Connecting the Dots: ALEC......to......Indiana - PART 3



Click here to Review Part 2

By Heath Johnson

Attack on Teachers Unions

Other "model" legislation has ALEC's DNA all over it.   Consider SB 312 (Sen. Jim Smith-R) or HB 1334 (Rep. Jeff Thompson and Rep. Woody Burton), which prohibits a school employer from deducting union dues from a teacher's salary.

This piece of legislation was adopted by the Commerce, Insurance, and Economic Development Task Force at the States and Nation Policy Summit, December 2, 1998 and was approved by the ALEC Board of Directors January 1999.

http://alecexposed.org/w/images/c/c9/1R9-Public_Employer_Payroll_Deduction_Policy_Act_Exposed.pdf

Language from this model legislation was reintroduced by Goldwater Institute representative, Byron Schlomach.

More on Virtual Schools
2011's HEA 1002 set into motion the establishment of virtual charter schools in Indiana.  Some of these schools, by the way, employ teachers in other states.  Choice scholarships may now be used to pay student tuition as well as the salaries of these out-of-state teachers.   At the same time, the Republican legislature supported huge cuts to the public education budget, leading to the loss of thousands of Indiana teaching jobs.  Both the choice scholarship legislation and the virtual school language are ALEC-derived.  The choice scholarship is set to be expanded in the 2013 session.   While conservative state lawmakers supported the Mitch Daniels budget slashes to public education, leading to thousands of teacher layoffs, those same lawmakers supported legislation to expand virtual schools.

http://www.thenation.com/article/164651/how-online-learning-companies-bought-americas-schools?page=0,0

As mentioned earlier, the Virtual Public Schools Act was presented on December 4, 2004.  This act provides students and families the choice of using virtual schools to "further the education" of their children.  Model legislation was authored by two virtual school companies,  K12 Inc. and Connections Academy.

So, how has K12 Inc. performed?  Not well here in Indiana and not well in other states.  While managing 2 of the 7 failing charter schools sponsored by Ball State University, they have had huge problems in other "education reform" states as well. 

This ALEC model legislation was also introduced verbatim in Tennessee.  Tennessee’s State Rep. Harry Brooks and State Sen. Dolores Gresham,both ALEC Education Task Force members, introduced the bill to their respective houses nearly verbatim, even using the same title (http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2012/03/01/kappan_underwood.html). 

Tennessee:  K12Inc has sponsored school in Tennessee was just caught doctoring grades.  They have the internal emails where management directed its teachers to review their grade books and delete assignments that had an abnormally high number of failing grades.

http://www.newschannel5.com/story/21129693/email-directs-teachers-to-delete-bad-grades

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/02/12/republican-backed-for-profit-school-caught-deleting-bad-student-grades/

Florida:  K12Inc is under investigation in Florida for allegedly using non-certified teachers and instructing certified teachers to sign class rosters that included students they hadn’t taught.

http://stateimpact.npr.org/florida/2012/09/11/florida-investigates-k12-nations-largest-online-educator/

http://stateimpact.npr.org/florida/2012/09/30/florida-districts-fight-k12s-plan-for-virtual-charter-schools-more-flexibility-or-less-oversight/

Georgia:  K12Inc is under investigation in Georgia for allegedly violating "critical federal special education laws and regulations."

http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local-education/georgia-doe-blasts-georgia-cyber-academy-threatens/nTBmZ/

Colorado:  "...the National Education Policy Center (NEPC) at the University of Colorado shows that students at K12 Inc., ....are falling further behind in reading and math scores than students in brick-and-mortar schools" and "are also less likely to remain at their schools for the full year, and the schools have low graduate rates."

http://nepc.colorado.edu/newsletter/2012/07/understanding-improving-virtual 

Remember:  "It's all about the kids."    So, given K12 Inc's shaky track record, how has it managed its finances?   K12 Inc's (ticker symbol LRN) corporate revenue and profits are at an all-time high and that annual trend is looking to continue.  That makes sense, considering Republican legislatures from around the country passed legislation opening the door for virtual schools.

Balance Sheet 

Notice what happens to K12Inc's bottom line right after the nationwide expansion of virtual schools and the use of vouchers to pay for it.

http://finance.yahoo.com/q/bs?s=LRN+Balance+Sheet&annual

Income Statement

http://finance.yahoo.com/q/is?s=LRN+Income+Statement&annual

These are but a few examples and, as you've probably gathered, I'm ready for a fight.   I want a representative government, one whose legislators understand that they are our employees not one whose legislators are sucking at the corporate teat.  

