The Spinning Wheel: 

(Baton Rouge – June 12, 2014) A large majority of teachers responding to a statewide survey say their schools don’t have the technology required for the online tests that are coming with the Common Core State Standards. They also say their students lack the computer skills necessary to succeed on the tests.

The Baltimore Teachers Union (BTU) has filed a class action grievance against the Baltimore City Public School System.  BTU President Marietta English is urging teachers, PSRPs, and union supporters to RALLY against the changes made to the scoring of the teacher evaluation.

State of the Union, on the occasion of CUB's annual membership meeting, Thursday June 5, 2014

Good evening, ladies and gentleman, sisters and brothers, I would like to OFFICIALLY welcome you to the City Union of Baltimore’s annual membership meeting. 

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A teacher is more than a test score. NYSUT is launching a new web ad today to celebrate the hard work and dedication of our teachers and to make it clear that, to their students, teachers are far more than just test scores. Watch real students talk, in their own words, about the affection, admiration and respect they have for their teachers.  Watch and share our new ad at the NYSUT Member Action Center, and listen to real students explain why their teachers are more than just test scores!  More and more, lawmakers are trying to measure the value of New York state's teachers by the results of flawed and unfair high-stakes tests. But tests don't measure our love of teaching. Tests can't assess all the long, extra hours our teachers put in every week. And tests will never account for the passion, commitment and dedication we have to helping each and every one of our students reach their full potential. Watch and share our new ad at the NYSUT Member Action Center, and listen to real students explain why their teachers are more than just test scores!  Students get it. It's time for us all to help lawmakers understand, as well. A teacher is more than a test score. Tell lawmakers to #evaluatethat. In solidarity,   Andrew Pallotta NYSUT Executive Vice President P.S.:  Please watch and share our new ad. And support our call for a two-year moratorium on the use of high-stakes tests in decisions regarding teachers and principals.

Throughout March, students in my 7^th grade Introduction to Foreign Languages classes participated in a French Food Service Project, made possible by an OTA mini grant. Students researched recipes from French-speaking countries and then prepared a dish for the class to enjoy. Each class voted on the best dish, based on its taste and ability to serve a group of forty people. Christine Downs, OCS School Lunch Manager, visited both classes and taught students how to convert a recipe for four into one that would serve forty.

AFT-Maryland announced today the list of the Labor-Endorsed candidates for the 2014 Primary election. The list includes endorsements for state-wide races—including Governor and Attorney General—as well races for state senate, state house of delegates, and local, and county-wide races.