Race to the Bottom in Indiana Public Education

The proposed changes to teacher licensure in Indiana (Read More Here) represent a radical shift in the way we train and continue to develop teachers in our state.  Mnay people are very concerned that in the name of reform, a political fight is atually in the works that ends up lowevering standards for our state's teachers--one person who testified at the last meeting of the Standards Board called it a "Race to the Bottom."  Most of the claims made in justifying such such a radical restructuring are baseless, without data, and in some cases just plain wrong.  The public isn't currently paying attention but in fact, public questions and outcry might be the only thing can save us from such disastrous, misinformed policy--SPREAD THE WORD.

Here is a collection of links related to the proposed changes and as always feel free to use this space for questions and comments:

Indy Star Article
http://www.indystar.com/article/20090729/NEWS/907290376/Education+training+faces+overhaul

Point by Superintendent Tony Bennett:
http://www.indystar.com/article/20090816/OPINION03/908160335
Counterpoint by IUPUI Dean Pat Rogan:
http://www.indystar.com/article/20090816/OPINION03/908160333

Indiana Association of Colleges of Education Press Release
http://iacte.net/node/55

Fort Wayne Editorial
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20090731/EDIT07/307319949/1021/EDIT

Comments

[Akla]

Is that pdf file concerning REPA really posted on the doe site? Bennett should be ashamed at putting up something with so many spelling errors and typos, particularly in a document purporting to improve teacher preparation and student achievement.

The higher education and teacher college people need to respond to the report cited in the piece. We were rated poorly, not because we did not have the suggested actions or policies in place, but because we did not require them as part of legislation or policy. Why require something that all were doing anyway.

As for the comments about mentoring, these programs have been proven to be great for teaching in repeated studies. He just does not want to fund pd activities.

It is time for higher ed to stand up for themselves before Bennett and mitch take total control of all higher education, not just education programs. Have any of you higher ed teacher program deans looked at the new test? And is he eliminating the legislatively mandated reading PRAXIS exam that must be passed?

mitch is truly leading us on a race to the bottom as he tries to put his imprint on education, whether it works or not.

[Rob H.]

So right! What's really disingenous about this is that the push for reform happens simulaneously with cuts in funding and professional development--Saying one thing and doing another!

[Chrystal Johnson]

As a social studies teacher educator, I am very concerned with the scope and nature of Dr. Bennett's reform proposals. I feel as though, the state, in it's effort to raze teacher preparation, has decided to cut off it's nose to spite it's face. I will not say that Dr. Bennett has ever presented data, rather he and others have accentuated their ideological positions when it comes to teaching and learning. It seems a bit disingenious for the state to address teacher preparaton without putting forward relevant research on effective teachers and the links between high quality teachers and student performace.

Furthermore, I don't think the state understands the "hiring issues" such reform efforts will have in Social Studies Education. The current draft of the document suggest that prospective social studies teachers can select "one or more" areas of concentration rather than "three areas". Our future students may decide to only focus on Historical perspectives or Economic Education. Such a decision may produce more "history" or "econ" oriented folks vying for limited jobs. Rather than being able to place new hires in geography courses, etc. The state will limit where and how a principal/superintendent can use beginning social studies teachers.