Massachusetts Public School Students: Still Number One

Congratulations to Massachusetts educators and students! For the third time in a row, our fourth and eighth grade students ranked first in the nation in math, according to results from the 2009 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) math exam. Read the full news story.

Massachusetts public school students are also number one in the nation in reading according to NAEP, and number one in the Western world in math and science according to the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). Read more about these outstanding achievements.

We are enormously proud of our educators and students. Keep up the great work!

January 27, 2010

Where We Stand

AFT Massachusetts opposed the education reform law because it unfairly punishes teachers and school staff who work in high poverty districts. Says Tom Gosnell, AFT Massachusetts president: "This law essentially creates a double standard. It says that if you're a teacher who is committed to taking on the greatest challenges, we're going to reduce your rights. It establishes two sets of rules: one for educators who work in so-called performing schools and another more punitive set for those who work in our neediest schools."

Thousands of educators contacted their legislators, urging them to protect the rights of teachers and school staff. While the final version of the law does not contain all the harmful provisions put forward at various times, it contains a good number of them and is certainly inferior to the previous law.

Click here for an analysis of the legislation.

Race to the Top: Guidance to Local Presidents

On January 7, 2010, AFT MA President Tom Gosnell sent a letter to all local presidents recommending that they sign the state's MOU relating to the federal Race to the Top program. Read the entire letter here.

Members

Fulbright Awards in Teaching Applications Available

The Academy for Educational Development (AED) is pleased to announce the application for the 2010-2011 cycle of the Distinguished Fulbright Awards in Teaching program. This particular Fulbright program is sponsored by The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) at the U.S. Department of States, and it is administered by AED in coordination with ECA in Washington, DC. Click here to learn more. Click here for handbook. Click here for application.

Listening to Experts:

What Massachusetts Teachers are Saying about Time and Learning and the Expanded Learning Time Initiative. Click here to read the report.

AFT MA and AFT Partner Organizing Early Childhood Care Workers:

We believe the way to improve young children's education is to improve the working conditions for Early Educators. AFT Massachusetts along with our national organization, American Federation of Teachers, to assist early educators to work together to bring together the professionals who educate our youngest students. Click here to read more about this campaign.

Education

AFTMA SPED Taskforce

We represent general and special education professionals whose mission is to provide our members with updated information about teaching students with disabilities (SWD) in all educational settings. The taskforce members will be available for trainings and to assist AFTMA locals in solving issues related to teaching SWD. Read more for updated information and useful websites that will provide our members with user-friendly information and links that will enhance instruction for all.

AFT Massachusetts Advocate now online

You may read the current issue of the AFT Massachusetts newspaper The Advocate online.

AFT Massachusetts Executive Board:

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the AFT MA Executive Board will be on Saturday, February 27, 2010 beginning at 10:00 AM.