Vic’s Statehouse Notes #230 – September 30, 2015

Dear Friends,

All public school advocates in Northeastern Indiana are invited to hear a presentation by State Superintendent Glenda Ritz followed by a panel discussion of leading educators this Saturday (Oct. 3) at 2pm in Fort Wayne.

The panel will discuss solving the teacher shortage. We are delighted that Superintendent Ritz will be available to discuss the commission she has formed to investigate this topic and to brief the group on other current issues in Indiana schools.

We hope you and your friends who support public education will come!

This regional ICPE meeting co-sponsored by the Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Education will be on Saturday, October 3, 2015, at 2 pm (EDT) in the Ivy Tech Coliseum Campus Auditorium, 3800 N. Anthony Blvd., Fort Wayne.

Speakers

After the presentation by State Superintendent Ritz, a panel of experts will discuss the teacher shortage:

• Rep. Melanie Wright, Yorktown (Sen. Kruse and Rep. GiaQuinta were invited but were unable to accept)

• Kathy Carr, Director of Human Resources, Fort Wayne Community Schools

• Karin Huttsell, Teacher, Northwest Allen and Blue Ribbon panel member on the teacher shortage

• Dr. Joe Nichols, Professor, IPFW

Jenny Sanders of the Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Education will moderate the panel. Marilyn Shank, board vice president of the Indiana Coalition for Public Education, will serve as chair of the meeting.

We thank State Superintendent Ritz and all the panel members for accepting our invitation to Saturday’s meeting.

I hope you can support public education in Indiana by coming to our Fort Wayne meeting. Bring a friend who is also ready to join the battle to restore public education to a high priority in Indiana!

If you can’t come to Fort Wayne, please consider coming to one of three subsequent meetings around Indiana:

October 13, 7pm (EDT), Bloomington City Hall

October 20, 6:30 (CDT), Evansville Central Library

October 21, 7pm (EDT), New Albany Schools Service Center Auditorium


Thanks for your advocacy for public education!

Best wishes,

Vic Smith


“Vic’s Statehouse Notes” and ICPE received one of three Excellence in Media Awards presented by Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, an organization of over 85,000 women educators in seventeen countries. The award was presented on July 30, 2014 during the Delta Kappa Gamma International Convention held in Indianapolis. Thank you Delta Kappa Gamma!


ICPE has worked since 2011 to promote public education in the Statehouse and oppose the privatization of schools. We need your membership to help support ICPE lobbying efforts. As of July 1st, the start of our new membership year, it is time for all ICPE members to renew their membership.

Our lobbyist Joel Hand continues to represent ICPE during the interim study committee meetings in September and October. Our work in support of public education in the Statehouse goes on. We welcome additional members and additional donations. We need your help and the help of your colleagues who support public education! Please pass the word!

Go to www.icpe2011.com for membership and renewal information and for full information on ICPE efforts on behalf of public education. Thanks!


Some readers have asked about my background in Indiana public schools. Thanks for asking! Here is a brief bio:

I am a lifelong Hoosier and began teaching in 1969. I served as a social studies teacher, curriculum developer, state research and evaluation consultant, state social studies consultant, district social studies supervisor, assistant principal, principal, educational association staff member, and adjunct university professor. I worked for Garrett-Keyser-Butler Schools, the Indiana University Social Studies Development Center, the Indiana Department of Education, the Indianapolis Public Schools, IUPUI, and the Indiana Urban Schools Association, from which I retired as Associate Director in 2009. I hold three degrees: B.A. in Ed., Ball State University, 1969; M.S. in Ed., Indiana University, 1972; and Ed.D., Indiana University, 1977, along with a Teacher’s Life License and a Superintendent’s License, 1998. In 2013 I was honored to receive a Distinguished Alumni Award from the IU School of Education, and in 2014 I was honored to be named to the Teacher Education Hall of Fame by the Association for Teacher Education – Indiana.

Everyday Advocates - Phil Arnold

Why is public education advocacy important to you?

As a public school product, a public school teacher, and a parent I value what public education offers. Advocating for public education is doing what is right for the benefit of those who understand the value of community, teacher support, and the desire to learn (or teach) in a setting that is most in tune with student needs and less concerned with financial benefit.

As an advocate, what accomplishment have you found most satisfying?

