State Board Passes Controversial REPA 2

...from ISTA

The State Board of Education amended and passed controversial changes to teacher licensing rules over the objections of incoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz and a number of teachers who urged the group to slow down. Ritz -- just weeks from taking office after defeating incumbent Tony Bennett -- asked the board to table the proposal, saying it could "put unqualified teachers in the classroom."

State Board of Ed passes new licensing standards for teachers, administrators

Indiana State Board of Education passes controversial changes to teacher licensing rules

REPA 2 - ISTA Statement to State Board

December 5, 2012

ISTA provided this statement to the Indiana State Board of Education at its meeting this morning:

The Indiana State Teachers Association urges the Indiana State Board of Education to table further action on REPA 2.

REPA 2 is a sweeping set of rule changes that will affect everything from approving teacher training institutions to teacher licensure and re-licensure - the overall effect of which will de-professionalize the teaching profession. The changes in licensure alone could mean that a person need only pass a content test to become a licensed teacher in the state in certain areas without ever having taken a single teaching methods, child psychology or classroom management course first.

The case has not been made that any of this is warranted or that the area of teacher licensure/re-licensure is in a state of crisis (or even near-crisis) in Indiana. This is an area in which a comprehensive overhaul was made recently (REPA 1) in 2010-and REPA 1 has not even had the chance to be fully implemented. There currently exist multiple paths to teaching, both traditional and alternative, in Indiana law and rule. What REPA 2 does is both extreme and unnecessary, the results of which could be dangerous to classrooms of children.

Among the issues over which ISTA members are concerned relate to the new "adjunct teachers permit" which would allow any person with a bachelor degree (3.0 gpa) to become a classroom teacher. Absolutely no classroom experience, no coursework in classroom management or in student discipline would be required going in.

And tying the evaluation results to an adjunct faculty member's licensure is in contravention to the compromise earlier made to concerned legislators.

Finally, shifting authority away from the elected State Superintendent of Public Instruction and to the State Board of Education itself to approve teacher training programs smacks of politics over policy.

As drafted, there is no substance offered in REPA 2 on which anyone can count to know what will constitute a legitimate teacher preparation program. No longer will we know that public school teachers are trained at bona fide universities. Instead REPA 2 would allow "organizations" approved by political appointees to become teacher preparation centers. This is what is meant when accusations are made to the State Board that REPA 2 de-professionalizes the profession of teaching.

The State Board of Education should table any further consideration of REPA 2.

Teacher Bashing Loses in Indiana

Check out this interesting article about the election. Read it in its entirety at Teacher Bashing Is a Loser.

By John Wilson on November 8, 2012 8:05 AM

Across America, the final votes are being counted and recounted, but we can be sure of one result that will not change: bashing teachers is not a winning proposition in this country. American voters still believe in those teachers that helped shape their lives and that are doing the same for their children, and they are not willing to support ill-conceived policies that demoralize and destroy the careers of their favorite teachers. Even clearer is a second message from this election: those who entrust their children to teachers to nurture and educate them will trust the opinions of those teachers far more than the views of bureaucrats or politicians who promote unsubstantiated programs that are not supported by those who have to implement them. These messages were made very clear on November 6...

...Finally, let's go to Indiana. This was a stunner. Glenda Ritz, a 33-year teaching veteran and a National Board Certified Teacher, defeated Tony Bennett, State Superintendent, who had led Chiefs for Change, a conservative group that promoted anti-teacher policies. Ritz took the teacher voice to the voters. She made the case for using standardized tests appropriately rather than for high-stakes decisions on pay, evaluation, and professional development. She also promoted a great public school for every child. The voters trusted her and elected her. The new governor and legislators in Indiana would be smart to work with her on an agenda that truly advances a quality education for every student.

Community Volunteer Opportunities

2012 International Law Enforcement Torch Run Conference for Special Olympics

Presented by the Indiana State Fraternal Order of Police

Special Olympics Indiana is proud to announce that the 2012 International Law Enforcement Torch Run Conference for Special Olympics Presented by the Indiana State Fraternal Order of Police will be held for the first time in Indianapolis on November 7-11th. Not only will this be a key event to inspire those in law enforcement to become Special Olympics leaders in their community across the globe, it will also leave an everlasting legacy on Special Olympics Indiana.

