25 August 2019

• Much work left to fix flawed and invalid state tests

  ALBANY, N.Y. Aug. 22, 2019 — New York State United Teachers released the following statement today on the State Education Department’s release of grade 3-8 state test results:

  “While it is better that test scores increased slightly, we must not paper over the fact that the state’s standardized testing system — and the way it determines student proficiency — remains badly broken. Too many students are forced to take tests that are too long and include questions that are not developmentally appropriate. Invalid scoring benchmarks continue to mislabel children. And the rush to adopt computer-based testing has been a complete failure for the second year in a

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• Downstate members support Biondi union facing contract fight

  When you’re in the middle of a tough contract fight, nothing feels better than knowing your union brothers and sisters have your back.

  Elizabeth Negron and James Faulkner, members of the Biondi Labor Union of Essential Staff experienced that this summer when more than 100 leaders and activists at the Tarrytown Regional Office’s summer leadership conference pledged to lend a helping hand to the local.

  “We asked attendees to send us their email address, names and contact information if they were willing to help out with activities like rallies, letter writing or phone calling,” said Daniel Esakoff, who along with Julie Berman, serves as the local’s NYSUT labor relations

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• Welcome Back to a Brand New Semester and Academic Year!

   

  In so many ways, this is the best time of the year, full of promise and great expectations. New students are excited, and maybe a little nervous, about entering the world of higher education, and returning ones will be all the more focused on their futures. The importance of your roles at our universities, colleges and medical institutions as educators, professionals, mentors and trusted advisors cannot be overstated.

   

  At the same time, a new semester again raises all the challenges we face every year as we push our

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• NYSUT applauds new law allowing school bus stop-arm cameras

  ALBANY, N.Y. Aug. 6, 2019 — New York State United Teachers President Andy Pallotta released the following statement regarding the signing of legislation to allow school districts to install stop-arm cameras on school buses:

  “This law marks a significant step forward for student safety. With an estimated 50,000 motor vehicles illegally passing school buses every day across New York, bus drivers are constantly on the lookout for these reckless motorists while also keeping an eye on the children in their care. It is our sincere hope that school districts will work quickly to begin installing stop-arm cameras so we can better hold accountable those who show blatant disregard for our kids. We thank the

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• Educators head to STEM summer school

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  “Artificial intelligence is the next big wave,” said Vincent Villaume of Applied Materials, speaking to a room of rapt teachers at the 2019 Semi High Tech U Teacher Edition Program. “It will revolutionize how we live our lives … We are approaching the size of the atom.”

  Finding pathways to prepare students for the high tech industry was one of many sessions explored by educators in this annual professional development program. By 2026, there will likely be job growth of 12 million jobs, mostly in health care, services and advanced manufacturing — which is one of many reasons why teachers attended this week’s program.

  “There are job opportunities for all of our

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