Most satisfying has been meeting people across the country who share the same beliefs and desires for supporting Public education. I never imagined when I started Citizens Against Tony Bennett (originally Hoosiers Against Tony Bennett) in 2010 and Hoosier Voices For Public Education in 2012 the impact those pages would have in shaping the Public school advocacy agenda and how they would grow nationally.

What keeps you going?

I am motivated daily by the constant attacks on public schools by politicians around the US and the frustrations of my fellow educators and parents in dealing with the barrage of inappropriate and devastating "reforms" constantly thrown at public schools in wild attempts to celebrate and promote privatization and profits for the elites. Public education is the foundation of schooling in America and public schools are now the target of political agendas to turn schooling into a for-profit market.

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Fort Wayne Meeting, October 3, 2015

Northeast Indiana residents: Join us in Fort Wayne a week from Saturday

Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz will join us for a meeting co-sponsored by ICPE and the Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Education (NEIFPE).

We will also have a panel of local experts talking about solving the teacher shortage and answering your questions. The panelists are:

• Indiana Rep. Melanie Wright
• Kathy Carr, Director of Human Resources, Fort Wayne Community Schools
• Karin Huttsell, Northwest Allen teacher and a member of the Indiana Department of Education blue ribbon panel on the teacher shortage
• Dr. Joe Nichols, Professor, IPFW
• Jenny Sanders, NEIFPE, panel moderator

The Indiana General Assembly Education Study Committee will meet October 19 to consider the teacher shortage. Attending the Fort Wayne panel may give you new insights if you wish to present or submit testimony to the committee.

Here are details for the Fort Wayne meeting:

Saturday, October 3 - Fort Wayne

Ivy Tech Coliseum Campus Auditorium 3800 N. Anthony Blvd., 2 pm (EDT)

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Everyday Advocates - Jack Morris

Why do you advocate for public education?

I advocate for public education because I am convinced quality education is the key to allowing all individuals a fair chance at success. Further, providing all citizens with a quality education benefits us all by increasing each individual’s ability to participate in our society in a healthy and constructive way while diminishing a number of negatives which drain the resources of our communities. I advocate specifically for public education because it is the best means to assure equal access to all individuals to quality education.

I have a hard time finding any ‘accomplishments’ as personally satisfying. I am frequently reminded of all the strong advocates who are fighting the same fight as I am who are doing so much. Also, the fight is so hard currently with so many setbacks caused by those who promote funneling public tax dollars to private schools that it is hard to celebrate the victories. [What] is most satisfying is hearing that a child has overcome horrible personal circumstances and has begun a successful journey toward a quality education. Seeing a child’s eyes light up when s/he is in a learning setting is all the satisfaction that is required.

The biggest frustration that I have is the size of the opposition. It sometimes feels the amount of money being lined up against public education is immense, and it can be daunting. Also, the amount of misinformation and misstatements or labeling is frustrating. The use of the word ‘choice’ to defend the use of public tax dollars to fund private schools is perhaps the most frustrating. We meet this by continued perseverance to the cause we know is right and just; and, because we know we speak for many who do not have the ability or opportunity to speak for themselves.

The belief that private schools are performing better than public schools in educating our children is a myth. Some private schools may be able to record better test scores, but they are also selecting the students who attend their school and are not taking all who apply as is true with public schools. Public schools achieve their success taking all students as they are without eliminating those who may present special obstacles in education. Because of this public education is the best opportunity to assure that everyone in our society has an equal chance to succeed, and it the best opportunity for an overall rounded education that will prepare a child for all aspects of success in life. Public education focuses upon what is deemed important to a quality education without consideration of any agenda which may exist with the founders/funders of a private school. In a public school, in addition to quality subject matter education you obtain a social education by participating with individuals from a cross section from the community. This latter truth was a major factor for why I elected to keep my children in public schools. I believe to really be able to be successful in our society a person needs a good subject matter education but also an ability to relate and deal with people of all walks of life. I believe it is valuable for children to be in a classroom with others who may struggle in different ways. They are opportunities to learn compassion; opportunities to learn how to help others; and, opportunities to see how education helps overcome these obstacles.

Parents should stand up for their local public schools by calling and writing their state legislators to advise them that they want their tax dollars spent on public education and not funneled into private schools. Most important, each should get involved in identifying candidates for Indiana State public office that support public education--support those candidates; campaign for those candidates; vote for those candidates; encourage family and friends to vote for those candidates; and, after they are elected, keep in contact with those elected officials to hold them to their commitment to support public education.

