Yesterday afternoon the PEIA Fianance Board met. At next month's meeting, the new program plan description and providers are expected to be revealed for the 2010-2011 year.
The Finance Board scheduled public hearings to present the new plans. They will be held across the state from Novermber 8 through the 18. Click here for more information about the public hearing locations and times.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Last week Opening Day activities were planned across West Virginia. I was fortunate to help kick off a new school year with employees in Clay, Randolph, Nicholas, and Pocahontas Counties. There were many new teachers and service personnel excited to begin the school year. I enjoyed visiting the different areas across the state and discussing the exciting things going on at WVEA with everyone, especially the new faces. Be sure to say hello and offer a lending hand to new employees.
This week I returned to the office and a pile of completed Candidate Questionnaires. It takes a bit of effort to organize these forms and prepare them for mailing to each of the local packs, but they should be ready to go out by Wednesday of next week. If he or she hasn't done so, please encourage your local legislators running for office to submit the completed questionnaire to WVEA-PAC by Friday, August 27. A candidate may not be endorsed by WVEA-PAC without submitting a completed questionnaire.
Also, don't forget to vote in the Special Election for West Virginia's US Senate seat. Early voting runs until Wednesday, August 25. The polls open for the Special Election on Saturday, August 28 from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. Thereafter, the general election for this office will take place with the normally scheduled November 2, 2010 election.
This week I returned to the office and a pile of completed Candidate Questionnaires. It takes a bit of effort to organize these forms and prepare them for mailing to each of the local packs, but they should be ready to go out by Wednesday of next week. If he or she hasn't done so, please encourage your local legislators running for office to submit the completed questionnaire to WVEA-PAC by Friday, August 27. A candidate may not be endorsed by WVEA-PAC without submitting a completed questionnaire.
Also, don't forget to vote in the Special Election for West Virginia's US Senate seat. Early voting runs until Wednesday, August 25. The polls open for the Special Election on Saturday, August 28 from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. Thereafter, the general election for this office will take place with the normally scheduled November 2, 2010 election.
President Dale Lee talks Back to School on MetroNews
by Kym Randolph, WVEA Communications
WVEA President Dale Lee did an interview with Hoppy Kercheval on the MetroNews Talkline program on Monday, August 23rd. . The audio of the interview is now posted on the WVEA Website. You can find a link to the interview off the home page or go directly to the audio at http://www.wvea.org/news/podcasts.aspx.
Lee discusses the start of school and those teachers who made a difference in his life.
WVEA President Dale Lee did an interview with Hoppy Kercheval on the MetroNews Talkline program on Monday, August 23rd. . The audio of the interview is now posted on the WVEA Website. You can find a link to the interview off the home page or go directly to the audio at http://www.wvea.org/news/podcasts.aspx.
Lee discusses the start of school and those teachers who made a difference in his life.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Back to School
by David Haney, WVEA Executive Director
The summer is over and it’s time to get back to school. I know many of you have been involved in professional development through college courses, workshops and other training to meet the needs of your students. I know you are working hard to prepare your students for life after school in an ever changing society and economy.
I also know our public schools and teachers have been unfairly labeled as failing by some state leaders and the media, both locally and nationally. I believe to some degree this is a ploy from those on the right who wish to limit their tax exposure and politically weaken our organization. The recently published results of the more rigorous WestTest 2 clearly demonstrate increased student performance in our state as a result of your hard work and dedication.
After the first failed special legislative session on Education Reform, WVEA President Dale Lee and I spent weeks this summer meeting with the Education Reform Task Force recommended by Governor Manchin to fashion reform measures that would improve student performance. The Task Force was charged with recommending legislation to the Governor for a special session in July. WVEA list of recommendations included:
a. Smaller class size for middle schools
b. Alternative Learning Centers at grade level
c. Increased salaries to attain the best and brightest education employees
d. Stricter student attendance requirements and increased parental involvement
e. Stricter discipline policies
f. Elimination of split grades
g. Teacher empowerment in the schools
We know these items, if implemented, would improve our schools; however, the Governor chose only to recommend to the legislature a pilot program for alternative schools from our list. Instead he introduced items like comprehensive medical screenings, combining school teams, pay for performance in low performing schools, etc. (to read more on the special session go to http://www.wvea.org/leg_action_ctr/lobbyline.aspx. These were the same items the legislature rejected during both the regular session and the May Special Session.
My point is, our government leaders want to mess around the fringes of education and implement initiatives that cost little or no money. Those initiatives will also have little or no impact on our student performance. However, when those initiatives fail they will point their fingers at teachers.
It’s time this public school bashing stops. It’s time for teachers to join together in the WVEA and deliver the accurate message about our schools and our teachers. WVEA members are “teachers dedicated to great schools” and we prove it every day. We ask you to join with us to shape the future of public education. Visit our Website: dedicatedteachers.wvea.org and join us as we work to improve our public schools.
Keep up the good work! Together we will make a difference.
Check out our latest site - dedicatedteachers.wvea.org
The summer is over and it’s time to get back to school. I know many of you have been involved in professional development through college courses, workshops and other training to meet the needs of your students. I know you are working hard to prepare your students for life after school in an ever changing society and economy.
I also know our public schools and teachers have been unfairly labeled as failing by some state leaders and the media, both locally and nationally. I believe to some degree this is a ploy from those on the right who wish to limit their tax exposure and politically weaken our organization. The recently published results of the more rigorous WestTest 2 clearly demonstrate increased student performance in our state as a result of your hard work and dedication.
