Exec. Board Agenda

Dec. 1st, 2020 by Zoom

1. Approval of the minutes
2. Approval of the agenda
3. President’s Report: Todd Blanset
4. Treasurer’s report: Brenda Hensley
5. Bargaining: Brenda Hensley
6. Grievance: Lisa Cusi

7) Committee/Chair Reports

-Equity Team: Alyson Brauning

-Member Engagement: Alyson Brauning

-Labor Council: Corey Penrose

-Action: Corey Penrose

-PAC: Corey Penrose & Ariel Ray (PAC treasurer)

-Special Ed: Open

-Leave Bank: Christine Williams

– Membership: Tracy Begley

8) New and continuing business:

9) Conference reports

10) Other:

– Adjournment

Do you love your CTA Access to Savings deals? Is this the first time you’re hearing about CTA membership savings of up to 50% on everyday things such as food, clothing, car care, travel, entertainment, home and garden and more?

The CTA Access to Savings network offers you exclusive, value-packed, easily redeemable, convenient savings. You may not even notice this update, but we wanted to let you know of an upcoming change related to the emails you receive from the program:

• The CTA Access to Savings discount email domain name will be changing from email@member-email.com to cta@enjoymydeals.com.
• Be sure to add cta@enjoymydeals.com to your email address book to ensure you continue seeing these discount emails in your inbox.
• Enjoy your deals on your mobile device by downloading the MyDeals app with your CTA program code: 200449 and your 10-digit CTA Member ID.

Any questions? Call (650) 552-5200 or visit CTAMemberBenefits.org/access.

If members have experienced any of these events listed below within the last 60 days, they qualify for a family status change enrollment opportunity. That means they’re eligible to apply for CTA-endorsed Disability insurance and up to $200,000¹ of CTA-endorsed Life insurance from Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) without answering health questions.²

• Marriage, divorce or legal separation
• Initiation or dissolution of a domestic partner relationship
• Birth or adoption of a child
• Death of a spouse/domestic partner or child
• Commencement or termination of a spouse/domestic partner’s employment
• Change in employment from full-time to part-time by member or member’s spouse/domestic partner

Members can apply online at CTAMemberBenefits.org/TheStandard

1 Coverage reduces to 65% of the amount in force at age 70, 45% of the amount in force at age 75 and 30% of the amount in force at age 80. Offer not available to retirees.

2 If any previous application submitted with proof of good health was denied by The Standard, then proof of good health will be required.

For costs and further details of the coverage, including exclusions, benefit waiting periods, any reductions or limitations and the terms under which the policy may be continued in force, please contact Standard Insurance Company at 800.522.0406 (TTY). Standard Insurance Company, 1100 SW Sixth Avenue, Portland, OR 97204.  GP190-LIFE/S399/CTA.3    GP190-LTD/S399/CTA.1

The California Teachers Association is excited to announce the twenty-seventh anniversary of the CTA Scholarship Program. Online applications are now being accepted for 2020-2021 CTA Scholarships in the following categories:

? Dependent Children

? Dependent Children in Honor of Del A. Weber (Dependent Children Attending Continuation High School/Alternative Education Programs)

? Members

? Student CTA (SCTA) in Honor of L. Gordon Bittle

To be considered by the CTA Scholarship Committee, applications must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, January 29, 2021.

Online applications are available on the CTA website at: cta.org/scholarships.

Applications will be evaluated and recommendations presented to the CTA Board of Directors for approval. Recipients will be notified by mail and their names will be posted on the CTA website.

Scholarship funds will be sent directly to the college/university where the recipient is enrolled once appropriate paperwork is received.

SACRAMENTO—The State Board of Education on Thursday unanimously approved the use of shorter standardized tests in English language arts and math this spring, creating a path for collecting critical student data amidst COVID-19 uncertainties.

The Board’s action also recognizes the need for innovative solutions to support students, schools, and districts as they confront myriad challenges associated with the pandemic.

“Our schools and educators need flexibility, options, and ongoing support as they continue to navigate tremendous challenges and collect data across multiple measures to fully understand student learning,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond.

Like other states, California is required by the federal Every Student Succeeds Act to assess student learning as a condition of receiving certain federal funds. In a letter to state education chiefs, the U.S. Department of Education indicated they would not currently consider a waiver and that states should prepare to administer tests in the spring.

The State Board’s approval of shorter Smarter Balanced assessments in English language arts and math for grades 3–8 and 11 reflects California’s commitment to supporting schools by providing testing options.

The shorter assessments will reduce student testing time, which now takes from seven to eight hours in total. Guidance regarding test administration will include flexible options to meet the unique contexts of each district or school.

The tests will cover all academic standards, which describe what students should know and be able to do at each grade level. Spring testing will provide the first statewide snapshot of the impact of COVID-19 on student learning.

“Because we have been supporting and encouraging districts to use formative and diagnostic assessments this fall, schools will have data to guide individual student learning. Meanwhile, a shorter summative test can provide a more manageable way to offer district and state-level information in these unpredictable times,” said State Board President Linda Darling-Hammond.

Now that the shorter tests are approved, CDE will work closely with districts and charter schools to strategize test administration, ensure student participation, and communicate with families.

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Tony Thurmond — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5602, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100