As if teaching can't get any worse.

[Robert]

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. 

[Muda69]

I know several young individuals, under the age of 33, who have earned a teaching degree.  All except for one have quit the teaching profession after 5-6 years max.  Primary reasons was not pay but  a) stupid legislation like HEA 1558 and  b) a mostly apathetic/unruly student body.

 

[Robert]

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!

[Muda69]

15 hours ago, Robert said:

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

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. 

 

[Robert]

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.