AACTE Provides Washington Week Attendees with Resources to Stay Engaged with Policymakers

By Kaitlyn Brennan

On behalf of AACTE, I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude to those who attended the recent policy and advocacy event in Washington, D.C. Your presence and active participation made it a resounding success, and I’m thrilled that we had the opportunity to discuss and advocate for programs that strengthen and expand the education workforce.  Additionally, please take a moment to watch the brief video from AACTE’s President and CEO Lynn M. Gangone. She encourages us to stay connected so that we can remain active and engaged in the work of advocating for educator preparation.

AACTE Co-Hosts Congressional Briefing on Educator Preparation

By AACTE

The “Strengthening Educator Preparation: Addressing Needs and Exploring Innovative Solutions” congressional briefing organized by AACTE, University of Northern Iowa (UNI), and American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), took place today, Tuesday, July 18, on Capitol Hill. The briefing brought together a group of university presidents and deans, all AACTE members, from around the country for a candid conversation on issues impacting educator preparation and innovative solutions. 

The issue summary provided to briefing participants stated, “the educational profession is in crisis.” The summary outlined the following four legislative actions necessary to address the crisis:

1. Removing financial barriers to entering the education profession
2. Updating and expanding the Teacher Quality Partnership Grant Program
3. Reauthorizing the Augustus F. Hawkins Centers of Excellence Program
4. Increasing Capacity of Educator Preparation Programs

Final Opportunity to Register, Drive Change at Washington Week

By AACTE

Educator preparation advocates play a vital role in advancing the advocacy agenda and supporting those who will teach future generations. Don’t miss this final opportunity to join teacher educators, scholars, and other members from colleges and institutions on June 4 to 7 for AACTE’s 2023 Washington Week, emphasizing the crucial theme of “Investing in Education.”

Registration for AACTE’s leading legislative conference ends on May 31 — secure your spot today to join forces with change-makers in the educator preparation field.

Washington Week Speaker Spotlight: What Has California Done to Address the Teacher Shortage and Why it Worked?

A Q&A with Susan Kemper Patrick and Karen Escalante

By Brooke Evans

Susan Kemper Patrick Ph.D. and Karen Escalante, Ed.D. are presenting a session at AACTE’s 2023 Washington Week, June 4-7, “An Increased Number of Teachers?! What Has California Done to Address the Teacher Shortage and Why has it Worked?” Below Patrick and Escalante answer a few questions about the topics they will discuss at the session and tools attendees can take back to their organizations.

Washington Week 2023 Features Diverse Lineup of Speakers

By AACTE

At AACTE’s Washington Week 2023, being held June 4 – 7,  we have gathered a diverse lineup of speakers — policy leaders and experts from Congress, the Biden Administration, the media, and national organizations — to share insights and experiences on attracting, preparing, and retaining educators. Take a look at the full schedule of sessions and events.

Family Engagement and Student Support to Serve K-20, Special Education

By Kaitlyn Brennan

This weekly Washington Update is intended to keep members informed on Capitol Hill activities impacting the educator preparation community. The views expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect the views of AACTE.

House Republicans Pass “Parent Bill of Rights”

On Friday, the House Republicans passed the Parent Bill of Rights Act in a 213-208 vote. Republicans did not, however, vote down party lines with Reps. Andy Biggs (AZ), Ken Buck (CO), Matt Gaetz (FL), Mike Lawler (NY) and Matt Rosendale (MT) all voting with Democrats in opposing the measure. The legislation H.R.5, more commonly referred to as “The Parent Bill of Rights,” was first introduced in the 117^th Congress. It would require K-12 school districts receiving federal funding to publicly post their curriculum and annually provide parents with a list of books in the school library, a breakdown of school expenditures and more. The bill has been touted by some as a vehicle for GOP priorities on policies relating to school choice and transgender students. On Friday, Senate Majority Leader Schumer, vowed that the bill “will meet a dead end” in the Senate. The legislation has also already been denounced by the Biden Administration and several education organizations.

Your Voice Matters: Help Strengthen the Special Educator Workforce

By Kaitlyn Brennan

This weekly Washington Update is intended to keep members informed on Capitol Hill activities impacting the educator preparation community. The views expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect the views of AACTE.

It was a busy week in Washington, and we are slated for another one ahead. This coming week, House Republicans are expected to begin consideration on the Parent Bill of Rights Legislation, H.R. 5. It is anticipated that discussions will begin on Thursday with the final vote slated for Friday. Members introduced several amendments to the bill last week — it remains to be seen if House Rules Committee will now allow floor votes on those amendments. 

AACTE Endorses Legislation to Boost Teacher Salaries: Urges Members to Act

By Michael Rose

Members of the House of Representatives and Senate recently introduced legislation that would help ensure that all public school teachers earn a livable and competitive wage that is at least $60,000 a year and increases over the course of their career.  ACCTE strongly supports this legislation and encourages you to contact your members of Congress to encourage them to support it as well.

