51ΑΤΖζ has a long, rich history of resolutions proposed and ratified by members.Β These resolutions have guided 51ΑΤΖζβs actions, responded to contemporary issues, illustrated 51ΑΤΖζβs beliefs, and confirmed its resolve on a number of key issues.
51ΑΤΖζ members passed the following resolutions in early 2017:
Resolution Opposing High-Stakes Teacher Candidate Performance Assessmentsβ51ΑΤΖζ opposed legislation mandating that candidates for teacher licensure pass high-stakes performance assessments and opposed the use of standardized high-stakes assessments for student teachers.
Resolution on Contemporary Discourse and the English Language Arts Classroomβ51ΑΤΖζ reaffirmed its commitment to helping educators create classrooms where students develop voices that make them effective participants in academic and public discourses.
Resolution on Legislation to Protect the Rights of Student Journalistsβ51ΑΤΖζ urged legislation protecting students in their βexercise of freedom of speech and press.β
Some resolutions have tackled controversial subjects.
The Resolution on the Dignity and Education of Immigrant, Undocumented, and Unaccompanied Youth, passed in February of 2015, illustrated 51ΑΤΖζβs determination to βrespect the dignity of and advocate for the equitable schooling of undocumented youth, including those who cross borders alone and/or are unjustly apprehended and temporarily held.β
This resolution echoes the long-standing resolve of English teachers to respect the diverse cultures and languages of their students, including the 1974 Resolution on the Studentsβ Right to Their Own Language.
In 2016, members ratified the Resolution on Dismantling the School-to-Prison Pipeline to recognize the injurious practice of funneling students from schools to prison and to educate teachers about restorative practices.
This January, 51ΑΤΖζ members have the opportunity to add their voice by voting on three new resolutions recently emailed to them. Each member received a unique link and a request to vote on each resolution. Once members have clicked on the link and logged in, they will see a page with instructions. By clicking the βnextβ tab, they will then read the first resolution, plus an outline of the pros and cons of passing said resolution. After voting for the first resolution, clicking βnextβ will take them to the second, then the third. Once members finish voting, they click “submit” to have their votes recorded.
On this day of personal resolutions, resolve to be part of 51ΑΤΖζβs long history of ratifying resolutions that reflect 51ΑΤΖζ membersβ positions on issues that impact the teaching and learning of English and the language arts. Β Members can even take it one step further by proposing new resolutions to be considered.Β Please visit this page if you have an idea or resolution you would like your colleagues to consider and perhaps, if your resolution is accepted, 51ΑΤΖζ members will be voting on it next year.