Teachers speak out to BOE against overtesting
Public school teachers took their concerns about overtesting of students and a flawed teacher evaluation system to the Board of Education Sept. 6 during hours of testimony and discussions with board members, some of whom shared teachers’ opinions regarding too many standardized tests.
Radford High English Teacher Andy Jones opened with a plea to the BOE’s Student Achievement Committee to urge the DOE to eliminate its commitment to standardized testing as we now know it and to the Educator Effectiveness System. Jones told BOE members that the DOE’s Strategic Plan falls far short, and is “heavily marred by the existence of two ‘silver bullets’ left over from the Race to the Top years – the new-generation standardized tests and the Educator Effectiveness System.”
Vickie Parker Kam, the curriculum coordinator at Ilima Intermediate in Ewa Beach, testified for the first time before the BOE. Kam just became the school’s testing coordinator this school year and she shared testing schedules with BOE members, providing evidence of significant over-testing. Testing “has been insidiously inserted into our schools,” Kam told BOE members. Kam said some Ilima students take tests for one-class periods during up to 92 days of the school year, an amount she called “overwhelming.”
Lisa Morrison, a classroom teacher and student activities coordinator at Maui Waena Intermediate, asked board members to “investigate the damaging effects on Hawaii school children by conducting a testing audit as called for in the Every Student Succeeds Act.”
“The purpose of the audit would be to identify how much testing is actually happening at the school level,” Morrison said. “This has not been measured, and the results of such an audit would reveal the true extent of overtesting that students endure.”
HSTA recommends General Election political candidates
After a lengthy process which included a candidate questionnaire, interviews, and a review of voting history, HSTA’s Board of Directors, in concurrence with the HSTA Government Relations Committee, recommends teachers vote for the following candidates in the Nov. 8 General Election.
“We carefully reviewed their stances on important issues,” said HSTA President Corey Rosenlee. “So we are confident these candidates deserve teachers’ votes.”
In the presidential race, the HSTA recommends Hillary Rodham Clinton, a Democrat.
The HSTA recommends the re-election of U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D) as well as U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D), representing rural Oahu and the neighbor islands in Hawaii’s Congressional District 2. The HSTA also recommends sending Colleen Hanabusa (D) back to Congress in the 1st Congressional District seat she previously held representing urban Honolulu in the U.S. House. Read the full list of HSTA's State House and Senate recommended candidates here.
Frustrating health premium costs explained
In recent weeks, a number of members have contacted HSTA regarding health care premiums that increased on July 1. They were concerned because the 3.2 percent across-the-board pay raise that went into effect on Aug. 20 did little to offset those health care premium increases.
We have compiled answers to some of the common questions HSTA has received, such as why don't we get free medical like some private businesses or why doesn't HSTA negotiate lower heath care costs?
Read health care premiums Q and A here.
EUTF Rates
VB Rates
Benefits of Belonging meetings in Hilo and on Oahu
Veteran teachers and new educators, come find out how HSTA supports you!
Get connected to:
- Our HSTA community and member benefits
- HSTA VEBA Trust insurance plans and protection
- Our HYPE (Hawaii Young Professional Educators) program for new educators
- Professional development courses.
Benefits of Belonging meetings will be held:
Friday, Sept. 23, 5:30 p.m.
Location: Sodexo, UH Hilo Dining Hall, Hilo, Hawaii Island
Sign Up: Email Debra Borges at deblani29@yahoo.com
Monday, Sept. 26, 4 p.m.
Location: Mililani High School HQuad, 95-1200 Meheula Parkway, Mililani, Oahu
Sign Up for the Mililani Benefits of Belonging
Please sign up by Sept. 21.
Tuesday, Sept. 27, 4 p.m.
Location: McKinley High School Library, 1039 South King St., Honolulu, Oahu
Sign Up for the McKinley Benefits of Belonging
Please sign up by Sept. 21.
A Benefits of Belonging meeting that was set for Tuesday, Sept. 20, at 4 p.m. at HSTA Headquarters has been cancelled because of low registration.
