Friday, June 6, 2014

RFArea Newsletter June 2014







Volume 11  Issue 3                            June 2014





FROM MARYLIN
By Marilyn Plansky, President

     On May 8th Ethel Johnson and I attended the WREA District I meeting at Rice Lake. 


     The morning session featured a panel of three legislators who addressed several major challenges facing public education in Wisconsin.  Of concern is the lack of respect from state officials for public schools and unionized employees who are characterized as public enemy #1.  A  disconnect between the public and the legislators who praise themselves for cutting educational funding and lowering taxes clearly exists when community referenda must be passed to compensate for losses from the state.  Such is the myth of tax cuts.  Unfortunately, an improved economy has not resulted in investing in per-pupil spending for public schools.  Only vouchers have benefited. 

     On the matter of testing, the legislators expressed the need for a common national standard, but they insisted that results should be used to improve education, not to rate schools or teachers.

     As for our retirement system, the remark was made—and agreed to by the panel—that if it’s not broken, don’t fix it. It’s healthy, and we need to keep it that way.

     The importance of knowing your legislators was stressed.   Because legislators receive so much daily correspondence, correspondence needs to come from within their districts to get their attention.  The panel observed that there are good people on both sides of the aisle, but redistricting has created ultra-safe seats, which have supported representatives with more extreme views funded by special interest money, the greatest threat to us as educators.

     It was refreshing to hear from Wisconsin legislators who are supportive of public education and its employees.

     The afternoon session was devoted to legislative training.  The importance of grassroots-level strength was stressed and, again, the need to contact your area legislators.  If several members make contacts, we will have more strength as a whole. Bringing issues to our legislators prior to the lobbying efforts by WREA is also crucial.

     The role of WREA as a lobbying entity drew numerous comments.  The overall feeling was that we need to become more politically active and less passive than the non-partisan historical practice of the state organization.  Many young retirees are not willing to compromise. It is necessary to be more aggressive in supporting our public schools and staff.  With this in mind, the WREA Educational Issues Committee is launching an initiative to support public educators. Our unit plans are to look at ways to follow through with this initiative.  

     Both Ethel and I have attended numerous district level meetings and we agree that this one was excellent. 


June 18 Regular Meeting will be held at Hoffman Park Shelter, River Falls at 10:30 a.m.    Bring a dish to pass for our potluck picnic.  We will provide plates, cups, napkins, utensils, coffee and something cold to drink.  The program will be “Antiques Show and Tell,” so members should bring family heirlooms and show and/or tell about them JOIN THE FUN!






Our 2014 RFArea Scholarships were awarded to Caitlin Feneis from New Richmond and Micheala Slind from Baldwin-Woodville.  Caitlin plans to attend Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College and obtain an associate nursing degree.  Micheala has been accepted into the School of Agriculture and Life Sciences at UW-Madison and will major in biological systems engineering.





RFAREA MINUTES FOR THE APRIL 16, 2014 MEETING

The meeting was called to order by President Marylin Plansky.  The secretary's report was accepted as printed in the newsletter.  The treasurer's report was accepted and filed for audit.


Doug Johnson informed the group that Ray Anderson had passed away and his funeral would be May 4th at the Unitarian Church.  The time will be announced later.

Committee reports followed.  Larry Harred, Legislative Chair, said he would hold his report until state reports were available. 

Ruth Wood, Program Chair, announced that the June meeting would be a picnic at Hoffman Park followed by an Antique Show.  There were meetings at the River Falls Library of interest to our group.  On May 14, 10:30 a.m., the book Reign of Error would be discussed in the Library Board Room.  Nick Bean, High School Principal, would share his insights on how public education is going.

The scholarship report was given by Marylin Plansky in the absence of Naomi Brandt.  Two recipients for next year's scholarship have been selected.  One student is from New Richmond and the other one from Baldwin. Names were suggested for someone to present scholarships and will be shared with Naomi Brandt.

