MSTA testifies!
MSTA President Clara Floyd and staff lobbyists bring the Association’s voice to legislators on bills of interest and concern to MSTA!
School Funding • Your Pension • Student Safety – Bullying • Curriculum and Student Life • Charter Schools • Task Force • Local Interest
School Funding
House Bill 812/Senate Bill 373 Building Opportunities for All Students and Teachers “BOAST”
MSTA Opposes
Testimony delivered by: Clara Floyd, MSTA president (HB 812) (February 27, 2008); Diana Saquella, Government Relations, MSTA chief lobbyist (SB 373) (February 13, 2008)
I wish to express our opposition to HB 812. This legislation establishes a publicly funded voucher program for private schools that diverts State tax dollars away from public schools and public programs.
This bill creates an income tax credit for 75% of contributions made to eligible nonprofit educational organizations for qualifying students or teachers to receive scholarships at nonpublic K-12 schools. The bill does establish grants for public schools to support innovative educational programs that are not part of the regular academic program or for public school teachers to assist in the cost of graduate-level education or certification coursework.
Although all schools would have the opportunity to access the fund, research shows that the schools in less wealthy neighborhoods are not likely to receive grants equal to or even comparable to those in more affluent neighborhoods. A study by Arizona State University showed that 76 cents of every tax credit dollar went to families whose children were already attending private schools. Moreover, a study by the Arizona Republic in 2000 showed that one Arizona school in one of the wealthier districts collected $333 per student, while another school in a predominantly poorer section of that state collected only $4 per student. The conclusion of the study was that schools in wealthier communities consistently benefited disproportionately under the tuition tax credit program.
In Pennsylvania, tax credit vouchers became law in 2001. By mid-2002, 1,347 businesses had claimed tax credits for a cost to the state of $27.7 million. In the first year, the corporate tax credits of $18.28 million provided vouchers for 10,000 private school students.
The research on tuition tax credits in the four states where the program exists is extensive and conclusive. Tuition tax credit programs primarily benefit middle and upper income families often with students already enrolled in private schools, are very costly to the state, and do little to improve public schools.
Senate Bill 229 Education – Classroom Instruction Expenditures – Required Funding
MSTA Opposes
Testimony delivered by: Diana Saquella, Government Relations, MSTA chief lobbyist (February 13, 2008)
The bill proposes to require local school districts to spend at least 65% of their operating budgets on “classroom instruction.”
It sounds reasonable on the surface, but it is important to look deeper at how “classroom instruction” is actually defined. SB 229 uses the term “classroom expenditures,” which is a category used by the National Center for Education Statistics that includes:
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Salaries of classroom teachers and instructional assistants
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Instructional supplies, including computers and technology
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Co-curricular activities, including field trips and athletics
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Tuition paid to out of state districts, and payments to private institutions for students with disabilities.
All outside the classroom expenditures are excluded. Those expenditures include instructional staff support services, such as professional development, instruction and curriculum development, and library and media services. Also excluded are student support services such as counseling, school nurses, school and district administration, food service, transportation, and operations and maintenance.
While the proposal in SB 229 may appear reasonable, it excludes critical student and staff support services that directly correlate to improved student learning. We urge an unfavorable report.
Senate Bill 388 Income Tax Credit for Graduate Level Education – Nonpublic School Teachers
MSTA Opposes
Testimony delivered by: Amy Maloney, Government Relations, MSTA lobbyist (February 27, 2008)
If enacted, this legislation would allow tax credits for private school teachers who pay tuition for graduate-level courses.
We have consistently been on record as opposing public money going to private schools whatever the vehicle—vouchers, textbooks or tax credits. It is clear as the General Assembly struggles to correct the state’s structural deficit we cannot divert additional tax dollars out of the state revenue stream.
House Bill 1239 Education – Foster Care Incentive Program
MSTA Opposes
Testimony delivered by: Amy Maloney, Government Relations, MSTA lobbyist (February 27, 2008)
HB 1239 establishes a Foster Child Incentive Program to allow a child in foster care to attend a private or public school outside of the child’s home school system.