Island Insurance's first $400 prize winner from Kailua Elementary; 4 prizes left HSTA member Emma Galdeira and her insurance agent Mike Salvatera.Congratulations to Emma Galdeira of Kailua Elementary as the first winner of the Island Insurance $400 prize drawing. When you get a fast, free, no-obligation HSTA auto quote from Island, you’re automatically entered to win $300 for your classroom and $100 for yourself! There are still four prizes remaining, but you need to get a quote by Oct. 7 to qualify. You can also receive a second entry when you get an Island homeowners, condo or renters quote. The quote process is quick and easy. Just click here to get started with Island Insurance.In addition, Emma SAVED $473 on her auto insurance with Island’s new HSTA group discount program. With Island’s lowest group rates, HSTA members save up to 20 percent more on auto insurance than the general public. Save more with our accident-free discount, renewal discount and prior insurance discount. Get a quote today. You could SAVE HUNDREDS of dollars!643-4000(Press #1 for an auto insurance quote, then press #1 for an HSTA designated agent)Sales Center Hours: Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.Email or text: HSTA@islandinsurance.com Hawaii’s own NFL quarterback Marcus Mariota is an Island Insurance customer and you could be too! 
Click here for MARCUS MARIOTA’s Special Announcement to HSTA Members
McDonald’s of Hawaii celebrates teacher appreciation by giving teachers free coffee in September
When: Every Tuesday in September
What: McDonald's Restaurants of Hawaii honors teachers with "Teacher Appreciation Month" in September
Where: All participating McDonald's Restaurants in Hawaii
Details: McDonald's Restaurants of Hawaii wants to thank teachers for all they do for our keiki. During the month of September, teachers will get a free medium cup of hot or iced McCafe® Royal Kona Blend every Tuesday at participating McDonald's locations in Hawaii.
- No purchase necessary
- Teachers must present their valid 2016 school ID upon ordering
- Limit one free cup of coffee per person, per visit
- Offer dates:
- Tuesdays: Sept. 20 and 27
- Offer times:
- Entire day
Celebrate Peace Day with events on Hawaii Island and Oahu Sept. 24
HSTA's Youth, Human and Civil Rights Committee encourages teachers to celebrate the 2016 International Day of Peace by promoting peace education within their classrooms and conducting a peace education activity with their students.
This year's theme for Peace Day, celebrated worldwide on Sept. 21, is The Sustainable Development Goals: Building Blocks for Peace.
More information on the UN's Peace Day events
• Peace Poster Contest
Students and teachers from around the globe will be urged to express their own interpretation of this year’s Peace Poster Contest theme: “Peace = Future.”
For more on the Peace Poster Contest, click here.
Hawaii Peace Day Events
• Island of Oahu, Pearl City
Sat., Sept. 24, 2016
9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
This year, Peace Day Hawaii will be held on the grounds of the Urban Garden Center, 955 Kamehameha Hwy., Pearl City, Oahu.
For more info on the Oahu Peace Day event, click here.
• Island of Hawaii, Honokaa
Peace Day Parade
Sat., Sept. 24, 2016
4 p.m.
Mamane Street; entertainment to include marching bands, taiko drummers, hula, bon dancers, cirque performers and multicultural music and entertainment.
Peace Day Festival, Honokaa
Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016
5 - 7 p.m.
For more info on Big Island Peace Day events, click here.
Memorial service to honor WWII AJA soldiers Sept. 25
Some public school teachers have grandfathers, fathers, uncles and friends who are Japanese-American soldiers who served during World War II. The annual Joint Memorial Service to honor them will be held Sunday, Sept. 25, at 10 a.m. at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl.
Members of the 100th Infantry Battalion, Military Intelligence Service, 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the 1399th Engineer Construction Battalion will be honored at the service, which is open to the public.
Veterans of World War II units, spouses, widows and family members are strongly encouraged to attend, to honor the veterans and visit with each other, renew old friendships and make new ones.
The AJA veterans' Joint Memorial Service is held on the last Sunday each September in memory of the first AJA who was killed in action during World War II, Shigeo "Joe" Takata of the 100th Infantry Battalion.
Free Hilo workshop: Pedagogy of Aloha
The HSTA sponsors a free workshop on the impact of Hawaiian-focused instruction, curriculum and assessment methods Saturday, Oct. 1, at UH Hilo Campus Center, room 301. Potluck lunch. Dr. Ku Kahakalau, an award winning Hawaiian educator, researcher and cultural practitioner, will share the impact of Hawaiian-focused education methods and offer insights on new preferred ways of teaching and learning that address 21st century realities.
There is no cost.
Register for the free Pedagogy of Aloha training here
For more information, contacthstaspeakersbureau@gmail.com. |
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