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[Judy Abbott]

Art advocacy does work, eventually!

forwarded by Judy Abbott

Art, Music and P.E. Victory

Dear Amazing Art, Music and P.E. Advocates,

At the consultation table last Tuesday, Education Austin and AISD agreed to restore Art, Music and Physical Education classes to a ratio of 7.5 regular education classrooms to 1 special areas teacher for 2007-2008.  We will post the positions in January and will hire over 30 more teachers to create the smaller classes.

We won this agreement through persistent organizing.  We rallied, testified at school board meetings, activated parents and PTA officers and community leaders.  We met with individual school board members and in town hall meetings.  Over 5,000 of us petitioned the school board to help our elementary students have a quality Art, Music and P.E. education.  Last year, our Education Austin executive board made Art, Music and P.E. class size a school board election issue.  We endorsed and campaigned for those candidates who supported Art, Music and P.E.  The fact that we moved the administration and school board so far is testimony that collective action works.  If there is any Art, Music and P.E. teacher who is not yet a member of Education Austin, please reach out to them with this news and ask them to join.  Together, we are making a difference.

What's next?  The Art, Music and P.E. Organizing Committee needs to stay active.  At the consultation table, Education Austin discussed with AISD administration the importance of monitoring overly-large classes this year and reporting unsafe classes.  We also need to find good teachers to apply for the positions next year.  If you had a highly qualified student teacher or know of a great special areas educator looking for a job in Austin, please let us know.

Thanks for your hard work on Art, Music and P.E. and all you do for our kids!

In Solidarity,

Mary Kennedy

Education Austin Staff Representative

472-1124

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