This legislation establishes a publicly funded voucher program for private schools. The primary reason for our opposition is that vouchers divert state tax dollars away from public schools and public programs and lack accountability to the public.
Attention to the special needs of foster students is laudable, but we need to meet those needs in responsible ways that do not take away from the other students for which a local board is responsible.
Your Pension
NEW House Bill 371 Divestiture from Iran
MSTA Opposes
Testimony delivered by: Randal Mickens, Government Relations, MSTA lobbyist (March 4, 2008)
The Maryland State Teachers Association opposes House Bill 371. This bill would require the state retirement system to engage with foreign companies meeting certain criteria of the possibility of divestment of its investments in the company if it continues to do business in Iran.
The MSTA recognizes the intent of this bill as laudable, but also recognizes that this effort may not be the best vehicle for addressing foreign policy objectives. We would respectfully request an unfavorable report on this bill.
House Bill 720 State Retirement and Pension System – Reemployment of Retirees
MSTA Supports
Testimony delivered by: Randal Mickens, Government Relations, MSTA lobbyist (February 26, 2008)
The Maryland State Teachers Association supports House Bill 720, which would require local school systems to reimburse the retirement agency for benefit offsets that result from late- or non-reporting of reemployed who are exempt from the offset.
The bill corrects an oversight in the law that could hold a member liable for reimbursement for an offset to which they were rightfully entitled because of failure to submit the proper paperwork in a timely fashion. This bill recognizes that the member would be penalized for an error on the part of the school system. Thus, this bill addresses this issue by holding the member harmless and making the school system liable.
House Bill 472 State Retirement and Pension System – Imposition of Administrative Fees on Employers
MSTA Supports
Testimony delivered by: Randal Mickens, Government Relations, MSTA lobbyist (February 26, 2008)
The Maryland State Teachers Association supports this bill, which would allow the state retirement agency to impose an administrative fee on employers who fail to submit enrollment information to the agency for a new member in a timely fashion.
Senate Bill 214 Divestiture from Iran
MSTA Opposes
Testimony delivered by: Randal Mickens, Government Relations, MSTA lobbyist (February 20, 2008)
This bill would require the state retirement system to engage with foreign companies meeting certain criteria of the possibility of divestment of its investments in the company if it continues to do business in Iran.
We oppose legislation that mandates investment strategy because it generally violates the fiduciary responsibilities of the board’s trustees and restricts fund managers’ investment opportunities. Recent years have shown an increase in legislation mandating or prohibiting investments of fund assets (e.g., biotechnology, venture capital, Sudan, etc.). While the intent is laudable, the potential impact on investment returns and the state’s annual contribution suggest that such legislation is not the best vehicle for addressing foreign policy objectives.
The MSTA recognizes the intent of this bill as laudable, but also recognizes that this effort may not be the best vehicle for addressing foreign policy objectives. We would respectfully request an unfavorable report on this bill.
Student Safety - Bullying
House Bill 199 Public Schools – Bullying, Harassment, and Intimidation–Policy and Disciplinary Standards
MSTA Supports
Testimony delivered by: Amy Maloney, Government Relations, MSTA lobbyist (April 2, 2008)
On behalf of the Maryland State Teachers Association, I wish to express our support for House Bills 199. We support the General Assembly’s efforts to find solutions to the very serious problem of bullying, harassment and intimidation in schools.
The most recent report required by the 2005 Safe Schools Reporting Act found over 2,000 reported cases in the first seven months of data collection. All school systems reported incidents. According to the report most incidents occurred at the middle-school ages. The nature and severity of the incidents varied. Nearly one-third (31.2%) of the reported incidents involved a physical attack. Almost one in four incidents (24.1%) resulted in an out-of-school suspension or expulsion. About one incident in thirteen (7.7%) caused the victim to miss school. The motives behind these incidents varied; almost half (49.1%) were committed “just to be mean” or “to impress others,” while 556 (25.7%) were motivated by actual or perceived personal characteristics such as p hysical appearance, sex, race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, national origin, or marital status.
As the data presented over the last few years confirms bullying, harassment and intimidation are a problem in Maryland schools and that further legislation is necessary to provide solutions to this serious problem.
