Teachers Saving Children® Inc. of Ohio

Newsletter
Volume 3, Number 4
April 1993

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Contents


FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Connie Bancroft

First of all, I want to publicly accept the position of Executive Director for another year. I want to thank the Board of Trustees for their confidence in me in leading this organization. I am thankful to God for allowing me this opportunity to be involved in saving the lives of the unborn, His creation.

I want to thank each Board member for their support and wisdom as decisions are made throughout the year. I am also thankful that this organization has grown and for the support of each member. We are all very busy with our careers, families, and personal lives, but yet even the notes and words of encouragement and your prayers are much appreciated.

As we look forward to the future months of TSC, please remember that we can make a difference! Let's join and work together to save both the lives of the unborn and America's schools.


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GENERAL MEMBERSHIP GATHERING

There has been concern expressed about the need for TSC members and other concerned individuals to meet at least once a year for a time of fellowship, sharing, and support. It has therefore been proposed by the Board of Trustees that the membership be surveyed regarding such a meeting. The Board of Trustees has set a tentative date of Saturday, October 16, 1993 in Columbus for a general membership gathering. Although details are not yet confirmed, the time would probably be during the afternoon hours. Please fill out the enclosed survey and return the postcard as soon as possible so that the Board can make a final decision regarding a membership gathering.


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1993 DEMONSTRATION INFORMATION

The Board of Trustees has decided to look at some different options regarding our annual demonstration. At the time of this newsletter, details are unknown, except to note that our demonstration date will probably be in August this year. Please watch for information in the June newsletter along with a possible special mailing.


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ATTENTION: NEA DELEGATES

Anyone attending the NEA Representative Assembly this summer in San Francisco needs to contact Educators for Life. This is a caucus working at the NEA Assembly whose purpose is to promote the civil rights of ALL human beings. Educators for Life promotes change within the NEA through members becoming involved as delegates and representatives on all levels. They are wanting to make contact with anyone who will be attending the NEA Assembly this summer so that everyone concerned about the abortion issue can work together as a team. Please contact Don Curry, PO Box 6689, Yuma, AZ 85366-6689 (602-726-1289). It is suggested that you call so that you will be definitely aware of all the arrangements.


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LIFE ISSUES CAUCUS

This past fall, several members of Life Issues Caucus did a survey within their own districts regarding whether or not OEA should take a stand on abortion. Of those responding to the survey, the general consensus is that OEA should take no position concerning abortion.

When the Ohio Education Association convenes for its spring meeting, Life Issues Caucus will once again be there to do its bidding on behalf of life. We will be looking at resolutions and new business items with an eye for adding and deleting those things which are in keeping with our purpose.

Our creative juices continue to flow, for we wish to reach our fellow delegates in whatever ways and by whatever means possible. We will once again be meeting in caucus the evening immediately preceding the general meetings, for the purpose of planning strategies. We're in the process of developing some new ideas which we are very excited about. At this time, let it suffice to say that we see our task as one of reaching our colleagues with the truth.

For more information on doing a survey within your school district and/or information on participating with Life Issues Caucus at the OEA spring meeting, please contact Gary Winney at 216-944-4409.


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TSC BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

The TSC Board of Trustees met in Columbus on March 27, 1993. The following are highlights of some of the items which were discussed. Some items are discussed in more detail elsewhere in this newsletter.

1. Election of Officers of the Board for the 1993-94 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.

2. The Board discussed various strategies including the Demonstration, a General Membership Gathering, and Life Issues Caucus.

3. A new TSC general brochure is now available. The Board discussed several strategies for distribution of the new brochure, including RTL booths at local fairs and school inservice days. An article about TSC is also available for various newsletters and other media opportunities.

4. The Board approved the printing of TSC stationery.


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IMPORTANT LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

The State of Ohio is planning to implement Outcome-Based Education (OBE), also known as performance-based education. OBE is only one aspect of the Governor's Educational Reform Package which includes many hidden dangers.

Under OBE, students will be required to master specific learner outcomes in order to graduate. Current requirements, the Carnegie units, for graduation will be disbanded and in its place will be 25 learner outcomes. These outcomes are statements of what all students must know (knowledge), be able to do (skills), and be like (attitudes) upon graduation. Students will be "remediated" until all outcomes are mastered regardless of how long it will take.

As currently drafted by the State Board of Education Learner Outcomes Panel, there will NOT be any academic goals focusing on reading, writing, or mathematics as the objectives are clearly attitudinal and behavioral. Therefore consider the following questions:

1. What are the educational standards for OBE?
2. Who is going to decide exactly what constitutes successful accomplishment in these areas?
3. Whose values are going to be enforced?
4. How will the results be measured?
5. What types of remediation will be used for students who fall behind?
6. How much will these "reforms" cost the taxpayer?

Let's examine one of the outcomes more closely. In the draft form list of learner outcomes, outcome #19 states: "Respect individual differences, points of view, and the works of others." If the State desires to teach promiscuous sexual lifestyles and abortion as a right, would not this fall under this category of "respect individual differences and points of view...?" How will this be tested and would a student pass only if they agree? One might think this thought as extreme, but is it? Who could have ever imagined 25 years ago that a woman in her ninth month of pregnancy could have an abortion for any reason!

Another part of the educational reform package deals with professional standards. As part of the new professional standards that are being considered, teachers will be tracked as well. There is also a remediation process for the teacher's conformance to the new standards. Does this mean that as teachers we will be required to teach promiscuous sexual lifestyles and abortion in order to be certificated (licensed)?

The Ohio House has eliminated OBE and the Professional Standards Board from the Educational Reform Package. Currently it is being considered in the Senate. The State Board of Education will be holding regional meetings on professional standards in May and June, and on the Learner Outcomes in June and July. The new standards are to be adopted by the State Board of Education in November.

Time is of the essence, as OBE and the Educational Reform Package is on the fast track in Ohio. Immediate action is necessary to prevent implementation across Ohio (OBE is already being piloted in several school districts). The cost in dollars will be in the MILLIONS; the cost to Ohio families and their children will be ad infinitum.

If you are already informed about OBE, please act or continue to act NOW in writing our government officials. If you need more information about OBE and/or the Educational Reform Package, as well as legislative updates, please write Ohio Parents and Professionals Commission (3463 Massillon Rd, Suite 343, Uniontown, OH 44685) which is a grassroots movement of parents and professionals promoting the achievement of academic excellence.


For more information contact: tsc-life@juno.com
©1993, 2001, 2005 Teachers Saving Children® Inc. of Ohio
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED


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