When current AFSA President Jill Levy was the President of AFSA Local #1, the Council of
School Administrators and Supervisors, the New York State AFL-CIO invited her to a bi-monthly
television program entitled, "Working New York." On the show, President Levy
discussed the issues that school administrators face in New York, why school administrators
need a union, and other union-related activities of an AFSA local.
The following snippet from the show is President Levy explaining why school administrators
need a union. To view other clips from the show, please click here.
The quality of public school education is being threatened by misguided, unsuccessful ventures such as vouchers, school choice, privatization, high-stakes testing, the No Child Left Behind act, and other assaults on our public education system. More and more education professionals realize they need the protection, services, and expertise that AFSA provides. The American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA), AFL-CIO is a strong, powerful, and experienced advocate for public schools, principals, assistant principals, administrators, and supervisors. For more than 30 years, AFSA has fought for quality public school education for students of all backgrounds. AFSA assists affiliated groups and individual members with vital services including: professional development; collective bargaining; contract negotiations and enforcement; legal counsel; legislative lobbying at the local, state, and federal levels; political action; and organizing. AFSA members are protected on the job with the union's occupational insurance coverages, and enjoy a package of health and welfare benefits and money saving services that may be customized based on individual need. More...
Quote of Note
"I pledge to you that I will do my best to make each and everyone of us here - as well as the administrators we represent - stronger, better, and more courageous," Jill S. Levy told convention delegates in her first address as AFSA's National President-Elect.
"The job we have to do is not about our local union in Boston, or in Detroit, or San Francisco, or in any one location," President Levy continued. "Rather, it is about all of us, together, as one union of school administrators, dedicated to doing the best we can to deliver the highest quality public school education possible to all school children. We will fight to give school administrators and public school education a powerful national voice."
Search
American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA), AFL-CIO
The only national education union for school administrators, AFSA provides labor relations, professional, and occupational services to public school principals, vice principals, administrators, and supervisors in diverse school districts across our nation, in Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. AFSA has been fighting for quality public school education for students of all backgrounds since 1976. AFSA's mission is to promote the professional, occupational, and economic interests of its 20,000 members, and to fight for the highest quality public school education for all pupils.
Web Site Updates October 3, 2008
On Saturday, Sept. 27th, the Senate concurred with the House of Representative and passed legislation, HR 2638, to keep the government operating into the new fiscal year – FY2009 – which begins October 1st. President Bush signed the bill into law on September 30th. This measure does not keep up with the rate of inflation, essentially acting as a cut in funding. This is especially harmful for education programs that will be forced to operate at FY2008 levels through March 2009. In response, AFSA President Jill Levy sent this LETTER to every member of the U.S. House and Senate. It is also critical that YOUR voice is heard on this matter. AFSA urges you contact your Representatives in Congress and explain to them, as AFSA President Jill Levy stated in her letter, “We must commit to making education a national priority and demand that our federal government’s budgets reflect that commitment. The research demonstrates that an increased education investment will more than pay for itself by increasing earnings and tax revenues, and generating the knowledge and innovation that spark economic growth.” You can find contact information for your representative HERE.
PAYCHECK FAIRNESS ACT – On July 31st, the House of Representatives passed the Paycheck Fairness Act by a vote of 247-178. This bill seeks to regulate fair pay for workers by strengthening the government’s ability to identify and remedy wage discrimination. In response to this vote, AFSA President Jill Levy sent a thank you letter or a letter of dismay to each Representative according to how they voted. This measure is currently before the Senate HELP Committee. AFSA President Levy sent the Committee this letter urging its introduction in the Senate and the support of Committee members.
BUDGET LINGO Please see the CQ Weekly BUDGET
GLOSSARY that defines some useful and common budget terms!
NCLB - Differentiated Accountability Pilot Programs On July 1, 2008, Secretary of Education, Margaret Spellings, announced the six states that were approved to implement the Differentiated Accountability Pilot. Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, and Ohio were chosen out of 17 presented pilots and have been approved to begin their presented pilot programs for four years, from the 2008-09 through the 2011-2012 school years. When Secretary Spellings originally announced the “Differentiated Accountability” proposal, AFSA released a statement from President Jill Levy stating that “Secretary Spellings’ plan simply offers public schools too little help, too late and is a far cry from what is actually needed.” Click HERE to read the full press release. For more information on how the states were chosen, please refer to Secretary Spellings’ letter sent to State Chief School Officers at http://www.ed.gov/policy/elsec/guid/secletter/080320.html. Also, to learn more about a state’s presented pilot program and the Differentiated Accountability Pilot, please visit the Department of Education’s website at http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/account/differentiatedaccountability/index.html.
