WHERE ARE YOU?

 

As schools are out for summer, where are all of the public education supporters? Now, more than ever, we must step up our game and focus on reclaiming our education system from the "reformers" and "extremists". These people never sleep. They do not take a summer "vacation" from their attempts to completely destroy and privatize our public schools. Just read the news articles, blogs, and education forums. You can see these "crazies" continue to spread their venom and distraction across the nation. We can no longer stand alone and cry "foul". We MUST unite and take on the daunting challenge of setting the course to return our schools back to their PUBLIC.

Indiana is a hotbed for the "guinea pig" reforms of Bennett, Daniels, Bush, Rhea, and Gates. We can no longer allow these corporate minded "reformers" access to our children or schools. We are doing our children a grave disservice if we take a "summer vacation" while these so called education "experts" continue to dismantle our schools while we sit poolside sipping margaritas and telling "war stories". No, we MUST be in this battle with no opportunity to rest until the last of these destructive reforms is stopped and our children's educational futures re restored to the very PUBLIC that supports them.

I challenge all who read this to share it, get involved, get others involved, spread the word. . . PUBLIC education supporters are here to stay. We are not going away and we are not going to stop. We are ready for battle. We proved last November that we want our schools back from these reform minded individuals who only support corporate greed. We now must show them that November was not a fluke, and it most definitely was a a direct recall of these reform policies. We can do this by starting now to campaign for 2014, 2016, and beyond.

Where are you? Are you in the fight or on the sidelines? Once you answer the question it is time to answer the call to battle. It is time to once again stand up and make our voices heard.

 

TUESDAY TATTLER - ISTEP+ REVIEW

Yesterday, Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz announced that the Department of Education has hired the National Center for the Improvement of Educational Assessment (NCIEA) to determine whether testing interruptions experienced by students invalidated high stakes ISTEP+ test scores.

“These interruptions were simply unacceptable,” Ritz said. “Because the stakes of this test are so high, the results must be beyond reproach.”

Ritz said she will suggest districts put less weight on ISTEP scores in teacher evaluations than they otherwise would have.

"I'm hoping Indiana wants to reduce the high stakes attached to this test,” she added.

The Tattler's opinion is that the list if kids affected was incomplete. Testing company CTB/McGraw Hill says more than 78,200 students had their exams disrupted.  There are reports, by educators and administrators, where entire classes were briefly interrupted and such classes and students are not showing up on the DOE list.  These students were also adversely affected when their schedules were changed at the last minute, testing days delayed, testing spread out over three weeks, etc. Neither students nor patents knew when their testing would take place for sure, and it prolonged and added stress to all the students lives.  Will the NCIEA investigation report show all of this? 

High stakes testing has become the reformer's dream to destroy public education once and for all.  Testing companies and textbook publishers have made millions off of our children through the development of flawed tests and unnecessary standards.  CTB/McGraw Hill made out like bandits thanks to former state superintendent Tony Bennet's contract for ISTEP+.  Now, the question is, will they be responsible for footing any of the $53,000 bill for this independent review?

In November we elected Glenda Ritz to slow the wave of reform and turn the tide of destruction.  She has shown time and again to be in tune to the needs of Indiana's public school students, parents, and teachers.  We must hold onto the hope that,  with these adverse situations, she will continue to do what she was elected to do and save our public schools from total destruction at the hands of high
stakes testing, arrogant legislators, and those dastardly education "reformers".  While we have put our confidence in her abilities, we must also continue to question and seek answers.   

Ritz herself stated, "Keep in mind that students were not interrupted in their entire testing. They were interrupted in perhaps a test session or two, and much of the data on their test will be accurate. I do think it’s valuable for students to see it, parents to see it, and for teachers to see it." 

Just what that means is not certain, but the Tattler believes that this years ISTEP+ test results are all tainted in some way and the only valid means of handling them is to "punt", disregard the results statewide, and hope for a better situation as the DOE irons out the issues. Just calling for an independent review is not enough, we must continue to be diligent in seeking answers and in making certain that our public education system remains intact for our children.

