Published by the TENNESSEE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION October 2010 Vol. 42, No. 3Published by the TENNESSEE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION Published by the TENNESSEE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION October 2010 October 2010 Vol. 42, No. 3 Vol. 42, No. 3

SLIM PICKINGS?To Anyone Unhappy With the State of Public Education Today: See TEA Election Recommendations, p. 9

Insurance Changes:Make Them by Oct. 15, p. 4

GrantsTraining, p. 11-12

&

2 October 2010

Gera Summerford, President

Every time I hear educators say that they are not interested in politics, I worry that we’re not always aware of the political decisions that affect our professional lives. Our very livelihood depends on choices made by politicians, and we would be foolish to ignore the impact of state and local politics on education.

Our critics may say we are just another “special interest group” and imply that we are only concerned about our own well-being, when in fact our special interest is the most important arena of government—the education of our children.

We have a long history of promoting legislation that impacts our jobs and our students in a positive way. Our history shows clearly that we can impact the future of education in Tennessee with our votes. Below are just some examples of crucial legislation

that was enacted thanks to Tennessee’s teachers.

1951 Teacher Tenure Law1978 Professional Negotiations Act1985 State health insurance plan for teachers1992 Education Improvement Act – Basic Education Program2001 Special Education class size reduced2009 Continued full funding of BEP2010 First to the Top Act – strengthened tenure rights

What will happen in 2011 is up to us.TEA has more than 50,000 members. Each of us has a circle of

family and friends who are voters in our state. Imagine what is possible if we unite to elect legislators here and in Washington who support public education. Imagine improved funding and resources, better teaching and learning conditions, and a better future for all Tennesseans.

As we prepare for the 2010 elections, we as educators must do our homework by being informed about each candidate’s positions that affect public education in Tennessee, such as funding, vouchers, class size, assessments and evaluations, among others. You can find out which candidates have passed our test and earned the recommendation of TEA by reviewing pages 8-10 of this issue or by visiting the Member Center section of our Web site, teateachers.org. First-time visitors will need their member ID number, found on the mailing label of this magazine, to log in.

These endorsement decisions are made by your fellow educators—TEA members you have elected to represent you.

Legislative decisions made in the coming years will determine how schools are structured and funded, how student progress is measured, and how teachers are trained and supported. Our future legislators will consider salaries and retirement benefits for educators and other state employees. These are critical decisions that affect all of us who work in schools.

If history is any indication, we know that our votes count. Now, more than ever, you can make a difference for children and educators in our schools.

Cast your vote for public education!

about our own well-being, when in fact our special interest is the most important arena of government—the education of our children.

legislation that impacts our jobs and our students in a positive way. Our history shows clearly that we can impact the future of education in Tennessee with our votes. Below are just some examples of crucial legislation

Al Mance, Executive Director

The persistent push for the use of standardized test data in teacher evaluation seems to be a product of a big business management intuition applied to a psychology-based enterprise. In most private performance appraisals, the conditions under which employees work and whether appropriate resources were available are considered. The same people look upon teaching as a more straight-forward task

and seem to resist considering other factors. The flawed intuition that leads to flawed decisions about the use of data in teacher evaluation also leads to faulty conclusions about its meaning in the evaluation of the performance of schools and school systems. Recent newspaper reports about the drop in Tennessee scores on the ACT tests are a case in point.

Headlines across the state shouted that Tennessee’s student average ACT scores dropped a full point in 2010. This composite score placed

us somewhere in the lower 40s among the 50 states. If you only look at composite test scores, that ranking is correct. If you want to know the true story, however, you must look deeper.

For one thing, we must look at who was tested in 2010 compared to 2009. This year was the first time Tennessee required all of its prospective graduates to take the test. Only five other states required 100 percent of students to take the ACT this year. Colorado and Illinois instituted that requirement as early as 2006. Michigan started the requirement in 2008, while Kentucky and Wyoming instituted the requirement in 2009. Tennessee students scored as well or better in 2010 than two of the three states that started the 100 percent requirement in 2008 and 2009. Wyoming scored four-tenths of one point higher than Tennessee students in the first year of its 100 percent requirement.

Michigan students scored 19.6 in 2008, the first year that state required all of its students to take the ACT, and again in 2009. That state’s average composite ACT score increased to 19.7 in 2010. Kentucky’s average composite score was 19.4 in 2009, the first year the state required 100 percent of students to take the test, and 19.4 in 2010, the second year of the requirement. Over time the composite scores of most of the states seem to improve to prior levels.

For four of the past five years, the National Average Composite Score on the ACT has been 21.1. The 2010 version of the tests resulted in an Average Composite Score of 21.0. So, the Tennessee average composite score decreased by one point in a year when the national average composite score also decreased, albeit by a lesser amount.

