We are pleased to announce that AACTE Member Chief Representatives in attendance at the Members? Business Meeting in New Orleans on February 9, 2008 voted to advance the proposed new dues schedule to the full membership for a vote. Below are answers to questions about this proposed schedule; this document will be regularly updated to reflect member questions and concerns. We invite you to contact the Membership Department with your questions or concerns at (202) 293-2450 or membership@aacte.org.

If you would like to request an analysis of your institution?s dues under the current and proposed new dues schedules, please contact us at membership@aacte.org. You can also request a list of the teacher education program CIP categories currently recognized in IPEDS, which would be used to calculate dues for your institution under the new dues schedule.

Goals

Create a dues schedule that is?

• Responsive to member concerns
• Revenue neutral
• Easy to calculate for both members and staff
• Easy to understand and communicate
• Equitable and accessible, particularly for small institutions
• Easy to manage internally
• Predictable for members

• Your AACTE membership buys you a ?seat at the table?: AACTE members played a significant role in ensuring that the TEACH Grant program in the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (P.L. 110-84) became law.
• AACTE also worked with Congressional staff to ensure that schools, colleges, and departments of education are partners in the America COMPETES Act (P.L. 110-69), when it was signed into law this past summer. This legislation contains many new K-16 STEM education programs and strengthens existing programs.
• Both the Senate and House Higher Education Act reauthorization bills retool the Teacher Quality Enhancement (TQE) Grant program to focus on the partnership grants and to expand the clinical components required of the TQE grantees. AACTE is also working closely with Congressional staff to ensure that statewide data system provisions in the House and Senate NCLB bills will include teacher preparation components.

• AACTE?s role as the convener and facilitator of the NCATE/TEAC discussions demonstrates our commitment and capacity to serve the best interests of the profession.
• AACTE participated prominently in recent policy deliberations of bill S2496, legislation introduced and developed by Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) to enhance teaching standards. This legislation garnered the endorsement of six national education associations, including the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO).
• In an historic occurrence, AACTE President and CEO Sharon Robinson was the lead witness at the House Committee Hearing to examine the relationship between the Higher Education Act and NCLB.
• The annual AACTE-sponsored Summer Leadership Institute provides members of the Advisory Council of State Representatives (ACSR) with a seminal opportunity to discuss and provide leadership on matters of state, national, and association importance.

• AACTE?s Journal of Teacher Education is the only publication that specifically addresses research issues related to teacher education.
• AACTE continues to regularly provide members with up-to-the-minute education policy updates, analysis, and talking points.
• AACTE is the most comprehensive resource institutes, conferences, and web seminars designed specifically for teacher educators around the field's most pressing issues.

AACTE is well positioned to meet its goal of ensuring the highest quality preparation and continuing professional development of teachers and school leaders; yet, in order to continue to provide value and grow its membership base, AACTE must employ a dues schedule that is equitable, predictable, and easy to interpret. Most importantly, we must listen and respond to the concerns of our members. We are pleased to provide you with an updated dues schedule that responds to the concerns of our members and the needs of the organization yet remains revenue neutral.

How did AACTE develop the new dues schedule?

AACTE retained McKinley Marketing, Inc. (McKinley), a respected research and consulting firm, to study the current dues schedule and provide research, analysis and a recommendation for a new schedule that would enable AACTE to grow and offer enhanced benefits. McKinley explored the wants, needs and perceptions of members, volunteer leaders and staff through in-person and telephone interviews and a full electronic survey. McKinley also conducted a benchmarking study of other associations to explore and uncover dues best practices of other associations. Finally, McKinley developed a new dues model that is equitable, predictable, and easy to interpret for all members and prospective members.

How has the proposed new dues schedule been structured?

The dues schedule is based on productivity data that will be downloaded from the Department of Education?s Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS.) This data is typically submitted by institutions from a central administrative office to comply with federal student aid requirements. The data includes nearly 100 different types of teacher education programs. To request a copy of the list of IPEDS-recognized teacher education programs and the corresponding CIP codes, please contact the membership department at membership@aacte.org.

How does AACTE?s new schedule compare to other higher education associations?

AACTE worked with McKinley to do an environmental scan of other higher education associations. It was found that the majority of associations (both individual and trade) use either a flat dues fee or calculate dues based on institutional IPEDS data (institutional full-time equivalent enrollment, expenditures, etc.).

What happens if my IPEDS data are incorrect?

The data AACTE has downloaded to calculate dues is the most current available and is self-reported by institutions directly to the Department of Education. If you have questions or concerns about that data, you can contact your institutional IPEDS data administrator. If you have any questions or concerns about AACTE dues schedule or rates, please contact AACTE?s membership department at membership@aacte.org.

When would the new dues schedule go into effect?

If passed by the full membership, the new dues schedule will go into effect for the 2009 membership year. Invoices for 2009 dues will be sent in May/June of 2008.

What is the approval process for the new dues schedule?

The new dues schedule has been approved by the Membership and Dues Task Force and the Board of Directors. It was also approved for advancement to a full membership vote (as per AACTE bylaws) by the member institution Chief Representatives in attendance at the Members? Business Meeting on February 9, 2008 in New Orleans. The proposed new dues schedule will be voted on by the Chief Representatives of each Member institution via online vote in early March (voting information will be sent through e-mail in mid-February).

Who votes whether or not to adopt the new dues schedule?

Only AACTE Member institutions can cast a vote for or against dues schedule changes. The AACTE bylaws state that, in matters of dues schedule changes, only one vote is allotted to each Member institution and this vote shall be cast by the institution?s Chief Representative. A majority of votes cast is needed to adopt any dues schedule changes.

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