Report from Joanne Stevens, NCATA Government Affairs Specialist

April 14, 2008

The NCATA was heard at the General Assembly building and before the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee this past week on April 8, 2008. Legislative Chair Melinda Zarate and 1st Vice President Judy Barnes traveled to Raleigh to discuss with Legislators the impact of the 2007 Teacher Assistant Appropriation and your concerns regarding the lack of pay and equity for years of service.

Mrs. Zarate relayed to the Joint Education Oversight Committee the concerns communicated from the membership in hundreds of emails, letters, phone calls and conferences over the past year. Mrs. Zarate made the following points to the Committee on behalf of NCATA:

1) Education and Professionalism

• The critical nature and professional role of the Teacher Assistant in the Classroom and on the campus of every school in NC.
• The increased educational requirements for teacher assistants in recent years with the implementation of No Child Left Behind.
• The requirement of teacher assistants for a wider range of knowledge, not only in education but health and safety as well

2) The result of the Leadership meeting with the Department of Public Instruction and the current salary ranges and scales and "steps"

3) The difference in pay between the LEAs and the overall cutting of Teacher Assistant positions

4) The cutting of hours or requiring the Teacher Assistants to "clock out" for lunch

5) The further need for an increase in pay for Teacher Assistants across the state that will also address the years of service.

Our work is far from over! We plan to travel to Raleigh many times over the summer while the General Assembly is in session to speak for NCATA and for our 5,000 members and the profession as a whole.

Look for updates on these issues on our Legislative Updates page.