One additional point is worth considering. The other 44 states have widely varying proportions of their prospective graduates taking the ACT. Their average proportion of test takers is 47 percent. The variance ranges from 10 percent in Maine to 96 percent in Mississippi. The highest average composite score, 24.0, was achieved by students in Massachusetts. Mississippi students achieved an average composite score of 18.8 in 2010.

I am not suggesting that Tennessee teachers and public schools should not do everything possible to improve our students’ performance on a variety of measures, including the ACT. I am proposing, however, that all decisions made be based on accurate analyses of a wider range of high quality student performance data. It is difficult to decide what direction to take if you don’t know exactly where you are now.

You count.

Putting ACT Test Scores in Perspective

flawed intuition that leads to flawed decisions about the use of data in teacher evaluation also leads to faulty conclusions about its meaning in the evaluation of the performance of schools and school systems. Recent newspaper reports about the drop in Tennessee scores on the ACT tests are a case in point.

Tennessee’s student average ACT scores dropped a full point in 2010. This composite score placed

us somewhere in the lower 40s among the 50 states. If you only look at

Our Special Interest is Education

Speaking Out for Youteach (USPS 742-450) is published monthly (except for June, July and December) by the Tennessee Education Association, 801 Second Avenue North, Nashville TN 37201-1099. Periodical postagepaid at Nashville, TN. The subscription price of $3.65 isallocated from annual membership dues of $254.00 for active members; $127.00 for associate, education support and staff members; $16.00 for retired mem-bers; and $10.00 for student members.

Postmaster: Send address changes to teach,

801 Second Avenue North,Nashville, TN 37201-1099.

MANAGING EDITOR: Alexei Smirnov asmirnov@tea.nea.org

PUBLISHER: Alphonso C. ManceMANAGER OF COMMUNICATIONS: A.L. Hayes

Tennessee Education Association801 Second Avenue NorthNashville, TN 37201-1099

Telephone: (615)242-8392, Toll Free: (800)342-8367, (800)342-8262

Fax: (615)242-7397Web site: www.teateachers.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT: Gera Summerford* (800)342-8367VICE PRESIDENT: Barbara Gray* (901)353-8590SECRETARY-TREASURER: Alphonso C. Mance (615)242-8392DISTRICT 1 Karen Anderson* (423)610-6030DISTRICT 2 Melinda Reese (423)587-2120DISTRICT 3 Patsye Thurmon (865)457-1636DISTRICT 4 Jessica Holman* (865)591-4981DISTRICT 5 Sandy Smith (423)991-8856DISTRICT 6 Beth Brown (931)779-8016DISTRICT 7 Patrick Britt (615)668-6042DISTRICT 8 Cindy Young (931)205-0399DISTRICT 9 Erick Huth (615)973-5851DISTRICT 10 Guy Stanley* (615)384-2983DISTRICT 11 Melanie Buchanan (615)305-2214DISTRICT 12 Debbie D’Angelo (731)247-3152 DISTRICT 13 LoMay Richmond* (901)867-1541 DISTRICT 14 Sarah Kennedy-Harper (901)416-4582 DISTRICT 15 Stephanie Fitzgerald (901)872-4878 ADMINISTRATOR EAST Carmelita Perry (865)594-4471ADMINISTRATOR MIDDLE Margaret Thompson (615)643-7823ADMINISTRATOR WEST Charles Green* (901)624-6186HIGHER EDUCATION Donald Sneed* (931) 221-0633BLACK CLASSROOM TEACHER EAST Tanya T. Coats (865)594-1330BLACK CLASSROOM TEACHER MIDDLE Alzenia Walls (615)230-8144BLACK CLASSROOM TEACHER WEST LaVerne Dickerson (901)416-7122STATE SPECIAL SCHOOLS Joe Gregory (615)896-6927ESP Christine Denton (931)647-8962TN NEA DIRECTOR Stephen Henry (615)519-5691TN NEA DIRECTOR Diccie Smith (901)482-0627TN NEA DIRECTOR Diane Lillard* (423)478-8827STEA MEMBER Delvin Woodard (901)596-5706TN RETIRED Gerald Lillard (423)478-8827NEW TEACHER Larry Proffitt* (423)608-7855* Executive Committee

