Friday, May 13, 2011

ACTION ALERT

ACTION ALERT


ISSUE: Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-52nd Calif.) has introduced H.R. 1891, which would repeal 43 education programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), including the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program (ESSCP), a federally funded, competitive grant program.

This bill is not deciding whether or not to fund the small competitive grant program; it would be to repeal the various 43 programs, removing them from the appropriations debate altogether. Essentially, the programs would be removed from federal law with the impossibility to ever be funded again without a congressional measure to reinstate them. This bill would remove the definition of "school counselor" in federal law, as the only place it appears is within ESSCP. Read Hunter's press release or view a detailed summary and list of programs that would be affected.

ACTION NEEDED: We are asking you to call or e-mail your House and Senate members today with the following message:

"As a constituent of Representative/Senator ___________, I am calling/writing because I strongly oppose H.R. 1891. I would like to request you, as my elected official, refuse to pass this bill, which would eliminate vital programs affecting student success. Programs such as the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program are not duplicative nor wasteful, as the bill implies, and are necessary for our students especially in time of economic hardship. The elimination of this program will have a negative impact on our students.

Steps for Reaching Members of Congress: If you don't know who your members of Congress are, go to http://www.contactingthecongress.org/, enter your ZIP code, and the names of your elected representatives with phone numbers and hyperlinks will appear.

If you know your members of Congress you can call the Capitol switchboard at (202) 225-3121 and ask for your member's office. When you call, make sure to give your name and identify yourself as a constituent; you may need to give your home address (city/town). If you are unable to get through via phone, please go to your member's Web site (which can be found at http://www.contactingthecongress.org/) and opt to send an e-mail. Be sure to let them know that you are an educator and these cuts will have a negative impact on your work and the education of children in his/her district. Personal stories are the most meaningful.

Please widely circulate this message and encourage all educators in your building to call/e-mail their elected officials. This is timely matter; please act today! If you have any questions or have difficulty finding your elected official please e-mail Amanda Fitzgerald.


Amanda Fitzgerald, Director of Public Policy

ASCA


email: ascaaspects@schoolcounselor.org

web: http://www.schoolcounselor.org

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Relating to John M. McKay Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program

Relating to John M. McKay Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program

John M. McKay Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program: Makes scholarships available to students with disabilities who have 504 accommodation plan issued under federal law; allows parent to request & receive scholarship for student to enroll in & attend private school if student has 504 accommodation plan; provides that students with certain temporary 504 accommodation plans are ineligible for scholarship; provides that parent may choose to enroll student in public school in adjacent district under certain conditions; provides for scholarship amounts. Effective Date: July 1, 2011

HB 1255 Relating to Education Accountability

Relating to Education Accountability
Adkins

Education Accountability: Revises numerous provisions relating to K-12 public education system; revises provisions relating to virtual instruction courses, school board member acceptance of gifts, Opportunity Scholarship Program, McKay Scholarships, Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program, special education services, requirements for middle grades promotion & high school graduation, digital curriculum, career & professional academies, use of restraint & seclusion on students with disabilities, assistive technology, statewide assessments, college readiness, school improvement, designation of school grades, education budgets, funding for exceptional student education, & teacher qualifications. Effective Date: July 1, 2011

Relating to Code of Student Conduct

Relating to Code of Student Conduct
Siplin

Code of Student Conduct; Requires the district school board to include in the code of student conduct adopted by the board an explanation of the responsibilities of each student with regard to appropriate dress and respect for self and others and the role that appropriate dress and respect for self and others has on an orderly learning environment, etc. EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2011

Relating to Offense of Sexting

Relating to Offense of Sexting
Abruzzo

Offense of Sexting:Provides that minor commits offense of sexting if he or she knowingly uses computer, or any other device capable of electronic data transmission or distribution, to transmit or distribute to another minor any photograph or video of any person which depicts nudity & is harmful to minors; provides noncriminal & criminal penalties; provides that transmission, distribution, or possession of multiple photographs or videos is single offense if transmission occurs within 24-hour period, etc. Effective Date: October 1, 2011

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

School Counselor Blog

One of the best School Counselor blogs/webs sites around! Danielle has developed a relevant, resourceful, and active must-see place to be.

FASA 2011 End of Legislative Session Wrap Up

 

Having trouble reading this email? View it in your browser.

 

Florida Association of School Administrators

2011 Legislative Summary

By Jessica Janasiewicz

 

The 2011 Florida Legislative Session ended at approximately 3:00am Saturday. It was a difficult and often combative Session with major issues such as immigration, Supreme Court restructuring, retirement reform, prescription drug tracking, Medicaid reform, pay for performance and the budget all taking center stage at different times during the 60 day period....

 

Click here to view full report.

 

If you have any further questions on the report email Juhan Mixon, Executive Director FASA.

 



 

 

Florida Association of School Administrators
326 Williams Street | Tallahassee, FL 32303

 

Thursday, May 05, 2011

AAUW Breaking Through Barriers for Women and Girls


AAUW FL Action Alert - Education underfunded

Vouchers and Mandates

The massive teacher bill passed weeks ago wasn't enough. The legislature now wants to expand vouchers for private schools and to expand virtual instruction.

The Senate is poised to take up HB 965 (in lieu of its own SB1388) to allow corporations now to claim tax credits up to the full amount of their state corporate income tax and insurance premium tax and to carry forward an unused credit for up to five years. This bill also allows the large nonprofit scholarship-funding organizations (SFOs with $10 million of approved tax credit allocations the prior year) to obtain from the Department of Revenue the names and addresses of the 100 taxpayers with the greatest tax liability after all tax credits are applied for the sole purpose of raising funds for the FL Tax Credit Scholarship Program. In addition to expected cuts in education funding, this bill would take additional revenue from the state by allowing credits of $175 million for 2011-12.

HB 7197 (in lieu of the Senate's own SB 1620) would require 9th grade students, beginning with the 2011-12 school year, to take at least one online virtual course in order to meet high school graduation requirements. Especially worrisome is the inadequate funding for equipment and the problem many students will have in accessing computers to meet the requirement.

Please contact your state senator right away and ask him or her to oppose HB 965 and HB 7197.

CASC/CESCAL School Counselor Advocacy Video

SchoolTube - CASC/CESCAL Advocacy Video


Sunday, May 01, 2011

Florida House of Representatives - MyFloridaHouse.gov

Florida House of Representatives Offers Helpful Resources
The Florida House of Representatives has updated its website with enhanced smart phone capabilities that allows access to helpful legislative resources such as Session and Committee schedules, bill tracking, House member searches and more. The site also includes instructions on how to save this resource to your smart phone.

The House is also offering for sale the Clerk's Manual, a guide to the 2010-2012 Florida Legislature, and The Guide to Florida Government. Visit http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/ for more information about these helpful resources.