After the first failed special legislative session on Education Reform, WVEA President Dale Lee and I spent weeks this summer meeting with the Education Reform Task Force recommended by Governor Manchin to fashion reform measures that would improve student performance. The Task Force was charged with recommending legislation to the Governor for a special session in July. WVEA list of recommendations included:
a. Smaller class size for middle schools
b. Alternative Learning Centers at grade level
c. Increased salaries to attain the best and brightest education employees
d. Stricter student attendance requirements and increased parental involvement
e. Stricter discipline policies
f. Elimination of split grades
g. Teacher empowerment in the schools
We know these items, if implemented, would improve our schools; however, the Governor chose only to recommend to the legislature a pilot program for alternative schools from our list. Instead he introduced items like comprehensive medical screenings, combining school teams, pay for performance in low performing schools, etc. (to read more on the special session go to http://www.wvea.org/leg_action_ctr/lobbyline.aspx. These were the same items the legislature rejected during both the regular session and the May Special Session.
My point is, our government leaders want to mess around the fringes of education and implement initiatives that cost little or no money. Those initiatives will also have little or no impact on our student performance. However, when those initiatives fail they will point their fingers at teachers.
It’s time this public school bashing stops. It’s time for teachers to join together in the WVEA and deliver the accurate message about our schools and our teachers. WVEA members are “teachers dedicated to great schools” and we prove it every day. We ask you to join with us to shape the future of public education. Visit our Website: dedicatedteachers.wvea.org and join us as we work to improve our public schools.
Keep up the good work! Together we will make a difference.
Check out our latest site - dedicatedteachers.wvea.org
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Congratulations to 16 Schools of Excellence
by Anita Maxwell, WVEA Communications and Instructional Issues
Last week I had the priviledge of representing WVEA at the WVDE's Schools of Excellence awards ceremony at the Clay Center. WVEA congratulates the dedicated staff in the following sixteen schools who were honored: Milton Elementary, Cabell; Spring Hill Elementary, Cabell; Rainelle Elementary, Greenbrier; Rupert Elementary, Greenbrier; Bridgeport Elementary, Harrison; Johnson Elementary, Harrison; Ravenswood High School, Jackson; Fall River Elementary, McDowell; Birch River Elementary, Nicholas; Bridge Street Middle, Ohio; Woodsdale Elementary, Ohio; Hometown Elementary, Putnam; West Teays Elementary, Putnam; Spring Valley High School/Career and Technical Education Center, Wayne; and Parkersburg High School, Wood.
Schools of Excellence are selected based on providing a rigorous and challenging curriculum; a safe and drug-free learning environment; participatory leadership; active teaching and learning; an environment that strengthens teacher skills; documented student achievement; and advanced and innovative programs. The wide variety of strategies implemented by each school to accomplish those criteria ensures their students are prepared for the future.
Last week I had the priviledge of representing WVEA at the WVDE's Schools of Excellence awards ceremony at the Clay Center. WVEA congratulates the dedicated staff in the following sixteen schools who were honored: Milton Elementary, Cabell; Spring Hill Elementary, Cabell; Rainelle Elementary, Greenbrier; Rupert Elementary, Greenbrier; Bridgeport Elementary, Harrison; Johnson Elementary, Harrison; Ravenswood High School, Jackson; Fall River Elementary, McDowell; Birch River Elementary, Nicholas; Bridge Street Middle, Ohio; Woodsdale Elementary, Ohio; Hometown Elementary, Putnam; West Teays Elementary, Putnam; Spring Valley High School/Career and Technical Education Center, Wayne; and Parkersburg High School, Wood.
Schools of Excellence are selected based on providing a rigorous and challenging curriculum; a safe and drug-free learning environment; participatory leadership; active teaching and learning; an environment that strengthens teacher skills; documented student achievement; and advanced and innovative programs. The wide variety of strategies implemented by each school to accomplish those criteria ensures their students are prepared for the future.
Teachers Dedicated to Great Schools
by Kym Randolph, WVEA Communications Director
We've embarked on a journey to let all of West virginia know that WVEA members are Teachers Dedicated to Great Schools! As part of our journey, we've set up a focused web site to share how WVEA members - teachers and ESPs- along with parents and the community, work as a team to teach our students.
Learn more about WVEA, meet some of our dynamic members, watch videos and join our WVEA family!
Visit dedicatedteachers.wvea.org>
We've embarked on a journey to let all of West virginia know that WVEA members are Teachers Dedicated to Great Schools! As part of our journey, we've set up a focused web site to share how WVEA members - teachers and ESPs- along with parents and the community, work as a team to teach our students.
Learn more about WVEA, meet some of our dynamic members, watch videos and join our WVEA family!
Visit dedicatedteachers.wvea.org>
Welcome to the WVEA blog
by Kym Randolph, WVEA Communication Director
Welcome to the 2010-2011 school year! Just a brief reminder about the WVEA blog. WVEA staff Anita Maxwell, IPD specialist; Misty Peal, Government Relations Specialist; David Haney, Executive Director and I will be posting on this site regularly throughout the year to keep you up to date on the latest events which impact you and your students.
Welcome back and have a great year!
Welcome to the 2010-2011 school year! Just a brief reminder about the WVEA blog. WVEA staff Anita Maxwell, IPD specialist; Misty Peal, Government Relations Specialist; David Haney, Executive Director and I will be posting on this site regularly throughout the year to keep you up to date on the latest events which impact you and your students.
Welcome back and have a great year!
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