TEA HEADQUARTERS STAFFEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Alphonso C. Mance; ASST. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AFFILIATE SERVICES: Mitchell Johnson; ASST. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PROGRAM SERVICES: Carol K. Schmoock; ASST. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & TEA GENERAL COUNSEL; Bryan McCarty; MANAGER OF BUSINESS AFFAIRS: Stephanie Faulkner; INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY & SYSTEMS MANAGER, Galen Riggs; MANAGER OF UNISERV: Ronny Clemmons; MANAGER OF UNISERV & BARGAINING COORDINATOR: Donna Cotner; STAFF ATTORNEYS: Tina Rose Camba, Katherine Curlee, Virginia A. McCoy; MANAGER OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS: Jerry Winters; GOVERNMENT RELATIONS ASSISTANT: Antoinette Lee; MANAGER OF COMMUNICATIONS & GRAPHICS: A.L. Hayes; WEB MASTER & COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT: Tanya Ruder; MANAGING EDITOR & COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT: Alexei Smirnov; MANAGER OF RESEARCH & INFORMATION: Melissa Brown; RESEARCH & IN-FORMATION ASSISTANTS: Susan Ogg, Amanda Staggs; MANAGER FOR INSTRUCTION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Terrance Gib-son; INSTRUCTION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COORDINA-TORS: Susan Dalton, Nicki Fields; COORDINATOR OF MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATE RELATIONS: Duran Williams; PLT—UNISERV FIELD OR-GANIZERS: Jeff Garrett, Cheryl Richardson, Rhonda Thompson.

UniServ Staff Contact Informationcan be found on page 12.

Speaking Out for You

Speaking Out for You

3

Speaking Out for You Commentary

Women’s Suffrage Inspires Us to VoteBy Stephanie Fitzgerald

The other day, my friend and TEA UniServ Director Dannise McKinney sent me very interesting information about women’s suffrage. I was fascinated by the fact that one single vote in the Tennessee Legislature made the difference, and Tennessee became the 36th state to ratify the 19th Amendment, making it the law.

Harry Burn was a young legislator who had previously sided with the anti-suffragists, but he changed his vote at the urging of his mother, thus making history. This is an example of a single person’s vote making a historic difference.

The story of the Tennessee Ratification Vote is told in the Tennessee Blue Book, but I decided to research it further. If you are interested, type “Women’s Vote USA” into Google, and you will discover a wealth of information about women’s suffrage and the people dedicated to achieving it.

I already knew of the first women’s rights convention in Seneca Falls, New York, in 1848, but I didn’t realize that Harriet Tubman escaped from slavery the following year, and later became active in the women’s rights movement. In 1863, Mary Eliza Church Terrell was born in Memphis. She would later found the Colored Women’s League (1892), become first president of the National Federation of Colored Women, and in 1909, along with Ida B. Wells-Barnett, become a founding member of the NAACP, along with her suffragette activities.

In 1869, the Wyoming Territory passed the first law granting women’s suffrage, and a year later women began serving on juries in that territory. Colorado became the first state to grant women the right to vote in 1893. Between then and 1918, only 15 states or territories followed suit.

In 1913, Alice Paul and Lucy Burns formed the Congressional Union to work for passage of a federal amendment. Later named the National Women’s Party, women of this group picketed the White House and were jailed and beaten. I never knew that.

Finally, in 1919, the amendment was passed by the House and Senate, and went to the states for ratification, leading back to Harry Burn and his one history-making vote. In truth, one vote can really make a difference! My vote might make a difference, and so might yours. We must do whatever we can to overcome our apathy and get ourselves, our friends and our relatives to get out and vote.

Right now the politicians are having a field day with public education. We need to demand our right to be heard, and they need to listen to what we have to say. I am tired of hearing about various “solutions” to the problems of public education from those who know little or nothing about what really goes on in schools from day to day! The only way to stop being the political whipping boy of this decade is to get out and vote in huge numbers, and to support those candidates who acknowledge our expertise in public education. They should not only listen to us, but actually learn from our advice.

Women did not get their right to vote easily, and we tend to forget that, perhaps because we have been able to vote for the past 90 years. In honor of all those who worked to get women the right to vote, we must resolve to cast our votes this fall.

Stephanie Fitzgerald, TEA board member and chair of the TEA Status of Women Committee, teaches science at Melrose High School in Memphis.

Small-Town Charm, Big Enthusiasm in Elizabethton

TEA President Gera Summerford visited Elizabethton City Schools in early September to talk education and share about recent Association developments with local educators.

Recently retired Elizabethton EA leader Meleta Kardos served as host and tour guide for visits at Harold McCormick Elementary School (HMES), T.A. Dugger Jr. High School (TADJHS) and Elizabethton High School (EHS). During these visits, Summerford also read to a first grade class at HMES and observed a teacher in action at TADJHS.

“I believe that the small-town atmosphere in the Elizabethton City Schools helps teachers to personalize instruction, enabling them to establish and maintain an environment that is truly conducive to learning,” Summerford said. “In today’s fast-paced, Internet-based society, it is easy to lose a sense of community. I witnessed a sense of community and caring in the Elizabethton schools.”

