The Advocate - February 24, 2016

• Making Headway on Assessments
• Watch Out for the Wrong Rubric
• Initial PAT PAC Endorsements
• Better Oregon By the Numbers
• Take the TELL Survey
• Join ODE's ESSA Committees
• Join the PAT Communications Committee

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I got a call from a member last Friday asking me what we could do about her evaluation. She told me that she was marked down in "Domain 4G" of the Rubric. At first I was confused. Our contract clearly states that the Rubric used to do educator evaluations will be developed jointly between PAT and the District. The Rubric cannot be changed unless it's by mutual agreement. I knew our Evaluation Committee has worked hard to develop a fair process, and I knew that the Rubric they developed didn't have a "Domain 4G."

Last week the PAT-PAC interviewed over 30 candidates running for a variety of state and local offices. We will conduct additional interviews on March 9th. Through the interview process it was clear that people across Portland are engaged and active, committed to making our city, and our state, a better place.

This month, the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) has once again asked all licensed, school-based educators to participate in the statewide TELL (Teaching, Empowering, Leading, and Learning) Survey. This is your opportunity to weigh in on topics such as the allocation of time, facilities and resources, student learning, community engagement, school leadership, professional development, and mentoring.

The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) is convening four workgroups to help guide the implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act. You can read more about the ODE's plan for implementing ESSA here.

The Advocate - January 29, 2016

• Authentic Assessments
• Reminder: Notice of Retirement or Resignation
• Unpaid Leave of Absence
• Questions About Dental Coverage?
• Handling Building Maintenance Issues
• Mapping Our Community Connections
• Take the TELL Survey

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I'm excited to report that I'll be leading an important delegation to New York City next week. PAT educators will be joined by PPS Board member Amy Kohnstamm, PPS Superintendent Carole Smith, and several other top PPS administrators, as well as the Director of Assessments for the Oregon Department of Education and OEA President Hanna Vaandering.

• Notice of Resignation or Retirement
• Unpaid Leaves of Absence
• Questions About Dental Coverage?
• Handling Building Maintenance Issues

• Mapping Our Community Connections
• Take the Tell Survey!

The Advocate - January 19, 2016

• Why Joining PAT Matters More than Ever
• Important Building Organizers Meeting - Thursday, January 21st
• Still Time to Take the Safety Survey
• Teacher for a Day
• Building a Better Oregon
• OEA Assessment Symposium, January 30, Salem OR
• Social Justice and Community Outreach Committee

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Remember Wisconsin and the anti-union measures Republican Governor Scott Walker rammed through the state legislature? Last week, the attack on teachers and other public employees escalated to the Supreme Court, with the controversial case, Friedrichs vs. the California Teachers Association.

Every school should make sure their building organizers, building reps, or designated alternates, attend the special meeting this Thursday, January 21st at 4:30 p.m. in the PAT office.

On Thursday January 7, dozens of local leaders spent the morning in a PPS classroom, part of PAT's annual Teacher for a Day event. Guest teachers taught lessons, led small groups, and answered questions in schools across the district, working with teachers who volunteered to open their classroom for the day. A total of 46 teachers and community leaders participated in the event this year. Guest teachers saw for themselves the excellent work going on in our classrooms, as well as the challenges we face in our work with students.

• OEA Assessment Symposium January 30, Salem OR
• Social Justice & Community Outreach Committee

The Advocate - December 16, 2015

• ​Working for a Safe and Supportive Learning Environment; 
• Keeping Up the Pressure to End High Stakes Testing; 
• Whats Next After NCLB; 
• Vacancy for Treasurer; 
• Nominations for PAT Elected Office; 
• Help Build a Better Oregon; 
• Teacher for a Day; 
• OEA Organizing Summit: January 8th and 9th; 
• OEA Assessment Symposium: January 30th, Salem OR
• MLK Celebration, January 18th
• Instruction & Professional Development Committee
• Social Justice & Community Outreach Committee

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Last week, Congress passed and President Obama signed the Every Student Succeeds Act, legislation that replaces No Child Left Behind, and reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The new law is far from perfect, and it will be months, perhaps years, before changes are fully felt.

Kim Wilson, our current treasurer, has notified the Association that she had to resign her position. I hope you’ll join me in thanking Kim for all her hard work. 

Whether its attending the OEA's organizing summit or the World Arts Foundation's MLK celebration, there are many ways for PAT members to get involved and get active in our union and our community. Here are some upcoming opportunities:

• OEA Assessment Symposium: January 30th, Salem OR
• MLK Celebration, January 18th
• Instruction & Professional Development Committee
• Social Justice & Community Outreach Committee