Teachers Saving Children® Inc. - National
Newsletter
Volume 7, Number 4
April 1997
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"But as for you, brethren. Do not grow weary in doing good."
Elizabeth Sherrill tells of a time when she went to a midday concert at a museum, only to discover she was the only spectator! Three musicians came on stage, and to her embarrassment, calmly performed the entire program. She says she learned how odd is the sound of one person clapping.
Following the concert she apologized for being alone, saying something about it being too bad to perform to just one person. The main soloist looked at her and said, "Just one person? But if one person isn't important, then how could a thousand be?" (Source: Fruit of the Vine Devotional)
In all of our emphasis on strategies, activities, growth, trends, numbers, and results, we must never grow weary and forget the importance of one person . . .who is hurting . . .who needs love and compassion . . .who needs "a cup of cold water" given in the name of Jesus Christ.
As the Apostle Paul encouraged the believers at Thessalonica to serve with faithfulness, may I encourage each one of you to not grow weary in the battle for the lives of the unborn, but to be faithful and to persevere for the importance of one...
Although the time for formal application may not occur until later, there is definite potential for an affiliate state chapter within other states. The process seems very slow, especially within an "instant-minded" culture. However, TSC believes in doing everything "above board" from the very beginning, which not only helps the integrity of the organization, but also helps the organization to have greater impact. Presently TSC is working with two individuals from Michigan who have taken some initial steps in increasing their state's database.
The success of the Pennsylvania Affiliate State Chapter as well as other state chapters will depend largely on each one of us, and teachers like us, who are willing to take a stand for life. Your continued support through your prayers and membership will be greatly appreciated.
1. Elections of Officers of the Board for the 1997-98 fiscal year were held. Connie Bancroft will serve as the Executive Director; Gary Winney will serve as the Assistant Executive Director; Judie Keller will serve as Secretary; David Kaiser will serve as Treasurer.
2. The Board of Trustees approved a license agreement for affiliate state chapters to sign for the use of the TSC name and logo.
3. The Board of Trustees approved Teachers Saving Children® of Pennsylvania Inc. as a TSC Affiliate State Chapter.
4. The Board of Trustees approved participation in the LifeLine program through AmeriVision.
5. The Board of Trustees discussed several different public relation strategies: The Board will increase their ad size in the March for Life Annual report; The Board will create a 1/2 page PR piece for distribution at rallies; The Board will purchase bags and rulers for use at their displays.
Membership: As of March 1, 1997, there are 351 paid TSC members. This is an increase over last year and the number of interested individuals in the data base continues to grow. TSC membership is open to all pro-life/pro-family educators and concerned citizens. Contributions and memberships are NOT tax deductible. Please note that according to the TSC Constitution & Bylaws, the membership year is from September 1 - August 31. Our membership drive for the 1997-98 membership year will begin June 1st. Renewal membership information will be sent to all current members in early July.
The purpose of EFL is to promote the civil rights of ALL human beings. Educators for Life promotes change within the NEA through the involvement of members as delegates and representatives on all levels. If you would like to get involved contact EFL Chair, Christine Nowak at 716-875-4313, or write 550 Hertel Ave., Buffalo, NY 14207.
At the January 1997 meeting of the State Board of Education, State Superintendent John Goff announced the Ohio Department of Education's strategic plan to adopt new standards for Ohio schools. These standards will establish a framework for performance-based graduation requirements (OBE) and exit exams. They would also set new accountability measures to evaluate districts down to the building level and require either state intervention or state incentives for performance.
If the proposed standards are approved they will be a part of the Ohio Administrative Code (state regulations). Current standards governing schools, vocational education, and special education (the "bluebook") will be erased. The Carnegie units, which have served as a guarantee of minimum instructional time, will be erase as a requirement. Therefore schools will not be accountable to provide a minimum amount of time in the instruction of basic academics. The state assessment system will be expanded. Colleges and universities will have to redesign teacher preparation programs to align them with the state outcomes.
Under proposed rule 3301-35-03: Measurement, Assessment, and Validation of Learner Performance, the district school board shall grant a diploma to learners who pass the proficiency tests (notice it does not specify 9th grade) and who achieve state-adopted competencies in all areas specified. Therefore, time becomes the variable, a primary component of an outcome-based system. Students stay in the instruction/intervention loop until they master state mandated outcomes.
The same rule further states that the school district shall assure that all learners achieve state-adopted competencies. They are not describing a "buffet" here. There will be no local opt-outs of state mandated competencies. Local districts will only assume the burden of assessing the state competencies. In the Ohio Department of Education's strategic plan, Dr. Goff clearly states that "all students means just that - students from every population, including special education, gifted education, adult education programs, college-prep programs, vocational education, and more."
These state mandated outcomes/competencies will include health competencies. The co-chairs of the State Advisory Committee for the Health & Physical Education Model specified (in a letter to Dr. Goff) their need to address affective behavior and behavior modification within the context of the state health model curriculum. These affective considerations will invite the use of attitudinal/behavioral state outcomes/competencies. The Health Model Curriculum will be an excellent way for outcomes to be included that deal with issues beyond traditional health concepts such as stress, suicide, human sexuality, relationships/communication, pregnancy & birth, pregnancy prevention, sexually transmitted diseases, AIDS, and drug abuse prevention.
The Ohio Health Model Curriculum has not yet been approved by the State Board of Education. There is no guarantee that this model curriculum will have outcomes/competencies written according to the values of those of us who are pro-life. Local districts will be able to add to the list of outcomes/competencies, but they will not be able to "opt out" of any of the outcomes/competencies mandated by the state. Therefore, if the proposed standards are approved, students will have to continue through the loop of intervention until they pass the competencies - and that will include the health competencies.
The proposed standards are currently being considered for approval by the State Board of Education. Once approved, they will then submit the necessary legislative changes to the general assembly who will consider the changes without ever seeing the final list of health competencies. To ask our state legislatures - and even state school board members - to approve standards which include health outcomes that have not yet been approved is ludicrous.
Teachers, administrators, local school board members, parents, and other members of the community must obtain a copy of the final draft of Standards for Ohio Schools. Contact Sherry Kapes at the Ohio Department of Education (614-466-2761) and request a copy of "Standards for Ohio Schools" (3/97 or the latest version). Focus on the first six (6) rules of the draft. Give feedback to your state representative and state senator. It is important that feedback is done quickly as our best window of opportunity to stall/eliminate the statewide mandate of these standards is now. We must not allow these standards to be approved!
The basic set of six books includes The War Against Population; Aborted Women, Silent No More; School Clinics, The Abortion Connection; Abortion: Questions & Answers; The Abortion Holocaust; and Abortion Rites.
The optional set of six books includes Restoring the Right to Life - The H.L.A.; Abortion & Slavery, History Repeats; A Private Choice; German Euthanasia; To Rescue the Future; and Rachel Weeping.
They also have available several really nice posters (15" x 20"). For complete information as to cost and availability of both the posters and the library book sets contact Right to Life Educational Foundation of Cincinnati Inc. at 513-522-0820 or write them at 1802 W Galbraith Road, Cincinnati OH 45239.
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