Brian Culbert, HMES principal and EEA member, concurred with Summerford’s observations. “We believe we need to help every child every day,” said Culbert. “We do this by providing a safe, nurturing environment, making sure that each student is empowered to develop academic, creative and social skills necessary for productive life-long learning.”

As part of the visit, Summerford and EEA hosted a members-only briefing session regarding Tennessee’s Race to the Top application, the Tennessee First to the Top Act and the work of the Teacher Evaluation Advisory Committee. The meeting, held at the Elizabethton/Carter County Public Library, included a question-and-answer session with local members.

Lisa Smith, French teacher and co-president of ElizabethtonEA, with TEA President Gera Summerford.

Gera Summerford reads to class.

The Clarksville-Montgomery Co. EA membership team (pictured, along with the executive board and human relations committee) recruited 100 percent of new teachers in August.

4 October 2010

For the first time in many years, teachers will have to choose a health insurance option during the Annual Enrollment Transfer/Open Enrollment Period, which runs from September 15 through October 15, 2010.

1. What exactly is changing with medical insurance offered to teachers?

Health plan participants can expect the following changes:

•YouhavethechoiceoftwonewPPO(preferredprovider organization) health insurance options—the Partnership PPO and Standard PPO.

•ThecurrentPPO,HMOandPOSoptionsarenolonger available. (The Limited PPO remains for local government employees.)

•Bothnewhealthinsuranceoptionshavedeductibles, co-pays and co-insurance.

•Youwillsavemoneyifyoutakeanactiveroleinyour health.

•Premiumlevels(tiers)haveexpandedfromtwoto four.

•Forthefirsttimeinmanyyears,youhavetochoose a health insurance option during the Annual Enrollment Transfer/Open Enrollment Period, which runs from September 15 through October 15, 2010.

2. Why has the medical insurance for teachers changed so much?

The cost of the medical plans is now higher than the total premiums coming in. Given the state’s unprecedented budget crisis, this situation is not sustainable. Broadly speaking, there are two options to contain costs and preserve benefits:

1. Reduce the need for (and use of) health care by: a) Helping our participants get or stay healthy.b) Reducing unnecessary use of health care

services.c) Providing more efficient delivery of care. 2. Require participants to pay more by: a) Shifting a greater proportion of health care

costs to plan participants.b) Reducing the scope of covered benefits. c) Reducing the extent of network coverage.The state of Tennessee believes the first option

is better for all of us, which is why it designed the Partnership PPO. The state continues to work hard to minimize the cost-shifting and to avoid future reduction in benefits and choice.

3. Do plan participants have any other alternatives?

Unfortunately, they do not. The following changes have been implemented over the past year to control costs until the economy recovered and the state could better afford premium increases:

•Newpharmacyco-pays.•Reducedco-paysfordiabeticdrugsandsupplies

to encourage appropriate use by participants with diabetes.

•Eliminationofbrand-nameprotonpumpinhibitor (PPI) drugs.

•Dependenteligibilityverification.•Newpharmacybenefitsmanager(PBM)contract.•Regional(ratherthanstatewide)contracting

strategy for claims administrators. Each of these changes are proven to save costs and

did help to some extent. However, given the severity of the economic downturn and the aging participant population, these efforts were not sufficient to offset the overall growth in medical costs.

4. Who made the decision to change the plans?The Insurance Committees are responsible by law

for any changes to benefits. The Division of Benefits Administration supports the work of the committees on a day-to-day basis. Together, these groups have worked hard to develop a new plan design that preserves comprehensive, affordable and dependable coverage for health plan participants.

Throughout this process, the state consulted and continues to work with many outside partners to get feedback on the redesign. These partners include TSEA, TEA, representatives from local government and other stakeholders.

Based on this feedback and the budget dollars available, the committees made several key decisions:

•Participantswillstillbeabletogototheirprimary care doctor and pay a single co-pay.

•Deductibleswillnotapplytoprimarycareorprescription drugs. The plans will pay for visits to primary care doctors and prescriptions even before the deductible is met.

•Participantswillstillhaveachoiceofbothhealth options and carrier.

•Therewillbemorepremiumtiers,goingfromtwo(single and family) to a total of four.

•Openenrollmentperiodwithlateapplicantfeefor employees and dependent spouses.

•Eliminationofmedicalunderwriting.•Eliminationofpre-existingexclusionfor

dependent children age 26 or younger. 5. I have always had my medical insurance with

United Healthcare and was happy with their service. Why can’t I keep my coverage with them?

The contracts with United Healthcare, as well as BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee and CIGNA, were set to expire at the end of 2010. Therefore, new contracts had to be awarded. Through competitive procurement, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee and CIGNA won the new contracts.

