Representing Akron Teachers since 1946

AEA files ULP over Board's Code of Behavior & Employee Discipline Rubric Literally within weeks of signing the new contact--which included a revised, progressive discipline plan-- the Board acted on an employee code of behavior and discipline plan that conflicts with the contract. That act prompted AEA to file an unfair labor practice--see Random Notes for a full explanation of the issue. Their code was designed by a firm called "Upslope," and includes many vague infractions, off duty conduct, as well as items that are directed solely at teachers. Additionally, the Board has already put out a sum of over 100 grand for the code, training in its use & its rubric. For a taste of what that money bought, sample videos of "Upslope" training are at their website.

AEA Golf Scramble, Sat. May 17 at Brookledge Golf Club-- see golf flyer-- benefits Strides Against Breast Cancer

AEA Night At Stadium-- Indians vs Texas Rangers & pre-game tailgate picnic Friday, May 23--see game flyer

Articles

An interesting study on charter schools, reviewing what they were sold as and what they are:

http://professorronaldgcorwin.com/page2.html

Cleveland Scene article by a former employee describing Ohio's largest on-line charter school:

http://clevescene.com/2007-08-29/news/education-at-its-worst/1

Charter schools under perform traditional public schools--check out this Canton Repository article http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?Category=9&ID=370516&subCategoryID=0

Massachusetts legislators hold a "Boston Tea Party" to dump federal unfunded mandates included in the No Child Left Behind Act. http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/08/06/legislators_dump_us_mandates_at_tea_party/

Law suit filed against ODE & Ohio Board of Education over the oversight of Dayton's charter schools http://www.columbusdispatch.com/dispatch/content/local_news/stories/2007/03/24/charter_suit.ART_ART_03-24-07_B3_2P666VH.html

Ohio Justices reflect on the 10th anniversary of the DeRolph case http://www.columbusdispatch.com/dispatch/contentbe/dispatch/2007/03/18/20070318-A1-00.html

Ohio Supreme Court Rules Charter Schools Constitutional in 4 to 3 Decision

The Ohio Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that Ohio's charter school law is constitutional. The court ok'd diverting funds from districts without local control, charter school exemption from 150 state measures and laws & standards that all traditional districts must follow (more)

A reanalysis of 2003 study still shows charters lag behind public schools--this study comes right from the NCES, an arm of the US Department of Education. http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2006/08/23/news/nation/15_12_578_22_06.txt

Ohio State study shows high teacher turn over in Ohio Charter Schools http://www.osu.edu/news/lvl2_news_story.php?id=1182

Charter school fiasco: don't miss this article in Cleveland's Scene Magazine on how bad a charter school can get: http://www.clevescene.com/Issues/2005-07-27/news/feature.html

Ohio School Employee Health Care BD (from HB 66) The school employee health care board and its subcommittees continue to meet in Columbus. Currently, the Health Care Board has established a Best Practice Standards Committee that is discussing the standards to be developed by the SEHCB. Eventually, all Ohio employee school health care plans, including Akron's, will have to meet these standards. See the SEHCB & committee minutes & meeting agendas at http://sehcb.ohio.gov/

Much thanks to all of our teachers & friends who participated in the Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. Also kudos to the fine sounding Kenmore High Jazz Band for playing at the event, and to Mary Austin, our Strides Chair & speaker.

House Bill 190 Adds FBI & BCI Background Checks

Renewals, Plus 8 year & Permanent certificates effected prior to next school year The Ohio Department of Education has stated that as a result of the recently passed H.B. 190, both FBI & BCI checks will be required for teachers renewing or converting to a 5 year license. In addition, teachers holding permanent or Eight Year certificates will need to get checks prior to next school year. For the most current information, please click here for ODE's web page also see ODE's FAQ sheet. Background checks are available at the Administration Bldg. in room 204.

Planning to retire this year? An informational meeting about severance pay will be held on Wednesday May 21st at the AEA office at 3:45 pm. Please call if you plan to attend 330-434-2181

Akron Education Association

Fall 2008 University of Akron Maters Cohort

Scholarship savings over six semesters of the Masters totals over 4K

The University of Akron is offering another Masters Degree Cohort for Akron teachers through its Outreach Program, set to begin with the Fall 2008 semester. This popular program will again include the benefit of the "take three hours, pay for two" scholarships that were granted to the current three cohorts. More than $4,000 in tuition savings is estimated over the length of the program. Also, a cohort allows teachers the opportunity to take classes as a group and offers the convenience of meeting at off-site locations. If you missed one of the informational meetings and are interested in getting a masters degree in education through this program, please contact Barbara Jenkins from Outreach Program for more information or to enroll at (330)-972-2777 or bmj@uakron.edu

Testing: APS leads Ohio city districts

View 2006 Scores

View 2005 scores

Key Bank officials related to us that investigations have identified checking accounts that may be at risk from the California counterfeit checks (mentioned in Random Notes). Key officials also said they have contacted members whose accounts may be at risk both by mail and by phone.