Laura Zlogar is actively working to recruit new members.  Evelyn Klein gave a report on Educational Issues.  The following names were suggested by the Nominating  Committee as officers for the next two years:  Jane Harred, Secretary; Laura Zlogar, Treasurer; Larry Harred, Legislative  Chair, (finishing two year term); not selected, President.  Nominations can be made from the floor.

OLD BUSINESS:  Laura Zlogar passed out directories. Bernie Brohaugh presented two proposed amendment changes to the Constitution.  The change was to Bylaw IV, no. 1 and 2.  The changes can be voted on at the next meeting.  In the meantime, we will go by  the old wording.

NEW BUSINESS:  Marylin Plansky and Ethel Johnson will attend the District Meeting at Rice Lake on May 7th.  Evelyn Johnson was presented with a certificate for having the most volunteer hours from our unit for the past year.

The meeting was adjourned.


HAS PUBLIC EDUCATION REALLY FAILED?


Editorial
By Bernie Brohaugh

      How little we know ourselves.  Often I am amused to hear a complainer criticize someone else for displaying the very faults that the complainer him-/herself possesses—engaging in what psychologists call “projection.”  I used to have a friend who repeatedly grumbled that this or that person was “judgmental.”  She didn’t realize that her comment, uttered with such frequency, reflected the same characteristic in herself.  She was, in fact, one of the most judgmental people I have ever known.

      But she had nothing on today’s politicians.  The fact that the majority of them are incompetent—conspicuously suggested by astonishingly low approval ratings (less than 10 per cent)--doesn’t stop them from harping on perceived inadequacies in others.  Much of this grousing and griping is, of course, political posturing, but much of it, unfortunately, is sincere, and among the favorite whipping boys/girls these days are public school teachers.  Politicians from both parties maintain that many, if not most, teachers are not doing their jobs and should be fired.  This comes from probably the most hopeless, most do-nothing, most non–legislating gaggle of quasi-legislators our nation has ever seen.

Indeed, there are faults in education, bad teaching being one of them, just as there are faults in government and business.   All other faults everywhere pale, for instance, beside the banking fiasco of 2008 caused by incompetent and unscrupulous management   But, yes, we know there are faults in education that some of us have discovered from extensive personal observation, and, yes, teachers are sometimes to blame.  We know, also, however, that the public has been deluged with lies alleging that public education in the U. S. has failed completely and needs to be privatized (but paid for in large measure, of course, by tax dollars).  Bombarded with lies for the past few decades, why should anyone question this verdict?

Surprisingly, a few people have, including, notably, Diane Ravitch, former U. S Assistant Secretary of Education.  In her new book, Reign of Error, which some of us met recently to discuss, she debunks most of the vilification of K-12 education that naïve politicians and so-called “experts” have been misinforming us with for more than 50 years.   Two assertions that have been the most perverse—because most of us have believed them--are that U. S. students are falling further and further behind students in many other countries and that their test stores within the U. S. itself are deteriorating steadily.  Both are false.  Ironically, the first is false because our students never have done well in international competition, so current teaching cannot be blamed for a development that hasn’t really happened.  The second assertion is flat out wrong.  The only standardized test that has any value, the NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress), says Ravitch, shows students’ scores in reading and math improving continually since 1992.

     But the lies will go on because huge fortunes await those who can market new methods of learning, new software programs, new hardware, and so on, to replace traditional methods.  If students benefit, so much the better, but if not, who cares?  The main thing is to sell your ideas, to sell your stuff.   Focus on the bottom line.

A current popular substitute for traditional education is charter schools—both public and private.  Guess what?  They get no better results than public schools, in spite of fewer restrictions and more privileges.  Were they prevented from turning away students with learning problems, were they forced to measure student performance as assiduously as public schools must, were they honest about their accomplishments, they would almost certainly have far fewer supporters than they have now—especially if it became widely known that more and more of their classrooms are being run by people with only five weeks of teacher training.  The more that one learns about charter schools and certain other alternatives to traditional public and private education systems, the likelier it is that one will discover what is really behind this frenzy to jump out of the frying pan into the fire:

Greed.  I’ll say it again: Greeeed--with taxpayers still footing the bill.


