Most want Education independent

Read Molly Farmer's front page story at http://www.deseretnews.com/. She writes "Changing who oversees Utah's public education system might seem like a novel idea to some lawmakers, but a recent Deseret News/KSL survey by Dan Jones shows that notion isn't popular among the public."

Today's "who wants the legislature in charge of education" Blog Question is: What percentage Strongly Oppose placing the State Board of Education under the supervision of the state Legislature"?

Email me at rick@ogdenweber.org

Thanks Rick

Educator on the Hill

Mary Margaret Lyon, English Teacher at Bonneville High and WEA Executive Board member, is here at the Legislature today, joining teachers from Utah and Davis Counties, as they lobby their representatives and senators. Of course, the budget is the main focus as the base budget was passed with a 11% cut. UEA does not expect it to stay at 11% by the end of the session. Several National Board Certified Teachers are also here to stress the need for funding for more teacher scholarships to work for the NB Certification.

Today's "We need more money" Blog Contest Question: What position does Mark Mickelsen hold at UEA? (Hint: Go to www.myuea.org and look for staff) Email me your answer at rick@ogdenweber.org


Thanks Rick

Interesting Education Articles

Failing Grades: Letter to Editor in Salt Lake Tribune (www.sltrib.com) JoLynn Miller grades the legislature.

Lisa Schencker writes in the Salt Lake Tribune: Changes proposed to extended-day Kindergarten (www.sltrib.com) Taylorsville Republican Johnny Anderson (owner of day cares) proposes changes to extended day kindergarten.

Utah Lawmakers want to destroy education to save it: Charles Trentelman-Wasatch Rambler in the Standard-Examiner- (www.standard.net)

Read and enjoy (make sure you take your blood pressure medicine first)

Today's "Makes your blood boil" Blog Contest Question: What local State Senator wants to give control of public education to the Governor through a constitutional amendment? (Hint: He took Jon Greiner's spot.)

Email me at rick@ogdenweber.org

Thanks Rick

Facing a Budget Ax

Molly Farmer's frontpage story in the Deseret News (www.deseretnews.com) talks about only one of the many programs on the "chopping block" if the budget is cut by 11%. Other programs include the K-3 Reading block grants that pay for many of the reading coaches and programs used in schools to increase reading instruction. The Regional Service Centers are more value to the rural districts. The article talks about the possibility of not funding the Utah School for the Deaf and Blind. Now is the time to contact your legislator and let them know the importance of funding education growth and preserving the programs that matter to kids. You can use the "Under the Dome" (http://www.myuea.org/) or go to our website (http://www.ogdenweber.org/) and click on the Political Action icon to find your legislator's info. Remember not to use your school computer.

Today's Blog Question: Who is the Supt. of the USDB? (hint: read the article)
Email me at rick@ogdenweber.org

Teacher leaves class, camps out at Capitol

Peg McEntee (http://www.sltrib.com/) writes a nice column today about our new UEA President Sharon Gallagher-Fishbaugh and her work at the legislature. I hope you can go read it.

Our OEA Blog Contest Winners (25.00 Applebee Gift Cards) for February are: Christine Heslop (OHS) and Jenny Venegas (Washington High). We will continue the contest in March and draw for new winners at the March AR meeting. WEA's contest will continue also and we will draw next Monday for the February winners.

Today's Blog Contest Question: What grade did Sharon Gallagher-Fishbaugh teach? (Hint: read the SL Trib column)

Call to Action: Grading Schools

UEA sent out a call to action last Friday on SB59: Grading Schools.
Please contact your Senator or Representative and ask them to oppose Sen. Niederhauser's bill that would assign one single letter grade (A-F) to a school based on a formula combining acheivement, growth and graduation rates. Do not use your school computers to email your legislators. You can find their contact information at our website: www.ogdenweber.org Under Political Action.

Thanks Rick

Our Blog Contest Drawing for gift cards in Ogden will take place today in OEA AR meetings.

Today's Contest Question: Who won the Super Bowl last night?
Email me at rick@ogdenweber.org

Reporting from the Hill Today

I am at the Legislature this morning with Vicki Winn (OEA Exec Bd) and Lisa Vipperman (OEA VP) for the UEA "Educator on the Hill". Vicki and Lisa, along with educators from Davis, Washington County, Salt Lake and Cache County are receiving a briefing from UEA staff and President Sharon Gallagher-Fishbaugh in preparation for lobbying their legislators today. They will contacting their local legislators with talking points about funding, offensive bills (see Grading Schools) and other issues. Educator on the Hill is a program for teachers to come up to the hill on Fridays and lobby their legislators.


Today's Lobbyist Blog Contest Question: Who is on the UEA Legislative (Lobby) Team? (Hint: Go to "Under the Dome" at www.myuea.org

Email me at rick@ogdenweber.org

Thanks Rick