PHILOSOPHY of EDUCATION SOCIETY

Executive Board Meeting

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Philosophy of Education

Executive Board Meeting

April 18, 2002 and April 22, 2002

In attendance:   Houston, Stengel, Thompson, Fletcher, Rice, Katz, Haroutunian-Gordon, Bai, Applebaum, Garrison, Dichupa

1. Approval of minutes of 2001 Board Meeting;   approval of minutes of 2001 Business Meeting.

A Houston/Haroutunian-Gordon motion was passed to commend the Executive Secretary for the tone and thoroughness of the minutes.
 

2. President's Report - Barbara Houston

3. Executive Secretary's Report - Barb Stengel  (See attached written report.)

Stengel noted that the organization is living within its means but that there are some issues with finances and recommended two actions:   1) a dues increase and 2) the formation of an investment committee.

Haroutunian-Gordon moved that PES form an ad hoc Investment Committee (of at least five persons with indefinite terms) to be composed of persons who are interested and knowledgeable with regard to investing to make recommendations to the Board and the Executive Secretary regarding all aspects of investing, including the Kneller Fund.   Thompson seconded.   The motion passed with little discussion.

Thompson moved to accept Plan II submitted as a plan for dues increase.  Rice seconded.

Most members favored an income based system.   Stengel provided estimates of revenue to be generated based on last year's survey of member income.     She also questioned whether an income based system encouraged folks to underpay -- as opposed to a rank based system -- since income is private and rank is public.   Nonetheless the motion passed unanimously.

Stengel presented a budget with a small surplus for 2002-03.   This budget was based on a $1000 increase in dues revenue and slightly higher registration fees for the 2003 conference.   Haroutunian-Gordon moved approval; Rice seconded.    The motion carried and the budget was accepted.
 

4. Approval of candidate for Fellow:     Daniel James Vokey

Katz noted that this issue will have to be revisited since we have not honored the Constitutional provision that all officers be Fellows of the Society.   Because amendment of the PES Constitution is a time consuming process, it was noted that this should be included in issues that should be considered when the Constitution is reexamined in the future.
 

5. Ed Theory Report - Nick Burbules (in absentia)

Things with the journal are stable.   Expenses were lower in 2001 because of a one-time expenditure on data base revision in 2000.  Nick is concerned about turnaround times (now at 123 days) but steps have been taken to improve these and the publication schedule will be on track by June 2002.

Diane noted that Ed Theory is now taking Visa which has helped with international subscriptions.

Diane also noted that Nick wanted the Board to know that the negotiations with Blackwell are continuing, though nothing has happened to date.    Thompson raised questions about the advisability of the Blackwell deal and some discussion ensued about this possibility.   The Board was reminded that this is not their decision; however, PES does have representation on the journal board which makes the ultimate decision.

6. Yearbook Report - Nick Burbules (in absentia)

7. Committee Reports

          Election Committee - Ann Diller

 A written report was submitted to President Houston.  (See attached).

 Francis Schrag was named President-Elect.
 Michael Katz was elected to the Executive Board.
 Deborah Kerdeman was elected to COPA.

          Hospitality Committee - Heesoon Bai,  Ann Chinnery and Marela Dichupa

Heesoon Bai reported that everything regarding planning went fine including the weather.   Room figures (Wednesday through Tuesday)  9-72-90-91-65-10-2, resulting in 6 free room nights.   Stengel noted that hotel personnel have been extremely helpful.

Board members interrogated Heesoon about free drink tickets for new members (Katz) and Presidential Luncheon menu (Houston).

Heesoon noted the large number of volunteers who contributed to a fine effort.
 

          Program Committee - Scott Fletcher

Fletcher handed out a written report and spoke to the highlights of those reports.   He especially commended the quality of Program Committee interaction and thanked the "Barbaras" (Houston and Stengel) for their support.  He noted that the report provides the statistics for submissions and acceptances.

 He noted:
.  a nice diversity of papers submitted
.  the need for updated membership contact information   (Stengel recommended that the entire database be shipped to the Program Chair as long as Microsoft Access is available.)
.  it might be worthwhile to encourage members, new and old to serve as respondents and chairs.
.  hought should be given to developing ways to include graduate students in conference activities.
.  AV as continuing issue
.  helping the Program Chair to get some release time for doing the job

          COPA - Lynda Stone

Stone submitted a brief written report.   (See attached).