Volunteers are needed to help in a variety of roles, including bag stuffing, guest relations, registration, special events, and more. Volunteer hours will range from 7:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. , depending on your assignment. (Don't worry, there are three shifts per day.) Shifts start Friday, November 2 (before the conference) through Saturday, November 10.

Volunteer spots fill up quickly, and are filled on a first come first serve basis. If you are interested in volunteering, click here to register. Please direct any questions to Tracy Miller, Manager of Volunteer Services, Special Olympics Indiana at 800.742.0612 ext. 234

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GRAND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES - REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

2012 GRAND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

NOVEMBER 7-10, 2012

Join us this November for the Bands of America Grand National Championships at Lucas Oil Stadium!

90 Bands from 20 states compete over three days to crown one Bands of America Grand National Champion.

Grand Nationals opens on Wednesday, November 7th with the Indianapolis Public Schools Marching Tournament. Grand Nationals preliminary competition is held on Thursday and Friday November 8-9. Semi-Finals competition begins on Saturday morning, and the event concludes with the top 12 finals competition on Saturday evening, November 10th. Grand Nationals also includes a music expo and special exhibition performances.

Please direct any questions to Laura Blake, Sr. Event Coordinator, Music for All, Inc. at 317-524-6227 or via email at Laura.b@musicforall.org

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Volunteerism as a Career Builder

The United Way of Central Indiana Volunteer Center is presenting a new workshop for community volunteers: Volunteerism as a Career Builder!

Participants will learn how to leverage volunteerism throughout their career. Topics will include:

• Keeping current job skills fresh
• Gaining new skills and competencies
• Meeting new professional contacts
• Making your resume’ more attractive and competitive

This free program is being offered on Thursday, November 1st from 8:30am – 11:30pm at the United Way of Central Indiana. Registration is available at:

http://uwci.force.com/HOC__Volunteer_Opportunity_Details_Page?id=a0CE0000001Y7xYMAS

Any questions can be directed to volunteer@uwci.org.

We Need Your Help to Fight Back

From ISTA's Executive Director, Brenda Pike:

September 26, 2012 Corporate special interest groups and Wall Street millionaires are funding Tony Bennett's campaign.[1]  These ultra-wealthy hedge fund managers and powerful corporate insiders are pouring money into Indiana to fund Bennett's public school takeover and privatization agenda. We need to ask ourselves "why"? Why would Alice Walton, the Arkansas Wal-Mart heiress, give $200,000 to Tony Bennett? Why would a series of hedge fund managers from Chicago and New York City donate upwards of $100,000? What about the "Hoosiers" for Economic Growth's $25,000 contribution to Bennett?  Look deeper.  Much of that group's money comes from Michigander Betsy (of the Amway fortune) DeVos' school voucher group. Follow the money.  It's coming from long-time voucher supporters and public school takeover advocates.  It's coming from anti-union interests and unbridled charter school expansionists.  And way too much is coming from out-of-state. We need your help to fight back quickly.   Let's get Glenda Ritz on the air! To take Glenda's message directly to Indiana's voters, an additional $200,000 must be raised by Friday, October 5th.   It won't be difficult for Hoosiers to see what's going on here, but it takes funds to ensure that they know.  Time is of the essence! Please donate $100, $50, $25 or whatever amount you can manage right now to help purchase TV air time for Glenda Ritz. Use this link to rush your donation so we can fight the powerful out-of-state interests that have gone overboard to influence this office. Your help is needed now more than ever. Thank you. Sincerely, Sincerely,  Dr. Brenda Pike, ISTA Executive Director [1] The "top 10" out-state-contributors to Tony Bennett, all of which have connections to promoting vouchers, takeovers, public school restructure, and/or anti-union political agendas -Alice L. Walton, Bentonville, Arkansas, $200,000, 7/19/12; Michael Bloomberg, NYC, $40,000, 6/29/12; Elizabeth White, Chicago, $25,000, 8/31/12; Anne Griffin, Chicago, $25,000, 7/12/12; Daniel Loeb, NYC, $25,000, 2/14/12; Eli Broad, Los Angeles, $25,000, 9/12/12; Roger Hertog, NYC, $25,000, 5/21/12; Paul Singer, NYC, $10,000, 4/10/12; Bruce White, Chicago, $10,000, 8/17/12; William Oberndorf, Mills Valley, CA  $10,000, 5/21/12.   For the complete list of Bennett's "large contribution" funders, go to http://campaignfinance.in.gov/PublicSite/SearchPages/CommitteeDetail.aspx?OrgId=5608

The Cost of Testing in Indiana

The Cost of Testing information below is from the Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Education (NEIFPE). Their Mission Statement reads...

