President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, as the nation approached its third year of bloody civil war. The proclamation declared "that all persons held as slaves" within the rebellious states "are, and henceforward shall be free."

Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans. It is also often observed for celebrating African-American culture. Originating in Galveston, Texas, it has been celebrated annually on June 19 in various parts of the United States since 1865. The day was recognized as a federal holiday on June 17, 2021, when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law.

Juneteenth's commemoration is on the anniversary date of the June 19, 1865, by the announcement of General Order No. 3 by Union Army general Gordon Granger, proclaiming freedom for enslaved people in Texas, which was the last state of the Confederacy with institutional slavery. General Granger and Union troops landed in Galveston and announced that slaves in Texas had been freed by the Emancipation Proclamation, which had been signed into law two years earlier in 1863, by President Lincoln, but not announced or enforced by the State of Texas.

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“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God,

I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10

The global pandemic era of COVID-19 has changed the educational setting since 2020. The ever-presence of God is needed for all educators. As the chaplain of TABSE, my primary role and responsibility has been to provide spiritual and emotional support to our members. I am grateful that our local affiliate chaplains have helped me cover this state. Towards the end of the year, state assessments, graduations, behavior challenges, evaluations, employee termination, hiring, and retention have become the highest priority. Because of this, our self-care and emotional well-being must be purposeful and intentional in our daily lives. Therefore, we must remember that our God is with us always. God’s presence is with you and upholds you during difficult and tough decision-making situations. Take the time to meditate on your favorite scriptures or encouraging words.

I pray that your educational journey will be purposeful and intentional. May God reveal to every member of TABSE their pathway to their purpose in life. As the new job positions and promotions are announced and the academic scores are presented, I pray for everyone’s peace that surpasses all understanding. And that you remember, regardless of anything or situation, YOU are a child of God, and your Almighty Father holds you in HIS right hand. AMEN.

The State Board for Educator Certification has proposed that Texas adopt a new teacher certification exam, saying that it will better-prepare rookie teachers and help keep them in the profession. The 11-member Board adopted the Educative Teacher Performance Assessment, also known as the edTPA Exam, by an 8-1 vote. Board Member Tommy Coleman was not present, and Board Member Jean Streepey abstained. The State Board of Education must still approve the test before it is officially adopted for new Texas teachers. The State Board is expected to consider the matter at its June meeting.

This new edTPA licensing test would replace the current Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities exam, a test of 100 multiple choice questions that has been in use since 2002. Critics of the PPR teacher certification exam have called it a less-than-precise way of testing a new teacher’s potential. All 100 questions on the test are multiple choice, making it easier to pass.

The edTPA, which was developed at Stanford University, requires teachers to submit answers to essay questions; provide a sample lesson plan; submit a 15-minute video of themselves teaching in the classroom; and provide a report on their students’ progress.

Proponents of the new exam say it will better support and retain new teachers because it can pinpoint exactly what a classroom educator lacks through the video recordings and written analyses provided. Critics of the edTPA say that it can create a barrier for people of color entering the profession, because it costs nearly $200 more than the PPR. It has been scrapped in New York and Washington, two states where it had been required. If approved by the State Board of Education, the edTPA will become an optional test in 2022-2023, and then used as a pass/fail exam in 2023-2024, before it is fully implemented in 2024-2025.

During the past 13 editions of the TABSE WORD newsletter, one of the founding members of TABSE has been featured in each monthly newsletter. The purpose of their feature is to acquaint members, both young and seasoned, of their names, faces and contributions to our organization's establishment and growth. Several of our founders are still very active with TABSE and are regular attendees during our annual conferences, along with active participation with our Demonstration School program. Some founders are having health problems and are not able to attend functions like they once did, but none the less, are still interested in our successes.

When time allows the opportunity, get to know our founders and benefit from their knowledge and experiences as our original pioneers who came together to form TABSE. Let us give them recognition while they are still active, supportive and available. Some TABSE history is provided for your review and consideration.

The first meeting of the Texas Alliance of Black School Educators (TABSE) was held December 5-6, 1986 in Austin, Texas. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss a coalition of African-American educators and other individuals interested in developing strategies to improve educational opportunities for African-American students and to eradicate problems faced by educators of African-American students.

