Respecting Difference -- Special Education Task Force Newsletter, January, 2005 January , 2005 Special Education Task Force information and updates as well as the survey are available at the CUPE BC’s web site. Just look under Committees. www.cupe.bc.ca/specialedtaskforce will take you directly to the survey. Thanks to those who have already completed the survey. We have extended the timeline to give more EA’s a chance to respond. Meeting with Local 409 CUPE BC SETF met with twenty plus members and Executive of Local 409 in New Westminster on January 25, 2005. We shared information on pre-service issues of: the standardization of college programs, effective credentialing and ladder. We clarified our understanding of issues that are the responsibility of locals in bargaining. We heard the concerns of the members about issues that require clarification such as pay scales and job security. We appreciate the potential for ongoing communication with members. Autism Research Survey Dr. Dana Baker at the University of Missouri is conducting research on professionals (including Special Education Teachers and Educational Assistants) experiences with Autism and the Public Policy in British Columbia. To review the survey and/or participate link to: http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?p=WEB2LA9RE or simply http://www.zoomerang.com Long time staff advisor Bill Harper has retired from CUPE. We wish Bill the best of luck. Kathy Hutton, who has been co-facilitating as staff advisor will now take over the reins. Welcome aboard Kathy. Thanks to CUPE BC for ongoing support of this task force. cope491

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