58 minutes ago, Muda69 said:

Hmm, so it's government that is the problem with government education.  Color me shocked.  Maybe these private/parochial and homeschoolers really are on to something. 

 

It's good to be the king.  Um, democracy and capitalism.  Errr, Republic, and Mixed economy. 

1 hour ago, swordfish said:

Well I guess my 1970's era understanding of "right" and "wrong" that my Christian father and mother instilled in me hasn't evolved into anything much different over my lifetime.  I'm OK with that.....So I guess I'm old fashioned in a sense.  Maybe that's why it is refreshing to me to hear a mid-20's guy that shares some of my values articulate his beliefs so well.  Gives me a little more hope for our future I suppose.

So you can't empathize well.

After Mitch started meddling,  Dr. Bennett (selling school grades for money) and Pence/Holcomb dismantled the IDOE, we find that we are now stuck with some teachers who haven't had any education classes, kids who can't read, and voucher limits that start at over $100,000 so they can send their kids to private schools.  The politicians create the problem and blame everyone else.

A Message from Dr. Katie Jenner

I know I have shared this in the past, and it still holds true…there are absolutely things that keep me up at night...whether it’s something that already happened, today’s running to-do list, or worrying about the future. One example is how to overcome the challenge of the number of Indiana students who cannot read. It really worries me…because not only does it impact our students today, but we know that by not having foundational reading skills, it will create significant lifelong obstacles.

We all know the alarming truth that if a student is not reading by third grade, they are less likely to graduate high school. And, while the negative impacts of illiteracy are alarming…the juxtaposition of what is possible when a student can read is a game changer. 

In recent weeks, I have really appreciated listening and hearing from educators throughout our state. Whether it has been through a phone/Teams call, email, a more formal meeting, or catching up with a teacher at the soccer field or even in the parking lot after a school event (yes, this totally did happen with a good teacher friend!)....thank you for taking the time to share your feedback.  

Many educators shared that they are all in and are planning to or are already engaged in training that will better ensure all children can read. Some were inspired by the well-known reading podcast, Sold a Story, or the documentary, The Right to Read. Some signed up for the science of reading modules in the Indiana Learning Lab, the Indiana Literacy Cadre, and/or the Indiana Reading League (I signed up!). Some have completed LETRS or Orton-Gillingham training, and I could go on and on with examples. Thousands of Indiana teachers have already completed or are actively working on science of reading training. I try to say it often, but I know it’s never enough…thank you for all of your hard work and for caring so much about our students. 

I’m grateful for the collective effort to balance the urgent need to overcome Indiana’s literacy crisis with our shared desire to increase flexibility for educators. Below I have summarized the major themes we have heard. This is a lot of information, but this work really matters for students, so I wanted you to hear the why directly from me.

As we listened, the majority of what we heard focused on four themes:
1) Synchronous vs. asynchronous training options;
2) Flexibility for teachers who have a PK-6 “parent license” but do not currently teach PK-5 literacy;
3) Concerns about the PRAXIS and what happens if a teacher does not pass; and
4) Requests for additional, no cost training options. 

There are a number of other questions that are addressed in the linked FAQ (and we will add to this document as additional questions arise); however, today I want to specifically talk through the four outlined above. 

1. Synchronous vs. asynchronous training options
   As we all work to juggle both our professional and personal obligations, many educators have expressed a desire to be able to complete science of reading training asynchronously, when it works for their schedule. I couldn’t agree more.
   
   On July 1, a new law will go into effect which will allow the full 80 hours of required professional development to be completed asynchronously. In addition to the approved trainings, we are also actively working with Keys to Literacy to quickly build an asynchronous option that will be available this fall (after the effective date of the new law). We will be able to accommodate any teacher wishing to participate in the asynchronous option, including anyone who may have already registered but wishes to participate in this new option instead. More information on asynchronous training options can be found in the FAQ, and our team can answer any unique questions. Just email us at INLitCenter@doe.in.gov.
   