6. Why didn’t the state just increase premiums and keep the current health insurance options?

By law, the state pays roughly 45 percent of the premiums for certified instructional employees of local education agencies. If premiums are increased, the costs to the state increase, which exacerbates the state’s budget situation.

7. What does it mean that the state is self-insured? How does this affect me as a teacher?

The state’s claims are not paid by an insurance company. Instead, the three insurance plans—the State Plan, the Local Education Plan and the Local Government Plan—are the source of payment for all medical claims and the monthly fees for the insurance carriers. This is what it means to be “self-insured.”

Here’s how it works. The insurance plan “bank accounts” contain all of the premiums that are collected each month from the state, plan participants and other participating agencies. When a medical or pharmacy claim is paid for you, it is paid out of a central fund or “bank account.” This account is used to pay insurance carriers a small fee each month for the management of a provider network and the processing and payment of medical claims. Again, it’s not an insurance company paying claims and fees—it’s the state’s and your money.

8. What do I have to do because of the changes in the state medical plan?

If you are currently enrolled in a state health insurance option, you will need to choose either the Partnership PPO or Standard PPO during the Annual Enrollment Transfer/Open Enrollment Period in the fall. Your benefit choice will be effective January 1, 2011.

9. When do I have to make a decision about the plan?

The Annual Enrollment Transfer/Open Enrollment Period for 2011 will run from September 15 through October 15, 2010.

10. What happens if I don’t choose a benefit option during the enrollment period?

You will automatically be enrolled in the Standard PPO with the least expensive carrier in your region.

11. What information has been sent describing

alternatives?Unfortunately, they do not. The following changes

have been implemented over the past year to control costs until the economy recovered and the state could better afford premium increases:

•Newpharmacyco-pays.•Reducedco-paysfordiabeticdrugsandsupplies

to encourage appropriate use by participants with diabetes.

•Eliminationofbrand-nameprotonpumpinhibitor (PPI) drugs.

•Dependenteligibilityverification.•Newpharmacybenefitsmanager(PBM)contract.

Health Changes Why the state is asking you to take a close look at your current insurance plan

5

the changes?In addition to monthly newsletters in the spring

and summer, Benefits Administration is committed to providing comprehensive communication about the new program:

* Enrollment Kit – Current participants received a comprehensive Enrollment Kit in early September. The kit explains your health insurance options and provides instructions for completing your annual enrollment transfer for 2011. The packets contain a DVD with information about the Partnership PPO and Standard PPO options and how to complete enrollment.

* Call Center and Web Support – You can call a dedicated ParTNers for Health Call Center 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ask questions at 1-866-741-6464. You can also go to www.partnersforhealthtn.gov for complete program information.

12. How do I know what premium amount I will pay?

Premiums are included in the enrollment kits sent to participants’ homes. Premiums may also be calculated online at www.partnersforhealthtn.gov or by calling the ParTNers for Health Call Center (24/7) at 1-866-741-6464.

13. Can I keep my daughter on my plan if she is 25 years old? For how long?

Dependent children are eligible for coverage through age 26, regardless of student or marital status, residence or access to insurance. You must only prove parental relationship or legal guardianship in order to cover a dependent child.

14. I have heard there is an Open Enrollment for the medical insurance plan this year. What exactly is “open enrollment?”

Open enrollment allows individuals who did not enroll in health coverage when initially eligible, or who signed up and later dropped coverage, to sign up for benefits. The state has historically not allowed an open enrollment for health coverage. Instead, there was a medical underwriting process. With open enrollment in 2010, medical underwriting is discontinued as of September 15, 2010.

15. Will there be open enrollment every year?Open enrollment is not guaranteed after 2010. The

Insurance Committees will decide if there will be one in 2011 and subsequent years.

16. Why is the state charging a late applicant fee? Is it legal? How much is it?

Because of the cost of holding an open enrollment ($22.9 million each year), the plans had to offset this additional cost because premiums alone will not cover the new expense. The late applicant fee, which is legal, covers the higher-than-average claims costs for late applicants and allows the plans to remain financially solvent. Costs for the fee are available online at www.partnersforhealthtn.gov or by calling 1-866-741-6464.

17. Is the late applicant fee pre-tax for teachers?This will be up to the individual local education

agency.18. I was previously enrolled in the state plan but

dropped my coverage. Am I going to be charged a late fee to enroll again?

Yes.19. Will the late applicant fee be the same

amount each year?Benefits Administration will adjust the late

applicant fee each year to reflect the actual claims costs of late applicants. The fee could go up, but it could also decrease.

20. I currently have coverage under my spouse as a dependent. His employer will not allow me to continue this coverage if I have access to insurance through my job. Since you will hold an open enrollment, my coverage through his job will be cancelled. Can I sign up and will I have to pay a late applicant fee?

