TEXAS AFT LEGISLATIVE HOTLINE--TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2009
(copyright 2009 Texas AFT)
 
* Author of New Law on Grading Policy Denounces "Creative Interpretations" 
* Getting the Facts Straight on Health-Care Reform--Myth #3
 
Author of New Law on Grading Policy Speaks Out: State Sen. Jane Nelson is the Republican from Flower Mound who wrote what she calls the "no minimum grade" bill passed by the legislature this spring. Sen. Nelson is not amused by school districts' attempts to evade the intent of her legislation. Here's how she reacted to those mischievous maneuvers in a letter to the editor published by the Dallas Morning News on Sunday:
 
"As the author of the 'no minimum grade' legislation, as a former teacher and as a parent, it was distressing to read that certain school districts are refusing to change their no-fail grading policies as required by legislation approved by the Legislature. The new law clearly states that teachers must be allowed to assign grades based on the merit of their students' work.
 
"Unfortunately, some districts are creatively interpreting the law as if it does not apply to report card grades. The Texas Education Agency has been working to dispel such misconceptions.
 
"As the author of this new law, let me clarify my intent. We always envisioned this bill applying to grades on tests, assignments and report cards. More to the point, it is never appropriate for teachers to be forced to pass students who have not been performing passing work. Doing so is tantamount to fraud.
 
"Teachers may offer students the opportunity to retest, do make-up work, come in after school and outline chapters, or anything else that would help the children learn the content, and the teacher might then decide to raise the grade.
 
"Let's trust the professional judgment of our teachers in the classroom."
 
Getting the Facts Straight on Health-Care Reform--Myth #3: The third in a series of "mythbuster" messages from the American Federation of Teachers (see http://www.aft.org/fight4america/myths.cfm) addresses yet another oft-told tall tale about pending health-care reform proposals.
 
MYTH #3: Reforming health care will cut Medicare benefits for seniors.

THE FACTS: The health-care reform plan now being considered will extend Medicare coverage and preserve older Americans' freedom to choose their doctor. It will eliminate wasteful overpayments to private plans (estimated at $160 billion); expand access to and end co-payments for Medicare preventive services; increase payments to health-care providers, which would prevent doctors from refusing Medicare patients; and phase out the Part D "doughnut hole" that has caused many older Americans to do without their medications so they can afford other necessities. The president is committed to improving health care for all older Americans and to strengthening Medicare.