Help Connect the Dots and End the Cigar Parties

In early February, 2013 I engaged Sen. Brandt Hershman and Rep. Heath VanNatter about their involvement with ALEC and ALEC's role in authoring legislation.   Sen. Hershman responded by claiming, "the idea that corporations are feeding legislation to us is just silly." -- Refer to the 2/19/2013 edition of the Frankfort Times. 

Also, February 2013, I chose to email the Indiana General Assembly about SB 312 and HB 1334, outlining my objections and what I knew about ALEC.  I received a reply from Senator Jim Buck (ALEC State Chairman and ALEC Board of Directors), where he insinuated that I was drunk and not qualified to be a teacher.  How am I supposed to respond to that?   We educate and we fight.   

Educate everyone and demand that your legislators be held accountable with respect to their actions with ALEC!   Expose ALEC legislators and identify ALEC-authored legislation.   I've found that most people have no clue who ALEC is and how they affect their lives.   That must change or the corporate-sponsored cigar parties will continue. 

Below are some important links which may help get you started.

Commoncause.org has filed a complaint about ALEC with the IRS.   They have collected and released over 4,000 pages of ALEC documents.  The 35-day taskforce mailers, outlining "model bills" are here:

http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=8097075

The ALEC Bylaws from 2007 (the latest I could find)., outlining who gets to vote (corporations and legislators) are here:

http://www.prwatch.org/files/ALEC_bylaws.pdf

NPR's Bill Moyers has produced an incredible documentary outlining what ALEC is doing.

http://billmoyers.com/segment/united-states-of-alec/

ALEC Explained in 5 Minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azSUHpAb_E4

A list of ALEC Corporations (use this and followthemoney.org to track campaign financing)

http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/ALEC_Corporations

ALEC Exposed is a great site to research model bills, ALEC member corporations, and AEC legislators.

http://alecexposed.org

http://alecexposed.org/wiki/Bills_Affecting_Americans%27_Rights_to_a_Public_Education



Connecting the Dots: ALEC.....to.....Indiana - PART 2



CLICK HERE TO VIEW PART 1

By Heath Johnson

The "Right" to Know:   Think Again

Call me crazy, but it's my belief that we, as constituent voters, should have the right to know if our legislators are attending ALEC meetings, getting free hotel accommodations, reimbursed travel expenses, free drinks, free meals, free cigars, and.... free corporate-crafted legislation.   This legislation impacts our classrooms and our ability to teach, it impacts our students and their parents, and it impacts the community as a whole.   Well, I guess I'm wrong.   According to an email I received (dated 5/15/12) from the chief counsel for the House Republican Caucus, we don't have a right to such information,

"...the Indiana Supreme Court has held that the provisions of the Access to Public Records Act (“APRA”) do not apply to the Indiana House of Representatives.  In Masariu v. The Marion Superior Court No. 1, 621 N.E.2d. 1097 (Ind. 1993), the Indiana Supreme Court determined that it would not intervene in the internal affairs of the legislative branch of government and that it is up to the legislative branch to decide its own internal procedural rules.

In the time between my May 4 response to your email and today, I contacted the Public Access Counselor (“PAC”) to get guidance on the issue, even though the APRA does not apply to the House of Representatives.  I was advised by the PAC that we are not required to create a list to satisfy an open records request.  [See page 25 of the Handbook on Indiana’s Public Access Laws which you can download here:  http://www.in.gov/pac/files/pac_handbook.pdf or I.C. 5-14-3-3(f).]" 

In other words, constituent voters have no right to know if their legislators are engaging in such activities.  In fact, I think this was the email that finally did it for me.   Following this, I made it my mission to expose Indiana's ALEC members, ALEC legislation, and the ALEC "corporate dating service for lonely legislators and corporate special interests" (Wisconsin State Rep. Mark Pocan).  ALEC's DNA Here are some documents that I've found which helped me understand just how extensive ALEC's influence has been with pushing and passing the education reform legislation.

Prior to ALEC Taskforce meetings the "charitable organization" mails out a packet of information to its members.   Referred to as the 35-day Mailer, it includes the model bills, agenda, registration fees, and information about free hotel accommodations and travel reimbursement.   

