2021-2023 BIENNIUM
The goals and activities of the Legislative Committee are aligned with the following
Purposes of Delta Kappa Gamma
Purpose 4: TO INITIATE, ENDORSE, AND SUPPORT desirable legislation or other suitable endeavors
in the interests of education and of women educators.
Purpose 7: TO INFORM the members of current economic, social, political, and educational issues so that they may participate effectively in a world society.
Purposes of Delta Kappa Gamma
Purpose 4: TO INITIATE, ENDORSE, AND SUPPORT desirable legislation or other suitable endeavors
in the interests of education and of women educators.
Purpose 7: TO INFORM the members of current economic, social, political, and educational issues so that they may participate effectively in a world society.
Legislative Committee Members
Vivian Posey, Chair - District III
Donna Heald - District I
Ruth Paine - District II
Beth Hess - District III
Diana Brown - District IV
Deanne Ugalde - District V
Maria Metge - District VI
Vivian Posey, Chair - District III
Donna Heald - District I
Ruth Paine - District II
Beth Hess - District III
Diana Brown - District IV
Deanne Ugalde - District V
Maria Metge - District VI
Goals of the Legislative Committee for the 2021-2023 Biennium
Goal 1: Increase the visibility of the DKG Legislative Committee among members of the organization and the legislative community throughout the state.
1.1 Update DKG website information so it is timely and accurate regarding state Legislative Committee activities.
1.2 Develop an information brochure to publicize the activities of the Legislative Committee.
1.3 Create a database of chapter Legislative Committee Chairs for the purpose of sharing information and furthering legislative advocacy efforts statewide.
1.4 Strengthen relationships with state legislators through ongoing communication and in-person and virtual meetings throughout the year.
Goal 2: Develop a set of legislative priorities for each of the 2 years of the biennium that are timely, relevant, and reflective of the interests of all members of DKG Florida.
1.1 Prepare in-person or virtual presentations focused on gathering issues of importance from DKG members to inform the legislative priorities.
1.2 Conduct statewide surveys of DKG members to solicit issues of importance.
1.3 Conduct focus groups in each District to discuss issues of importance and to encourage participation by members in legislative advocacy.
Goal 3: Engage with partner organizations for the purpose of developing collaborative relationships that will further enhance the DKG “voice” on issues of importance at the state and national level.
1.1 Contact leadership of Florida non-partisan organizations who focus on issues related to women educators (AAUW, Florida Retired Educators, LWV) for the purpose of sharing information related to issues of importance and legislative priorities.
1.2 Participate in the activities of the U. S. Forum to promote sound policy making at the federal level.
1.1 Update DKG website information so it is timely and accurate regarding state Legislative Committee activities.
1.2 Develop an information brochure to publicize the activities of the Legislative Committee.
1.3 Create a database of chapter Legislative Committee Chairs for the purpose of sharing information and furthering legislative advocacy efforts statewide.
1.4 Strengthen relationships with state legislators through ongoing communication and in-person and virtual meetings throughout the year.
Goal 2: Develop a set of legislative priorities for each of the 2 years of the biennium that are timely, relevant, and reflective of the interests of all members of DKG Florida.
1.1 Prepare in-person or virtual presentations focused on gathering issues of importance from DKG members to inform the legislative priorities.
1.2 Conduct statewide surveys of DKG members to solicit issues of importance.
1.3 Conduct focus groups in each District to discuss issues of importance and to encourage participation by members in legislative advocacy.
Goal 3: Engage with partner organizations for the purpose of developing collaborative relationships that will further enhance the DKG “voice” on issues of importance at the state and national level.
1.1 Contact leadership of Florida non-partisan organizations who focus on issues related to women educators (AAUW, Florida Retired Educators, LWV) for the purpose of sharing information related to issues of importance and legislative priorities.
