| Legislative Alert Topics for 2011 |
Date Sent |
SB 829 - Presented to Senate Education Committee AEA supports the Minimum Salary Bill.
Talking Points for “Grievance Bill”
SB734 - President Donna Morey spoke in support of countywide consolidation of public school administrations and
school boards |
03-24-2011 |
Action Alert: Please Ask Your Senators to Support SB884, "Grievance Bill"
SB884 is a very important bill for public school employees and we need your help. This bill will amend the Arkansas Code concerning the grievance procedure for public school teachers and other school employees. |
03-23-2011 |
|
Action Alert: Ask Your Senators to Support SB884, "Grievance Bill"
SB884 is a very important bill for public school employees and we need your help to make sure it receives a "do pass" from the Senate Education Committee and passes the Senate. This bill will amend the Arkansas Code concerning the grievance procedure for public school teachers.
To read the complete bill, visit the Arkansas General Assembly Web site at http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Bills/SB884.pdf
Legislators and Governor Agree on Tax-Cut Plan
Legislators and Gov. Mike Beebe reached an agreement Thursday on six tax-cut measures that would reduce the state's general revenue by about $35 million for the next fiscal year. Budget Committee co-chairmen Sen. Gilbert Baker (R), Conway and Rep. Kathy Webb (D), Little Rock, announced the deal, which still must be passed by the House and Senate before it is signed by the Governor.
|
03-21-2011 |
Action Alert: Ask Your Representatives to Vote Against HB1893
The House Committee on Education gave HB1893 a "do pass" today. The bill will now go before the full House. Please contact your representatives and ask them to vote AGAINST this bill, which is sponsored by Rep. Debra Hobbs (R), Rogers.
AEA opposes this bill, which would weaken standards for preparation and licensing of teachers and other education professionals, such as counselors.
|
03-17-2011 |
|
Capitol Senate Taxation Committee Rejects HB1002.
Today the Senate Committee on Revenue and Taxation rejected HB 1002: An Act to Create the Arkansas Capital Gains Reduction Act of 2011. Such an Act would have cost the state $44 million in its first year and $68 million in the following year.
|
03-16-2011 |
SB 346, which would remove the limitations on the number of open-enrollment charter schools, received a "Do Pass" from the Senate Education Committee yesterday. AEA opposes this bill.
Joint Retirement Committee gives HB1216 a "Do Pass"
The Joint Committee on Public Retirement and Social Security Programs gave HB1216 a "Do Pass" on Monday. This bill more clearly defines "terminate" as that term applies to eligibility for retirement under the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System.
To read the complete bill, visit the Arkansas General Assembly Web site at http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Bills/HB1216.pdf
ACTION ALERT--AEA Supports SB884, "Grievance Bill"
SB884 is a very important bill for public school teachers employees and we need your help to make sure it receives a "do pass" from the Senate Committee on Education. This bill will amend the Arkansas Code concerning the grievance procedure for public school teachers.
|
03-15-2011 |
Clarification: HB 1894 "Parent Trigger" Bill Fails in House Education Committee
AEA Opposes SB 346 on Open Enrollment Charter Schools |
03-11-2011 |
AEA Speaks Before the House on Two Bills
AEA President Donna Morey spoke against HB 1352 by Rep. Linda Tyler (D), Conway. The bill is an attempt to amend the Civil Rights Act of 1993, to limit the filing of employment related claims for retaliation against the employer or board of directors of an entity, and prohibit retaliation claims against the individual agent, employee or officer of the entity.
HB 1894 Fails in House Education Committee, the "Parent Trigger Bill."
SB 829 by Sen. Joyce Elliott (D), Little Rock is a bill to raise the minimum salary schedule for teachers. |
03-10-2011 |
AEA Supports HB2178 "Teacher Evaluation Bill"
After several weeks of hard work and intense negotiations, AEA is ready to support the teacher evaluation bill, which was filed Monday, March 7. |
03-08-2011 |
Former AEA President Baker Passes Away
C. Ray Baker of Fort Smith passed away today. He served as AEA President in 1970, and also served as the president of the Fort Smith EA for several years. In addition, he served as mayor of Fort Smith. Baker, a staunch advocate for public education, will be missed. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.
Senate Passes HB 1315 "Austism" Bill
HB 1315: An act to provide health insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorders, was passed today by the Senate and will be signed into law by Governor Beebe.
Teacher Evaluation Update
AEA has worked almost around the clock Thursday and Friday on the proposed Teacher Evaluation bill, and issues of concern are close to being resolved. It is expected to be submitted Monday, which is the final day to submit bills.
36,000 Sign Petition for Workers’ Rights – Are You on the List? |
03-04-2011 |
HB 1315 Gets "Do Pass" from Senate Insurance and Commerce Committee
HB 1315: An act to provide health insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorders, received a "Do Pass" today from the Senate Insurance and Commerce Committee.
AEA supports this bill and urges all members to call their senators and ask that they vote for this bill. |
03-01-2011 |
Teacher Evaluation Proposal Update
Four ATRS Bills Become Acts
At a meeting last Friday, the Arkansas Department of Education made several significant points about using student test scores for 50% of a teachers' evaluation. The points are: click here |
02-25-2011 |
SB 267 "Extended School Year" Explained
SB 267 would not make an extended school year mandatory for any school district, and only schools meeting specific qualifications could participate. |
02-24-2011 |
SB 138 Gets "Do Pass" from Senate Committee on Education
The Senate Committee on Education gave SB 138 a "do pass" today. AEA supports this bill, which is "an act to provide a framework for afterschool programs that promote positive youth development; to establish the Positive Youth Development Grant Program; and for other purposes." |
02-23-2011 |
Four AEA-Supported ATRS Bills Get "Do Pass" from Retirement Committee
The following bills were given a "do pass" on Monday by the Joint Committee on Public Retirement & Social Security Programs. These bills will benefit the ATRS and help maintain financial stability within ATRS. HB1142, HB1143, HB1147, SB68.