This is considered a special qualifying event. You must apply within 60 days of the loss of coverage by completing an application for special enrollment and an enrollment application. In this case, no late applicant fee will apply.

21. What is the “Partnership Promise?” What does it mean to “take an active role in my health?”

If you choose the Partnership PPO for 2011, your Partnership Promise will commit you to taking these steps toward healthier living:

1. Complete your health screening.2. Complete your health questionnaire.The questionnaire asks questions about your age,

what you eat, how much you exercise and whether you use tobacco or alcohol. An independent wellness vendor, APS Healthcare, conducts this survey. Next, you’ll take part in a health screening. The screening measures your height, weight, blood sugar, blood pressure, triglycerides and cholesterol level. You can do the screening with your doctor as part of your routine physical or at one of the free health screening sites that will be set up around the state in 2011. Depending on the results of your questionnaire and screening, you may be eligible for health coach services.

You can expect lower monthly premiums, a lower annual deductible, lower co-pays, lower co-insurance and lower out-of-pocket costs for covered health care services. Plan participants who don’t want to commit to the Partnership Promise can choose the Standard PPO, which covers the same types of services, treatments and products but does not offer the reduced costs.

22. If I break the Partnership Promise, will my claims still be paid?

The plans will continue to pay eligible claims for the calendar year, regardless of whether the participant meets the Partnership Promise. However, participants will not be able to re-enroll in the Partnership PPO for the following year if they do not fulfill their Partnership Promise. The Standard PPO will be available to these individuals.

23. I live out of state. Will the networks cover areas outside of Tennessee?

Yes. Both carriers offer national provider networks.

24. I live and work in Knoxville, but go to a specialist in Nashville. Will I have to change doctors?

No, not necessarily. You should check the provider Web sites or call the BCBST and CIGNA call centers to determine whether your specialist is in-network or out-of-network.

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee1-800-558-6213www.bcbst.comCIGNA1-800-244-6224www.cigna.com 25. How can I obtain a provider directory?Paticipants can order directories directly from the

insurance carriers. However, the most up-to-date information will be available on the carrier’s Web site. (See previous answer for contact information.)

26. Why do premiums vary among regions?This is due to the negotiated reimbursements for

network providers. These payments are higher in some regions than others depending on the carrier.

27. What is medical underwriting and how does it differ from open enrollment?

Medical underwriting allowed individuals without insurance to apply for coverage based on their health status. Applicants could be denied if they had health risks that could adversely affect the financial risk of the insurance plans. Because of this year’s open enrollment, medical underwriting is no longer available. With open enrollment, you do not have to answer health questions. As long as you sign up during the enrollment period, you will not be denied based on health status.

28. Will medical underwriting be available in future years?

No. The last day to apply for coverage through medical underwriting was September 15, 2010.

29. Will teachers with pre-existing conditions be prevented from enrolling in the state plan during open enrollment?

No. However, a 12-month pre-existing condition exclusion applies for teachers who do not have prior creditable coverage. Please note that the pre-existing condition exclusion does not apply to dependent children.

30. If a teacher was denied coverage through medical underwriting, is he or she eligible to enroll in the state plan during open enrollment?

Yes. However, anyone who enrolls through open enrollment is subject to the late applicant fee.

31. If I am a late applicant applying through medical underwriting but receive a denial after open enrollment, do I have the option of coming into the plan late?

If you receive a denial letter after the open enrollment period ends on October 15 and would still like to enroll in coverage, you will be allowed to join the plan. However, you will be subject to the monthly late applicant fee and the 12-month pre-existing condition exclusion.

For the entire Q&A, please visit www.teateachers.org.

6 October 2010

7

11

Any National Board-certified teacher in the eighth year of his or her certificate period is eligible to start the renewal process. Although TEA does not currently offer renewal assistance, TEA members are invited to attend a National Board Certificate renewal seminar in Kentucky at no cost.

KEA has two scheduled seminars: October 30, 2010, in Louisville, Ky., and November 20, 2010, in Lexington. If you are interested in registering for a renewal seminar, please contact Susan Dalton at TEA’s Instruction and Professional Development Division: sdalton@tea.nea.org.

National Board Certification Renewal Seminar to be Held in Kentucky This Fall

For the sixth consecutive year, Horace Mann Educators Corporation and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library (ALPL) have partnered to form the Horace Mann-Abraham Lincoln Fellowship, a program designed to help educators teach American history to school-age children.

The fellowship program will offer 50 teachers the chance to study the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln. It includes round-trip transportation to Springfield, Ill., lodging and most meals. While K-12 educators are eligible to apply, the curriculum is targeted to teachers of grades 4-12.