Linked below is the ALEC Taskforce 35-day Mailer for the December, 2010 Washington D.C. ALEC taskforce "summit".

http://www.commoncause.org/atf/cf/%7BFB3C17E2-CDD1-4DF6-92BE-BD4429893665%7D/ed_35daymailing-dc.pdf

Much of the "model" legislation in this "Taskforce packet" was authored ad sponsored by the Goldwater Institute and much of it was introduced and/or passed in Florida prior to being pushed in Indiana.   The huge model bill in this packet is referred to the  "A-Plus Literacy Act" and it incorporates "model" legislation already adopted by ALEC.   Discussion and voting was sponsored by Matt Ladner, The Goldwater Institute and moderated by Ms. Mickey Revenaugh, Connections Academy, Private Sector Task Force Chair

Page 15 - School A-F grading "model" legislation
Page 18 - School bonus money grant "model" legislation

Page 19 - School choice scholarship "model" legislation

Page 30 - Private school tax credit "model" legislation

Page 36 - REPA II "model" legislation - alternative teacher certification.

Page 38 - I-Read 3 "model" legislation

Page 70 - Parent Trigger "model" legislation (authored by the Heartland Institute)

Page 121 -  Language outlining Taskforce Member free hotel accommodations and reimbursement of travel expenses.

Specifically, the Parent Trigger bill (HB 1358) in the Indiana General Assembly was written by the Heartland Institute. 

This piece of legislation was authored and presented by the Heartland Institute at the December 3rd, 2010 at the ALEC Education Task Force Meeting held at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, D.C.   Discussion and voting on this original model legislation occurred at 5:05 p.m. on December 3rd, 2010.   It was sponsored by Marc Oestreich, Heartland Institute. and moderated by Ms. Mickey Revenaugh, Connections Academy, Private Sector Task  Force Chairman.
The legislation was authored by (page 99 of the pdf):

Joseph Bast, president of The Heartland Institute
Ben Boychuk, managing editor of The Heartland Institute’s School Reform News
Bruno Behrend, J.D., director of the Center for School Reform at The Heartland Institute
Marc Oestreich, legislative specialist on education and telecommunications at The Heartland Institute

AGENDA of this ALEC 35-day Mailing (page 8 of the pdf)
MODEL BILL (page 70 of the pdf)

See Heartland Institute's statement on the 2013 Indiana bill.

http://heartland.org/press-releases/2013/02/13/heartland-institute-education-expert-reacts-indiana-parent-trigger-bill-pa

CLICK HERE TO READ PART 3

Connecting the Dots: ALEC.....to......Indiana - PART1

Ritz-Carlton Resort Amelia Island

By Heath Johnson

In late 2010, I started to chart a new course in my life, as I began to study the "education reform" legislation which was being proposed by our Republican legislature.   Prior to that, I simply went about the business of shaping young minds and preparing them for the next step in their educational lives, not really paying much attention to politics.      

By the time the Indiana 2011 legislative session began, I had that deer-in-the-headlights look.  Like many other educators from around the state, I was staring down the wave of the "education reform" tsunami.  I felt threatened and unappreciated.  Apparently, I'd been failing my students all these years.  Since the fall of 2010, I had been studying the language of the proposed legislation, then I'd send links to the bills to my colleagues.  I began writing and meeting with my legislators, educating my friends and family, and even started a public education Facebook page, all in an effort to raise awareness.   The more bills I found, the more out of control it all seemed.

At some point I stopped to ask myself , "When did our legislators turn crazy?  Why are they attacking us?  Where did this divisive legislation come from?"  At that point, I started.....connecting the dots.    I'm a science person.   It's in my nature to trace things to their origin, to dissect things, to look at the parts of the sum and the sum of the parts.   As traced the genesis of much of the reform legislation, I'd arrive at one place........... ALEC.

Who is ALEC?

So, who.... is ALEC?  At  the time,  I didn't know.   However, today, I feel like I know them well.

The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is a group of conservative state lawmakers, former conservative state lawmakers, and corporate lobbyists from member corporations and special interest groups.  They meet to discuss, revise, and adopt "business-friendly" model legislation they wish to pass at the state level, pushing their conservative agenda "one statehouse at a time" (Bill Moyers).   Lawmakers pay membership dues, $100 for two years, while corporations pay tens of thousands of dollars to join ALEC.    So, why would corporations pay an exorbitant amount of money to join this organization?   Simple, they want access to state legislators and they can skirt around state lobbying laws by meeting with ALEC-member legislators at ALEC-sponsored events.   How?   Well, ALEC is classified as a 501(c)(3)  "charitable organization" by the IRS, meaning it enjoys tax exempt status, and therefore agrees that its activities are not "attempting to influence legislation."   

