Peoria-area school districts wary of pension proposal
Peoria Journal Star – PEORIA — Taxpayers, teachers and, ultimately, children could lose, area school officials warned Tuesday, if local school districts are required to help clean up the under-funded mess in the state’s teachers Retirement 

District 34 considers class size increases, staff cuts
Glenview Announcements – “It’s never easy to cut staff. We’re looking forward to hearing more from the community on this,” said board member Jack Murphy. Several union teachers representing the Glenview Education Association also opposed the terminations. “Our bargaining process has been compromised by releasing this budget information to the public,” said Susan Debias 

District heads weigh teacher certification bonuses
Geneva Kane County Chronicle –  The benefit was introduced in the 2008 contract and is applicable to teachers with master’s degrees. “We were very surprised by it,” St. Charles Education Association President Pam Turriff said. Administrators in central Kane County likened the certification process to earning advanced degrees. Compensating teachers for certification 

Editorial: District 205 credibility gap remains  The Rock River Times – A new superintendent, a new communications officer, a new slate of school board members and a new administration building have done nothing to change the culture of deception within the Rockford Public School District 205 administration. 

Teachers are too rich?
Wednesday Journal – The high school’s teachers and the District 200 school board announced agreement on a new two-year contract last week. The contract provides no pay increase in the 2012-2013 school year, and teacher compensation will be limited to step and lane increases the next year. As a skeptic, I must admit I was surprised, and as a taxpayer, I was pleased by what is clearly a good contract. Nice job by all parties. 

Social Media in Schools
WICS ABC 20 (Springfield) – They’re also looking to change the policy concerning teachers’ and students’… Own personal social media sites. That’s where the Springfield Education Association says they have a few questions. 

Embattled former U. of I. official to join faculty with $109,000 salary
Chicago Tribune – to develop, and I believe that over time, as the full information comes to light, it will reveal the truth behind this matter,” she wrote. “Meanwhile, I’ll do my best to serve the university as a teacher and researcher.” U. of I. spokeswoman Robin Kaler said campus administrators and faculty leaders likely will meet to discuss the next steps. 

At AUSL, progress but not magic
The elementary schools run by the Academy for Urban School Leadership are performing, on average, better than comparable neighborhood schools. But achievement is mixed, and the toughest job ahead will be to improve student performance in reading.

Lawmakers file bills to rein in school closings, class sizes
Three Chicago lawmakers want CPS to put a halt on school actions, keep class sizes small and testify to the Legislature every year on its budget, including on plans to close, build or rehab schools.

To stop youth violence, ask students for answers
The Do the Write Thing challenge is a powerful program that asks middle-grades students to write about the impact of youth violence and how they can help to stop it, writes Robin Hulshizer, an attorney and chair of the Chicago program.

Teachers can’t thrive as ‘lone rangers’
For education reforms to bring real-world results, we can no longer afford to leave teachers isolated in their individual classrooms, wasting in-house expertise that they could be sharing with their fellow teachers, writes Jacob Gourley, a teacher at Thornton Fractional South High School in Lansing. 

Political News 

Bumpy ride ahead for state budget  Chicago Tribune – Speaker Michael Madigan on Tuesday outlined grim budget news to House Democrats who left a closed-door meeting predicting deep budget cuts, particularly in health care for the poor. “Fasten your seat belts. It’s going to be a very bumpy …   

Quinn wants schools, Medicaid providers to help balance state’s budget
Crains Chicago Business – Gov. Pat Quinn today strengthened his call for major Medicaid and pension reform this year and dropped some clear hints about who should pick up much of the tab: physicians and other medical providers,

Quinn offers details on pension, Medicaid cost cutting  Chicago Tribune – Pat Quinn offered up a small handful today, saying he wants to go after the “sacred cows” that drive up state spending.   

Lawmakers complain about no details at Jacksonville facility hearing   The State Journal-Register – The Gillespie building is seen on the grounds of the Jacksonville Developmental Center Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012 in Jacksonville, Ill. Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn announced that he plans to close the Jacksonville center for people with developmental … 

COGFA wants another hearing in Jax WLDS-WEAI News – It looks like a state panel will hold another hearing in Jacksonville regarding the closure of the Jacksonville Developmental Center. The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability held a meeting in Springfield today to discuss the JDC and … 

Why Legislators rarely know cost of laws they pass Chicago Daily Herald – That means more than 98 percent of the new laws were passed without any basic information about the toll they’d take on the state’s finances.  That’s according to a report by the Illinois Policy Institute, a watchdog group on government spending practices. The group is pushing legislators to toughen its laws and require fiscal notes on more bills.

