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What Every New NYSUT Member Should Know

What is Committee of 100? Does it include only teachers or School-Related Personnel as well? (See related story.)

Committee of 100 was the formal name given to a group of 165 NYSUT members who lobbied at the state Capitol in 1973 urging legislators not to create a separate pension for new members of the retirement system.

The name has remained the same although committee members today number more than 600 and include teachers, retirees, bus drivers and other School-Related Personnel, nurses, higher ed professionals and psychologists. They travel to Albany twice a year to meet with legislators and participate in grass-roots lobbying.

Local presidents designate Committee of 100 representatives annually at the request of NYSUT's Legislation Department. (Source: NYSUT Legislation Department.)

The following are a few frequently asked questions the State Education Department has received on the upcoming grade 8 assessments:

Does the grade 8 social studies test have to be given in one sitting?

No. The social studies test has two sections, each 90 minutes long. The two sections do not have to be given on the same day. Also, there is no required order for administering the test. The State Education Department suggests giving the essay portion first to allow more time for scoring. (Source: SED.)

Do all students in eighth grade have to take the technology test by the end of grade 8?

Yes. Schools can't limit participation only to students who complete the course requirements during the second semester of eighth grade. Students who complete the technology curriculum in seventh grade don't have to wait until the end of grade 8 to take the technology assessment. They can take the test at the end of grade 7. (Source: SED.)

Can I give the written portion of the 8th-grade science assessment on different days?

No. The written portion of the science assessment is two hours long. It has to be administered in one sitting. (Source: SED.)

- Clarisse Butler

Do you have a work- or union-related question that you'd like to see answered in "Your Union Mentor"? E-mail your question along with your name and local association to: cbutler@nysutmail.org.