 RFAREA KICKS OFF ITS INAUGURAL BOOK DISCUSSION

     The RFArea Wisconsin Retired Educators' Association kicked off its book discussion group on Wednesday, May 14, 2014, at the River Falls Public Library.  The focus of the discussion was Diane Ravitch's most recent book entitled Reign of Error:  The Hoax of the Privatization Movement and the Danger to America's Public Schools.  Nick Been, Vice Principal at River Falls High School (and Ruth Wood's former student), joined the conversation, providing interesting local perspectives on standardized testing, Wisconsin educational mandates and initiatives, and the politicization of education.  Marylin Plansky observed that “it was fun to get together and discuss issues affecting public schools today,” and Ethel Johnson expressed appreciation of being made aware of new books such as Ravitch’s.  She also found Been’s perspectives on area education interesting and informative.                  

     The next book discussion will be held in August.  It was agreed that a good summertime read will be Richard Rodriguez's The Hunger of Memory:  The Education of Richard Rodriguez.  Not only is Rodriguez an excellent writer, but his memoir provides wonderful insights about the challenges of English language learners navigating American education, the "cost" of education to immigrant children, and other educational issues.  It's a great book.  The exact time and place will be announced on the Blog and elsewhere.



RFAREA KICKS OFF ITS INAUGURAL BOOK DISCUSSION


The RFArea Wisconsin Retired Educators' Association kicked off its book discussion group on Wednesday, May 14, 2014, at the River Falls Public Library.  The focus of the discussion was Diane Ravitch's most recent book entitled Reign of Error:  The Hoax of the Privatization Movement and the Danger to America's Public Schools.  Nick Been, Vice Principal at River Falls High School (and Ruth Wood's former student), joined the conversation, providing interesting local perspectives on standardized testing, Wisconsin educational mandates and initiatives, and the politicization of education.  Marylin Plansky observed that “it was fun to get together and discuss issues affecting public schools today,” and Ethel Johnson expressed appreciation of being made aware of new books such as Ravitch’s.  She also found Been’s perspectives on area education interesting and informative.

Members Bernie Brohaugh and Ruth Wood with River Falls
High School  Principal Nick Been

Members Larry Harred, Jane Harred, Ethel Johnson, Marylin
Plansky, and Ruth Wood at the River Falls Public Library
for the book discussion.




The next book discussion will be held in August.  It was agreed that a good summertime read will be Richard Rodriguez's The Hunger of Memory:  The Education of Richard Rodriguez.  Not only is Rodriguez an excellent writer, but his memoir provides wonderful insights about the challenges of English language learners navigating American education, the "cost" of education to immigrant children, and other educational issues.  It's a great book.  The exact time and place will be announced.



REPORT FROM DISTRICT III MEETING

     Ruth Wood and Laura Zlogar attended the District III meeting in Stratford where more than 60 members from 17 counties were in attendance. Keynote speaker John Gaier, Superintendent of the Neillsville School District, focused on issues challenging Wisconsin’s public schools, including increased accountability (standardized testing), the Common Core, vouchers, special needs, and equity in funding of public education.  Gaier called for all of us to keep education a local pursuit, reflecting local culture, having locally elected school boards who are accountable to local citizens.   His admonition was for all of us to stay informed, to work for equitable funding across the state, and to engage in grass-roots efforts to support public education, especially in light of the $100 million of out-of-state money given in the last election to candidates supporting vouchers.  We need to be advocates for public education and to serve as a voice for our schools, teachers, and students.

     WREA Executive Director Dave Bennett also spoke at the District III meeting.  He stated that a priority for WREA is to increase communication with educators in our communities and to work in a more coordinated way to influence state legislation.  WREA is providing $100 seed money for each unit’s project to help local schools in some way.  This is the first step in the organization’s effort to reach out to local schools and to find ways we can help teachers and the schools.  The Legislative Committee will be working with local units to become more effective and stronger. 