Legislative Scholarships On Chopping Block  MyStateline.com – Governor Quinn supports the idea and says the state should consider giving more MAP grants to help needy students afford college. 

National News

Teachers group gives Florida congressional leaders As and Fs  Sun-Sentinel (blog) – When it comes to how the National Education Association feels about Florida’s elected leaders, there aren’t many shades of gray. They either love them or hate them. The teachers’ group has given every Democrat … 

National Education Association report card gives Michigan Democrats straight …   MLive.com – American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten and Dennis Van Roekel, president of the National Education Association, met with education writers last year.

Late yesterday and throughout today, Vince Giordano and NJEA were the targets of a smear campaign by the state Republican Party, conservative bloggers and websites, and others following an interview Vince did that aired last weekend on NJTV’s “New Jersey Capitol Report.”  The full interview can be viewed at this link: http://acieminteractive.com/clientele/caucus/njcr181/

Where ‘The Facebook Generation’ works, according to Facebook  Millennials have been nicknamed “The Facebook Generation.” So what better way to gain insight on the youngest members of the workforce than through the social media technology they’ve become synonymous with?

Tornado-Ravaged District Takes Digital Approach to Rebuilding  An ambitious 1-to-1 laptop effort emerges in the wake of the tornado that devastated Joplin, Mo.

Educators, Parents Hold Mixed Views on Testing  A survey shows that parents and educators prefer tests that are given to help shape instruction over those used to gauge students’ year-end   progress.

TIME.com Today’s Top Stories

Santorum Stuns Romney with Tuesday Sweep, Steals Momentum in GOP Race

Rick Santorum’s clean sweep of the three contests Tuesday night was a major triumph that revived lingering questions about Romney’s appeal to the party’s base

How ‘Shadow Inventory’ Is Killing the Housing Market

One factor hurting the prices of homes that are for sale is the enormous number of homes that aren’t for sale — but that should be

Haiti Papers Over the Past: The Re-Branding of Baby Doc Duvalier

The government of Michel Martelly — friend of Sean Penn and other U.S. celebrities — has decided not to pursue the ex-dictator-for-life for crimes against humanity — just corruption

The Politics of Contraception: How a Health Insurance Controversy Could Shape the Election

One of the Obama campaign’s central tasks will be to persuade its former supporters to back the candidate again

The Gay-Marriage Decision: Is It Too Narrow to Reach the Supreme Court?

The Ninth Circuit chose to look at whether Prop 8 denied a group of people a right enjoyed by others — not whether same-sex marriage itself is constitutional. And that may define what happens next in the legal saga

The Washington Post

CIA digs in as Americans withdraw from Iraq, Afghanistan

The CIA is expected to maintain a large clandestine presence in Iraq and Afghanistan long after the departure of conventional U.S. troops as part of a plan by the Obama administration to rely on a combination of spies and Special Operations forces to protect U.S. interests in the two longtime war zones, U.S. officials said.

Read full article >>
(Greg Miller)

Editorial Board: The U.S. must do more for Guatemala over STD study

IN THE FALL of 2010, the Obama administration acknowledged a shocking truth: From 1946 through 1948, officials working in Guatemala for the U.S. Public Health Service conducted tests on some 5,100 unwitting individuals and deliberately infected at least 1,300 with sexually transmitted diseases. None of the victims — who included prisoners, soldiers, the mentally ill and commercial sex workers — consented to this barbaric treatment. At least 83 people died, and many suffered permanent damage.

Read full article >>
(Editorial Board)

As Massachusetts governor, Romney had an unremarkable record on jobs

An overheated industry has gone bust. A tepid economy is not producing enough jobs. And a successful businessman promises he can use his private-sector experience to jump-start the economy.

Read full article >>
(Jia Lynn Yang)

Virginia adding ‘conscience clause’ to adoption laws

RICHMOND — Virginia will likely become the second state in the nation — after North Dakota — to allow private adoption agencies to turn away parents based on sexual orientation or religious and moral beliefs.

Read full article >>
(Anita Kumar)

Word of the Day for Wednesday, February 8, 2012

piacular \pahy-AK-yuh-ler\, adjective:

1. Expiatory; atoning; reparatory.
2. Requiring expiation; sinful or wicked.

IEA’s Director of Government Relations reports on the first meeting of the 2012 Illinois General Assembly. Jim Reed is urging IEA members to lobby lawmakers in their home districts via the IEA’s Back Home Lobby Days initiative.