1.2 Participate in the activities of the U. S. Forum to promote sound policy making at the federal level.
Issues of Concern for Advocacy 2021-2022
In consultation with the Legislative Committee and members of DKG Florida, the following Issues of Concern will be the focus for advocacy during the 2021-2022 legislative session:
Issue of Concern #1
ACCOUNTABILITY FOR ALL SCHOOLS THAT RECEIVE PUBLIC FUNDS:
All schools that receive public funding, (traditional K-12, public charter, for-profit private, faith based) must be held accountable for annual reviews of the following: a). Student achievement results-(reported publicly)
b.) Student and Staff safety- in alignment with current Florida law
c.) Financial management, cost-efficiency, and oversight-including reimbursements (Education Savings Accounts) to parents of students who receive vouchers to attend private, for-profit, and faith-based schools, or are home-schooled.
d). Facilities and services for Students with Disabilities-in alignment with federal law
e.) Teacher Certification requirements for faculty
f.) Curriculum, including the newly adopted Civics and Government Standards in Florida Schools
Issue of Concern #2
REINSTATEMENT OF PENSION PLAN AS AN INCENTIVE FOR TEACHER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
Many districts in Florida are struggling to find certified teachers to fill open positions. While the legislature and the governor have taken steps to increase the starting salary for new teachers in Florida, additional measures need to be taken to incentivize effective, experienced teachers to remain in the field, thereby ensuring a consistent, high-quality workforce to meet the needs of a growing population in Florida. Our recommendations for this Issue include:
a.) Reinstate the traditional defined benefit Pension Plan as the default rather than the Investment Plan beginning with new teachers hired in the 2022-2023 year.
b.) Provide a vehicle for current Investment Plan (401K) holders with a minimum of 7 years of teaching service in Florida to voluntarily transfer to the traditional Pension Plan with no requirement to “buy-back” years of service.
Issue of Concern #3
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR STAFF AND STUDENTS-EXPAND ALLOCATION
The effect of the pandemic on families and communities, has resulted in increased concerns regarding the mental health of students (preK-12). This has been documented by pediatricians, child psychologists, school officials, and researchers. Even though additional funds have been dedicated to public K-12 education in the 2021-2022 budget year to provide increased access to mental health services, more will be needed to adequately meet this need on a long-term basis. Our recommendations to provide adequate mental health services in K-12 schools include the following:
a.) Mandate that school Guidance Counselors, (elementary, middle, and high school) are free from all administrative tasks, (including managing standardized testing programs) and that their primary role is to deliver counseling services to students, staff, and families.
b.) Provide financial incentives to districts to develop programs that deliver on-site after school and evening in-person access to licensed mental health specialists for children and families.
c.) Provide incentives to districts to develop access to licensed mental health specialists through the use of telehealth services.
d.) Provide adequate funding to support a mental health liaison position in every school.
Issue of Concern #4
KEEPING SCHOOLS SAFE FOR STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND STAFF DURING A PANDEMIC
Because Florida is a state with one of the highest rates of new COVID cases in the country at this time, we recommend that the legislature take the following measures in order to ensure that in-person learning will be in place for all students throughout the 2021-2022 year:
a.) Follow the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control that all eligible staff and students be fully vaccinated, and that a policy of universal indoor masking by students, staff, teachers, and visitors to K-12 schools regardless of vaccination status be in place in every school.
b.) Fully fund all schools with resources needed to maintain procedures that will ensure clean safe facilities, including spacing requirements, ventilation, handwashing, and cleaning/disinfection of all surfaces regularly.
c.) Require districts to monitor and regularly report COVID case numbers and outbreaks to maximize resources for mitigation and further spread.
Issue of Concern #5
Equitable Access to Technology Infrastructure
During the 2020-2021 year, as many students were tasked with completing school assignments from home, the inequity as related to broadband/wi-fi became even more apparent, and many students failed to meet academic expectations despite the best efforts of teachers and school and district personnel.
Even though all public K-12 students have returned to face-to-face learning in the 2021-2022 academic year, we recommend that steps be taken to reduce the inequity that exists in the state in regard to affordable, available, access to technology, including high speed internet for students at home or in ALL schools in Florida.