                                                                   

"To be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, an organization must be organized and operated exclusively for exempt purposes set forth in section 501(c)(3), and none of its earnings may inure to any private shareholder or individual. In addition, it may not be an action organization, i.e., it may not attempt to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities and it may not participate in any campaign activity for or against political candidates." (http://www.irs.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Charitable-Organizations/Exemption-Requirements-Section-501(c)(3)-Organizations).  

However, one would have a hard time finding any conservative legislation, which hasn't been influenced by this "charitable organization".    ALEC is also exempt from Indiana's lobbying laws, as language in IC-2-7-1-10 provides that they are not lobbyists (http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title2/ar7/ch1.html).  

ALEC's own bylaws outlines that its mission is to, "[d]isseminate model legislation and promote the introduction of companion bills in Congress and state legislatures" and "[f]ormulate legislative action programs."   Today, finding an ALEC-inspired bill or law would be like standing on a beach and throwing a rock into the ocean.  It's hard to miss.   There is good reason for that.  As I pointed out in a recent conversation with Rep. Heath VanNatter (R-38), the Indiana General Assembly "carpet bombed" the legislature with ALEC-authored legislation and this tactic started in 2011.   Consider the strategy outlined in ALEC's 2010 Report Card on American Education: Ranking State K-12 Performance, Progress, and Reform:

Across the country for the past two decades, education reform efforts have popped up in legislatures at different times in different places. As a result, teachers’ unions have been playing something akin to “whack-a-mole” — you know the game — striking down as many education reform efforts as possible. Many times, the unions successfully “whack” the “mole,” i.e., the reform legislation. Sometimes, however, they miss. If all the moles pop up at once, there is no way the person with the mallet can get them all. Introduce comprehensive reform packages. (Ladner, LeFevre, & Lips, 2010, p. 108)

Free Cigars, Free Vacations, and Free Legislation


Here's where it gets interesting.   So, what actually takes place at ALEC's "charity events", known as Taskforce Meetings or Taskforce Summits?   Their main shin digs are referred to as "Taskforce Meetings" and they're typically held twice a year.    However, in February 2012, ALEC hosted a special meeting, an "Education Reform Academy" at the swanky 5-start Ritz-Carlton Resort on Amelia Island, Florida.   At these meetings, ALEC Taskforce member legislators are introduced to "model bills" that have been authored by corporations and special interest groups.   Taskforces are comprised of  legislators and corporations who, behind closed doors, discuss, revise, and adopt model legislation.   Following its adoption, a board member (such as Indiana State Sen. Jim Buck) approves the vote. 

In other words, legislators are receiving ALEC-crafted legislation then bringing it back to the state of Indiana to pass as law, affecting all Hoosiers!  That's where nearly all of the education reform legislation comes from.  Of course, our conservative state lawmakers defend the legislation by claiming it's "all about the kids."

So, what?   Like I mentioned, most of the education reform bills which have been signed into law over the past two years, as well as much of the legislation which is being considered this session, can be traced back to ALEC.

 
Virtual schools

Charter schools expansion

Parent-trigger

Prohibiting payroll deductions of union dues

Merit pay

Alternative teacher certification ( REPA II)

I-Read 3

Private school tax credit

Ending teacher tenure

Exempting charter schools from state regulations applied to public schools

Teacher "bonuses"

It's tough not to connect the dots.   An elephant has arrived in my classroom and I can't help but walk straight into it (pun intended).

Not only do conservative lawmakers receive model bills, but ALEC pays for two nights of luxury hotel accommodations for those that are Taskforce members, reimburses their travel expenses, and provides a state "scholarship" slush fund to reimburse other expenses.   Wisconsin State Representative Mark Pocan (D) attended an ALEC Taskforce meeting (New Orleans 2011) and reported on the silver platter cigar socials, complete with free food and free drinks for lawmakers, all sponsored by ALEC and paid for by member corporations. 

