Feb 23, 2021 | Press
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 22, 2021
CEA President Amie Baca-Oehlert:
Standardized testing will take away valuable instruction time for students
Biden Administration issues guidance on how states assess student progress this spring
DENVER, CO – On Monday President Joe Biden’s administration issued guidance to states on assessments and accountability this spring.
The following statement can be attributed to Amie Baca-Oehlert, high school counselor and president of the Colorado Education Association:
“Today’s guidance by the Biden administration was not unexpected. There is opportunity in this guidance to determine avenues to address and understand student learning. We are analyzing the guidance issued today and look forward to continuing to work with our elected officials to ensure that students’ time is focused on direct instruction and providing them the mental health supports they need in order to best support their learning.”
About the Colorado Education Association
The Colorado Education Association is the voice of 39,000 educators, working together in a strong union to ensure all students get the exceptional public schools they deserve, in every neighborhood across the state. As Colorado’s largest labor union, CEA works collectively with all education stakeholders to ensure Colorado’s standing as an excellent state in which to learn, live, work, and raise a family.
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Feb 20, 2021 | Blog
In 1999, Barbara began attending Northeast UniServ (NEUU) meetings in Sterling as vice-president of the Merino Education Association. In 2000, the Unit Chair retired and UniServ Director, Joan Holden, suggested Barbara chair the unit meetings. At the same time, Barbara served on the CEA Board of Directors and made it a point to invite CEA leadership and staff to NEUU. Under Barbara’s leadership, NEUU adapted and developed effective goal setting and unit evaluations, leaders became more member-oriented and focused on their needs and development. The Sterling office now closed, the unit has adapted to rotating locations including virtual meetings, which now include the Southeast UniServ Unit. According to Barbara, NEUU leaders are invigorated by better attendance, new ideas and increased collegiality.
“I am proud to have chaired dedicated, professional and inspirational educator-leaders for 20 years. I hope my legacy is courage to embrace change and willingness to take risks on behalf of students and teachers.”
Barbara Gorman, chair of the Northeast UniServ Unit will be retiring in June.
Feb 20, 2021 | Blog
Billion dollar gaps in public education funding. Postponing standardized testing for this year. Accountability. Private school vouchers. COVID-19 safety. These are just a few of the challenges educators are facing right now. The 2021 Legislative Session is back in full swing and there’s never been a better time for CEA members to collectively rise up to advocate for the schools students and educators deserve. One way members can do that is by participating in back home lobbying; engaging with their legislators and letting them know they should be listening to the true experts in public education: the professionals in the classroom. Back home lobbying also helps build deep and authentic relationships between local elected officials and constituents. Legislators need to know about the issues that matter most to students, parents, educators and communities.
Lobbying is a way to share personal stories and solutions with elected officials to increase their understanding about a specific issue educators care about. Engaging elected officials through meetings, writing letters, making phone calls, attending and hosting events, ensures educator voice is heard to support students, communities and the education profession. Lobbying is a way for educators, students, parents, and community members to share personal stories and to advocate for a particular bill or issue on behalf of public education.
There are many things members can do to lobby elected official including including meeting one-on-one with them or with a group (keeping social distancing in mind, of course), hosting or participating a virtual town hall event, engaging with them on social media, and writing an op-ed or letter to the editor to the local paper to shine light on the public education issues that matter most. Contact your local association to find out their plan for lobbying local elected officials this legislative session.
You are difference makers and lobbying elected officials couldn’t be easier. The only requirements are to be knowledgeable and passionate about public education and the issues that affect you, your students and your classroom, bus, cafeteria, etc. Elected officials are normal people and they want to hear from you. Always remember the legislator’s job is to represent you.
Feb 18, 2021 | Press
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 18, 2021
New Member Survey Paints Grim Picture about Worsening Educator Shortage Crisis in Colorado
Under-funding, lack of resources, and unrealistic workloads to blame
DENVER – Today the Colorado Education Association released the results of an internal member survey that shows nearly 40% of members are considering leaving the profession after the 2020-21 school year. Underfunding and lack of resources are at the root of the top reasons given: unrealistic workload, potentially unsafe working conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic, and low pay.
“The member survey reinforced what we’ve known for far too long: Colorado needs to make the financial commitment to ensure all of our students and educators have the resources they need,” said Amie Baca-Oehlert, high school counselor and president of the Colorado Education Association.“When educators don’t feel supported, they leave. When educators leave, students suffer. It’s as simple as that.”
“I wanted to retire at the end of next school year but will do so at the end of this year,” said Ann Franco, veteran teacher at Colfax Elementary in Denver.“I don’t feel supported in my classroom and the state and district repeatedly demand more of us without providing resources. The paltry pay increase I receive every year doesn’t offset the continually increasing demands placed on me. Tell me another profession that requires so much with such little respect in return.”
