Podcasts about arizona school boards association

Ohio's House Bill 183, termed the "Bathroom Bill," mandates that K-12 public schools and higher education institutions designate bathrooms based on biological sex. Introduced by Republican Representatives Beth Lear and Adam Bird, it aims to ensure safety, according to its proponents. However, the bill has encountered significant opposition, with over 100 detractors arguing it discriminates against transgender students. A committee vote is imminent, with significant Republican support anticipated.Arizona's SB1097, proposed by Senator Justine Wadsack, seeks to make school board elections partisan. The bill has passed initial stages with party-line support in the Republican-majority Senate and House committee. The Arizona School Boards Association opposes the measure, citing concerns about partisanship in educational governance. Advocates argue the change would better inform voters by revealing candidates' political affiliations. The full House vote is pending, with significant implications for party representation in elections.A Pew Research Center survey reveals that 51% of Americans believe public K-12 education is heading in the wrong direction, citing insufficient focus on core academic subjects, politicization by teachers, and inadequate funding as key concerns. Only 16% see it as moving in the right direction. Partisan differences are notable, with Republicans and Democrats diverging on the reasons for their dissatisfaction. The survey highlights a growing discontent with the direction of educational policy in the U.S.In Portland, Oregon, a lawsuit has been filed against Portland Public Schools, Multnomah County, and a nonprofit after a 9-year-old girl was allegedly raped by classmates at Scott Elementary School and its after-school program. Seeking $9 million, the suit claims negligence in monitoring and training, failing to report the incident promptly, and inadequately handling the victim's complaints of earlier sexual harassment. The legal action underscores serious concerns about student safety and response protocols in educational settings.Support the showDONATE TODAY!www.ParentsRightsInEducation.com

Today, we welcome back Chris Kotterman, the Director of Government Relations for the Arizona School Boards Association, to discuss the past Arizona legislative session, significant bills that did and didn't make it into state policy, and what might be coming in the 2024 session. Kotterman notes that fewer bills than usual affecting education will take effect this year due to several vetoes by Governor Katie Hobbs but does share with hosts Donnie and Juliana about HB2460, which relates to the suspension of students in grades K-4. He then talks through several bills that did not pass in the 2023 session but that may arise in future sessions. He specifically clarifies Arizona Revised Statute 15-117, which talks about parental permission for particular surveys for students, and clarifies how districts are approaching those regulations. Kotterman also mentions a finance bill that may arise in the next session and makes some predictions about other bills and discussions that will return to the Arizona Capitol next session, which kicks off in January 2024. Visit apps.azleg.gov to check on bill updates, and visit azsba.org to find the Arizona School Board Association's legislative updates. Learn more about the Arizona K12 Center at azk12.org.

Today's guest has a passion for equity in our schools and you will hear where that comes from as Heidi shares her story.Equity 365 is an initiative that the Arizona School Boards Association has implemented. You'll learn how you might be able to incorporate it into your district.How do you define educational equity in your district? Heidi shares the importance of doing the work to help navigate these divisive times in our communities.A recent social media audit unveiled some helpful insight into how ASBA is managing its social channels, and their findings could help you! SPECIAL GUESTHeidi VegaDirector of CommunicationsArizona School Boards AssociationEmail: hvega@azsba.org Twitter: @heidi_hvega    Website: www.azsba.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASBAFans Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asba_az/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/azsba TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@asba_az USEFUL INFORMATIONInterested in our membership program that covers the Bootcamp Heidi talked about? Learn more here: https://socialschool4edu.com/ MORE RESOURCESFree Video Training: Learn the simple secrets behind social media for K12 schools!Sign up for our free e-newsletter - click herewww.SocialSchool4EDU.com

Note: This episode of 3Ps in a Pod was recorded before the February 21, 2022, vote by the Arizona Senate on the Aggregate Expenditure Limit. As education policy is continually in flux, especially during the legislative session, check out the resources listed below or a local news source to be the most up-to-date on education legislation and policy. More than 230 bills related to K-12 education were introduced into the Arizona Legislature this session and, as of early February, 88 were still active, according to Chris Kotterman, Director of Governmental Relations for the Arizona School Boards Association.  In today's episode, hosts Donnie and Marlys talk with Kotterman about Arizona legislation and news. They begin their conversation with Kotterman explaining the Aggregate Expenditure Limit and the impact the spending limit would have on many K-12 schools across the state. Kotterman then reviews a few education-related bills that are receiving a lot of attention: HB 2112, a bill that speaks to what can and can not be referenced in the classroom,  SB 1211, a bill that has teachers post all of their learning materials and activities online ahead of the school year, SB 1657, a bill that expands the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program Kotterman also shares an update on Proposition 208. To stay up-to-date on education-related legislation, Kotterman suggests checking out the Arizona School Boards Association's advocacy page and signing up for email updates at asbagr.substack.com. To learn more about the Arizona K12 Center, visit azk12.org.

Worker shortages, starts at a deli, then at the water utility in the water quality department...and Councilman Kozachik still wants to fire 50 Police Officers over their vaccine mandate...while Tucson is breaking an annual homicide record. Matt Beinburg, Director of Education Policy with the Goldwater Institute calls in to talk about bad behavior by Arizona School Boards Association. Your tax dollars are funding it.

