April-2020-Advisor_2

INFORMING

APRIL 2020 CEA ADVISOR 5

EDUCATION BUDGETS Governor Lamont issued Executive Order #71, suspending local budget voting requirements for municipalities and regional school districts, including town meetings and referenda. In the nearly 120 towns impacted by this decision, the order gives local boards of selectmen the final authority to approve spending levels and local mill rates. In regional districts throughout the state, the order gives regional boards of education the power to adopt the budget for the upcoming school year in a similar manner. This does not mean that public participation will be entirely removed from the process. The governor’s order ensures that municipalities and regional boards take all reasonable steps to publicize their proposed budgets on their websites and receive public comment via email. If you need assistance navigating your town budget process, or if you believe your local governing body may be violating the Executive Order, contact your local president or UniServ Rep or email info@cea.org . Be on the lookout for budget information as it becomes available on your town or regional website so that you and your fellow educators can weigh in and give a voice to your students, teaching colleagues, and schools.

Ellington High School social studies teacher Sean Byrne and his daughters Emily and (not pictured) Molly are ready for their first day of distance learning.

law applies to the disclosure of tangible records as well as information derived from tangible records—the key words there being “tangible records.” Are online learning and livestreaming—where everyone can see each other—protected by FERPA? Although it is CEA’s legal opinion that online educational services and online streaming are not FERPA protected, teachers should nevertheless strictly adhere to the guidance given by their administrators regarding the use of video and distance learning that includes virtual and/or live broadcasts. Teachers are further advised that all Board policies—for example, policies regarding social media and acceptable use—remain in effect unless otherwise stated. Absent further information or updates from the U.S. Department of Education on these issues, this would be CEA’s present guidance in the changing landscape. Can teachers’ lessons be recorded by a parent? Teachers can give a disclaimer that their lessons cannot be recorded, but we know that parents may do so anyway and that teachers should not expect a right of privacy in their classrooms, either physical or virtual. A teacher’s lesson is not an educational record of a child that would be protected under FERPA. What if teachers witness possible abuse on a child’s camera feed? If teachers witness something on the other end of the camera that could reasonably be considered abuse or neglect of a child, we advise them to report it. Virtual classrooms are to be regarded the same as physical classrooms for this purpose and many others, and since teachers are mandated reporters, they are advised to call the DCF hotline. What happens to standardized tests this spring? The U.S. Department of Education has waived standardized testing requirements for the current school year for students in elementary school through high school. The department says it will provide relief from federally mandated testing requirements to any state requesting a waiver due to the public health crisis. Governor Lamont and Education Commissioner Cardona have already submitted a request for a waiver, so no Connecticut students will be

required to take SBAC assessments, SATs, or NGSS assessments. “Eliminating standardized testing for the current year is the right decision for students,” says CEA President Jeff Leake. “It allows teachers to focus on end-of-year learning and students’ social and emotional well-being instead of teaching to the test. Teachers will continue to keep their students safe, engaged, and learning throughout this crisis.” The State Department of Education is working closely with The College Board to determine the best course of action in regard to the SAT, since the test plays an important role in high school students’ college acceptance and placement. The May 2 SAT and SAT Subject Tests have been cancelled; at press time, the June 6 SAT and SAT Subject Tests are still in place. The College Board and Khan Academy are providing students with free online resources, including full-length practice tests and personalized learning tools, at khanacademy.org/sat . What about AP exams? The College Board announced that students in Advanced Placement classes will be able to take the end- of-course exams from home using a computer, tablet, or phone. There will be two different testing dates for each AP subject, and the College Board is providing free remote learning resources.

Share your questions and comments at info@cea.org.

STUDENT LOAN RELIEF The U.S. Department of Education announced a student loan relief plan to help millions of Americans with student loan debt. All interest on federally held student loans will be suspended without penalty for the next 60 days. The interest waiver is automatic, so you don’t need to enroll with your student loan servicer. Borrowers will also have the option to suspend their federal student loan payments for at least two months without accruing interest, allowing them greater flexibility during the coronavirus crisis. Please note that you still need to pay interest on your private student loans. FOR STUDENT TEACHERS Due to school closures, the State Department of Education (SDE) has temporarily waived the length of placement assignments and any hour requirements associated with Educator Preparation Programs (EPP) for student teaching, clinical internships, and fieldwork. The Bureau of Education Standards and Certification will accept the EPP’s successful recommendation of a candidate on the ED-170A form as an attestation of program completion. Student teacher candidates are still expected to submit an edTPA portfolio, if possible, but given the unique circumstances around COVID-19, the SDE has waived the cut score for all candidates. Furthermore, EPPs may submit an edTPA waiver request for any student teacher candidate who is unable to submit a completed portfolio as a result of circumstances related to COVID-19. In the event that an Educator Preparation Program is not comfortable recommending a spring 2020 candidate as a program completer, the Bureau of Education Standards and Certification will consider whether additional flexibilities will allow the candidate to pursue employment and complete any outstanding experience requirement deemed necessary by the EPP for institutional recommendation.

Romina Fernandez, a student in David Wasserman’s class at Marlborough Elementary, uses Matific—one of the many apps and websites the school has made available to students to supplement lessons teachers are sending home.