Interested teachers are encouraged to contact their local Horace Mann agent, visit the Horace Mann home page at www.horacemann.com or the ALPL home page at www.alplm.org. The application deadline is January 3, 2011. The 50 winning fellows will be announced on May 1, 2011.

“Horace Mann believes that this partnership is an extension of our strong commitments to the education community and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library,” said Lou Lower, Horace Mann president and chief executive officer.

Horace Mann, Lincoln Presidential Library Offer Scholarships to Educators

12 October 2010

Need information, services?Mitchell JohnsonAssistant Executive Director for Affiliate ServicesRonny Clemmons & Donna CotnerManagers of UniServTennessee Education Association, 801 Second Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37201-1099(615) 242-8392, (800) 342-8367, FAX (615) 259-4581

UniServ CoordinatorsDistrict 1 — Harry Farthing, P.O. Box 298, Elizabethton, TN 37644; phone: (423)262-8035, fax: (423)262-8053; Assns: Carter, Johnson, Sullivan, Bristol, Kingsport, North-east State C.C. District 2 — Jennifer Gaby, P.O. Box 70, Afton, TN 37616; (423)234-0700, fax: (423)234-0708; Assns: Greene, Greeneville, Unicoi, Washington, Elizabethton, Johnson City, ETSU. District 3 — Mike Lee, 1607 Solod Drive, Morristown, TN 37814; (423)587-8001, fax: (423)587-8550; Assns: Cocke, Newport, Hancock, Hamblen, Hawkins, Rogersville, Walter State C.C. District 4 — Tina Parlier, P.O. Box 74, Corryton, TN 37721; (865)688-1175, fax: (865)688-5188; Assns: Claiborne, Grainger, Jefferson, Union. District 5— Jim Petrie, Knox County Education Association, 2411 Magnolia Ave., Knoxville, TN 37917-8289; (865)522-9793, fax: (865)522-9866; Assns: Knox, UT-Knoxville, Pellisippi State C.C. District 6 — Reba Luttrell, 503 Cardinal St., Maryville, TN 37803; phone/fax: (865)983-8640; Assns: Blount, Alcoa, Maryville, Monroe, Sweetwater, Loudon, Lenoir City District 7 — Donna Jerden, P.O. Box 222, Wartburg, TN 37887-0222; phone/fax: (423) 346-6165; Assns: Anderson, Clinton, Oak Ridge, Campbell, Morgan, Scott, Oneida, TSD District 8 — Jim Jordan, P.O. Box 4878, Cleveland, TN 37320; phone/fax: (423)472-3315; Assns: Bradley, Cleveland, McMinn, Ath-ens, Etowah, Meigs, Polk, Rhea-Dayton, Cleveland State C.C. District 9 — Dannise McKinney, P.O. Box 117, Kings-ton, TN 37763; phone/fax: (865)882-8211; Assns: Bledsoe, Cumberland, Fentress, York Institute, Roane, Sequatchie, White, Van Buren, Roane State C.C. District 10 — Rhonda Catanzaro, Hamilton County Education Association, 4655 Shallowford Rd., Chattanooga, TN 37411; (423)485-9535, fax: (423)485-9512; Assns: Hamilton County, Chatta-nooga State C.C., UT-Chattanooga District 11 — Emily Watson, 207 Country Estates Drive, Winchester, TN 37398; phone/fax: (931)967-0175; Assns: Coffee, Manchester, Tullahoma, Franklin, Grundy, Marion, Warren District 12 — Shannon Bain, 1001 Rhett Place, Lebanon, TN 37087; phone: (615)547-7769, fax: (615)547-7879; Assns: Clay, DeKalb, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Smith, Trousdale, TTU District 13 — Arthur Patterson, 101 Copperas Court, Murfreesboro, TN 37128; phone: (615)907-9912, fax: (615) 907-5490; Assns: Cannon, Wilson, Lebanon S.S.D., Volunteer State C.C. District 14 — Susan Young, P.O. Box 422, Madison, TN 37116-0422; phone/fax: (615)865-9700; Assns: Cheatham, Murfreesboro, MTSU, Rutherford, TSB, TN Department of Education District 15 — Miley Durham, P.O. Box 10, Lawrenceburg, TN 38464; phone/fax: (931)766-7874; Assns: Bedford, Giles, Lawrence, Lincoln, Fayetteville, Marshall, Moore, Motlow State C.C. District 16 — Alice Spicer, 106 Stillwater Trail, Hendersonville, TN 37075; (615)826-1394, fax: (615)826-4589; Assns: Clarksville-Montgomery, Robertson, APSU District 17 — Forestine Cole, Ralph Smith, Theresa Turner, Metro Nashville, 531 Fairground Court, Nashville, TN 37211; (615)726-1499, fax: (615)726-2501; Assns: Metro Nashville, Nashville State C.C., TSU, Department of Higher Education District 18 — Jackie Pope, 2326 Valley Grove Dr., Murfreesboro, TN 37128; (615) 898-1060, fax: (615) 898-1099; Assns: Lewis, Maury, Williamson, Franklin S.S.D., Columbia State C.C. District 19— Melinda Webb, 56 Lakeview Cove, Linden, TN 37096; (931)593-3532, fax: (931)593-3543; Assns: Decatur, Dickson, Hardin, Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Perry, Wayne District 20 — Maria Uffelman, P.O. Box 99, Cumberland City, TN 37050; phone/fax: (931)827-3333; Assns: Benton, Carroll (West Carroll) Central, Clarksburg, Huntingdon, McKenzie, Gibson, Bradford, Humboldt, Milan, Henry, Paris, Stewart, Weakley, UT-Martin, FTA District 21 — Lorrie Butler, P.O. Box 387, Henderson, TN 38340; (731)989-4860, fax: (731)989-9254; Assns: Chester, Hardeman, Henderson, Lexington, Jackson-Madison, McNairy, Jackson State C.C. District 22 — Karla Carpenter, P.O. Box 177, Brunswick, TN 38014; (901)590-2543, fax: (901)382-1433; Assns: Crockett, Dyer, Dyersburg, Haywood, Lake, Lauderdale, Obion, Union City, Tipton, Dyersburg State C.C. District 23 — Zandra Foster, 3897 Homewood Cove, Memphis, TN 38128; phone/fax: (901)377-9472; Assns: Fayette, Shelby, Univ. of Memphis, Southwest Tenn. C.C., University of Memphis. Priority Local Team Field Organizers — Jeff Garrett, Cheryl Richardson, Rhonda Thompson, 801 Second Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37201; (615)242-8392 or (800)342-8367 Assns: Sevier, Sumner, Trenton. MEA — Ken Foster, Executive Director; Susanne Jackson, Terri Jones, Tom Marchand, Herman Sawyer and Marilyn Webley, MEA, 126 South Flicker Street, Memphis, TN 38104; (901)454-0966, fax: (901)454-9979; Assn: Memphis.

