IACTE Response to REPA Proposals

Thanks to those of you who were able to attend our work session on August 6th. We had over 20 institutions represented and close to 50 individuals participate in the discussions.

Below is the message sent to each member of the Professional Standards Advisory Board along with these attachments. Work is being completed on a press release to be sent out Monday morning. As soon as we have it done, we will send a copy to each of you. We have been in conversations with the IAPSS (school superintendent association) about a possible joint press release, but have decided that individual ones will have the potential for greater impact.

FOR EACH OF YOU, also attached is a Talking Points document, which the IACTE Executive Committee has developed. You may choose to use this in talking with local media representatives, community members and/or Advisory Board members in your areas. These points are the essence of the IACTE press release. Remember: Our public comments MUST not come across as whining or "turf protection." We ARE PARTNERS in working collaboratively to prepare high quality teachers in the state of Indiana.

Individuals are encouraged to write to Advisory Board members with individual comments. The IACTE documents could not cover everything. I will note that changes already have been made to the initial REPA proposals. As soon as we receive official copies of these changes, we will forward them to the membership. The fact that changes are being made reflects positively on the willingness of Department of Education representatives to listen and to make changes, and reflects that comments/suggestions do make a difference.

Thanks to each of you for your commitment to high quality teacher education in the state of Indiana.