MSTA believes all students have a right to work and study in a safe, supportive environment that is free from harassment, intimidation and bullying and urge a favorable report.
House Bill 199, House Bill 206, House Bill 546, House Bill 732 Education – Bullying, Harassment, and Intimidation – School Policy
MSTA Supports
Testimony delivered by: Amy Maloney, Government Relations, MSTA lobbyist (February 20, 2008)
While these bills differ somewhat in the solutions offered, we support the General Assembly’s efforts to find solutions to the very serious problem of bullying, harassment and intimidation in schools.
The 2005 Maryland Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) surveyed 1,414 students in grades 9 through 12 in randomly selected Maryland public high schools. The survey revealed that over one-fourth of Maryland’s high school students have been harassed or bullied on school property over a 12 month period (28.4%). A similar portion of students (32.8%) reported receiving verbal slurs due to weight, size, or physical appearance. About one in every thirteen students (7.6%) reported not going to high school at least once in the last thirty days as a result of harassment and other safety concerns.
As the data presented over the last few years confirms bullying, harassment and intimidation are a problem in Maryland schools and that further legislation is necessary to provide solutions to this serious problem.
MSTA believes all students have a right to work and study in a safe, supportive environment that is free from harassment, intimidation and bullying and urge a favorable report.
Curriculum and Student Life
NEW Senate Bill 447/House Bill 1421 High School Diploma – GED Options Program
MSTA Supports
Testimony delivered by: Randal Mickens, Government Relations, MSTA lobbyist (SB 447: March 5, 2008; HB 1421: March 4, 2008)
This bill and the sponsor recognizes that student drop out rates in Maryland remain at unacceptable levels and that students who do not complete high school face harsher life circumstances with fewer options than if they complete high school.
In today’s competitive and global economy, an education is an essential tool in becoming a productive citizen and competing in the marketplace. Students who do not graduate from high school are at a significant disadvantage and face diminished prospects for their futures at great cost to themselves and their communities.
NEW Senate Bill 824 Alcohol and Drug Testing for Pupils in Public or Private Schools
MSTA Supports
Testimony delivered by: Randal Mickens, Government Relations, MSTA lobbyist (March 11, 2008)
This bill expands the current statute regarding searches of students suspected to be in possession of drugs and/or alcohol to include testing of high school students reasonably suspected to be under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
As educators and administrators continue working to make schools a safe environment for students, the tools required to accomplish such a task must be expanded.
NEW House Bill 1271 Development of Curriculum Content – Financial Literacy
MSTA Opposes
Testimony delivered by: Amy Maloney, Government Relations, MSTA lobbyist (March 4, 2008)
The Maryland State Teachers Association opposes this bill, which would require the Maryland State Department of Education to develop curriculum content in financial literacy. The MSTA has a long-standing position of opposing bills that legislatively mandate curriculum requirements and criteria on to local boards of education.
We also understand that financial literacy is already incorporated into the curriculum in many instances, either as a graduation requirement, elective course offerings, or embedded into the content standards of economic instruction.
We appreciate the sponsor’s intent, but respectfully request an unfavorable report on this bill.
NEW Senate Bill 436 Age of Compulsory Attendance – Exemptions
MSTA Supports
Testimony delivered by: Randal Mickens, Government Relations, MSTA lobbyist (March 5, 2008)
The Maryland State Teachers Association supports this bill, which would increase the age of compulsory attendance from 15 to 17, with specified exceptions.
This bill and the sponsor recognizes that student drop out rates in Maryland remain at unacceptable levels and that students who do not complete high school face harsher life circumstances with fewer options than if they complete high school.
This bill takes a common-sense approach in directing local school systems to provide information on general educational development programs to students at risk of dropping out so they may pursue that option.
Senate Bill 714 State Board of Education – Development of Curriculum Content – Financial Literacy
MSTA Opposes
Testimony delivered by: Randal Mickens, Government Relations, MSTA lobbyist (February 26, 2008)
The Maryland State Teachers Association opposes this bill, which would require the MSDE to development curriculum content in financial literacy. The MSTA has a long-standing tradition of opposing bills that legislatively mandate curriculum requirements and criteria. We feel this is not an appropriate role for the legislature to play in education.
