SEIU Local 99 members working at MAOF were confused about whether or not we’d still have jobs next year if we didn’t have our B.A. Taking the lead in getting to the bottom of it, we scheduled a meeting with LACOE leadership on June 27th. We learned the details and, together with MAOF administration, made sure that MAOF employees were made aware of LACOE’s directive.
Here are the deatils:
Does LACOE want us to have a B.A.? YES!
LACOE wants to provide the best possible educational experience for children in our Head Start programs. To do this, they expect us to have high quality and comprehensive training. For this reason, they want to ensure that all Head Start teachers have a B.A. degree in early education and continuous professional development.
Will we lose our jobs without one? NO!
As long as we are working toward completion of our coursework leading toward a B.A., LACOE has established a waiver process that allows us to continue working in our positions. We must agree to take at least one course per semester until we get our degree. It’s not LACOE’s intent to have any Head Start teacher lose their teaching position due to this requirement, unless they do not plan to continue their education. At the June 27 meeting, we learned that LACOE is exploring how to help MAOF employees have better access to affordable, convenient coursework. LACOE already provides some for-credit courses at no cost to employees.
We will continue to monitor this and our union stewards and organizers will work with us, MAOF administration, and LACOE to ensure all necessary paperwork is submitted.
Call Judy Vega at (213) 387-8393, ext. 115 for more information.