The discussion centered on the formation of a statewide organization which would serve as the voice to speak out to the legislature on educational issues affecting African-American children, and those issues affecting educators of African-American students at the state level.

The following definitive actions resulted from that meeting.

1. Formation of a state National Alliance of Black School Educators unit with discussion of constitution and By-Laws
   
2. Preliminary organizations budget for mailing and printing
3. Legislative agenda
4. Projects identified for immediate planning A. Effective Schools Conference B. Dropout Study
5. Selection of a person to act as liaison with the State Board of Educators
6. Election of Officers

The name adopted for the organization was the Texas Alliance of Black School Educators (TABSE). TABSE received its charter on November 12, 1987 with thirteen educators serving as Charter Members and serving on the Board of Directors. The charter members are: Dr. Clarence Bibby, Austin; Dr. J. David Bowick, Houston; Mrs. Elma Jean Carr, Fort Worth; Mr. Edward Cline, Houston; Dr. Jay Cummings, Austin; Dr. Joseph Drayton, Houston; Mr. Dennis Dunkins, Fort Worth; Mrs. Donetta Goodall, Austin; Mr. Roland Hayes, Austin; Dr. James Hill, Austin; Dr. Thomas Randle, Conroe; Dr. Alfred Roberts, Dallas; and Mr. Cameron Wells, Houston.

The Texas Alliance of Black School Educators affirms the inherent worth, dignity, and educability of African-American people. The Alliance challenges forces, which obstruct the achievement, development, and educational opportunities of youth and adults. African-American children throughout the United States encounter problems that are directly related to their minority group status. It is the mission of this Alliance to enhance and facilitate their education.

If the goals of equity, adequacy, and quality education are to be achieved for African-American children, it is most important that we join together to provide them with an educational environment that strengthens and nurtures them for the world’s society. As members of TABSE, let us continue to plan, organize, execute and support programs and activities that promote and enhance the mission of TABSE.

MAKE RETIREMENT - ADDITIONAL CATCH-UP LIMITS FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE RETIREES

SECURE 2.0 LEGISLATION WOULD MAKE RETIREMENT CATCH-UP LIMITS MORE GENEROUS FOR SOME.

HERE’S WHO WOULD REALLY BENEFIT

PUBLISHED WED, MAY 4 2022, 2:53 PM EDT UPDATED WED, MAY 4 2022, 3:11 PM EDT

Lorie Konish@LORIEKONISH (Personal Finance Reporter)

KEY POINTS

· Individuals approaching retirement may be able to put away more catch-up money, if a proposal becomes law.

· But the benefits of such a change would likely be concentrated among high-income retirement plan participants.

· Higher contribution limits may not help those who need it most, those who are behind on their retirement savings.

· Catch-up contributions for retirement savers could get more generous for certain savers if legislation proposed in Congress becomes law.

· But the benefits of the increased limits will likely be concentrated among higher-income plan participants.

· Today, pre-retirees ages 50 and up can put away an extra $6,500 toward retirement through 401(k), 403(b) and similar plans. That’s in addition to the $20,500 limit all participants can contribute in 2022.

· Secure 2.0, which was passed by the House of Representatives, proposes raising the catch-up contributions limits to $10,000 for savers ages 62, 63 and 64. The proposals also calls for treating the catch-ups as post-tax, rather than pretax, contributions.

· In addition, it would also raise the catch-up contribution limits for SIMPLE retirement plans to $5,000, from $3,000. In 2022, all workers in those plans can contribute up to $14,000.

· Those catch-up contribution limits would be adjusted annually to the cost of living. The legislation also proposes indexing individual retirement account catch-up limits, currently $1,000 for savers 50 and up.

· Experts tout the benefits of maxing out retirement contributions. But not all workers can afford to fully take advantage of those savings targets, including workers who are approaching retirement and eligible for higher limits.

·

A Vanguard study found only 12% of workers in the firm’s retirement plans contributed the maximum $19,000 permitted that year. Moreover, only 15% of workers age 50 and over eligible to make additional $6,000 catch-up contributions participated in that feature.