          COSW - Maureen Ford

Ford submitted a brief written report.  (See attached.)

          CSFE - Steve Tozer and John Covaleskie

 No report.

          Jobs for Philosophers - Barbara Applebaum

More and more philosophers of education are teaching undergraduate foundations of education AND some schools of ed and teacher education programs seem less philosopher friendly.   There will be a session at the 2002 conference

Stengel suggested that Applebaum and Katz collaborate on membership issues to see whether these trends are affecting PES membership.

Applebaum noted that there are websites to share course syllabi.   Houston indicated that Lucille Eckrich is conducting a research project to examine trends in foundations/philosophy teaching.  Applebaum indicated a willingness to collaborate with Eckrich and Webbuilder Craig Cunningham to make PES course syllabi available to members.

          Membership Committee - Michael Katz

Katz indicated that he was a bit late in coming to the position but will continue on and outline a variety of efforts that might be made to enhance membership.   He specifically addressed retaining long-time members (perhaps by having program sessions that involved senior members of the organization or that were "retrospective" in focus) as well as efforts to attract new members.    Various persons joined in the conversation and it was decided that Katz (membership committee), Applebaum, (Jobs for Philosophers) and Stone (COPA) would collaborate on issues related to membership development.   It was also noted that the Executive Secretary could assist with mailings, etc.

          Ad Hoc Committee for Ethics in the Education Professions - Michael Katz

Katz rehearsed some efforts made by the "ethics group" over the past several years and noted that Burbules asked a group to develop an effort regarding "Ethics in the Education Professions".    The ball got dropped for a number of reasons, but Katz is back from sabbatical and willing to restart the effort.   He has recruited Callan, Bredo, Hansen, Rud, Alexander, Covaleskie, Howe, Finkel but is still looking for more folks, especially women and people of color.   Katz plans to have a breakfast meeting for the Ethics SIG on Saturday morning.

Haroutunian-Gordon suggest that they try to mount a session for next years' session.  Katz indicated that he planned to do that.

The good news is that Katz will revive the Ad Hoc Committee   and would like a co-chair.

Jim Garrison explained that he was present as a representative of SAAP, as a member of their Scholarship and Research Committee.    They are interested in relationships with like-minded philosophers.   This might include: hooking up websites, sessions at each other's conferences, etc.    Garrison noted that this is a very education-friendly organization.

Katz asked about their meeting schedule.   Garrison indicated that they typically meet in early March and that they were formed in reaction against APA.    Stengel asked how big they are;   Garrison indicated approximately 450 members, of which perhaps 7-8 PESers are regular members.

Consensus was that there was nothing to be lost and quite possibly a good bit to be gained by encouraging both formal and informal connections.

Rice moved and H-G seconded that specific actions be pursued include: offering SAAP a session at a PES conference, developing some website links.    Garrison indicated that he would pursue these connections with the Program Chair and Webbuilder.
 

Meeting was reconvened by President Barbara Houston Monday, April 22nd.   Present were:   Houston, Stengel, Haroutunian-Gordon, Alston, Katz, and Siegel.

Before returning to the agenda, the group informally discussed an inquiry from members Duarte, Haymes and Huey-li regarding diversity issues within PES.   Various members of the Board had participated in conversations about ways to address this: creating a SIG, proposing a conference session, framing a motion at the Business Meeting.  All agreed that open consideration should be encouraged.

Conversation about other potential conference sessions (including a past presidents session) also went on.
 

8.  Old Business

All agreed that a communication forum would be useful.   It was agreed that Craig Cunningham or Kathy Hytten should set up either a list-serv or a mail reflector as soon as possible.

      Ad hoc Ethics Committee status [Action was taken on 4/18 following discussion by Michael Katz.]

The Committee is continuing its work.    Michael Katz has recruited a working group and asked for permission to create stationery to do its work.   He also asked what kind of accountability to the Board should be set up.     Regarding accountability, it was decided that Michael should work through the list-serv to give the Board the opportunity to object to Committee efforts in advance.

Houston moved and Haroutunian-Gordon seconded that Katz and the Committee be allowed to create stationery.   The motion passed.