ACCOUNTABILITY FOR ALL SCHOOLS THAT RECEIVE PUBLIC FUNDS:
All schools that receive public funding, (traditional K-12, public charter, for-profit private, faith based) must be held accountable for annual reviews of the following: a). Student achievement results-(reported publicly)
b.) Student and Staff safety- in alignment with current Florida law
c.) Financial management, cost-efficiency, and oversight-including reimbursements (Education Savings Accounts) to parents of students who receive vouchers to attend private, for-profit, and faith-based schools, or are home-schooled.
d). Facilities and services for Students with Disabilities-in alignment with federal law
e.) Teacher Certification requirements for faculty
f.) Curriculum, including the newly adopted Civics and Government Standards in Florida Schools
Issue of Concern #2
REINSTATEMENT OF PENSION PLAN AS AN INCENTIVE FOR TEACHER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
Many districts in Florida are struggling to find certified teachers to fill open positions. While the legislature and the governor have taken steps to increase the starting salary for new teachers in Florida, additional measures need to be taken to incentivize effective, experienced teachers to remain in the field, thereby ensuring a consistent, high-quality workforce to meet the needs of a growing population in Florida. Our recommendations for this Issue include:
a.) Reinstate the traditional defined benefit Pension Plan as the default rather than the Investment Plan beginning with new teachers hired in the 2022-2023 year.
b.) Provide a vehicle for current Investment Plan (401K) holders with a minimum of 7 years of teaching service in Florida to voluntarily transfer to the traditional Pension Plan with no requirement to “buy-back” years of service.
Issue of Concern #3
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR STAFF AND STUDENTS-EXPAND ALLOCATION
The effect of the pandemic on families and communities, has resulted in increased concerns regarding the mental health of students (preK-12). This has been documented by pediatricians, child psychologists, school officials, and researchers. Even though additional funds have been dedicated to public K-12 education in the 2021-2022 budget year to provide increased access to mental health services, more will be needed to adequately meet this need on a long-term basis. Our recommendations to provide adequate mental health services in K-12 schools include the following:
a.) Mandate that school Guidance Counselors, (elementary, middle, and high school) are free from all administrative tasks, (including managing standardized testing programs) and that their primary role is to deliver counseling services to students, staff, and families.
b.) Provide financial incentives to districts to develop programs that deliver on-site after school and evening in-person access to licensed mental health specialists for children and families.
c.) Provide incentives to districts to develop access to licensed mental health specialists through the use of telehealth services.
d.) Provide adequate funding to support a mental health liaison position in every school.
Issue of Concern #4
KEEPING SCHOOLS SAFE FOR STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND STAFF DURING A PANDEMIC
Because Florida is a state with one of the highest rates of new COVID cases in the country at this time, we recommend that the legislature take the following measures in order to ensure that in-person learning will be in place for all students throughout the 2021-2022 year:
a.) Follow the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control that all eligible staff and students be fully vaccinated, and that a policy of universal indoor masking by students, staff, teachers, and visitors to K-12 schools regardless of vaccination status be in place in every school.
b.) Fully fund all schools with resources needed to maintain procedures that will ensure clean safe facilities, including spacing requirements, ventilation, handwashing, and cleaning/disinfection of all surfaces regularly.
c.) Require districts to monitor and regularly report COVID case numbers and outbreaks to maximize resources for mitigation and further spread.
Issue of Concern #5
Equitable Access to Technology Infrastructure
During the 2020-2021 year, as many students were tasked with completing school assignments from home, the inequity as related to broadband/wi-fi became even more apparent, and many students failed to meet academic expectations despite the best efforts of teachers and school and district personnel.
Even though all public K-12 students have returned to face-to-face learning in the 2021-2022 academic year, we recommend that steps be taken to reduce the inequity that exists in the state in regard to affordable, available, access to technology, including high speed internet for students at home or in ALL schools in Florida.
The US Forum
The U.S. Forum was established to enable the United States members of DKG to identify and select major educational issues upon which official U.S. Forum action could be taken. At the national, regional, state, and chapter levels, it serves as a viable vehicle through which members may participate in efforts to make the purposes of the Society come to fruition through action. Members meet every two years in Washington, D. C. for this purpose.
The next U.S. Forum is set for March 6-8, 2022. All DKG members are invited to attend. To find out more about the U. S. Forum, go to dkgusforum.com.
The next U.S. Forum is set for March 6-8, 2022. All DKG members are invited to attend. To find out more about the U. S. Forum, go to dkgusforum.com.