The key dates lawmakers should be available in their home districts include: Feb. 13-17, March 12-16, April 2-6 and 9-13.

Click here for more information on Back Home Lobbying.

GPAs meet at the state capitol

Grassroots Political Activists and their GO-Team members met Feb. 3-4 for a legislative update, preview of the 2012 elections and a simulation that followed a bill through the committee process. The GPAs role-played as members of various advocacy groups and testified in a mock committee at the state capitol. After committee, GPAs and their teams enjoyed special access to the Senate floor and heard from Sens. John Sullivan (D-Rushville) and Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) about their roles in the legislative process.

Find out more about the GPA program on the IEA website

NBPTS candidate fee subsidy opens Feb. 15

The National Board Resource Center at Illinois State University has announced the window for the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards candidate fee subsidy will open Feb. 15, for 500 first time candidates. Click here for more information on the ISU website.

Let your imagination soar with The Lorax and Read Across America

NEA’s Read Across America campaign will showcase the Lorax book as well as NBC/Universal’s The Lorax (featuring the voices of Taylor Swift, Zach Efron, Danny Devito and Betty White). The film opens nationwide March 2, and Universal, Dr. Seuss Enterprises and Random House have joined NEA’s Read Across America, creating new posters and classroom guides for the campaign.

Let us be part of your plans by contacting IEA Listens. It’s not too early to begin the Seussational celebration!

Give your valentine a gift that sparkles

Shop for jewelry or that next vacation package with NEA Member Benefits Click & Save program. You’ll save money and make your someone special very happy.

Visit the NEA MB website to register or sign in to find all the values that your membership allows.

You could win tickets to see the Chicago Symphony     

Send us an email message with “Symphony” in the subject line and you’ll be entered to win two tickets to the April 5 performance at the Symphony Center.

The IEA Store is back, featuring your old favorites, new items and a new way to order!

With IEA Store items, you can:

• Show your pride in being a member of the Illinois Education Association-NEA;
• Provide incentive gifts for meeting attendance;
• Thank your members who volunteer;
• And more…

All with items available to you, at cost, featuring the IEA logo

Download:

2012 IEA RA Tentative Schedule of Events

The key dates lawmakers should be available in their home districts include: February 13-17, March 12-16, April 2-6 and 9-13.

More information on Back Home Lobbying

In Wednesday’s State of the State address, Gov. Quinn restated his belief that the Illinois pension problem, which, along with Medicaid, is having a major impact on the state budget, needs to be addressed in 2012. The key legislative leaders are echoing that belief.

Illinois Labor Pension Coalition

The unions representing the government employees who pay into the state pension systems intend to actively participate in the pension discussion.

IEA, the Illinois Federation of Teachers, AFSCME, SEIU and the Illinois AFL-CIO have coalesced around the belief that it is in the best interests of our organizations’ members to be engaged with policymakers whenever and wherever changes in pension policy are being discussed. To that end, the labor pension coalition has been meeting with key players in the state pension discussion. Click here to read more.

Be part of the process

More than 70 IEA members attended candidate recommendation hearings  Jan. 28 in the suburban Chicago area. These meetings help to ensure education-friendly candidates are elected to vote for legislation affecting you and your students. Visit the IEA website to watch a video on how IPACE recommendation hearings are conducted and be sure to attend those held in your area.

IEA UniServ Intern program

All active IEA members, associate staff, and administrative assistants interested in securing professional staff positions are eligible to experience UniServ professional staff work. IEA is actively seeking minorities and women to apply. Visit the IEA website for more information and to download an application.

Give your valentine a gift that sparkles

Shop for jewelry or that next vacation package with NEA Member Benefits Click & Save program. You’ll save money and make your someone special very happy.

Visit the NEA MB website to register or sign in to find all the values that your membership allows.

You could win tickets to see the Chicago Symphony

Send us an email message with “Symphony” in the subject line and you’ll be entered to win two tickets to the April 5 performance at the Symphony Center.

The RA preview Advocate is coming your way

Look for this important issue of the Advocate containing the tentative RA schedule, NEA Director candidate statements, proposed by-law changes and find out which of your colleagues have obtained National Board Certification.

The IEA Store is back, featuring your old favorites, new items and a new way to order!

With IEA Store items, you can:

• Show your pride in being a member of the Illinois Education Association-NEA
• Provide incentive gifts for meeting attendance
• Thank your members who volunteer
• And more…

All with items available to you at cost featuring the IEA logo.

IEA leaders are urging members to participate in “Back Home Lobby Days,

IEA members can directly contact and lobby their state representatives and senators by meeting with the legislators in their home districts when the legislature is not in Springfield.

