Keeping Track of Changes 

The IACTE Executive Committee has been tracking the various changes within Indiana Department of Education (DOE) since our last meeting.

Members have attended the last two State Board of Education meetings to monitor developments. In addition, we have met with Marcie Brown, special assistant to the State Superintendent Bennett, offering our assistance in exploring the issues of teacher licensing, accreditation and principal licensing, all of which are being reviewed by Ms. Brown. We will be posting the handouts from the latest State Board meetings and copies of any minutes or notes made available publicly on the IACTE website [www.iacte.net] in the next few days.

News thus far:

1. Pat Mapes has started as Director of the Office of Educator Licensing and Development (OELD). IACTE is requesting a meeting with him. He has been invited to the IACTE Banquet and has accepted. We anticipate that he also will attend a portion of the Business Meeting that day to get acquainted.
2. Ray Graves has been hired back to OELD 3 days/week and appears to be the primary person handling licensing at the current time.
3. You should have heard recently from Marg Mast that she is still in her position as Assistant Director and has moved to 151 Ohio St in the DOE suite. In addition, she recently let us know that she now is accepting new program proposals as well as program review rejoinders. These will be reviewed by an ad hoc committee, as the Teacher Education Committee (TEC) no longer is being convened. We have been assured that the ad hoc committee will include BOE trained higher education faculty and that Marg is hopeful that some type of TEC will be reconvened in the fall.
4. We have heard that DOE lawyers are advising that accreditation of teacher education still continue. They are concerned that without accreditation there will be issues of reciprocity across state lines for teachers. We also have advised NCATE of the accreditation discussion in the state DOE and requested that through their auspices they seek clarification, so that those of us in the accreditation pipeline, e.g. visits in the next two years, know what direction we are headed.
5. Based on actions at the State Board of Education meetings it appears that the State Superintendent may propose to waive some rules as his authority allows or may ask the Board to initiate a revision to rules, which will require hearings, etc. These two strategies of waivers and rule-making suggest that we are better served staying involved with the Board of Education and working through networks.
6. At the Business meeting on April 17th plans are to discuss both strengths and problems you have encountered related to teacher licensing, in order that we may make suggestions for improvement. Ray Graves will be joining us in part of that discussion.
7. The IPSB Advisory Board has not been convened, however, we understand names have been solicited from various agencies/organizations for appointment to the Board by the Governor. Matt Kirby, an attorney, is providing staff support to that process.
8. The General Assembly has passed HB 1479 calling for a center/project which will promote the recruitment of students of color into teacher education. A number of members around Indianapolis have been working with NAACP representatives and leaders of the service centers to promote and support this legislation. We also are looking for potential grant funders for this initiative.

We are stressing in any and all conversations that "no one wants to lower teacher standards in Indiana" and "the focus is on the kids". Friends, it is critical that we all stay informed. We will talk more about these points at the beginning of the Business meeting on April 17th. If you are unable to join us, but want to contribute please feel free to add your comments to this post, or by email to (jshedd@indiana.edu).