TEXAS AFT LEGISLATIVE HOTLINE–MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2009
 
Local Affiliates Stick Up for Teachers' Grading Authority, Fair Pay
 
El Paso AFT Unit Fights to Enforce State Law on Grading Policy: Lucy Clarke, president of the El Paso Federation of Teachers and Support Personnel, has been getting the better of the argument with El Paso ISD over the implementation of the new state law on grading policy.
 
El Paso ISD has tried to get around the new law, which prohibits awarding students "minimum" grades that they have not earned. Clarke and her local Texas AFT affiliate have filed a grievance against the district over this attempted end run, and so far the union's stance has won backing not only from the author of the legislation but also from the Texas Education Agency and the local media.
 
Here's how the El Paso Times recently described the issue in an editorial comment:

"School district administrators should not rank putting on a happy face above quality education of its students. The El Paso Independent School District administration says students are to receive a grade no lower than 50 for the initial grading period of each semester. That way they have a better chance to pass the course.
 
"Now the El Paso Federation of Teachers and Support Personnel has filed a grievance saying the district is in violation of a new state law to ban that practice. Teachers want to award grades on merit, and they're right. The grievance has been suspended temporarily pending talks with the district.
 
"The new law allows schools to give students the opportunity to redo assignments, re-take tests and complete extra-credit work to ensure they have grasped the subject matter.
 
"The Texas Education Agency has sided with the teachers' union. It, too, is on the correct side.
 
"The EPISD administration maintains that this policy helps give students a second chance in the event they get off to a poor start in a given class.
 
"That's noble, but keeping students on track for a high-school degree means graduates have truly grasped the subject matter....EPISD Superintendent Lorenzo Garcia said he's for keeping the 50 rule, but is waiting for guidance from the state. Waiting is unnecessary. Abandon this rule now."
 
Bexar County AFT Affiliate Wins Another Round for Fair Compensation: A state district judge has given a strong new boost to a lawsuit demanding extra pay for extra work by AFT member John Kelley in North East ISD in San Antonio. Last week Judge John Dietz of Austin held that the school district, by requiring teacher John Kelley to do extra work but refusing to pay him for it, had materially breached his contract. The judge also concluded that the commissioner erred in deciding he lacked jurisdiction over the matter. It's now up to North East ISD to decide whether to appeal Judge Dietz's ruling. The district has insisted on fighting Kelley and the North East chapter of Bexar County AFT, in spite of multiple adverse court rulings, as if the district were a deep-pocketed corporation that could afford to wear down the aggrieved party. But the costs of the district's mulishness are being borne by district taxpayers. And teacher Kelley, North East AFT, and Texas AFT are determined to uphold the simple principle of extra pay for extra work.