A Tony Bennett Legacy

 

Tony Bennett left many "messes" for Hoosiers to contend with.  Along with his many disastrous reforms, he also gave CTB McGraw-Hill (a campaign contributor) a vendor contract for ISTEP testing.  This week as ISTEP testing was to get underway, computer glitches have caused a suspension/pause in testing two days in a row.  New state Superintendent Glenda Ritz is on top of the situation, and is working with CTB to aleviate the problems and reach appropriate solutions. 

TUESDAY TATTLER 11



Let's take a look at last minute power struggles in the Indiana State Legislature.  As usual, Representative Bob Behning is at the core of most of the bills focussed on the destruction of Indiana's PUBLIC schools and set to dole out more funding to his favored private school contributors.  Along with the expansion of vouchers, Representative Behning seems intent on continuing the reform wagon pulled by former Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett.  Take a look at the bills listed below, where they stand in each house of the state legislature, and who is supporting or opposing each. 
According to StateImpact . . .

Senate Bill 1: A conference committee looking at the school safety bill is scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday. As you may be aware, the controversial amendment requiring armed personnel in every Indiana school has been sent to summer study committee, but lawmakers still need to work out differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill.

Senate Bill 207: Last week the House agreed to a partial rollback of a 2011 law that bars undocumented students from paying in-state tuition. The bill goes back to the Senate for concurrence.

House Bill 1003: The bill’s author, Rep. Bob Behning, R-Indianapolis, says he won’t fight Senate changes to the bill that significantly narrow voucher expansion. Instead, he’s proposed a modest increase in the tuition cap — $400 over the next two years.

House Bill 1327: House lawmakers were expected to vote Monday on a proposal to relax superintendent licensure requirements. Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann cast the tie-breaking vote when the bill left the Senate earlier this month. Now the House needs to approve those changes before the bill can go to Gov. Mike Pence.

House Bill 1427: We’re waiting to see if a proposal that would halt implementation of new academic standards will pass the House or head to conference committee. Sen. Scott Schneider, R-Indianapolis, added anti-Common Core language to the bill after a separate Senate timeout proposal stalled in the House Education Committee. Behning, who chairs that panel, is a staunch supporter of the new standards and says he’d like to see HB 1427 head to conference committee, but Schneider feels he has the votes he needs in the House to succeed.

When we look ahead to the end of this session, April 29 at latest, we must also begin looking ahead to future elections and determine who we need to take a close look at voting out. 

TUESDAY TATTLER 7

State Representative Bob Behning (R-Indianapolis) has once again shown his elitist arrogance by stating his refusal to hear a bill that directly supports Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz's stance on slowing down and re-evaluating the Common Core State Standards.  From the start the Common Core has been unpopular with educators, administrators, and parents across the state.  They were implemented by former Superintendent Tony Bennett and have been a contentious point of duscussion concerning everything from cost to possible conflict of interest of state representatives (Rep. Todd Huston (R-Fishers) works for the man who wrote Common Core, one of its foremost promoters).

During the first half of the legislative session, by a bipartisan 38-11 vote, the Indiana Senate passed Senate Bill 193 to hold public hearings in every congressional district on Common Core,  and to study how much new tests, textbooks, and teacher training because of it would cost taxpayers.  This bill, although many feel it should never have been written, supports Superintendent Ritz's statement, “Common Core Standards must be re-evaluated. Indiana had exceptional standards before Common Core.” 

It should be within the Superintendent's power through the SBOE and as leader of the DOE to call for statewide review, without the necessity of legislative intervention through any bill regarding Common Core.  However, in a compromise with the bills original intent to put an immediate end to common core altogether, the Superintendent supported the amended bill calling for the statewide hearings.  With the legislature seemingly attempting to destroy her authority as the highest elected Democrat in state office, it is not surprising the Representative Behning has come out against a bill that would show even the slightest support for Superintendent Ritz.