      Legacy Fund

Board members continue to support the idea of a Legacy Fund.  Katz suggested that the Investment Committee might take on this issue and make recommendations.   Katz, Floden and Stengel are named to the committee.   Denis Phillips and Paul Wagner were suggested as other members  Stengel will Chair this group.    The charge to the Committee is to determine what is needed to maintain financial security.

      Fellow status

Stengel and Katz recited the history of Fellow status.   Katz argued that Fellow status is an anachronism.   Alston suggested that Fellows ought to be those who contribute a significant amount of money to the Society!   This item was returned to the agenda.
 

9.  New Business

      Policy clarification re committee appointments

Stengel circulated a proposal (as part of the Executive Secretary's Report) that, as a matter of policy and procedure, committee chairs and members be named and approved at the annual meeting by the incoming President and take office at the start of the fiscal year on July 1st.   This would allow time for orientation and transition.  Houston moved to approve the proposal; Katz seconded.  It passed unanimously.
 

      Investment committee [Action was taken 4/18 in response to the Executive Secretary's report.]

  Switch scheduling of second business meeting?

The general sentiment was that when meetings are held in the east, a noon meeting is fine to allow folks to get home in the same day.   However, when the meeting is held in the west, consideration should be given to scheduling the second Board meeting at a time that allows participants to get home on the same day.   No vote was taken.   This scheduling will be up to the discretion of the President, Program Chair and Executive Secretary but should be decided well in advance to enable those involved to make travel plans.

      Jim Garrison - Society for the Advancement of American Philosophy connection [Action was taken on 4/18 because Jim Garrison was present at that time.

      International Academy for Philosophy

Returned to agenda

      Harvey Siegel raised the issue of meeting costs.

At the Sunday evening business meeting, concerns were raised about $159 hotel room costs in Miami.   Board members indicated that the development of a Legacy Fund would help address these issues.    Haroutunian-Gordon said that she thought this should happen immediately.

Katz asked about how we might recognize those who contributed   Various forms of acknowledgement were proposed.

Stengel noted that one sizeable donation and several smaller ones had been received and might be incorporated into the "marketing" of this fund raising effort.
 

10. Transition from Barbara Houston to Sophie Haroutunian-Gordon

Houston noted that her business was done and recognized Haroutunian-Gordon as incoming President.
 

11.  Approval of site, conference budget, Program Chair, and Program Committee for 2003 Conference

Houston moved to approve the Haroutunian-Gordon proposal of Miami as the conference site, Kal Alston as Program Chair, and Harvey Siegel as Site Coordinator.    Stengel offered a possible conference budget, she reminded planners to consider budgetary issues in setting lecturers' honoraria and expenses and in planning menus, etc.  Katz seconded the conference proposal.   It was approved unanimously.

Katz raised question the past practice of having a  Presidential Suite and holding the reception later at night.   Siegel noted that there is an outside reception area.

Meeting adjourned at 9:15 AM

Respectfully submitted,
 
 

Barbara Stengel
Executive Secretary
 
 

1. Membership figures/financial status

     Membership figures holding steady; generally operating within budget except regarding conference spending.

     Significant dip in reserves due to:
  1) poor market performance and unwise investment choices
  2) decreased dividends and capital gains
  2) overspending on conference (food, drink, speaker expenses)
 
2. Dues increase

     A dues increase is recommended.   Please see the attached sheet for two alternatives. An increase in conference fees is also recommended - to increase registration fees for non- grad student members to $75/80.

     Dues have not increased since 1997.   Costs for the yearbook, Ed Theory subscriptions and postage have increased significantly in that time period.   In addition, we have added web access for the yearbook and web services.

3. Investments committee

     Our investments have fared very poorly over the past 18 months due largely to the ineptitude (and lack of time) of the Executive Secretary, poor advice at Dean Witter and a failure of the membership to respond to a call for assistance.   I recommend the formation of an ad hoc committee to consider future steps including: reconsider the investment mix, a switch away from Dean Witter to an on-line brokerage account with checking privileges, a separate oversight group responsible for handling investments, etc.

4.  02-03 Budget approval

5. Kneller Budget for 2003 Conference

     Because the Kneller Fund earnings continue to run flat, I recommend a maximum allocation for the 2003 Conference of $2500.