BOB BEHNING - PUBLIC EDUCATION'S #1 ENEMY

 

 

Indiana State Representative Robert Behning has gone from failed florist to PUBLIC Education's #1 enemy.  He has become a self-proclaimed education "reform" expert as Chairman of the House Education Committee.  In this role he has made every attempt to destroy and dismantle Indiana's Public school system in order to further line the wallets of his private school and private corporation cronies.  He has become an ALEC "all star" with his strong desire to write and utilize ALEC legislation into Indiana law to further cripple Indiana's public schools.  He seems to thrive on the destruction set in motion by former Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels and former Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Bennett.  Representative Behning seems poised to continue his assault on Indiana's school children through his horrendous legislation and arrogant manner. He made many attempts to strip newly elected Superintendent of Public Instruction, Glenda Ritz, of power and pushed one of the most vigorous voucher expansion programs in the nation through the legislature.  Behning did all these things against the wishes of his constituency by ignoring the voices calling for more public education support and less stripping our public schools down for the benefit of private and charter expansions.

 

As the picture above shows, Representative Behning claims to be glad to ehar from his constituents.  However, in stark contrast, the man whose website says he wants to hear from you doesn't really want to hear what you think about standards because you're too stupid to understand them anyway. 

 

It is time for Indiana voters in his district to take a stand for children and Public Education, by showing up in 2014 to vote him out of a seat in District 91 that has held since 1992. A seat he seems confident is safe for him to regain with little effort in 2014.

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 - TIMEOUT

Today the Tuesday Tattler takes a Timeout from tattling on those who seek to destroy public education.  Instead of tattling on anyone this week, the Tattler looks to explain the existence of Hoosier Voices for Public Education.

Hoosier Voices for Public Education is your Independent Source for PUBLIC Education Information. 

The mission from day one has been that Hoosier Voices is dedicated to the support of Indiana's public schools. We will discuss ideas, share information, and continue to hold our government representatives accountable.  We will discuss ideas and policies that affect the learning environments of Hoosier school children, as well as past, present, and future legislation that seeks to undermine the very characteristic of what it means to be a PUBLIC school in Indiana.  We will work together to stand up for Hoosier school children statewide.

Hoosier Voices prides itself as an "independent" and "free of charge" organization for supporting Indiana's PUBLIC schools.  Hoosier Voices for Public Education is beholden to no one.  This organization does not receive funds from lobbying organizations.  Hoosier Voices is unlike other advocacy groups in that it is an independent source of information flow to public education supporters.  This organization represents ALL of Indiana's public school children, their parents, their teachers, and all who seek to support a traditional public education in the state of Indiana.  This is done without ever asking for "membership fees" to pay lobbyists or to "bankroll" political campaigns.  Hoosier Voices does not pay for lobbyists, as there is a much much larger cause than any one lobbyist can support.  Instead Hoosier Voices acts to inform public education supporters of important situations and circumstances that require each one can act individually to advocate for the public education they support.

Hoosier Voices for Public Education will remain independent in function proactive in supporting Indiana's PUBLIC schools.  Indiana's public school children, parents, teachers, and schools have taken huge hits over the past few years, and it is time for us to stand together to slow the tide of reform, stifle the stealing of PUBLIC education money to fund vouchers for for-profit private/charter schools, and to do so in a manner that is free flowing and transparent.  Hoosier Voices will continue to share the latest happenings in public education around the state and how each individual supporter can get involved to make a difference for Indiana's children.  In essence, Hoosier Voices for Public Education is NOT For Sale! 

TUESDAY TATTLER 10

This is the Triple "T" Edition of Tuesday Tattler, as it is Tuesday Tattler TEN.  For this installment the tattler once again puts pressure on the Indiana Senate to VOTE NO on Voucher Expansion (HB 1003) and calls on public school advocates to focus on 10 specific Senators in making calls. 

WE CAN STILL DEFEAT HB1003 in the Senate

After passing two Senate committees last week, the voucher expansion bill (HB1003) did NOT come up for second reading Thursday. That means it has to get both second and third reading votes before the end of day this Wednesday.   Late this Monday afternoon, the senate began hearing amendments to HB 1003. Democrats offered one that would make a line-item for vouchers in the overall budget. This would allow for tracking the funding and also guarantee a certain amount for public education to have in its budget. This amendment was voted down by Republicans on a straight party line.

Remember: vouchers come out of the budget for public schools first and THEN the remaing moneis are distributed to public schools. It is important that all Senators hear from passionate public school advocates in the next 24 hours.  Lobbyists have been contacting Senators one by one, and your messages will add urgency. If we can defeat this bill in the Senate, we don't have to worry about battling it again in the House.