   Our team is also working directly with educators and training providers to continuously update the list of approved training options (originally published in April) that some teachers have already completed through their school or independently over the past few months/years. This includes LETRS, Orton-Gillingham, the Indiana Literacy Cadre, as well as asynchronous training opportunities, to name a few. **Additional professional development opportunities are being reviewed as quickly as possible and on a rolling basis.
2. Flexibility for teachers who have a PK-6 “parent license” but do not currently teach PK-5 literacy
   We’ve had quite a few questions from current teachers who have a PK-6 “parent license” but do not teach PK-5 literacy. Several have expressed a desire to invest the time they would spend on this science of reading-focused professional development toward training that more directly aligns to their current content area.
   
   Based on these conversations, we are adding increased flexibility to consider the variety of situations. An educator who holds a PK-6 parent license but teaches in a content area that does NOT involve literacy instruction for PK-5 students will NOT be required to earn the early literacy endorsement. In the future, if the educator does teach PK-5 literacy, they would be required to earn the early literacy endorsement in order to renew their license.
   
   All Indiana educators are still welcome and strongly encouraged to participate in science of reading training (including, the free training through Keys to Literacy or the many other options available).
     
3. Concerns about the PRAXIS and what happens if a teacher does not pass
   
   Of the four themes outlined here, concerns about the Praxis exam have been the most common…and also the most tricky to solve. We continue to work extensively to expand the number of training options that teachers can apply toward the 80-hour requirement, and as that list grows, the need for a consistent, quality measure becomes even more important.
   
   To take a step back, currently, Praxis content examinations are used as the measure of proficiency for making content additions to Indiana's professional educator licenses. For the early literacy endorsement in particular, the Teaching Reading: Elementary (5205) Praxis exam was chosen based on its strong alignment to the science of reading (per the National Council on Teacher Quality). Indiana is now one of several states and territories where the exam is used and all use the same cut score (159 or higher, which is 67 correct responses out of 107 possible raw points).We have hosted several meetings with educators on this topic, and we also commit to convening an educator advisory team specifically focused on exploring other potential ways to provide a consistent, quality measure that ensures we are best implementing science of reading practices.
4. Additional, no cost training options
   Last week, in response to the early demand, we announced additional training opportunities through Keys to Literacy for fall 2024 and spring 2025. Because PK-5 literacy teachers have three years or more to complete the requirements for the early literacy endorsement, some teachers have asked if there will be additional training opportunities beyond spring 2025.
   
   Because the state budget runs on a two-year budget cycle (for example, 2021-2023, 2023-2025, and 2025-2027, etc.), the current training is funded through the conclusion of the current state budget. We will absolutely continue to advocate for sustained funding for free teacher literacy training when the General Assembly convenes in January to build the 2025-2027 budget.

As a reminder, the FAQ with additional information can be found here, and we will continue to add additional questions and answers as they arise. 

Please continue to share your solution-ideas as we work together to ensure more Indiana students learn to read. As always, thank you for all that you do for our students!

You can vote your feelings, feel free.  My opinion is that politicians have made teaching incredibly difficult each year I've been a teacher.  This year may take the cake.  I thought that (man #1) and (man #2) were bad for education, but look at HEA 1558.  After that, take a look at the likely new Indiana graduation requirements.  We don't have enough teachers now.  These things aren't going to help recruit new teachers.  

I'd prefer you search yourself, so you can choose your preferred news venues, but look at a few to see different perspectives. 

Manchester open

https://www.mcs.k12.in.us/en-US/employment-b63f443d

On 4/26/2024 at 2:12 PM, US31 said:

I literally heard an opinion on this directly from Coach Sharpe himself.  It was very......

....."colorful"😇

And I hear over and over how forthright, honest, and what tremendous people these officials and administrators are.  :). I've seen way too much in these holy halls. 

6 minutes ago, tango said:

Interesting back stories. Thanks. Those damn cheatin' publics...  LOL

You have any insight on the NIL and transfer topics that were evidently discussed?

 

Remember when DeSantis was on the committee and Bremen went one way and Jimtown was sent to Fort Wayne for sectionals?

On 4/24/2024 at 8:15 AM, HHPatriots said:

I weep for these poverty programs.

I wasn't sure if it was a Frankfort, Gibson Southern, or Heritage Hills fan. 

37 minutes ago, Muda69 said:

What did they expect the result of pumping trillions of new printed dollars into the economy would be?  Econ 101, it tends to make the value of all currency less, reducing spending power and raising prices.

