Understanding the Challenges Facing Our Schools

Many thanks to the more than 100 concerned and motivated educators who woke up to a frigid morning and falling snowflakes this past Saturday and still drove to Rockville for MCEA's Annual Legislative Breakfast to talk about the needs of our schools with our state legislators. Thanks also to our friends and fellow education advocates from MCAAP, SEIU, MCCPTA, and the Board of Education who joined us.

To learn more about the issues:

Courage in Challenging Times - welcoming message by Chris Lloyd, vice-president of MCEA and a National Board Certified Teacher who teaches Television Production at Baker Middle School. Chris also serves as co-chair of the Peer Assistance and Review Panel.

Truth and Myths about the State Pension Fund – analysis by David Helfman, executive director of the Maryland State Education Association. David began his career as a Certified Employee Benefits Speciaiist (CEBS). Read MSEA’s Pension Action Guide to learn more.

Race-To-The-Top, Teacher Evaluation and Student Testing – briefing by Betty Weller. Betty is co-chair with state superintendent of education Nancy Grasmick, of the recently created Maryland Council for Educator Effectiveness. Betty is vice-president of the Maryland State Education Association, and a  teacher from Kent County. Go to the Council on Educator Effectiveness' website to follow the work of the Council.

Keeping the Promise: A Quality Education is a Fundamental Right of Every Child – a call to action by Doug Prouty, MCEA president, high school english teacher, and father of two MCPS students.

Background Materials:

• Historical trend of Montgomery County Government local funding of MCPS, Montgomery County Government Office of Management and Budget data

• Comparison chart of county expenditures on K-12 education, Maryland State Dept. of Education data

• Comparison chart of historical trends in county spending on education compared to Maintenance of Effort obligations, Maryland State Dept. of Education data

• Comparison chart of health insurance premium cost-sharing formulas in major Maryland school systems

• MSEA Pension Action Guide

• MSEA's "Keep The Promise" Apple Pledge - Let your elected officials know you expect them to "Keep the Promise". Print out this Apple Pledge and send it to your representatives in Annapolis.