Association of Texas Professional Educators

Changes ahoy

Be an advocate for your future

Time and again, ATPE has tried to convey just how important it is for future educators like you to take an active role in the political process. You only need to look at what has happened so far this legislative session to see exactly why ATPE continues to drive that message home. We’re only a little more than a month into the session, and already legislators are considering major changes that could affect you and your future profession.

During the months leading up to the start of the session, it was clear that the Legislature would be facing a major budget shortfall. That means that the state doesn’t have enough money to pay for all of the previously funded state programs. But no one was sure just how bad it would be until State Comptroller Susan Combs certified Jan. 11 that the state was officially facing a $26.8 billion deficit for the coming biennium.

So far, legislative leaders have decided that the best way to deal with such a massive funding shortage is to cut spending out of the budget. Because funding for public education makes up about half of the state’s budget, education has become a prime target for the budget ax. House Appropriations Committee Chairman Jim Pitts (R–Waxahachie) released the House base budget bill Jan. 18. Although it is just a starting point—the final budget could look very different—the base budget bill cuts nearly $10 billion in public education funding.

Here is a look at just a few of the proposed cuts included in the bill:

• Funding for K-12 public education is reduced by $6.7 billion.
• Funding for the 2007 pay raise for educators is cut entirely.
• Funding for the DATE incentive pay program is cut entirely.
• Funding for the Teacher Mentor Program is cut entirely.
• Funding for the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) is reduced by $343.6 million.
• The state’s contribution rate to TRS is reduced to the constitutional minimum of 6 percent.

During its first meeting, the Senate Education Committee held a hearing on ways the Legislature could reduce spending in order to help make up the budget deficit. The ideas that received the most serious consideration included eliminating the 22:1 student-to-teacher class-size limits for grades K–4, as well as reducing educator salaries and eliminating due-process rights in order to make dismissing teachers easier. If any of these proposals make it through the legislative process, you could be facing a very different profession by the time you enter the classroom.

What can you do? Take advantage of the many resources ATPE provides to help you be an advocate for public education. Visit the Advocacy section of the ATPE website, join the ATPE Legislative Alert Network (LAN), donate to the ATPE Political Action Committee (ATPE-PAC), and read the ATPE Legislative Update regularly.

If you have questions about the ATPE advocacy program, contact ATPE Governmental Relations at government@atpe.org or (800) 777-ATPE.

Making your mark

Looking and acting appropriately are important career moves

The many books on career advice fill up entire sections of your local Barnes and Noble. And you’ve likely had jobs before, but entering the education profession is something entirely new. In the current climate, it is more important than ever to stand out and be the educator that a principal would like to have and hate to lose. The following are some simple tips to keep in mind for student teaching, whether you’re doing it this semester or will be in the years to come:

• Get your brain involved. No one is going to tell you everything that is expected of you outright. Ask questions if something has not been adequately explained. Keep your eyes open. Look around you and think.
• Do more than the minimum required of you. Those who stand out are those who make other’s lives easier. Little things like showing up for your duty assignments early rather than just being on time can make a big difference.
• Recognize that you are entering a conservative world. It may be the 21st century, but public schools can seem like a last bastion of 19th-century morals. Parents, administrators, community members and the Texas Education Agency (TEA) expect educators to be and remain “squeaky clean.” Regarding dress, jewelry, language or behavior: If it would offend your grandmother, you need to think twice about it.
• Be particularly careful about your use of social media. Students, parents and administrators have lately become increasingly savvy about social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Comments on your profile and photos from your personal life can have serious negative effects on your career before it even gets off the ground.
• Know the law. Visit atpe.org and look to future issues of Answer Key for information and suggestions regarding some particularly important issues, such as student confidentiality, freedom of speech and dealing with parents.

You are embarking on an exciting new future. This is a challenging time to be entering the profession, but frankly—in the cold, hard reality of the serious financial crisis currently affecting public education—you have an important advantage. New educators “cost less” than more experienced, higher-paid educators. If you show your administrators that they are getting quality from you as well as good value, you will weather this current crisis and be set for a long career.

Study guide

Tips on preparing for the TExES and ExCET tests

Every person seeking educator certification must pass comprehensive exams at the conclusion of his teacher training program. These tests are called the Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES) and Examination for the Certification of Educators in Texas (ExCET). They are given to make sure teachers have basic core content knowledge and can apply that knowledge in the classroom. If you are planning to take these tests before the next school year, now is the time to begin preparations.

First things first: Register for the test. If you are an Educator Preparation Program (EPP) candidate or have already taken a Texas Educator Certification Program test and want to register for a different test, you must get approval from your EPP. After you have approval, you must either create or access your account on the TEA website.

The exams are given in two formats: Paper-Based Tests (PBT) and Computer-Administered Tests (CAT). The PBT is offered four to five times a year, two to three months apart. The next exam registration deadline is March 18 for the test administration date of April 16. For a complete registration calendar, visit www.texes.ets.org. And for the most current registration dates, procedures and information, visit www.texes.ets.org/assets/pdf/texes/
texes_excet_registration_bulletin_10_11.pdf.

Second: Prepare for the test. These tests are certainly not the kind for which you can cram, so plan ahead! The best preparation is to have fulfilled the requirements of your State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC)/TEA-approved EPP. Your student teaching and/or internship at a school is good practice for the ExCET. As for the TExES, there are ways you can prepare yourself rather than relying solely on prior knowledge. Check out the preparation resources at atpe.org as well as this study guide. Of course, bookstores also sell study guides.

Finally: Arrive early. You must arrive at the testing facility and register at least 30 minutes before the test begins. You will not be admitted to the testing facility and will lose your registration fee if you get there late! Bring a valid photo ID, sharpened No. 2 pencils, and blue or black pens for any essay tests you will take. It is wise to wear layered clothing in case the climate in the testing room is uncomfortable for you. Be sure to eat a good meal beforehand.

Reminders

• Don’t forget: With ATPE membership comes savings on spring break essentials such as rental cars, hotels, and tickets to theme parks. Log in to the secure area of the Services and Discounts page at atpe.org to learn more. (Note: You must log in to access the necessary ID numbers, reservation links and telephone numbers.)
• Like Answer Key on Facebook.

Answer Key is an exclusive benefit for ATPE’s college student and teacher-trainee members. Send your comments to klanfer@atpe.org.