6. Policy clarification re committee appointments

     To avoid inconsistency and misunderstanding, I recommend the following policy:

The incoming President will make committee appointments and announce those appointments at the business meeting at which they take the gavel.   Those appointments will become effective with the start of the new fiscal year on July 1st.   Old committee chairs are encouraged to work with new committee chairs for a smooth transition.

7. Progress on past efforts

         Pay Pal

We initiated the use of on-line payments through Pay Pal and did so without recouping fees to encourage member use.   At this time, I recommend that we empower the Executive Secretary to recover the costs of Pay Pal use by adding a appropriate fee to the dues and fees charged on line.

         Pay Pal vs./with Credit Card services?

8. There will be a Presidential Follies thanks to Lynda Stone!

9. Transition plans

The committee oversaw the selection of a President-elect and a new Secretary Treasurer We are delighted to report that: Francis Schrag is the new President-Elect; and Kathy Hytten is our new Secretary -Treasurer.

The committee also proposed the following nominations for election to the Executive Board and the Committee on Professional Affairs, COPA.
Standing for election to the Executive Board were Michael Katz and Karl Hostetler. Michael Katz was elected.
Standing for election to COPA were Deborah Kerdeman and Ron Glass. Deborah Kerdeman was elected.

In all cases the elections were very close and we are grateful to members of the society for their willingness to stand for election and to serve. We are happy to report that the society is in good health from a democratic point of view.
 

Respectfully submitted,
 
 

Ann Diller

Is it just my imagination or do I seem to be hanging around on the committee??!

At last year's PES, two sessions had relevance for COPA: the first was the session organized by Don Arnstine on philosophers as activists, and the second was the panel on accountability. Following conversations (and spearheaded by Nick Burbules), I organized a double session on accountability for philosophers of education at AESA. The double session was successful in my view in spite of sparse conference attendance (first week in November) and the inability of some panel members to get to Miami. Nick, Steve Tozer, Cris Mayo (in absentia) and I represented PES, gave papers or made presentations and had lively conversation with about thirty people.

Participants were very interested in the topic and especially in state and local ramifications. The question for COPA, for PES and for AESA (?) is what to do next. Frankly I let the ball drop following AESA and did not organize another session at this year's meeting. However, Don Arnstine did recently complete his paper on activism and I will distribute copies at the annual meeting. I also will organize a breakfast discussion for Sunday.

A personal note. I was asked to continue on the committee beyond my term as chair and was happy to do this-but believe I have not contributed very much. It seems to me that the society needs to discuss COPA's continuing place. I attempted to start such a conversation a couple of times in recent years but didn't get very far. New membership and leadership might well feel otherwise (remember the heyday of COPA battles!).

The COSW committee invites PES members to attend what promises to be an extraordinary session.  Check the PES Program for the locations of both the lunch gathering and the panel discussion.  A business meeting for the COSW will also be scheduled;  any interested members are welcome.

COSW Panel discussion: Friday evening following the Kneller Reception, 7:45-9:45 pm.

COSW lunch.  Saturday, 12:00-1:00.

Respectfully submitted,
Maureen Ford (OISE/UT)
2002 Chair, COSW

The main foci of CSFE remains twofold:
Ø To maintain and strengthen the foundational content of NCATE Standards, including working to make sure that foundations courses are taught by foundations scholars.
Ø To share some of the ways that programs are successfully infusing foundational content into teacher preparation programs.

There is talk of devoting an issue of either Educational Studies or Educational Foundations to the subject of foundational standards and their application to teacher preparation.

The rubrics for applying the NCATE Standards in the review and self-evaluation processes are in the process of development.  They were reviewed at the recent AERA meeting in New Orleans, at which I was not present.  I should be receiving a copy of these rubrics soon.

More and more philosophers of education are expected to teach some version of their institution's foundations courses in the pre-service teacher program. Most of us take on this assignment although our training and research interests do not prepare us for teacher education. In addition, while philosophy has once played a well-respected role in colleges of education, many factors have recently contributed to making programs of teacher education less philosophy-friendly.

Our committee coordinated a panel discussion that would address the question "How can we best prepare philosophy of education graduates for the task of teaching foundations at the undergraduate level in teacher education programs?"

The panel consists of:
John Covaleski, Michael Katz, Cris Mayo, Stephan Norris and Dawn Riley

CONTACT: PES Executive Director Jeff Milligan
850-644-8171; milligan@coe.fsu.edu