Educational Issues
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Governor Spitzer's Proposal for State Aid: Year '07-08
Please view this link to see Governor Spitzer's Budget Proposal for next year.
PTA Donates $600 To Local Volunteer Program
“On December 22, 2006 the Plattsburgh Teachers Association presented the Child Care Coordinating Counsel of the North Country (CCCCNC) with a donation of $600.00 that will be used to support Alice Sample’s “Journey into Reading” program. The donation will be used to buy 290 new reading books to be given to children of all ages. The books will be given away at the Champlain Center Mall every Thursday for the month of March as part of the “Journey into Reading” awareness program. The Plattsburgh Teachers Association is proud to support reading in our community and to sponsor this worthwhile volunteer program. We commend Ms. Sample on all of her hard work in the name of promoting children’s reading. (Pictured from left to right: Gale Carroll (Middle School Teacher), Alice Sample (Journey into Reading Coordinator), Roderick Sherman (Plattsburgh Teachers Association’s President), Thomas Via (Plattsburgh Teachers Association’s Treasurer).”
Governor's Proposal for State Aid Next Year 2006-07
Please view this link to see Governor Pataki's Proposal for State Aid next year with this year's numbers as a comparison.
Some Parents Feel Class Sizes Are Too Big
"PLATTSBURGH -- Growing class sizes have some Plattsburgh City School District parents concerned. "I don't think one teacher, regardless of how great, can meet 23 students' needs," said Debbie Murray, whose child is in kindergarten at Bailey Avenue Elementary School."
Feb. 26, 2006, Stephen Bartlett - Press Republican
E-mail Stephen Bartlett your concerns or comments at: sbartlett@pressrepublican.com
The Wages of Teaching
No school administrator should ever receive a percentage raise greater than the raise teachers get. Neither should state legislators.
Nov. 28, 2005, Newsweek
2004 Survey & Analysis of Teacher Salary Trends
"For the first time since the 1999-2000 school year, the average teacher salary failed to keep up with inflation, according to the AFT's latest salary survey..."
Oct. 5, 2005. AFT.org
CLASS SIZE - What does it mean to you and your child?
"The Class-Size Reduction Program: Boosting Student Achievement in Schools Across the Nation" U.S. Department of Education
"Parents and teachers have long known that smaller classes make a difference. Students in smaller classes have higher achievement levels, fewer discipline problems, and more personal attachment to their teachers and classmates. A growing body of well-designed research, including experimental research using random assignment, is confirming this conventional wisdom."
"Research Continues to Show that Small Classes Boost Achievement Evidence continues to accumulate that shows that reducing class size improves student achievement, reduces discipline problems, and provides a lasting benefit to both students and teachers. During the past year, more and more research studies showing the positive effects of reducing class size have been completed, including:"
"Investing Wisely: Reducing Class Size as a Cost-Effective Strategy The accumulating evidence not only shows that class-size reduction is an effective strategy for improving academic performance, but also is a cost-effective one, particularly for students who need help the most. For instance:"
To view this report in it's entirety please view link.
PRE-K...How does it affect our community?
Strong Returns on Early Childhood Investment
"When the Chicago Child-Parent Centers studied some of the long-term effects of preschool programs, it found that for every $1 invested, a return of $7.14 was earned for participants, along with reduced costs for remedial and special education. While a growing body of research cites the long-term impact of early childhood education, including higher academic achievement, less remediation, and even better health, one of the strongest messages that legislators are receiving is that it can also positively affect the budget."
“We know that in preschool what we do impacts everything else,” said Florida principal Vera Groover, who believes that the goal of any early childhood program is to have a long-term impact. “The object is for our youngsters to go to college. If we can get it right in preschool, things are going to start working out the way we want them to.”
To view this report in it's entirety please view link.