SB 276 Gets "Do Pass" from Senate Tax Committee
Arkansas Times Blog Takes Stance Against Tax Cuts |
02-22-2011 |
Action Alert! Please Tell Your Senators That HB 1002 Threatens Economy
We urgently need all AEA members to contact the following members of the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee, and urge them to vote against HB 1002.
· Sen. Larry Teague (D) Nashville, Chairman, larry.teague@senate.ar.us
· Sen. Michael Lamoureux (R) Russellville, michael.lamoureux@senate.ar.us
· Sen. Jake Files (R) Fort Smith, jake.files@senate.ar.us
· Sen. Bill Sample (R) Hot Springs, bill.sample@senate.ar.us
· Sen. Eddie Joe Williams (R) Cabot, eddiejoe.williams@senate.ar.us
· Sen. Jerry Taylor (D) Pine Bluff, jerry.taylor@senate.ar.us
· Sen. Paul Bookout (D) Jonesboro, paul.bookout@senate.ar.us
· Sen. Linda Chesterfield, (D) Little Rock, chesterfield@senate.ar.gov
Yesterday the House of Representatives passed HB 1002: An Act to Create the Arkansas Capital Gains Reduction Act of 2011, by Representative Garner (R) Maumelle. |
02-18-2011
02-17-2011 |
HB 1099 Gets "Do Pass" from Senate Education Committee
The Senate Committee on Education gave a "Do Pass" recommendation today to HB 1099, which would allow public school districts flexibility in school start dates. The bill will likely be on the Senate floor tomorrow.
Today the House of Representatives passed HB 1002: An Act to Create the Arkansas Capital Gains Reduction Act of 2011, by Representative Garner (R) Maumelle.
The bill passed by a vote of 53 FOR, 43 NO and 1 PRESENT. |
02-16-2011 |
HB1002-Momentum for additional tax cuts is building within the Arkansas legislature, which could in effect reduce the state's general revenue and put public education funding at risk.
Such an Act will cost the state $44 million in its first year and $68 million in the following year.
|
02-15-2011 |
U.S. Congress Needs to Hear Your Voices
Education Cuts are Bad for Students, Communities, and our Nation |
02-08-2011 |
House Passes School Start Date and Spring Break Bills
Take action! HB1056: An act to provide additional income tax relief to head of household taxpayers with two (2) or more dependents, was accidentally omitted from the Arkansas tax tables several years ago and should be restored. Clarification: HB 1049 "Cell Phone Bill" |
02-03-2011 |
House takes action on three education bills;
HB 1049 "Cell Phone Bill" Passes in the House
SEE how they voted!
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Pages/Votes.aspx?
rcsnum=98&votechamber=House
School Start Date and Spring Break Bills Receive "Do Pass"
HB1099, HB1224
State Retirement Data Presented to Legislators |
02-02-2011 |
HB1049 Cell Phone Bill Defeated 47 to 46
ADE Gives Positive Review of Teacher Evaluation Pilot Program |
02-01-2011 |
Great Teacher Evaluation System Remains a Top AEA Priority
|
01-28-2011 |
Great Teacher Evaluation System Remains a Top AEA Priority
EPIReport.pdf
BOTA(.pdf)
|
01-27-2011 |
| Nationally Recognized Researchers Say Use of Student Test Results in Teacher Evaluations is Unwise |
01-26-2011 |
AEA Lobbies for ATRS-Supported Bills
The Arkansas Education Association and the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System (ATRS) support the following bills, which will benefit the ATRS and help maintain financial stability within ATRS.http://artrs.gov/Forms/ATRS_2011_Legislative_ GHopkins_Session_Gov_Update_1_19_2011.pdf |
01-25-2011 |
Teacher Evaluation Proposal Update
At the AEA Legislative Conference, our district legislative hearings and in the January 13th AEA Legislative Alert, you received information that the Arkansans for Education Reform (AER), also known as the Arkansas Education Accountability Coalition (AEAC), wants legislation that in part would:
* Require that at least 50 percent of the weight of the [teacher’s] evaluation be based on student test scores
* Require that the evaluation system be the main criteria used from here forward to make decisions regarding retention, promotion, or dismissal of teachers, including reduction in force (RIF) and involuntary transfers, rather than seniority
* Link the new [evaluation] system to the Teacher Fair Dismissal Act |
01-21-2011 |
| House Reviews Tax Bills that May Reduce General Revenue |
01-18-2011 |
| Overview: Charlotte Danielson's Framework for Teaching |
01-14-2011 |
| Arkansans for Education Reform Want 55% of Teacher's Evaluation to Be Student Test Scores |
01-13-2011 |
The 88th General Assembly Begins
AEA's Lobby Team. Members include: Rich Nagel, ar-rnagel@nea.org; Donna Morey, ar-dmorey@nea.org; Richard Hutchinson, ar-rhutchinson@nea.org ; Peggy Nabors, ar-pnabors@nea.org and Karen Carter, aeacarter@sbcglobal.net |
01-12-2011 |
