Senate Approves Bill Making Prep Time A Mandatory Suject Of Bargaining
The State Senate on Tuesday (October 30, 2007) voted 18-15 along party lines to approve a bill making teacher preparation time a mandatory subject of bargaining. The bill now goes to the Assembly.
WEAC strongly supported the bill, and distributed the following statement to senators prior to the vote:
"Our great schools depend on the effectiveness of our teachers. Prepared teachers are effective teachers. Senate Bill 243, a 2007-08 WEAC Legislative Agenda item, would make teacher preparation time a mandatory subject of collective bargaining, giving teachers an opportunity to negotiate for time built into the scheduled workday to make them most effective in the classroom.
"Research shows that teacher planning makes a significant difference in student learning. When teachers meet to share instructional strategies that work in their classrooms and together design standards-based unit plans and assessments, this time is an effective use of taxpayer dollars, making a difference for children.
"Despite the value of teacher preparation time, it is becoming more difficult for teachers to find the time in the school day to prepare lesson plans and perform other duties important to effective teaching. This is especially true for elementary school teachers who are generally limited to preparation time during art, music and physical education. With school districts forced to layoff employees under the pressure of revenue caps, teacher time is stretched tight as teachers serve in multiple capacities to meet the educational needs of children.
"Currently, between 60% and 70% of teacher contracts address preparation time in some manner. This means two things: (1) many districts recognize the importance of preparation time, thus reinforcing the idea that it should be a mandatory subject of collective bargaining and (2) that between 60% and 70% of districts have staff that are vulnerable to losing preparation time as long as it remains a permissive subject of bargaining.
"Making teacher preparation time a mandatory subject of collective bargaining will give teachers an opportunity to be part of the decision-making concerning a key strategy to boost student achievement and enrich the learning experience. For all of these reasons, please support SB 243."
The Senate also voted, 33-0, to confirm June Anderson’s appointment to the Educational Communications Board. Anderson is a WEAC member with the Oshkosh Education Association.
Posted October 30, 2007