Date of Meeting:  May 1, 2010

Members Present: Patricia Golumb, Helen Dalton, Carolyn Ishida, Pinky Uppal, Lucia Arias, Alicia O’Connor, Dawn Heeren, Mike Terman.

Presentation by CARS:

A representative of CARS asked the Committee to help increase the membership. Membership in CARS has been declining over the last few years.  The representative also recommended that the CFT appoint a representative to attend their meetings; which are held four to five times per year.

Special Education Workshops:

A summary of the evaluation ratings was distributed to the members.  Both workshops, CREATING WORKING PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN UNION AND ADMINISTRATION, and HOT TOPICS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION LAW, were well received by the delegates attending at the Convention.

Special Education Added Authorizations (AASE):

The committee reviewed the authorization requirements that serve our students who have been diagnosed with autism.

Speech and Language:

There was a discussion centered around the shortage of Speech and Language Therapists.  One of the concerns is the necessity to serve our students without contracting out these services.  Paraeducators who are classified as SLIPAS could assist Speech Therapists with their paperwork.  A somewhat controversial issue at districts is whether or not Speech Therapists should receive additional compensation.

Economic Climate:

Committee members shared the impact of how the budget deficit affects their employees.  Reduced work year, increased class size, and layoffs were just a few of the items that were mentioned.

Action Items and The 2010—2011 Committee Plan:

The committee approved to designate one of their members to be a representative of CARS.  In the development of the budget, travel expenses will be included.

The committee approved to send at least two representatives to the CARS Conference.

The committee approved to send a representative to the AFT QuEST Conference in the Summer of 2011.

Mike will confer with the AFT to include PROPS as part of a National discussion.

Committee agreed to find guest presenters on relevant topics to present at committee meetings.

Develop a Resolution that provides limits on the Commission of Teacher Credentialing when the CTC determines the need to add authorizations to credentials.

Provide RTI training.

Next Meeting:

October 2, 2010 in Northern California.

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