www.teateachers.orgwww.nea.org

For all new and nearly new Tennessee teachers, TEA is offering the popular “I Can Do It!” classroom management training on two Saturdays during the 2010-2011 school year, once each semester: October 30, 2010, and February 26, 2011.

With classroom management and student discipline topping the list of the most pressing problems new teachers face, TEA’s New Teacher Committee hosts the “I Can Do It!” training annually at the TEA office in Nashville. Designed to assist teachers in their first three years of teaching, the training provides both a knowledge base and specific strategies to strengthen and maintain teachers’ classroom

management skills.Past participants

in “I Can Do It!” offer high praise for this dynamic training, which is presented by accomplished teachers and TEA staff:

• “It was wonderful. Thank you for making it real and showing you care. We are not alone!”

• “Thankyoufor giving me some fresh ideas when I am frustrated and tired of teaching.”

• “Thepresenterswere real teachers and allowed lots of group discussion so that many ideas could be shared.”

Registration for the new teacher conferences can be done by mail or online. A $50 registration fee, payable in advance, secures a spot in the training. The fee will be refunded the day of the training to TEA members who attend. If a registered

participant does not attend or is not a TEA member by the date of the conference, the fee will not be refunded.

More details and registration information have been mailed to local presidents and Association Representatives, and can also be found online at www.teateachers.org by clicking on the New Teacher button on the right side of the home page.

‘I CAN DO IT!’ TRAINING DATES SETSign up now to sharpen your classroom management skills

TEA Calendar of EventsOctober-November 2010

October 15 Deadline to choose health insurance optionOctober 30 New Teacher Conference, NashvilleNovember 2 Election DayNovember 6-7 TEA Bargaining Conference, MurfreesboroNovember 7 Daylight savings time endsNovember 11 Veterans DayNovember 14-20 American Education WeekNovember 17 ESP DayNovember 25 Thanksgiving

State House K-12 Subcommittee Chairman Les Winningham (D-Huntsville) presented a new state license plate together with Williamson County student Cameron Shilling, the winner of a contest for the best design of a new plate honoring Tennessee’s teachers. Proceeds from the sale of new plates will fund scholarships for teachers seeking advanced degrees.

The state will need a minimum of 1,000 plates in order to start production. The Tennessee Department of Education has until July 1, 2011, to collect 1,000 orders along with a $35 fee. Interested parties are invited to visit the Department of Education Web site for additional information: www.tennessee.gov/education.

Teacher License Plate Unveiled