Legislators understand how important it is for them to meet with their constituents and the legislator’s home district makes for a setting in which IEA members can outline what they want and expect from their elected officials.

When should members lobby?

Legislators are not in session until the first week of February and are back home several weeks prior to the March Primary. Anytime legislators are not scheduled to be in Springfield is a good time to schedule a meeting in the home district with the people who make the laws that control teaching and learning conditions.

IEA will be making announcements throughout the 2012 legislative session about home district lobbying opportunities. Keep checking the IEA Website.

Download

• IEA Back Home Lobby Days 2012 Information Sheet
• IEA Back Home Lobby Days Funding Request Form

• NEA’s Three-Point Plan for True Education Reform
• NEA President Announces New Three-Part Action Agenda to Strengthen Teaching Profession and Improve Student Learning
• Transforming Teaching: Connecting Professional Responsibility with Student Learning
  Report of the Commission on Effective Teachers and Teaching
• Comments by Maddie Fennell, the chairperson of the Commission on Effective Teachers and Teaching

The ad also highlights the leadership role IEA has always played in making schools have the best possible teaching and learning conditions.

“We believe that the people hearing this ad will think about their teachers and how their achievements as adults are connected to what they learned in the classroom as children,” said IEA President Cinda Klickna.

“Quality schools benefit everyone and we believe this ad reminds people throughout Illinois of what teachers contribute to our society. We hope this ad will inspire continuing support for public schools and all public education employees,” she added.

Click the play button or download the .mp3

The IEA media campaign was approved by the IEA Representative Assembly. More information on the campaign is found here.

Hilton Chicago
720 S. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60605

March 15 – March 17, 2012

Guestroom rates:

$179.00 – Single occupancy (1 bathroom)
$189.00 – Double occupancy (1 bathroom)
$214.00 – Triple occupancy (1 bathroom)
$239.00 – Quad occupancy (1 bathroom)

Additional packages and promotions are available at an additional cost.  The above rates do not include any applicable taxes –16.4% beginning in January.

Guestroom internet access will be complimentary for all attendees.

Reservations

Reservation cutoff date is Monday, February 21, 2012

Online: Make your online reservations

Phone: 1-877-865-5320
Identify that you are with the Illinois Education Association

Group Name:  Illinois Education Association
Group Code:  NEA
Check-in: Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Check-out: Saturday, March 17, 2012
Hotel Name: Hilton Chicago
Hotel Address:  720 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, 60605
Phone Number: 312-663-6514 (For post-reservation issues)

Delegates must provide a first night’s deposit, refundable up to 72 hours in advance of the arrival date.  Checks and major credit cards are acceptable to establish deposit prepayment.  All credit cards used to prepay will be charged immediately.

Parking/Transportation:

Self parking at the Hilton is $29.00 per day (this rate does not apply to Valet Parking).

Don’t want to hassle with driving or parking?  Take Metra (commuter rail)

Amtrak offers a 10% “IEA convention” discount off the best available rail fare to (Chicago, IL) between (March 11, 2012 – March 21, 2012).  To book your reservation call Amtrak at 1 (800) 872-7245 or contact your local travel agent.

Convention discounts cannot be booked via Internet.  Please be sure to refer to Convention Fare Code X61I-938 when making your reservation.  This offer is not valid on the Auto Train and Acela Service.  Fare is valid on Amtrak Regional for all departures seven days a week, except for holiday blackouts.  Offer valid with Sleepers, Business Class or First Class seats with payment of the full applicable accommodation charges

• Looking for Superman?
• NEA RA delegate elections and nomination forms
• SIUC employees unite, fight, win support of students, fair contracts
• REA funded audit brings truth to financial projections
• An organization that reflects Illinois

Check it out below, or watch for it in your mailbox in the next few weeks.

Video: Josh Stumpenhorst, 2012 Teacher of the Year

Josh Stumpenhorst is recognized by students and colleagues for his innovation inside and outside the classroom. And, now he’s been recognized by the state, as well, as the Illinois State Board of Education has announced he’s the 2012 Teacher of the Year.

Video: 2011 Fall Outreach to Teach

Thanks to the IEA Student Program, 60 volunteers descended upon Lindop Elementary School in Broadview to spruce up the school, both inside and out, in an Outreach to Teach project.

Video: An organization that reflects Illinois

IEA and NEA are committed to achieving ethnic-minority delegate representation at the NEA Representative Assembly (NEA RA) that is at least equal to the proportion of identified ethnic-minority populations within the state.

Jan 2012 Advocate