“To see statistics like this is absolutely startling and only amplifies the critical position educators and districts are in,” said Emily Bochenek, high school special education teacher in Estes Park.“Educators are not okay right now and cannot continue at this exhausting rate. To continuously face underfunding on top of the disparities and stressors intensified by pandemic without any resolve is entirely unacceptable. If we believe in the future of our students and this career, if we truly value those who are bearing every burden of life right now, then legislative actions need to begin aligning with words and promises. Our wellness is on the line. Compassionate educators and dedicated districts will not continue to fall victim to a broken system that undermines their dedication and devalues their humanity. We are not martyrs and deserve better.”
Meanwhile, 75% of Colorado voters agree that restoration of school funding cuts should be one of the top priorities for lawmakers. Solid majorities of voters polled prioritize education funding over access to affordable health care, highway and infrastructure upgrades, and restoration of rainy-day reserves.
“The majority of Colorado voters agree that giving educators and students the resources they need should be our legislature’s top priority,” said Baca-Oehlert.“The COVID-19 pandemic certainly didn’t create the funding issues we’re seeing today but it has shone a light on the system of ‚Äòhaves and have nots’ that currently exists. It is crucial that we give the schools, students and educators the resources they deserve so that we can provide safe, equitable schools for every student in Colorado.”
Legislators can help avert the crisis of educators leaving the profession through three strategies:
- Increasing Revenue: Legislators must buy down the current billion dollar Budget Stabilization Factor, which robs public schools of precious resources needed for instruction, textbooks and mental health support. The wealthy few and large corporations must pay their fair share by closing corporate tax loopholes, so every educator and student has an exceptional school to thrive in.
- Ensuring Safety: Many of the issues educators face are not new but the pandemic has exacerbated these problems. While educators want to be back in schools and classrooms with students, it is critical that educators and students have PPE, COVID tests, vaccines, cohorting and other measures they need to feel safe—and that district-level decisions are data-driven and transparent.
- Postponing High Stakes Standardized Testing: Every student should be able to thrive—and educators are administering real-time tests and assessments to track their learning. But in a time when students and educators are struggling, bouncing between in-person, virtual and hybrid learning environments, the wisest thing to do is focus every since second on instruction so students can concentrate on learning and maintaining their mental health instead.
The CEA released their full 2021 legislative agenda last month, with increasing revenue the number one priority. Inadequate funding and balancing the state budget have been problems for public education since 2009 and the lack of funding and resources have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, disproportionately affecting low income families and students of color. Other CEA priorities for the legislative session include legislation to:
- Promote justice and equity that ensures the best public schools for our students, educators and communities
- Promote professional growth in educator accountability as opposed to punishment and high stakes testing
- Help educators achieve more time and autonomy to focus on the most crucial aspects of their job, specifically direct instruction, planning and student support
- Protect the health and safety of our students, their families and educators in the time of COVID-19
Results of Internal Member Survey
Public Polling Memo
CEA 2021 Legislative Priorities
About the Colorado Education Association
The Colorado Education Association is the voice of 39,000 educators, working together in a strong union to ensure all students get the exceptional public schools they deserve, in every neighborhood across the state. As Colorado’s largest labor union, CEA works collectively with all education stakeholders to ensure Colorado’s standing as an excellent state in which to learn, live, work, and raise a family.
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Feb 12, 2021 | Press
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 12, 2021
CEA President Amie Baca-Oehlert:
New CDC guidelines are a good first step, now investment must be made to make it happen
Students and educators deserve all the resources they need to ensure a safe in-person learning environment
DENVER, CO – The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a new operational strategy guide for K-12 schools to help communities move toward the safe delivery of in-person instruction.
The following statement can be attributed to Amie Baca-Oehlert, high school counselor and president of the Colorado Education Association:
“Today’s new CDC guidelines confirm what we’ve been saying for the past year: in-person instruction is best but safety has to be the number one priority for both students and educators. While the new CDC guidelines are a good first step, every community must commit to containing the spread of the virus and schools need to be provided the resources they need to keep classrooms open, staffed and safe. Parents need predictability when it comes to switching learning environments, if the need arises.
“Finally, every public school should be a safe place for students and school staff, no matter what neighborhood it serves. Now that we have clearer CDC guidance, state and local decision makers need to be able to look educators, students, and parents in the eyes and guarantee that safety is of the utmost concern while we work collaboratively to ensure a safe return to in-person learning.”
About the Colorado Education Association
The Colorado Education Association is the voice of 39,000 educators, working together in a strong union to ensure all students get the exceptional public schools they deserve, in every neighborhood across the state. As Colorado’s largest labor union, CEA works collectively with all education stakeholders to ensure Colorado’s standing as an excellent state in which to learn, live, work, and raise a family.
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