We most definitely CAN put an end to this fiasco that is robbing money from public schools and slow the destructive process current legislators seem hell bent on forcing onto our public schools.  For the most part, the overarching concern of those senators (all Republican) who are possibly waffling on this HB1003, is financial.  Remember that Senator Skinner of the Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee has said that they don't know and can't tell us just how much this bill will actually cost the public schools' budgets. How can they be fiscally responsible and support this?

Below are your Tuesday Tattler "10" to contact immediately!

Here is a list of some specific Senators to contact, along with reasons and rationale for making contact. Please make as many contacts as possible over the next few hours. It is vital that ALL senators hear the reasons why this bill is one of the most detrimental to PUBLIC education to come from the house so far. 

CONTACT THESE SENATORS SPECIFICALLY!! 

1.) Senator Mishler (R) of District 9 (Marshall County and Kosciusko County) said that , although he agrees with "choice" he has some major reservations. He is in the area near Warsaw and in his area there are almost no schools that one can use vouchers for! If you know anyone in that area, please let them know that they need to contact him and let him know that they, too, have deep concerns. For most of these waffling Republicans, my understanding is that they are worried about the cost. During the Tax and Fiscal Policy committee, Mishler said he "reserves the right to vote against it on the floor. " Let's all encourage him to vote NO and let him know that this bleeding of funds will hurt the public schools in his district. His email is: s9@iga.in.gov.

2.) Senator Zakas  (District 11) was first elected in 1982 and he may be a key vote. He is a Catholic and is probably getting a lot of pressure from Catholic school parents and schools. If you are Catholic or you know some Catholic school parents who don't believe in de-funding public schools, please try to contact him. Or if you know anyone in that area, of course. His email is : s11@iga.in.gov.

3.) Senator Landske  (District 6) She was originally sworn into the Senate in 1984. ( Lake County, Newton County, and Benton County area).  Senator Landske has fiscal concerns about this bill and needs to hear from as many constituents as possible asking her to be fiscally responsible and VOTE NO.  Tell Sue that 1003 is bad for her community! Tri-Creek and other schools will only suffer from voucher expansion!!! Her email is s6@iga.in.gov

4.) Senator Charbonneau ( District 5) (Valpo and Rensselear area) has shown that he has serious reservations about the A-F grading system of our schools. Now the HB1003 includes an amendment that would allow anyone in an "F" school district to take a voucher. A Kindergartner within an "A" elementary school district but that also has an "F" high school, could go straight to a private one. Let's encourage him to see the misuse of this grading system in this bill and, of course, the financial ramifications of these millions of dollars leaving our public school budget. Let's Remind Ed what he said at the Legislative Breakfast about 1003/vouchers being an Indianapolis issue, not Northwest Indiana. Tell him we expect him to vote with Northwest Indiana, not be complacent with the party line! His email is s5@iga.in.gov

5.) Senator Kenley (District 20, Hamilton County) had been wonderful at arguing against expanding these vouchers. His concerns are financial, but he also pointed out that they are doing a bait and switch type of thing by allowing wealthier families to receive these vouchers as well as not requiring so many kids to try the public schools first. He needs to be thanked for this and encouraged to vote against the bill. He has suggested that we have a study first to see how the vouchers are working for kids. Please encourage him to push for that before we expand the program. He also seems to be very concerned with the way special education will be hurt by this bill (see Vic's notes). His email is s20@iga.in.gov

6.) Senator Steele (District 44, Bedford, Columbus, Nashville area: Brown Co., Lawrence Co, Jackson Co. and some Monroe Co.) was concerned during the first voucher bill with accountability of the private schools. He added an amendment that was about something like civics and morals being taught in those voucher schools requiring some accountability. That provision for accountability was promptly tossed aside by Tony Bennett and crew. They only have to observe 5% (13 total) schools and have a very vague review of what goes on. Accountability as well as financial cost might be a good argument for him. Please let your friends know. Here's his email: s44@iga.in.gov

7.) Senator Bray, freshman senator whose family background does not support public education or fiscal education funding. District 37 (Morgan County and some Putnam. Martinsville) email: s37@iga.in.gov

8.) Senator Crider, like Bray, is new to the senate (so they didn't vote for vouchers in 2011) He is District 28. (Greenfield). Email s28@iga.in.gov

9. ) Senator Waltz, District 36 (Marion County and Norther Johnson County) In the Senate since 2004, he has an investment banking company, The Baron Group, Inc., which specializes in mergers, acquisitions, and capitalization of small to mid size private companies in the transportation and manufacturing industries.  This financial background should make him aware of the fiscal irresponsibility of VOUCHERS. His email is s36@iga.in.gov