We are in the middle of a pandemic. But are kids have been out of school for approaching six months. Education is essential, but at what risk? Are online learning options viable? What choices do we have and what are the health and educational implications? This week’s Think Tank brings together some of Arizona’s key educational actors to discuss. Dr. Donna Lewis, the Superintendent of the Creighton Elementary School District, and President of the Arizona School Administrators, which represents school administrators, superintendents, and principals. Chris Kotterman, Governmental Relations Director, Arizona School Boards Association, an organization that represents school governing boards. And Joe Thomas, President Arizona Education Association  that represents teachers and other educators. We discuss issues involved with opening Arizona schools including under what circumstances our should schools open, whose decision it is, and if schools are prepared to open.   See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.

The Arizona Legislature again has several education-related bills on the docket this session, and Chris Kotterman is in the 3Ps in a Pod studio to talk about what these bills mean and where they are in the legislative process. Chris is the Director of Governmental Relations for the Arizona School Boards Association. He talks with hosts Angelia and Donnie about several school-related bills, including some to do with employee discipline, curriculum viewing policies, suicide prevention, and English-only education requirements. Chris also shares about several possible changes to school funding. In this episode, you’ll also hear an update about the Arizona Teachers Academy and funding available for educators interested in becoming National Board Certified Teachers. Chris and Donnie also talk about the steps involved in running for a school board seat in Arizona. Chris mentions that more information is available at azsba.org. Learn more about the Arizona K12 Center at azk12.org.

What lenses should school districts use when it comes to ensuring all students feel supported within their community? Heidi Otero, Director of Communications for the Arizona School Boards Association, joins us to discuss ASBA's equity framework and where school leaders can apply equity in their public education roles.

This week’s episode is not only informative, but you will have an opportunity to get to know Chris Kotterman of the Arizona School Boards Association on a personal level. Listen in to find out about his hobbies like band and scuba diving! Donnie and Angelia have an in depth conversation with Mr. Kotterman about the impact of extra curricular activities in schools and how they are funded at local levels. This week we also explore what is currently happening at the Arizona State Legislature around English language instruction, school funding, and teacher evaluations. Join us to stay up to date on legislative issues that impact today’s Arizona educators and students.

Heidi Vega is the Director of Communications for the Arizona School Boards Association and is the Vice President for Diversity Engagement on the National School Public Relations Executive Board. She was named a Top 35 Under 35 by NSPRA in 2012 for her outstanding work and bright professional future. Prior to her work with the Arizona School Boards Association, she served as the Director of Communications and Community Engagement for the Deer Valley Unified School District, where she secured more than $100 million as the grant writer for the Arizona district.    In this episode, Heidi and I dive into the work she is doing around equity and talk about the issues of diversity and inclusion. We also talk about the state of public education, specifically in Arizona, which has been a hotbed of issues regarding teacher pay and charter schools in recent years. We also have some fun and learn more about Heidi’s military background, how she created her own career pathway, and much more. This is a fun episode!   Follow Heidi on Twitter @Heidi_HVega   Arizona School Board Association Free Equity Webinar Series

Current legislation that provides schools more flexibility in how they deliver instruction to English Language Learners would also help more of these students graduate high school on time. Hear what Stacey Morley with Stand for Children, Lourdes Peña with Triadvocates and Leigh Jensen with Arizona School Boards Association have to say about it.

In education, the words “testing, evaluations, and budgets” might cause you to shudder. Fortunately, Chris Kotterman schools us on what each looks like in the context of Arizona’s K-12 education system. Listen, as our hosts, Angelia and Donnie, reflect on their experiences with teacher evaluations and discuss current events at the Legislature. In his own words, the Director of Governmental Relations for the Arizona School Boards Association says, “K-12 education is full of unique and caring individuals… K-12 education has been run over many times by other people’s priorities over the past decade. They can’t ignore schools anymore. Teachers have made that impossible.” Please note: This episode was recorded prior to the events on April 25 and May 1.

What would it take to increase Arizona teachers’ salaries? Listen in with Dr. Anabel Aportela, director of research with Arizona Association of School Board Officials and Arizona School Boards Association, Dr. Chuck Essigs, director of governmental relations with Arizona Association of School Board Officials and Chris Kotterman, director of governmental relations for Arizona School Boards Association as we discuss how the #RedForEd movement, which is going strong in Arizona, has affected perceptions on education funding at the Arizona Legislature and in the community and what that might mean for teacher pay over the next several years.

Do you feel like staying up-to-date on policy in the profession is similar to drinking from a fire hose? Today’s hosts, Angelia and Danielle, admit that while life is so much about the hustle, it’s important to find the time to be informed educators. Fortunately, Chris Kotterman is back with an update on Arizona’s current legislative session. The Arizona School Boards Association’s Director of Governmental Affairs not only informs us about current events, but also gives us tips and tricks to better understand and swim in the political waters. Tune in next week for our final episode of the season when we chat with Kathleen Paulsen about the impact of a recent professional learning opportunity with education greats, Doug Fisher and Nancy Frey.