PROFESSOR RAY ANDERSON DIES AT 91

Our good friend and loyal member of the River Falls Area WREA passed away on May 10th from complications resulting from a fall.  A professor of political science for 41 years, he taught for 27 of those years at UWRF, much of that time serving as head of his department.  He also served on the Pierce County Board of Supervisors for 26 years and was a registered lobbyist who represented Cooperative Extension.  During World War II, he fought in some of the fiercest battles in the South Pacific.

A passionate liberal, Ray wrote many letters on political and social issues to editors of several papers in the area.  He was a conservationist, an extraordinarily talented gardener, and a maker of flavorful wines.
He is survived by Zora, his wife of more than 60 years, and by two daughters and a son.



BAKE SALE AND SCHOLARSHIP DRIVE

A hearty thank you goes out to everyone who contributed money and baked goods to the April scholarship fundraiser.  Royal Neighbors also deserves our gratitude for its willingness to support this endeavor.  We were able to add $959 to our scholarship fund.  Congratulations!




WE NEED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT YOU

After going through two hours of training, we now have access to membership information through WREA’s online database.  We have discovered that we know a lot less than we thought we knew about each other!   Please provide 1) The school district, university, or technical college where you spent most of your career or from which you retired; 2) your email address.   Please send that information to Laura Zlogar at laura.w.zlogar@gmail.com,, call her at 715-425-0468, or send a note to 729 River Ridge Ct., River Falls 54022.

MONTHLY MEETINGS FOR 2014-15

Since the matter of monthly meetings has come up several times in our discussions this year, the Board agreed by consensus that the RFArea WREA will meet once a month from August to June next year on the third Wednesday of every month (except for an earlier date in December).  These meetings will alternate between business and socializing one month and programming the next month.  As our February meeting on teaching in rural and one-room schools showed us, we have many people in our local unit with vast and varied experiences and interests that should be shared.  Having more meetings with less formal agendas will give us an opportunity to become better acquainted.

New Program Chair Ruth Wood is already planning some discussions and presentations that will appeal both to new and continuing members.  Already in the works are a panel discussion by newly retired teachers about the current state of public schools in our area; a pre-election discussion of issues affecting public education and candidates’ positions on those issues; a presentation on effective and strategic communication to promote public education and retired educators; and volunteering.  If you have other ideas for programming, please contact Ruth at rwoodrf@gmail.com.

MEMBERSHIP DRIVE AND PROGRAMMING

At last our new membership campaign is coming into shape.  The RFArea Board agreed that a wine and cheese reception for potential new members to our local unit should be held in late August (when newly retired educators are thinking about not returning to school and realizing how much more time they now have).  It was agreed that this sort of informal occasion, introducing new and recent retirees to WREA and our RFArea local chapter, is just what we need.  Date, time, and location will be announced.
    
Laura Zlogar has completed training and now has direct electronic access to all WREA membership records, making it much easier to track not only current members but also past and potential members.  The Membership Committee will be presenting  ways all of us can become more involved in building our RFArea local unit.  










Tuesday, June 3, 2014

WI Spending on Education Lowest in a Decade

According to U.S. Census Department, Wisconsin is has the dubious distinction of cutting funding on public education most dramatically than any other state over the past decade.  The present governor and the current legislature can be "credited" for this accomplishment.  Bloomberg News provides a pointed analysis of just how far the state has declined in its commitment to public education: http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2014-05-28/new-strategy-for-student-achievement-spend-less

In terms of dollars, Wisconsin clearly has turned away from its support of public school children:

The numbers reflected above may represent an average per pupil amount, which greatly skews the actual amounts school districts receive.  For instance, At the District III WREA meeting in May, Superintendent John Gaier of the Neillsville School District reported that his district receives $990 per student in support while Nicolet's is $33,000 per student.  Such wide discrepancies across the state along with the state government's abandonment of public education can only lead to disaster.