Delegates acted on resolutions aimed at steering NYSUT’s advocacy agenda in the coming year. These timely resolutions took on immigration, recess and play-based learning, artificial intelligence, certification, student teaching, CTE, UPK, civics and other issues critical to educators.
The College and University Committee grappled with federal assaults on higher education and the incursion of AI companies into public education.
“Higher education presents a threat to authoritarianism,” said Frederick Kowal, president of United University Professions, who rose in support of the Defending the Integrity of Higher Education Against Authoritarian Assaults resolution.
The resolution, which delegates passed, will support legislation, litigation and locals who are engaged in defending higher education.
Resolution 13, Addressing Excessive Screen Time, Strengthening Play-Based Learning, and Supporting Early Childhood Foundations for NY Inspires and the Portrait of a Graduate, which promotes play-based learning and advocates for limited screen time in learning environments and Resolution 14, Protect Play and Experiential Learning During the School Day, which protects unstructured play and experiential learning are both supported by child development research and aligned with state standards; both passed handily.
Delegates considered two resolutions aimed at solving teacher shortages by improving certification and student teaching opportunities. “At a time of shortage and changing demands, this is a practical labor solution,” said Ronald Roaldsen, president of East Williston Teachers Association.
Laura Franz, president of Albany Public School TA, said paid student teaching opportunities would make it possible to recruit externally and also internally, enabling skilled and dedicated paraprofessionals to move into teaching positions.
Both resolutions passed.
Delegates also passed a measure that supports mentorship and professional development opportunities for Career and Technical Education teachers, to reinforce the growing demand for this type of education. The resolution will be especially helpful for second-career professionals, who have high level of trade experience but don’t always have classroom management experience or familiarity with requisite paperwork to thrive in classrooms, said Donna Walters of the Erie 1 Professional Education Association.
The Civil and Human Rights Committee introduced a raft of resolutions focused on the defense of immigrant students against detention and deportation.
“We need to protect our immigrant communities and we need to put it in writing,” said Katherine Kurjakovic, United Federation of Teachers.
The measures passed to roaring applause.
Unionists stood strongly behind several green and healthy schools resolutions.
Delegates spoke out in favor of and approved a measure to revise the New York state electric bus mandate timeline, making clear that they support the transition to renewable energy, but that districts need more time and support to meet the requirements of the mandate.
Delegates highlighted the key challenges districts face with the mandate, including high cost of electric buses, capacity of the power grid to support the transition, and efficiency of the vehicles, especially in rural and hilly areas, and during cold weather.
Labor leaders rose to speak about the importance of preventing the privatization of public services. The proposal is consistent with other positions NYSUT has staked out on charter schools and social security. “I really think these are already NYSUT policies, but I could be wrong,” said Joan Perrini, president of Retiree Council 21.
Syracuse Teachers Association President Nicole Capsello said the matter should be referred to the Board to confirm that no NYSUT members, which include private sector employees, are adversely impacted by it, and delegates voted in accordance.
As charter schools continue to pop up across the state, draining resources from public schools, delegates also considered resolutions that called for greater regulation of charters and vouchers.
Nicole Brown, president of Hempstead Classroom TA, rose to say that her district has been one of the most impacted in the delegation, to the detriment of students and taxpayers alike. “Over $100 million from one little school district on Long Island is going to charter schools,” Brown said. “This is unacceptable.” The charter school system is straining district finances, and this in spite of the clear opposition of the communities they serve.
Vouchers have also been proven to be detrimental to communities, with research showing that they are disproportionately used by wealthy individuals whose children already attend private schools.
“Vouchers only continue to make the rich richer,” said Matt Haynes, Tri Valley TA.
Both resolutions passed.
Civics education and media literacy also took center stage.
UFT member Troy McGhie said that today’s young people are unaware of the roles and responsibilities of elected officials, branches of government, or checks and balances. “We must put civics back into our classrooms. We must put civics back into our communities,” McGhie said.
The resolution passed.
Delegates also approved a measure that calls for districts to reimburse the costs for maintaining licensure for medicaid reimbursed services.
A resolution referencing the ongoing opioid overdose scourge sought to make Narcan and related-training accessible to classroom teachers. Jeff Orlowski, Kenmore TA, shared a moving story about a Kenmore-Tonawanda student whose death was averted thanks to his quick thinking and the availability of Narcan. “Today, she’s alive and well,” Orlowski said. “We need to have this in our schools. We have AEDs. We need Narcan, too.”
The measure passed.