Also:  https://reason.com/2024/03/21/emergency-spending-is-out-of-control/

 

So, what is the answer? Argentina?

On 4/22/2024 at 9:49 AM, Muda69 said:

Why the US Debt Is Unsustainable and Is Destroying the Middle Class:  https://mises.org/mises-wire/why-us-debt-unsustainable-and-destroying-middle-class

This is the future the boomers are leaving for our children and grandchildren.  A future of serfdom and debt to the state.

 

Rich guys have done this, not the boomers.  I think I'll need to take an economics course at a conservative Christian university and at a public school and see how they differ.

Yay, #95!  hahaha

On 4/19/2024 at 3:37 PM, Muda69 said:

Fighting the good fight I see.  Good for the Minutemen.

 

https://www.calm.com/blog/how-to-be-more-present

On 11/22/2023 at 7:54 PM, littleviking75 said:

Lol. Theyll be lucky to score 7

Good call.  I worked way too much last fall, just catching up.

On 4/15/2024 at 8:43 AM, Muda69 said:

Thank you for that anecdote.  Mr. Benner was a regular Nostradamus. 

Circumlocution, multivalence, evasiveness---Nostradamus had to make money.  🙂

On 3/19/2024 at 1:02 PM, Muda69 said:

Wow.  That's a pretty taxpayer penny.  Thank you.

 

Investment?

That's a whale of a small school at Maria Stein.  Wow!

On 2/5/2024 at 6:10 AM, Goose Liver said:

Are there any school systems that have student enrollments of 50,000 anywhere in the United States? (asking for a friend)

WorldAtlas

Largest School Districts In The United States

On 1/25/2024 at 10:29 PM, vicvinegar said:

https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/indiana/rankings

 

Speedway has less than 2,000. Now let's look at the schools once you get pass the wealthy suburbs of Indy. What I see is Heritage Hills, Cascade, Tell City, Eastern, Northwestern, Manchester, North Putnam, Argos... The list goes on. 

 

Where is Warren? Lawrence Central? Jeff? Elkhart? I mean Elkhart just consolidated... One would think they should be at the top of the list!!! 

I have taught/coached at a lot of schools. Some were in a wealthy community, some in a poor community. Some were large corporations and others were small. There are a lot of factors that go into a school corporation being successful academically. One of the last factors would be school corporation size. 

The most important would be parent involvement. So how about we start by fixing that. 

3 hours ago, jets said:

Of course they are ....and what is the process for selecting/appointing individuals on said "committees?" 

Cronyism

On 11/29/2023 at 7:51 AM, Muda69 said:

The best solution is for the IHSAA to go to a true system of promotion/relegation, and take enrollment entirely out of it's classification system.  

Much like the success factor, this won't work because the kids aren't there for long.  Your examples in soccer still have dominant teams.  Recruiting will only get worse and intentional losses will come.  

Nifty Nine

Shank

Spencer

Lindsay

Millhouse

Carsten

Custard

Knipp

Egts

Griffith

https://ihsaapublic.blob.core.windows.net/flipbook/2001-02/fb/index.html#p=13

3 hours ago, Muda69 said:

Sorry, I've tried and I just don't understand what you are trying to say here.    If you deem to rewrite your statement I will definitely consider it and compose a response.  Maybe get a English teacher from the RHS English department to assist you?

You've got to be kidding me.  His words sound just like somebody talking.  You have to be lying.

On 10/29/2023 at 5:41 PM, MacAttack53 said:

Manchester shocks the world on Friday night!

Last TRC team left in the tournament!

Hmm.

On 10/31/2023 at 7:48 PM, Indiana Fan said:

Just terrible! Are you kidding me? Can’t do better than that? Ridiculous. How about start promoting the product in a better way and make it the best it can be.

Some company is going to have to put the $$ up.

On 10/31/2023 at 12:16 PM, LuersLurker said:

Even if Luers made it to the state game.  I would not be paying just to watch it on my computer.  They use to air it for free on television (with commercials of course).

Get with the times. 

On 10/31/2023 at 7:13 PM, MarkCalaway said:

The fact that the IHSAA forces you to buy an online ticket as well as an online subscription to view the games tells you all that you need to know. 

online subscription?  The app is free and they have lots of content.