http://billmoyers.com/2012/11/12/wisconsin-state-rep-mark-pocan-elected-to-u-s-congress/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acz9sqXiKHo
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/08/29/1011718/-Inside-ALEC-WI-Rep-Mark-Pocan-Speaks-Out#
http://www.rockcellarmagazine.com/2012/12/03/politician-mark-pocan-goes-undercover-to-expose-clandestine-corporate-conspiracy/  http://www.commoncause.org/atf/cf/%7Bfb3c17e2-cdd1-4df6-92be-bd4429893665%7D/17-ALEC_invites_cigar.PDF

Additionally, with a little investigation at followthemoney.org you will find that ALEC corporations are also filling the campaign coffers of conservative lawmakers.   For example, K12 Inc., the Virginia virtual school corporation, which manages 2 of the 7 failing charter schools sponsored by Ball State University,  donated tens of thousands to Indiana ALEC legislators from 2006 to 2012 in an effort to push legislation establishing virtual schools (On the following table, click on K12 for each year to see a breakdown of that year).    

  http://www.followthemoney.org/database/search.phtml?searchbox=k12+inc&CurrentType=Contributors&so1=C&filter1[]=&filter1[]=&filter1[]=&filter1[]=in&filter1[]=&filter1[]=&filter1[]=#sorttable1

Connections Academy, a Private Sector Education Taskforce Member (meaning they vote on legislation), helped author and adopt ALEC's Virtual Public Schools Act then donated tens of thousands of dollars to Indiana ALEC member legislators.  

http://www.followthemoney.org/database/search.phtml?searchbox=connections+academy&CurrentType=Contributors&so1=C&filter1[]=&filter1[]=&filter1[]=&filter1[]=IN&filter1[]=&filter1[]=&filter1[]=#sorttable1

Both corporations, filled the campaign coffers of Tony Bennett, Brian Bosma, Robert Behning, Luke Kenley, Dennis Kruse, Mitch Daniels, David Long, among others (all ALEC Republicans).


"Model" legislation, the Virtual Public Schools Act was presented at an Education Taskforce meeting on December 4, 2004.   This act provides students and families the choice of using virtual schools to "further the education" of their children.  As mentioned, model legislation was authored by K12 Inc. and Connections Academy.   Ms. Mickey Revenaugh, a lobbyist for Connections Academy, now co-chairs the education policy–writing department of ALEC.  As the corporate chair of ALEC’s Education Task Force, Revenaugh, along with Lisa Gillis (K-12 Inc.), created the bill.

*(www.followthemoney.org is the full site if links don't work properly)


CLICK HERE TO VIEW PART 2

Connecting the Dots: ALEC.....to.....Indiana

ALEC.............................to..........................Indiana

This week Hoosier Voices guest writer, Heath Johnson of Hoosier Educators in Support of Public Education, addresses ALEC and its Indiana connections.  This will be a 3 part blog appearing Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.  Take time to understand ALEC, who they are, and how they opperate nationwide and in Indiana.

Click the Part you wish to read below.

PART 1 - Monday, March 18, 2013

PART 2 - Tuesday, March 19, 2013

PART 3 - Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Snarky Letter and Call To Action: Remove ALEC Agenda Supporters From State Education Committees

My rather snarky email I sent to the House and Senate:

The state's "Education" Committee is is going to vote on HB 1358. It's a "parent trigger bill" (another Republican ALEC bill) that would allow public schools to be taken over by a charter if 51% of the parents of that school voted to do so (and if a parent has more than one child in the school, they get more than one vote). OPPOSE THIS! Respect the established, and duly elected, governing bodies of public schools.

The House "Education" Committee is also voting on HB 1339, which further erodes teacher rights, including allowing a teacher to be suspended without being presented with any justification for that suspension and without the teacher being allowed to defend himself or herself against such suspension.

HB 1339 also allows charter schools to develop their own "performance framework" to report data to the DOE, instead of having to report that same testing data that all other public schools have to report. We're already comparing charter schools to public schools, when charter schools do not have to follow the same regulations as those aforementioned public schools. So why the proposed change? Simple! Charter schools ARE NOT performing as the Republicans, who have sold their souls to them, have claimed. THAT IS A FACT! So, change the rules, right Republicans? OPPOSE THIS!

REPUBLICANS, let me remind you once again to figure out your defense for your involvement with the corporate front group, ALEC, where you get many of these ridiculous bills We will be educating YOUR CONSTITUENCY at YOUR RESPECTIVE LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS about your love affair with this organization.

Finally, it's time that we remove this group of conservatives from the education committee.