As House Education Committee Chairman,  Representative Behning (R-Indianapolis) says no constituent or colleague concerns have changed his mind about refusing to hear the bill as it crosses from the Senate to the House.  With his arrogance swelling, Behning made some pretty questionable remarks regarding his constituents and the citizenry of Indiana.  After making comments that he is not excited about hearing the bill, he stated that if it is heard "it wouldn’t look like it does now,”  

Behning continued his statement regarding the bill by saying, “We’ve never ever gone to that level of public input."

He says,  “Frankly, most of the time the public would not have a very easy time even understanding what standards are, let alone trying to help form them.”

That sounds like a man who thinks so highly of himself, and his knowledge of education, that he would totally disregard the PUBLIC he is elected to serve because they would not even begin to understand what standards are.  Yes,  I am sure his life as a florits qualifies him to make such grand statements about education, and his constituency.  His pompous attitude is wearing on this writer, and I think it is time he speak to his constituents and explain why he appears to have no faith in their ability to communicate and understand discussions regarding education matters.

Mr. Behning, it is time you realize that your constituents are not only intelligent, they are also listening and watching your every move this legislative session, and your days may well be numbered come election time.  Enjoy your attempts to destroy our PUBLIC schools now, because your time is up and someone who actually knows something about education is coming for your seat!


Quotes and information thanks to The Heartland Institute Article "Indiana Common Core Bill Bottlenecked in House"

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Hoosier Voices for Public Education would like to thank all our supporters for our growing success and our statewide reach.  We are amazed and excited about the opportunity we have had and will continue to have to bring pertinent information regarding PUBLIC education to those who truly support all that PUBLIC education represents.  As we celebrate the success of making over 1,300 “friends” on Facebook and reaching over 7,200 page views on the blog (in our first 37 days of existence on blogspot), we would like to give back to our supporters.  Make sure you have liked the Hoosier Voices page on FB, clicked like on the celebration post on Facebook,  and comment below on this celebration post by our 2 month anniversary (March 25). We will randomly select one lucky supporter to receive a free gift.

The Race To Waste $46 Mil In The House

An Open Letter

To The Members of The House Committee On Education,

HB 1003 is scheduled for a hearing and you are expected to vote on this bill today. As a mom of 2 children that attend Public School in Northwest Indiana, as a woman raised on a grain and hog farm in Central Indiana, and as Hoosier through and through, I implore you to vote NO on this measure. It needs to stop where it is at in an attempt to bring a little bit of common sense back to your actions.

Indiana's voucher program (the LARGEST voucher program in the country) has been legally challenged as it conflicts with the Indiana Constitution on two grounds. First, that you as Representatives are charged with creating policy in line with the Constitution which directs you to educate children through a system of common schools - Indiana's "so-called" Public Education system. Second, you as Representatives are charged with creating policy that would not compel "We The Taxpayers" to pay taxes which support religious institutions.

This legal challenge has not been resolved and to be quite frank with you, the Legislators interested in "reforming" Indiana's Public Education System might be surprised how it ends. Now you plan to expand a program this session, that will potentially be deemed unconstitutional? Where is the common sense in that action! This isn't the Indy 500 - you don't have to pass it now - time is on your side and you should use it to your advantage. Sit it out, let us see what happens in court before moving forward in any method or manner on this Bill.

Finally, I will argue and I believe MOST of the taxpaying and voting citizens agree on this...It is NOT your responsibility to pay for - with my tax dollars - "school choice" in Indiana. My tax dollars should be going to the benefit of Indiana citizens as a whole, to the betterment of most all Hoosiers, not just a few. Private and Religious Schools can not and will not serve most all Hoosiers. If a parent chooses to send their child to a Religious School - so be it, that is their choice. They should have to deal with the financial implications of their choice. The rest of the children in the State of Indiana should not pay for their choice.

Now, you vote how you want, but don't forget the rest of us regular hard-working Hoosier moms and dads are watching - and we will vote in less than 2 years. And if Public Education continues to be dismantled, I guarantee you - my vote will go with Public Education.

Sincerely,

The Hoosier Mom On Politics