Oklahoma City American Federation 

of Teachers

First Friend, Best Friend

2009-2010 School Calendar

Dear Colleagues:

Part of President Obama’s education agenda is a $5 billion Race to the Top fund to encourage and reward states that are creating conditions for innovation and reform.  To receive these funds each state must submit ambitious plans in four reform areas so that dramatic gains can be made in student achievement.  A point system has been developed to give scores for criteria in each of the following categories:  Standards and Assessments; Data Systems; Great Teachers and Leaders; Turning around Struggling Schools; and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.

Our state application must show current efforts and/or commitment to the following:

• Progress made in closing achievement gaps
• Set ambitious future targets
• Transition to common standards and assessments
• Implement a statewide longitudinal data system to improve instruction
• Differentiate teacher and principal effectiveness; report effectiveness of teacher and principal prep programs and provide targeted support to teachers and principals
• Turn around struggling schools

AFT staff member Mary Best serves on the Great Teachers and Leaders Subcommittee, and I serve on the Steering Committee, which makes the final decision on our application for Race to the Top funding.  Items that may be included in the application include:  implementation of college-ready assessment, improved data systems; new evaluation system; expanding charter school opportunities; financial incentives for our best teachers to move to low performing schools; and extended day or extended year.  Other innovations could be included in this proposal as well.

Fifty percent of awarded funds must go to Title I schools, and the remaining 50 percent may be awarded to districts who do not qualify under Title I.  If the U.S. Department of Education approves Oklahoma’s application, districts will have ninety days to negotiate with their bargaining agent a local plan that conforms with the submitted state proposal.  Our District and the AFT must agree in writing to negotiate in good faith to implement the terms of the plan if funding is awarded.

As you can tell reform is upon us, the train is leaving the station; we can hop on board or stay put and suffer the consequences that will most certainly come.  The policy of the AFT is that everything is on the table except collective bargaining and vouchers.

Even though our problems are great, they are not insurmountable; we can deliver our children a quality education. Change, however, can no longer be delayed.  To paraphrase a famous quote “another world is possible and that world is on the way!”  If we can be still and focus for a short while, we can meet, greet and make this new world our own.

As you can tell reform is upon us, the train is leaving the station; we can hop on board or stay put and suffer the consequences that will most certainly come.  The policy of the AFT is that everything is on the table except collective bargaining and vouchers.

Even though our problems are great, they are not insurmountable; we can deliver our children a world-class education. Change, however, can no longer be delayed.  To paraphrase a famous quote “another world is possible and that world is on the way!”  If we can be still and focus for a short while, we can meet, greet and make this new world our own.

Sincerely,

Ed

Ed Allen

President