PAESP Proposed Resolutions for 2000

PAESP Proposed Resolutions for 2000-2001

By Dr. Sharon Whittle, PAESP President-Elect

The following resolutions are proposed for adoption by the membership at PAESP's business meeting set for the October 2000 State Conference to be held at the Harrisburg Hilton Hotel & Towers.

THE CHILD

Equity in Funding

PAESP supports the concept that all children of the Commonwealth receive equal opportunities for educational success. Therefore, PAESP strongly urges the Governor and the General Assembly to enact equity measures when allocating state funds for basic and special education programs.

Early Childhood/ Elementary Education

PAESP fully recognizes that early childhood/elementary education is the foundation for future learning. Its importance cannot be emphasized enough. PAESP further emphasizes legislative support in making kindergarten mandatory. Research supports the need for quality, developmentally appropriate early learning experiences that are specifically designed to meet the social, emotional, physical, and academic needs of children in this age group.

Focus on the Child

PAESP supports federal regulations with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). PAESP further realizes that a continuum of services must be funded, as it is essential to effectively meet the needs of all students in the most appropriate, most challenging, and least restrictive environment.

PAESP recognizes the importance of providing enriching environments for children who demonstrate creative qualities and those identified as gifted and talented.

PAESP encourages all involved in the educational process of children to work in partnership for the total development of the child by providing opportunities by which each child may realize his/her fullest potential.

Student Health

PAESP believes that all children should be protected from communicable diseases. PAESP encourages school officials to work with local and state agencies for development and enforcement of immunization requirements.

CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION

Educational Assessment Programs

PAESP believes in the importance of assessment for the planning of future instruction to help meet the needs of students. State assessments to complement state academic standards are needed, but must be age appropriate and criterion based.

PAESP further believes that when reporting assessment results to the public that clear explanations must be given concerning the limitations of the testing instruments and the many factors describing the educational community. The total picture of an individual child's progress and achievement must be considered to measure growth.

Home Schooling

PAESP believes that to ensure an appropriate and quality education for all children of the Commonwealth, the General Assembly should be strongly encouraged to re-examine and monitor the home schooling education law and enact changes as deemed necessary through the input of parents, school administrators and elected school officials.

Tuition Vouchers

PAESP opposes tuition vouchers for private schools, which create an uneven playing field between public and private schools. If vouchers are provided to private schools, schools receiving state or federal funds must be held to the same rules and regulations governing public schools.

Guidance Programs

PAESP supports the critical importance of a well planned, organized, and comprehensive guidance program in every school. Elementary/middle school guidance programs in these formative years of a child's life serve to meet the social and emotional needs of our diverse student populations and the increasing complexities of families and society. Guidance programs have developmental, preventive, and remedial functions, and our children have many decisions and choices to make in the process of growth and development. To this end, PAESP emphasizes that a qualified and certified guidance counselor be assigned to provide services to all elementary and middle schools.

Technology in Education

PAESP endorses the effective use of technology in education and recognizes the need for policies to control and monitor the use of technology in the schools. PAESP recommends written plans addressing copyright laws, privacy issues, and an acceptable use policy for students and staff regarding the Internet and Web design. School officials are urged to develop well-conceived programs of curriculum content and staff development. The association encourages the responsible use of systems that protect children from inappropriate Web sites.

Student-Teacher Ratio

PAESP supports legislation for lowering and limiting student-teacher ratios in kindergarten and the elementary grades - with an emphasis in the primary grades. Research has consistently shown that the quantity and quality of time teachers spend with their students has a positive effect on achievement. PAESP urges principals to take an active role in communicating this to the public to gain their understanding and support.

WELFARE

School Safety and Violence Prevention

PAESP recognizes schools must work with their communities and receive state support to ensure that all students and staff are safe to learn and to teach. To this end, PAESP calls on the state to provide financial and technical support for programs, measures and resources that create safe school environments, such as but not limited to, training for all school staff, conflict resolution and peer mediation, student assistance teams, security cameras and collaboration with mental health and law enforcement.

Community Service

PAESP believes community service is an extremely critical component in our children's educational program, therefore, we must continue to work within our communities to make service learning an integral part of the American way of life.

THE PRINCIPALSHIP

Best Practices

PAESP believes that challenging curricula must be developed via developmentally appropriate instructional methods and best practices in accordance with current educational research. Principals must become leaders, facilitators, coordinators, and supporters - helping teachers to narrow the gap between theory and practice so that the needs of all students are met. Strong, school-level professional development programs must be provided for effective reform in this area.

Administrator Shortage

PAESP believes in the importance of identifying and encouraging top-quality educators to the principalship. Pennsylvania faces a critical shortage of qualified candidates for school administrator positions.

PAESP is committed to search for and recruit the best and the brightest to our profession.

PAESP also places an emphasis on the assignment of qualified and certified principals.

PAESP opposes alternate entry into the profession of the principalship. Instructional leadership from qualified and experienced educators is the key to good schools.

Professional Development

PAESP recognizes the growing importance of professional development for principals and participation in the principals' academies.

PAESP supports the continuation of tenure in the principalship. Taking away this measure of job security will likely deter quality individuals from pursuing a career in school leadership.

PAESP believes that every elementary school should have a full-time, certified principal, and in larger elementary schools, a full-time, certified assistant principal (s) - depending on enrollment and the size of the school. Research has consistently shown that the leadership of the school principal is one of the most important factors affecting positive change and progress in schools.

Act 93

PAESP believes that maintenance and enhancement of Act 93 are important to ensure stability, quality and equity for middle management school personnel.

Retirement

PAESP supports legislation to make permanent the 30 and Out Retirement Window with no age restrictions.

PAESP also supports changes in the Pennsylvania State Educators Retirement System (PSERS) to recognize the longer year, workday, and overall greater responsibilities that come with the principalship.