Resolutions 2009

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