Robert Behning (R - Indianapolis) - ALEC MEMBER! ---------------- Not one SECOND of teaching or school administration experience! NONE! Instead, this idiot owns a flower shop, which is great if you're looking to assemble a flower arrangement for grandma. However, it does not qualify him to dictate education policy. This tool kit has authored two bills which are aimed at removing power from the newly-elected Superintendent of Public Instruction. Why? He's mad, a sore loser, and an ideologue.

Luke Kenley (R - Noblesville) - ALEC MEMBER! ---------------------- Not one SECOND of teaching or school administration experience! NONE! He's a judge, which may be great if you're looking to convict traffic offenders. However, it does not qualify him to dictate education policy.

Dennis Kruse (R- Fort Wayne) ------------------ Not one SECOND of teaching or school administration experience! NONE! He's a real-estate agent and auctioneer, which might be great if you're looking to auction off a farm tractor. However, it does not qualify him to dictate education policy. SPECIAL NOTE: Dennis Kruse is the Senator who has consistently made Indiana a laughing stock of the United States (and arguably the world) as he continues to bring forth moronic "creationism bills". When confronted and challenged to take a high school biology exam, he openly admitted that he would fail it.

Sen. Jim Banks (R-Columbia City) - ALEC MEMBER! ------------- Not one SECOND of teaching or school administration experience! NONE! This genius is a poli-sci major who is a managing director for a construction company, which may be great if you're building a tool shed. However, it does not qualify him to dictate education policy.

Sen. James Buck (R - Tipton) - ALEC MEMBER! --------------- Not one SECOND of teaching or school administration experience! NONE! This mental giant is a real estate broker, which is great if you're selling a farm plot. However, it does not qualify him to dictate education policy.

Rep. David Frizzell (R - Indianapolis) - ALEC NATIONAL CHAIRMAN! ----------------- Not one SECOND of teaching or school administration experience! NONE! This tool kit is a Director of External Affairs for Magnolia Health Systems, which may be great if you're into greasing palms and kissing behinds. However, it does not qualify him to dictate education policy. He's the "Grand Poobah" for the American Legislative Exchange Council.

Sen. Carlin Yoder (R - Elkart) - ALEC MEMBER! ----------------- Not one SECOND of teaching or school administration experience!** NONE! This twit owns a dance academy, which is fine if you're into wearing tutus and swingin' your partner round 'n round. However, it does not qualify him to dictate education policy. **Note: I realize little Carlin claims to have been a school administrator at the Clinton Christian School. However, only real schools count here, not fundamentalist cesspools of disinformation.

Sen. Jean Leising (R - Oldenburg) - ALEC MEMBER! ------------------- Not one SECOND of teaching or school administration experience! NONE! She is a farm owner and retired nurse, which is great if you're taking the pulse of a few sheep (valuable skill in the Republican party). However, it does not qualify her to dictate education policy.

Rep. Cindy J. Noe (R - Indianapolis) - ALEC MEMBER! ---------------- Not one SECOND of teaching or school administration experience! NONE! Ms. Noe is "is an active member of her community", which is an incredible thing to put on a resume'. However it does not qualify her to dictate education policy.

Rep. Timothy Brown (R - Crawfordsville) -------------------- Not one SECOND of teaching or school administration experience! NONE! He is a ophthalmologist, which is great if you're trying to see to find your way out of your rectum. However, it does not qualify him to dictate education policy.

Rep. Kathleen Heuer (R - Columbia City) ------------------------ Not one SECOND of teaching or school administration experience! NONE! She is a real estate agent, which is great if you're selling property in Costa Rica. However, it does not qualify her to dictate education policy.

Sen. Scott Schneider (R - Indianapolis) ------------------- Not one SECOND of teaching or school administration experience! NONE! He delivers ice cubes or a living, which is ridiculous. However, it does not qualify him to do ANYTHING let alone dictate education policy. He is a "Charter School Warrior of the Year for 2012". What is a "Charter School Warrior"? Is this a guy who works to destroy public education through supporting the ALEC agenda?

Rep. Edward Clere (R- New Albany) -------------------- Not one SECOND of teaching or school administration experience! NONE! He's another real estate broker. Must be an easy "certificate" to get. It's probably harder to be a cub scout leader. However, it does not qualify him to dictate education policy.

LISTEN: All kidding aside, these folks have no business on the education committee. They don't know the first thing of what life is like in the classroom. Most of them are business folks and have pledged allegiance to ALEC. Schools are not businesses. We are not stamping out parts like a factory. WAKE UP!