Senate Bill 582 Education – Multiple Suspensions
MSTA Supports
Testimony delivered by: Randal Mickens, Government Relations, MSTA lobbyist (February 26, 2008)
The Maryland State Teachers Association supports this legislation, which would require that students who receive multiple suspensions in a school year totaling more than 10 school days be referred to the pupil services team in the school.
Excessive absenteeism due to multiple suspensions erodes any chance a student has for academic advancement and usually is a manifestation of other problems in a student’s personal, family or academic life that warrants attention and/or intervention. If left unaddressed, these problems almost always continue to worsen and can lead to even worse behavior, resulting in dropping out of school, expulsion, and, ultimately, a criminal record.
House Bill 285 Education – Truancy Rates – Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support Programs and Behavior Modification Programs
MSTA Supports
Testimony delivered by: Diana Saquella, Government Relations, MSTA chief lobbyist (February 13, 2008)
MSTA supports benchmarks for requiring that a school take positive steps to curb truancy in elementary schools. Of the five strategies cited recently in a Washington Post article, three have proven effective in increasing graduation rates if implemented in the early grades.
Strategies that have proven effective are as follows. Extra high school graduates are per 100 students.
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Preschool program with 2.5 hours a day spent in a classroom setting with a pupil teacher ratio of 5:1, plus home visits and group meetings of parents (19 extra graduates)
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Comprehensive school reform based on small learning communities with dedicated teachers, family advocates, and instructional improvement efforts (16 extra graduates)
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Center-based preschool program that includes parental involvement, outreach, and health/nutrition services (11 extra graduates)
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Class size reduction for 4 years, K-3 with class size reduced from 25 to 15 (11 extra graduates)
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Teacher salary increase of 10% for K-12 teachers (5 extra graduates)
All but one of these are possible and most effective when implemented in the early grades. Two caveats exist. One is that staff must buy into the program and be thoroughly trained in it. Secondly, strong oversight is critical so that the existence of a program does not camouflage the problem. An intervention or behavior modification program has to work not just exist.
Charter Schools
NEW House Bill 465 Public Charter Schools – Revisions
MSTA Supports
Testimony delivered by: Randal Mickens, Government Relations, MSTA lobbyist (March 11, 2008)
This legislation is very necessary in clarifying the responsibility and authority of stakeholder groups in the establishment of charter schools as well as the allocation of resources by local chartering authorities. Additionally, this legislation addresses the issues of providing waivers from laws and statutes governing public schools; certification requirements; amendments to the collective bargaining agreements; application timelines; transportation; and issues pertaining to special education students.
Task Force
House Bill 389 Task Force to Study System Variables that Impact Student Achievement in Underperforming Public Schools
MSTA Supports
Testimony delivered by: Clara Floyd, MSTA president (February 12, 2008)
Our hope is that the task force can identify the symptoms of low-performing students and schools, analyze the contributing factors, consider education strategies, and review and implement successful state legislative remedies ongoing in other states. This year legislators have attempted to address some of the obvious challenges to closing the achievement gaps by introducing bills dealing with truancy, student suspensions, and longer compulsory attendance.
We believe that this task force is likely to look at these specific proposals and also reject vouchers and merit pay as not the silver bullets proponents would have us believe. The members can instead attempt to find ways to develop and support high academic standards, create positive instructional environments, reduce class size, recruit highly qualified teachers, and train and retain veteran teachers.
Local Interest
House Bill 639 Washington County – Board of Education – Vacancies
MSTA Opposes
Testimony delivered by: Robert L. Rankin Sr., Government Relations, MSTA lobbyist (February 27, 2008)
The Maryland State Teachers Association opposes HB 639 that proposes to shift the authority from the governor to the county commissioners for filling vacancies on the Washington County Board of Education.
Currently, Washington County has a County Board of Education composed of seven members elected for a four-year term and, in the event of a vacancy, the governor is responsible for appointing a qualified individual to fill a vacancy on the board and serve the remainder of the term.
Expanding the authority of the local governing body to fill vacancies on an elected local school board would effectively cause the local school board to become an obligatory appendage of the governing authority. To expand this practice in another county would not be good policy.