Currently, my current legislators ignore my communications. I have had more luck in communicating with other legislators from the Allen County area but am still frustrated by their continued support of vouchers.

Quality education is the key to allowing all individuals a fair chance at success. Further, providing all citizens with a quality education benefits us all by increasing each individual’s ability to participate in our society in a heathy and constructive way while diminishing a number of negatives which drain the resources of our communities. I advocate specifically for public education because it is the best means to assure equal access to all individuals to quality education. Lack of a quality education is the number one cause of a person’s ultimate need for various social service programs; increasing juvenile delinquencies; increases teen pregnancies; and, a cascade of other negative circumstances that drain our public resources and further limit the available public resources for public education as well as other action which would benefit our communities.

I believe that all citizens should get involved and fight for those things which they think are best for our community, state, and country. Public education is the starting point for that. I also believe it is the duty of those who can to fight for those who may not be as able to fight for themselves. Children do not have the ability to effectively advocate for themselves and many do not have parents or guardians who are able to be effective advocates. I was gifted with abilities which allow me to be an advocate so I feel it is my public duty to be engaged.

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Everyday Advocates - Dan Greenberg

Why is public education advocacy important to you?

As a teacher and a parent, I know that a strong public education is critical for children and the community, in general. In recent years, though, public schools have come under attack from those who would like to make money by privatizing schools, and from those who, although they have never worked in the education system, think they know how to improve the schools. If I, and my friends and colleagues are not advocates, I fear what will happen to public education, so I find ways every day to support public education.

As an advocate, what accomplishment have you found most satisfying?

The work I find most satisfying was inspired by the Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Education; creating a group in Northwest Ohio, comprised of parents, teachers and community members, who come together to advocate for public education. I have thoroughly enjoyed developing this group, fostering new relationships, and hosting community events to educate and engage people about education issues.

What are some of your frustrations or obstacles that you have met or overcome?

As an advocate, there have been plenty of times when I have been frustrated. Most common are the times when I see legislators pass education policy that doesn't benefit children, or when my group plans an event to engage the community, that we know is really important, but we don't get the turnout we hoped for. The thing that has helped me continue to advocate, despite the frustrations, is the knowledge that it will take years of sustained effort to win the fight for public education, and that my sustained efforts make a difference. Even when state policy is not what's best for public education, I am able to see some positives, based on the advocacy of people in my group and other grass-roots groups across the state. When the turnout for a program is low, I realize that we are still reaching people, raising awareness, and turning other community members into advocates.

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Everyday Advocates - Jorge Fernandez

Why is public education advocacy important to you?

Public education advocacy is important to me because of what Glenda Ritz described and I wholeheartedly feel the same way: “I have never been able to meet the needs of children in my classroom from within the school walls...I have always had children who were in need of food, clothing, adult and community support.” By my experiences teaching in an inner-city public school and my conversations with other teachers, parents, and students, I have learned of the disconnect between what legislators say and the reality on the ground. There are many people I have spoken to that think that trying to create systematic change is a waste of time: that if I don’t like things that are occurring in my workplace that I should just move on. Every day though I become more and more steadfast in my belief that I cannot turn my back on the students in my school… and I can’t stay silent and do nothing while the students suffer. If I don’t speak up for these students, then who will?”

What has been your experience in dealing with legislators? Has it been good or bad? Has it helped?

Legislators are marginally responsive to concerns and are calculating about doing just enough to get reelected. I have responded to surveys and since the last election left significant comments in addition to emails on the topics being addressed, especially education. It is hard to tell what my role has been, because my communication has been in tandem with Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Education communication. For example, in the battle against SB 1 and HB 1486, there were many concessions made, but ultimately SB 1 still passed with parts from HB 1486 attached to it (after being voted down) and my representative never showed any resistance to the party line.

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Vic’s Statehouse Notes #226 – September 3, 2015

From Vic Smith...for anyone who might be planning to be near Merrillville on September 10, 2015. ICPE is planning a meeting in Fort Wayne on October 3. Click here for more information.

