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****Legislative Alert**** ANNUAL THERE IS STILL TIME TO GET YOUR REGISTRATION IN: PLEASE HELP US BY GETTING YOUR RESERVATION IN SOON! Indiana PTA is giving members a chance to get up close and personal with state legislators. The annual Indiana PTA Legislative Conference has been scheduled for Wednesday, February 10th in downtown The Conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency, Many of the legislators are asking us for a list of attendees. It is VERY important this year that you don't wait until the last minute to make your reservation! We need to provide this information to them by February 1st. PLEASE help us by getting your reservation in as soon as possible so we can comply with this request and organize a great day for you. To date we have 23 legislators signed up to attend. This is a really good number this far in advance! We are going to have a great turnout of legislators! NOW WE NEED YOU! NATIONAL PTA TAKES ACTION CHALLENGE Increase PTA’s Voice on Capitol Hill ~ Join the PTA Takes Action Network! Today, more than ever before, our children need us. Decisions impacting education at the local, district, state and federal are being made daily and advocates need to know what they are. Joining this PTA Takes Action Movement is one of the ways that we can make a difference. We can empower all stakeholders by providing opportunities for them to learn about PTA's Advocacy and Legislative issues at all levels during: Why is this important? It impacts our children, schools and communities...What do you know about the: Reauthorization of No Child Left Behind? Race to the Top? As a member of the network, you’ll: · Receive monthly updates on federal legislative issues affecting families, schools, and communities. · Speak up for children through messages to your members of Congress on specific federal policy issues. · Help your state become the National Challenge Champion. Join online at www.PTA.org/TakesAction Contact information for your Local Leader to sign you up! First, Last Name__________________________________________________________ Home Address________________________________________________________ City, State Zip Code ______________________________________________________________ Email Address________________________________________________________ Home Phone Number________________________________________________________
updated 2-7-2010
****Legislative Alert**** UPDATED 10/19/2009 Our Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. Tony Bennett, is attempting to revise certification rules for teachers, principals and superintendents. He argues that by eliminating some of the requirements for licensing they would ensure a deeper understanding of the subject they teach. He further argues that the current requirements focus too much attention on teaching methods. He believes that by providing non traditional leaders (Anyone with a master’s degree who passes the School Leader’s License test and is approved by the State (Dr. Bennett)) some school districts have a better chance at success. SPEAK OUT ABOUT THIS PROPOSED PLAN: Indiana PTA received this email from the Indiana Association of College Teacher Education (IACTE) and the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents. THERE WILL BE THREE HEARINGS VERY SOON ON THIS THAT YOU MAY WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN FOR YOUR INTERESTED MEMBERS SO THEIR VOICE CAN BE COUNTED ON THIS ISSUE. To participate in the meetings, you must sign-in, you will have 3 minutes to speak and you must present a written copy of your comments.
The public hearings on this issue will be on:
****Legislative Alert****
Our Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. Tony Bennett, is attempting to revise certification rules for teachers, principals and superintendents. He argues that by eliminating some of the requirements for licensing they would ensure a deeper understanding of the subject they teach. He further argues that the current requirements focus too much attention on teaching methods. He believes that by providing non traditional leaders (Anyone with a master’s degree who passes the School Leader’s License test and is approved by the State (Dr. Bennett)) some school districts have a better chance at success.
The PTA has always supported development programs that further strengthen our teachers and leaders. We support programs that strengthen teaching techniques, academic knowledge, human understanding, critical thinking, technology use and parent, family and community involvement. We support well qualified teachers and leaders who have been held to rigorous requirements. We want our teachers to be well versed on teaching methods.
The non traditional path would require principals and superintendents to hold a masters degree and to pass a standardized test (school leader’s license test) and the state would approve or disapprove the applicant based on an individual basis. Dr. Bennett would have final approval. The non traditional path opens up the possibility of a principal or superintendent without any educational background being hired. The PTA supports strong leaders with a vast knowledge base and on the job experience in the field of education.
Please contact your legislators and Dr. Bennett’s office and share your concerns. Our legislators are not currently in session but still have access to email and want to hear from you. Please see below for contact information. Thank You for all that you do!
Indiana Legislators:
http://www.in.gov/legislative/contact/
Dr. Bennett:
Indiana Department of Education
151 West Ohio Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
Phone: 317.232.6610
Fax: 317.232.8004
webmaster@doe.in.gov