Education is key to ensuring that our nation has access to a well-trained, highly qualified workforce to meet the needs of tomorrow’s economy.  However, our nation faces a shortage of teachers and other educators to help meet these needs.  Today, 44% of public school teachers quit the profession within 5 years and teacher pay has been stagnant for decades. Unacceptably, after adjusting for inflation, the average weekly wage of a public school teacher has gone up by only $29 over the past 30 years, forcing many public school teachers to work two or three jobs during the school year to make ends meet.

This is simply unacceptable.

To help remedy this, Rep. Federica Wilson (FL-24) and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) recently introduced legislation (H.R.882/S.766) to address this challenge and attract more individuals to the profession.  Among other things, the legislation would increase federal investments in public schools and in supporting the teaching profession and require States to establish a “minimum salary for teachers” that must be at least $60,000 and to pay teachers a livable and competitive annual salary that is at least and commensurate with similarly college-educated and experienced professionals and increases throughout a teacher’s career.

Urge your members of Congress to support this critical legislation today using the AACTE Action Alert.

AACTE Celebrates Civic Learning Week

By Michael Rose

AACTE joins scores of organizations in celebrating this year’s Civic Learning Week, which takes place from March 6 – 10. This is a critical moment to call for increased understanding of the essentials of our government, how to engage with elected officials and understanding the rights and responsibilities of citizens.

Thank You for Raising Your Voice to Support Education in 75 Ways

By Natalie Khairallah

Local-, state-, and federal-level advocacy is more important than ever as the teacher preparation landscape is changing. Fueled by critical current issues, AACTE recently asked members to raise their voice and support a forward momentum of change as part of the 75 Days | 75 Ways to Advocate for Education.

Thank you to all participants who mobilized and provided a tip on how to support education, educators, and students and their families. Your voice and your name will continue to advocate for inclusive education policies in two new formats that were released at the 2023 Annual Meeting in Indianapolis:

• Watch the Video.
• Access the Digital Brochure.

AACTE Contributes to Senator Sanders’ Education Town Hall

By Michael Rose

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), the new chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, held a Town Hall meeting on February 13 to call for increasing the salaries and supporting policies for the nation’s educators. 

Sen. Sanders was joined by Sen. Edward Markey (D-MA); Becky Pringle, president, National Education Association; Randi Weingarten, president, American Federation of Teachers; and four educators to talk about their experiences in the classroom and why it is critical to increase salaries for educators. AACTE was invited to share videos (see minute 5:23 and 6:40) of students who are being prepared to become teachers at AACTE member institutions.

Countdown to the Annual Meeting with the #AACTE75Days75Ways

By Brandi Palmer

AACTE’s 75th Annual Meeting in Indianapolis is only 10 days away. Do you have 75 seconds to spare to advocate for educators?

AACTE invites its members to share their thought leadership in the field of educator advocacy by joining the 75 Days | 75 Ways to Advocate for Educators campaign, wrapping up on February 24 during the launch of the Annual Meeting.

Share a tip of 75 seconds or 75 words in the form of a short, recorded video or written tip on how to elevate the role of educators, advance educator preparation, and support educators serving in the field. If you have already shared a tip, please share another!

Get Social with the #AACTE75Days75Ways

By AACTE

Between now and the first day of the 75th Annual Meeting on February 24 in Indianapolis, AACTE encourages you to get social and spread the news on how to support educators and education through the 75 Days | 75 Ways to advocate campaign. Join your colleagues in engaging with the more than 50 tips that have been shared so far on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. Hit the like button, leave a comment, share a post, or retweet tips that resonate with you and spread the word.

For information on how to share your tip, visit the AACTE 75 Days | 75 Ways social media toolkit and use the #AACTE75Days75Ways hashtag on your social media timelines.

Educators, We Must Defend AP African American Studies

By Monika Williams Shealey

This article was originally published by Education Week and is reprinted with permission.

Dear Florida Educators,

When I was growing up in Florida and I would hear church folks describe a troubling event that ran afoul of their moral compass, they would say, “it’s just not sitting right with my spirit.” That’s how I’ve been feeling lately when I hear about recent efforts in my home state of Florida to limit academic freedom in higher education; stifle intellectual curiosity in schools; ban books; obliterate diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in higher education; and silence the questions of pre-K-12 learners who may be struggling with their gender identity and sexuality.

I was educated in public pre-K-12 schools and graduated from three major Florida universities with my undergraduate and graduate degrees in the area of special education. I’m a former special education teacher who worked in Pinellas, Seminole, and Miami-Dade counties and was a tenure-track faculty member at Florida International University. Yet today, when I think about the education landscape in my home state, I’m grieved that instead of being lauded as a leader in innovation and delivering high-quality, equitable educational opportunities to all learners, Florida is applauded by its governor as “the place where woke goes to die.”

Advocacy Matters: Spread the Word with #AACTE75Days75Ways Toolkit

By Brandi Palmer

AACTE members are still offering tips on supporting educators, students, and educator preparation through the 75 Days | 75 Ways to advocate for educator preparation campaign. Every day until the launch of the 75^th Annual Meeting on February 24 in Indianapolis, AACTE will share a new tip from a member.