#caucus of working educators

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PFT Elections Results: Collective Bargaining Team Holds on to Power

PFT Elections Results: Collective Bargaining Team Holds on to Power

The ballots are still being counted in this year’s energetic, contested election for the leadership of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, but in a press release issued about an hour ago, the insurgent Caucus of Working Educators conceded that they did not oust the current leadership led by PFT President Jerry Jordan, which has led the union for nearly 30 years. “We are proud of how far…

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Excited for Democracy: Iowa Caucuses, Philly Teachers Election, and Friedrichs

Excited for Democracy: Iowa Caucuses, Philly Teachers Election, and Friedrichs

I’ve got to admit, I’m excited. The Iowa Caucuses a I am in full political geek mode. As messed up as our political system is, I still get super excited about the REAL beginning of the presidential election cycle – when people, not pundits get to cast their votes, take part in the political process. No matter how cynical or critical I can get, democracy – the possibility of democracy – actually…

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#PhlEd: Jay Cooke Elementary School Teacher Speaks Out Against Charter Conversion

#PhlEd: Jay Cooke Elementary School Teacher Speaks Out Against Charter Conversion

Since the beginning of the state controlled SRC (School Reform Commission) in 2000, Philadelphia residents have witnessed the slow, systematic dismantling of the country’s fifth largest school district with little to no public input.  Over that time, the SRC has been responsible for closing dozens of neighborhood public schools, issuing licenses to create charter schools, and then put underfunded…

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Is Social Justice Unionism Going to Save Public Education in Philadelphia?

Is Social Justice Unionism Going to Save Public Education in Philadelphia?

The School District of Philadelphia is about to witness a process that can bring major changes to the city’s public education system.  These changes will not come from the General Assembly in Harrisburg, City Hall or the School Reform Commission.  Instead, they’ll come through contested union elections within the Philadelphia of Federation of Teachers.  As reported earlier, the Caucus of Working…

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Philadelphia School District Will Inform Parents on Opt Out Rights on Website and Pamphlets

Philadelphia School District Will Inform Parents on Opt Out Rights on Website and Pamphlets

At the end of January, Dan Denvir reportedthat close to 20 percent of the students attending Feltonville Arts and Sciences have opted out of the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) test.  In the article, Amy Roat, a teacher at Feltonville and member of the Caucus of Working Educators, explained that information for opting students out of the state standardized test is “not…

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Rick Smith Show: Bernie Sanders!, Charterizing York School District, Philadelphia's Growing Opt Out Movement and This Weekend's Progressive Summit!

Rick Smith Show: Bernie Sanders!, Charterizing York School District, Philadelphia’s Growing Opt Out Movement and This Weekend’s Progressive Summit!

You can listen to today’s Rick Smith Show LIVE starting at 3PM!

State Rep. Kevin Schreiber, D-York joins Rick to talk about the attempted “Charter”ization of the York City School district and how constituents are fighting back.

Amy Roat, Teacher and member of the Caucus of Working Educators talks about their organizations workshop to inform parents of their right to Opt their children out of…

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Feltonville Teachers Will Not Be Silenced: Administrative Threats Lead Only to a Widening of the Fight to Stop High-Stakes Tests

Feltonville Teachers Will Not Be Silenced: Administrative Threats Lead Only to a Widening of the Fight to Stop High-Stakes Tests

Earlier this week, Sean Kitchen reported that several teachers from Feltonville School of Arts & Sciences in Philadelphia were called to “investigatory conferences” and may face disciplinary action for informing parents of their legal right to opt-out of PA’s high-stakes, standardized tests.

That action followed a bombshell report by Dan Denvir in the Philadelphia City Paper, that 17% of parents…

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Rick Smith Talks with Amy Roat, Teacher and Caucus of Working Educators Steering Committee Member, about Her School District's Attempt to Discipline Her for Telling Parents about Their Right to Opt-Out of High Stakes Tests | January 26, 2015

Rick Smith Talks with Amy Roat, Teacher and Caucus of Working Educators Steering Committee Member, about Her School District’s Attempt to Discipline Her for Telling Parents about Their Right to Opt-Out of High Stakes Tests | January 26, 2015

Amy Roat, Teacher and Caucus of Working Educators Steering Committee member returns to talk about discipline proceedings against teachers who educate parents on their right to opt out of the state’s

Listen to Amy’s interview HERE

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