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Dear Friends,

After an excellent meeting last Saturday in Indianapolis, the second Indiana Coalition for Public Education meeting will be held in Merrillville on Thursday, September 10th. State Superintendent Glenda Ritz has told us she will be there, and a panel of area legislators will also be there.

We hope you and your friends who would like to restore public education to a high priority will be there as well!

The meeting will be on Thursday, September 10, 2015, at 6:30 pm CDT in the Merrillville High School Auditorium, Entrance M, 276 E. 68th Place, Merrillville.

Speakers

State Superintendent Glenda Ritz confirmed her appearance on September 10th in Merrillville while addressing the meeting last Saturday. In addition, a panel of four area legislators will be speaking:

• Sen. Rick Niemeyer – R, District 6
• Sen. Earlene Rogers – D, District 3
• Rep. Harold Slager – R, District 15
• Rep. Vernon Smith – D, District 14

Six Questions about the Future of Public Education in Indiana

The future of public education is now in play in every session of the General Assembly and in every election. The discussion on September 10th will focus on six questions that we have asked our speakers to address:

1. What do you see coming up in the 2016 legislative session that might help or hurt public schools? What priority do you place on providing public funding to private schools?

2. What is your position on expanding or curtailing the choice scholarship voucher program, now using public money to pay for 29,000 private school vouchers?

3. What is your position on the Scholarship Granting Organization tax credit program? There have been bills to automatically give higher state funding to SGO tax credits if donation levels reach certain goals. Are we going to continue to see this concept come up in future sessions?

4. What role do you see for public schools in holding communities together and supporting the civic participation of young citizens in our democracy? How is that role changing as our public school system in Indiana is increasingly privatized?

5. Are we likely to see new legislation to change the role of high stakes testing or reduce the amount of testing? Do we need legislative action to allow parents to opting out of testing without penalizing students or their schools?

6. How do you as legislators react to the current duplication of services between the State Board of Education staff and the Indiana Department of Education staff?

We are pleased that State Superintendent Ritz and the four area legislators have responded to our invitation.

Please come on September 10th and get involved in ICPE’s efforts to support public education.

I hope you can support public education in Indiana by coming to our ICPE meeting on September 10th.

A flyer about the September 10th program is attached for you to share with others who support public education and might come to this meeting.

If you can’t come on that date, please consider coming to one of the subsequent meetings in five other cities around Indiana. The next is on Thursday, September 17th at West Lafayette High School at 7:00 pm EDT.

Thanks for your advocacy for public education!

Best wishes,

Vic Smith

“Vic’s Statehouse Notes” and ICPE received one of three Excellence in Media Awards presented by Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, an organization of over 85,000 women educators in seventeen countries. The award was presented on July 30, 2014 during the Delta Kappa Gamma International Convention held in Indianapolis. Thank you Delta Kappa Gamma!

ICPE has worked since 2011 to promote public education in the Statehouse and oppose the privatization of schools. We need your membership to help support ICPE lobbying efforts. As of July 1st, the start of our new membership year, it is time for all ICPE members to renew their membership.

Our lobbyist Joel Hand continues to represent ICPE during the interim study committee meetings in August and September. Our work in support of public education in the Statehouse goes on. We welcome additional members and additional donations. We need your help and the help of your colleagues who support public education! Please pass the word!

Go to www.icpe2011.com for membership and renewal information and for full information on ICPE efforts on behalf of public education. Thanks!


Some readers have asked about my background in Indiana public schools. Thanks for asking! Here is a brief bio:

I am a lifelong Hoosier and began teaching in 1969. I served as a social studies teacher, curriculum developer, state research and evaluation consultant, state social studies consultant, district social studies supervisor, assistant principal, principal, educational association staff member, and adjunct university professor. I worked for Garrett-Keyser-Butler Schools, the Indiana University Social Studies Development Center, the Indiana Department of Education, the Indianapolis Public Schools, IUPUI, and the Indiana Urban Schools Association, from which I retired as Associate Director in 2009. I hold three degrees: B.A. in Ed., Ball State University, 1969; M.S. in Ed., Indiana University, 1972; and Ed.D., Indiana University, 1977, along with a Teacher’s Life License and a Superintendent’s License, 1998. In 2013 I was honored to receive a Distinguished Alumni Award from the IU School of Education, and in 2014 I was honored to be named to the Teacher Education Hall of Fame by the Association for Teacher Education – Indiana.

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