We, the unders

Here’s a damning report from Education Week blogger Marc Tucker that rings true in Louisiana as well as many other states: “From the beginning, the leaders of our state education systems have invited testing experts to help them set the cut points for passing or not passing the state tests.  They listen gravely to the advice of the experts, then ask them how many students will fail at the recommended cut point and set a new one at a point that is politically tolerable.”

Tucker writes as the Nation’s Report Card’s governing board sets out to write new proficiency standards. He is president of the National Center on Education and the Economy, and he believes that current NAEP standards do not align to real-world college and career readiness. That, he says, must change.

“Have a COLA on MPEC!” That and other clever puns were shared throughout the day as the Maryland Professional Employees Council celebrated a win for state workers.

The AFT has launched a student debt clinic program to help our members and a toolkit for affiliates. 

Message from President Doromal ---

Given members’ growing anxiety over the planned changes to state retiree prescription drug coverage, AFT-Maryland brought in Sherry Kolbe of the Baltimore County Department of Aging for a workshop on enrolling in Medicare Part D.

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In this issue:

1) Class Size/Supply Survey

2) Membership Meeting Remind

3) And More

ATTENTION STATE RETIREES! 
ACTION REQUIRED!
YOUR PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE MAY BE ENDING IN 2019

If you are a Medicare-eligible Maryland State Retiree, you must elect a Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan for 2019. Or, if you are a State Retiree and have Medicare-Eligible dependents on your plan, they must elect a Part D plan for 2019.

The annual open enrollment period for Medicare Part D coverage for 2019 is from October 15, 2018 to December 7, 2018.

Click here to read more from MCEA's insurance administrator R.K.Tongue and for information about Part D Enrollments.

NYSUT Phone banks for retirees will continue to be held every Tuesday up to and including Election Day. The Phone Banks operate from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., lunch included, and are located at the NYSUT Suffolk Regional office, 150 Vanderbilt Motor Pkwy, Brentwood, NY 11717. Hope to see you there!