HOW UNION-FRIENDLY ARE YOUR CONGRESSMEN? — The AFL-CIO has compiled an archive of past votes for every member of Congress and organized the representative as voting either “right” or “wrong” on an issue, when workers rights are at stake. You can find information for all members of Congress (dating back to 1996), by clicking here. Alternatively, you can go to www.afl-cio.org and clicking the link under “Legislative Action Center”; then under “Main Topics,” click “Congressional Voting Record.”
SUPPORT THE EMPLOYEE FREE CHOICE ACT AFSA has joined its brothers and sisters in the AFL-CIO in pledging to have at least 10 percent of its members sign cards urging passage and signing into law of the Employee Free Choice Act. In 2007, the House of Representatives voted to pass the measure, though it failed in the Senate because supporters did not have enough votes to prevent a Republican filibuster or override a threatened Presidential veto. In its Million Member Mobilization, the AFL-CIO seeks to present the new President and members of Congress with one million signatures of supporters urging the immediate adoption of EFCA. Under EFCA, when a majority of workers vote to form a union, they get a union! AFSA strongly encourages you to complete this REPLY CARD and mail it to the National Office as soon as possible. Your support will help others improve their working conditions, earn fair wages, and receive the quality benefits they deserve!
FEA RECOMMENDED LEGISLATION AFSA is a participating member of the
Forum on Educational Accountability (FEA), a working group from among the 144
signers of the Joint Statement on NCLB. With input from AFSA,
the FEA has submitted legislative recommendations that will greatly benefit
school administrators. Please visit www.edaccountability.org
to read this legislation and to find out more!
Friday, October 3, 2008 –- Washington, DC -– The Vice-Presidential Debate: Who Was Right?
Senator Joe Biden got it right last night. Repeating what the Obama-Biden campaign has been saying…”to make no mistake about it…education is the key to building our economy and rebuilding our historically important middle class.” AFSA President Jill Levy stated, “Most telling is the Obama campaign’s commitment to funding public education at a level that is meaningful and at the same time, placing a new emphasis on universal early childhood education. Only the Obama-Biden team has publicly recognized that the key to successful schools is not only good teachers in classrooms, but that principals and other supervisory personnel play critical roles by providing the overarching leadership and environment where good teaching and learning happen.” More...
Tuesday, September 30, 2008 –- Washington, DC –- Economic turmoil reminds us: Education is key to prosperity
The current economic situation has dominated discussions by the media, members of Congress and the public. Congress appears ready to act on an economic recovery package that could cost the American taxpayers $700 billion. AFSA President Jill Levy submitted a letter to the editor, that was published in the September 30, 2008 edition of The Hill to remind everyone that education is the key to economic prosperity. As President Levy states in her letter, “If education is made an actual national priority rather than simply paid lip service, our economy will thrive and so will all aspects of our lives.”
More...
Tuesday, July 8, 2008 -- Washington, DC -- House Approves $6.4 Billion to Modernize Public Schools: AFSA Urges Senate to Follow Suit
The House of Representatives approved H.R. 3021, the 21st Century Green High
Performing Public Schools Act, and the nation’s only union of school administrators now respectfully calls
on the Senate to introduce and pass the measure. This bill authorizes a significant amount of funding, “$6.4 billion for fiscal year 2009, to be used for the
modernization, renovation, and general repairs of schools.” These grants not only seek to reduce the
environmentally harmful emissions created by schools, but this bill has the potential to increase student
performance. “It is almost self-evident that public schools need more money,” AFSA International President Jill S. Levy
said. “If one were to compare the physical conditions in urban schools, particularly those in low socioeconomic
areas, and contrast them with suburban schools, charter schools, private schools, and
wealthier urban areas, you would witness a large difference.” More...
Monday, March 24, 2008 -- Washington, DC -- Spellings’ “Differentiated Accountability” Plan Offers Too Little, Too Late
U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings recently announced a new pilot program under No Child Left Behind to assist states in differentiating between underperforming schools that are in dramatic need of improvement and schools that are closer to meeting the goals of NCLB. In response to Secretary Spellings’ “Differentiated Accountability” plan AFSA
released the following statement today from President Jill S. Levy: “Secretary Spellings’ plan simply offers public schools too little help, too late and
is a far cry from what is actually needed”;
More...
The information contained on the AFSA Web site is provided for information purposes only, and to assist persons in obtaining information about or
related to AFSA. AFSA does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information. By using this Web site, you agree to use this information only for lawful
purposes and that under no circumstances will you use this information to:(1) allow, enable, or otherwise support the transmission of mass unsolicited, commercial advertising or
solicitations via e-mail, telephone, or facsimile; or (2) enable high volume, automated, electronic processes that apply to AFSA (or its computer systems). The compilation, repackaging, dissemination or other use of this information is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AFSA. AFSA reserves the right to terminate your access to this Web site at its sole discretion,including without limitation, for excessive querying of the Web site or for failure to otherwise abide by this policy. Benefits subject to change without notice.
