inequity across the state in access to the test and
Whereas students with life challenges and responsibilities that make it difficult for them to complete units at the traditional pace are being denied opportunities to take CAHSEE because they fail to have the necessary units to be eligible by grade level and
Whereas teachers have reported that students whose overall attendance may be poor, but who are physically present on test day, are often motivated by a passing CAHSEE grade to graduate.
RESOLUTION
Therefore let it be resolved that the California Association of Teachers of English (CATE) recommends the State Board of Education adopt a regulation allowing districts flexibility so that any student who takes CAHSEE as a 10th grader is automatically eligible to take any subsequent administrations of the test.
And let it be further resolved that districts have no fiscal penalties for administration of tests to those students.
TO:
State Superintendent of Instruction, Jack O’Connell, California Department of Education,1430 N Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
Ted Mitchell, Chairperson State Board of Education, 1430 N Street, Room 5111 Sacramento, CA 95814
Assembly Education Committee Chair, Julia Brownley, State Capitol, Room 2163, Sacramento, CA 94249
Senator Romero, Chairperson Senate Education Committee, State Capitol, Room 2090, Sacramento, CA 94248
CATE 2009: Resolution 3 — Drop-out categories
BACKGROUND
Whereas the State of California has begun to refine what constitutes being a “dropout” in order to distinguish transfer students from actual dropouts and
Whereas the State of California defines dropouts in one instance as, “Completed four years of high school, has not graduated (including those who have not passed the CAHSEE, if required)” and
Whereas, the U.S. Department of Education already includes students who take more than four years to graduate in a separate category for graduation rates and
Whereas parents, students and teachers are disheartened by the failure to acknowledge the real work being done by some students in the face of incredible personal challenges and
Whereas schools need a clear indication of actual student achievement and the term “dropout” is inaccurate
RESOLUTION
Therefore let it be resolved that the California Association of Teachers of English (CATE) urges the California Department of Education to eliminate the term “dropout” for those students who have completed coursework but not passed the CAHSEE,
And let it be further resolved that CATE urges the California Department of Education to establish a new category called “pending graduate” to describe those students.
TO:
State Superintendent of Instruction, Jack O’Connell, California Department of Education,1430 N Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
Ted Mitchell, Chairperson State Board of Education, 1430 N Street, Room 5111 Sacramento, CA 95814
Assembly Education Committee Chair, Julia Brownley, State Capitol, Room 2163, Sacramento, CA 94249
Senator Romero, Chairperson Senate Education Committee, State Capitol, Room 2090, Sacramento, CA 94248
CATE 2009: Resolution 4 — One Book, One City
BACKGROUND
Whereas many cities in California have sponsored a One Book, One City celebration for the last several years, and
Whereas schools find such programs promote literacy through author visits, book group discussions and other events encouraging a common cultural experience through literature and
Whereas the end of the year celebration which involves schools, libraries and the reading public creates an increased sense of community
RESOLUTION
Therefore let it be resolved that the California Association of Teachers of English (CATE) commends the efforts of libraries and other organizations throughout the state to organize celebrations such as One Book, One City, and encourages local councils to work with schools and libraries to promote and sponsor these events.
TO:
KPBS- 5200 Campanile Dr., San Diego, CA 92182
San Diego Public Library, 820 E St., San Diego, CA 92101-6416
San Francisco Public Library, 100 Larkin Street (at Grove)
San Francisco, CA 94102-4733
Kern County Public Library, 701 Truxtun Ave., Bakersfield, 93301
County Library Foundation?7400 E. Imperial Hwy?Downey, CA 90242
Alameda County Library-2450 Stevenson Blvd. Fremont, CA 94538
Fresno County Public Library: 2420 Mariposa Street, Fresno, CA 93721