We are citizens, teachers, administrators, and parents united by our support for public education and by concerns for its future. Recent federal and state reform measures have created an over-emphasis on testing and have turned over public education to private interests. We believe that these reforms threaten the well-being of our children and jeopardize their futures. Our goal is to inform ourselves and to start community discussion about the impact of these measures on our public schools and, more importantly, on our children.

Cost of Testing

The Costs of

High Stakes Testing

What Informed Citizens 

Need to Know about

Standardized Testing in

Our Public Schools

Tests in Indiana

I-READ 3 – mandatory test for all third graders
I-READ K-2 – reading test not mandatory at present
I-STEP+ - language arts math, social studies and/or science tests mandatory for grades 3-8
English 10 ECA – mandatory test for all high school students to graduate
Algebra 1 ECA – mandatory test for all high school students to graduate
Biology 1 ECA – mandatory test for all high school students to graduate
ISTAR and IMAST - tests that replace ISTEP for special needs students
LAS – Links – test for English Language Learners
mCLASS – K-2 assessments in literacy and math
NWEA and Acuity – tests that measure reading, math, and language on the computer several times a year
SRI or AR – reading tests that check comprehension
DRA – developmental reading assessment for K-5
DIBELS – one-on-one assessment to monitor early reading progress
PALS – proficiency aligned learning skills matching state standards
NAEP - test given to a random sample in grades 4, 8 and 12

Check with your child’s school to learn which assessments are given and how much time is dedicated to them.


Cost of Testing

The Indiana Department of Education estimates the cost of testing to be $46,229,751 for the 2012-2013 school year.
This $46,229,751 could be used to:

• repair buildings and infrastructure of schools
• pay the salaries and benefits of at least a thousand teachers
• purchase laptop computers and iPads for most students

Time for Testing

Elementary educators estimate they spend about six weeks of the 36 week school year on test preparation and administration. Tests focus on reading and math, leaving little time for the following:

• Social Studies and Civics
• Art and Music
• Science and Physical Education

What will be the cost of testing in time and money when the 2014-2015 implementation of the Common Core Standards adds additional tests?
For more information about the Common Core, visit Indiana's Common Core Standards: Indiana Department of Education

As parents, educators, and concerned citizens, we think there are a number of questions that should be considered about high stakes testing.

• What do we want children to learn? What do they really need to know?
• Is standardized testing the most effective way to measure student learning?
• What teaching methods are developmentally appropriate to promote learning?
• Should we teach children how to learn, how to think, and how to question?
• Do current policies encourage the education of every child?
• What are the Common Core Standards and how much testing will be involved?
• What are the implications of these standards for your child?
• Should standardized test results be used to evaluate teachers?
• How much money is being spent on standardized tests?

What can you do?

• Attend PTA/PTO meetings
• Enlist PTA/PTO members in a discussion on proposed school reform issues
• Attend local school board meetings
• Write to local and state school board members and to state legislators to express your concerns about school reform legislation
• Follow candidates for public office and let them know your concerns
• “Like” NEIFPE on facebook and follow our blog
• Join Indiana Coalition for Public Education and Hoosiers for Public Education
• VOTE! Register at https://indianavoters.in.gov/

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Click HERE to download a copy of this pamphlet.

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September 13 Meeting

The ISTA-Retired chapter of Allen County will meet on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012 at noon at Chop's Steak and Seafood at 6421 W. Jefferson Blvd., Ft. Wayne, IN. Craig Blume, ISTA Staff member, will be our speaker. There will also be an introduction of some of the political candidates.

We hope to see everyone on Thurs., Sept. 13th. Please come and bring your spouse and/or a friend.

Please RSVP by Sept. 10th to Dorthy Epple or call her at 436-2326 and leave a message.