TED: Teachers as active participants in their evaluation
From NYSUT Media Relations - November 20, 2011

Welcome to the next generation of teacher evaluation: Instead of drive-by observations where teachers are passive recipients, the TED system establishes teachers as active participants in the process.

That's the underpinning of the Teacher Evaluation and Development (TED) system, which carves out a role for teachers to "own" our own evaluations, analyze our practice and make instructional shifts that will raise student achievement.

The groundbreaking approach now available statewide to districts working to implement changes in state law governing teacher evaluations is not about sorting educators. It's about improving instruction and professional growth.

Another strength of the TED system is that it was created collaboratively by six labor-management Innovation Teams across the state, anchored to New York's seven teaching standards and to a researchbased teacher practice rubric. Guided by national experts, teachers, principals and superintendents, six district teams worked side by side for nearly two years to design TED, making sure evaluations are comprehensive, fair and objective and go beyond standardized test scores.

"TED is unique in many ways," said NYSUT Vice President Maria Neira, who leads the groundbreaking initiative. "TED's strength is that it brings practitioners in to analyze their own practice, which is the critical component to making instructional shifts. It demonstrates the power of labor-management collaboration, which is too often the missing variable when it comes to reform efforts. And it is being field-tested and phased in thoughtfully by our pilot districts - with site coordinators, extensive training and a strong TED is the first union-led reform initiative to come to fruition funded by a federal Investing in Innovation (i3) grant from the U.S. Education Department. It is also supported by a grant from the American Federation of Teachers.

"The Teacher Evaluation and Development work in New York state represents the kind of labor-management collaboration to improve student achievement that we want to promote across the country," said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. "Local teacher union leaders and district administrators have developed a powerful system that integrates evaluation and professional development to improve teaching and learning."

Pension veto reduces options, flexibility for school districts
From NYSUT Media Relations - December 6, 2011

ALBANY, N.Y. December 6, 2011 — Today’s three-way agreement to re-shape the state’s tax code enables New York to begin the process of creating jobs, helping flood-ravaged communities and reversing years of cuts to education and health care, New York State United Teachers said.

“This agreement provides the revenue that will make it possible for New York state to begin restoring cuts that have so burdened our schools and campuses. Clearly, more is needed and we look forward to a state budget that reflects how revenue is allocated,” said NYSUT President Richard C. Iannuzzi. “New Yorkers want to see a greater investment in their public schools, higher education and health care facilities. Investments in infrastructure, job creation and economic development all reflect a commitment to growing New York’s economy, which benefits all of us. Today’s agreement gets us closer to the New York we all want.”

NYSUT Executive Vice President Andrew Pallotta said: “NYSUT has consistently championed a more progressive, more equitable tax structure to provide the revenues needed for quality public schools and public higher education. New Yorkers believe the wealthiest among us should do their fair share in supporting services all residents need, and this agreement is a welcome development.” He praised state leaders for providing middle-class tax relief, while committing to funding training and job development for inner city youth, as well as relief for flood-ravaged regions of the state.

“Today’s a good day, but more needs to be done,” Pallotta added. “We will continue working with the governor and Legislature to ensure the next state budget meets the needs of our students, from those in pre-K to those pursuing their doctorates.”

NYSUT represents more than 600,000 teachers, school–related professionals, academic and professional faculty in higher education, professionals in education and health care, and retirees. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and the AFL-CIO.

To read the press release from Governor Cuomo's office please click here.