10.) Senator Leising, District 42 (Rushville, Connersville) a member of the Education and Career Development committee, she should most definitely be aware of the destructive nature of this fiscally irresponsible legislation. s42@iga.in.gov


These senators should also hear from you with the financial concerns:

Senator Alting, District 22. See map His email is s22@iga.in.gov

Senator Becker, District 50 (Evansville area). Her email is s50@iga.in.gov

Senator Boots , District 23 ( Crawfordsville and Lebanon area). His email s23@iga.in.gov

Senator Head, District 18 His email s18@iga.in.gov

Senator Paul, District 27 (Richmond area) His email is s27@iga.in.gov

WEDNESDAY WIRE

Spring Break is over and, as I journey back to Indiana from sunny Daytona Beach, Florida and review the week's political happenings so far, I write to remind all readers how we accomplished our goal in November and what we must do now to continue that success.

We did not elect Glenda Ritz by sitting idly by and watching others take on the task alone.  Nor did we let our opponents go unnoticed for their attempts to destroy our PUBLIC schools.  No, we worked together to turn a grassroots campaign into a nationally historic election event.  It is now time for our legislators to be reminded of this accomplishment.  They continue to be hell bent on ignoring the voices of the voters and pushing through legislation to further destroy and deplete public schools across the state.  

The passage of HB 1003 to the full senate is just one clear attempt by our elected officials to take more public tax money and fund their own pockets in the form of private and charter schools.  Do not be fooled one minute that they are simply doing this for those who "seek" to transfer from "failing" schools by assisting them through tuition support.  No, they are doing this to please their campaign contributors who make money from these private  and charter school ventures.  

It is time for the full senate to hear from PUBLIC school supporters regarding HB 1003.  We MUST CALL and demand a NO vote on HB 1003 and put an end to voucher expansion once and for all.  Our elected officials need to be reminded NOW that we vote, and their seats are not safe when they are up for re-election if they continue to slash and deplete our public schools and rob from our children.

Do not think that we stop here! PUBLIC school advocates must be aware that Representative Robert Behning, you remember the florist who is an education "expert", is back at it in House.  Common Core, A-F Revisions and Turnaround Operators are Back

Yesterday, Chairman Behning brought an amendment to Senate Bill 493 revisiting several topics from earlier in the session. Senate Bill 493 is Senator Hershman’s bill to give grants to schools that achieve well on ISTEP. Now it includes several new provisions, including:

· A State Board review of Common Core.

· A fiscal cost assessment of Common Core.

· Voiding the current A-F system, to be replaced by November 15, 2013.

· Putting “A” through “F” school grades in law.

· A thorough rewrite of the 1999 Public Law 221, changing the central goal from “improvement” to “performance.”

· Allowing turnaround school operators who take over a school to expand to other grade levels “not currently provided by the school.”

Many of these ideas came out of the failed House Bill 1337. HB 1337 was defeated as a result of PUBLIC school supporters being involved in the process and expressing concerns overnight Billy's contents.  As we see the negative effects of these provisions being  added to SB 493 by way of amendments by Behning, we must once again take the florist to task and shut him down.  Representative Behning is aware we are coming for his seat, heis trying all he can to push his agenda while he still has a chance to destroy our public schools.  Keep and eye on the battle looming over this bill.   It is worthy to note, while many of us want to see revisions in the A-F system, when Florist Behning was asked if State Superintendent Ritz had input into this A-F plan, he said she did not.

Also in the House Education Committee, an amendment was added to SB 1 that would require an armed school protection officer in every public school in Indiana.  Notice was given by Rep. Sue Errington that this UNFUNDED mandate for an armed person doesn’t apply to private schools.  

 “If you believe this is the way to protect children, why not private schools as well as public schools – especially if they are taking public dollars?” she asked."

According to the bill, a school protection officer would be required in each school and must be on the property during regular school hours and carry a loaded firearm. That person could be a teacher or other school employee who has volunteered and undergone additional training.  If no volunteers come forward,  districts then might have to hire someone, though there is no money in the bill to train employees or hire outside guards. 

A few questions to ask yourself about this amendment and SB 1 ...

1)  Do you want an armed "staff" person in your child's school building?

2) How will schools fund the training and pay of an armed "staffer"?

3) If this is important legislation, why is is good for our Public schools, but not for private schools who receive tuition support from our tax dollars intended to support public education.

Spring Break is over! It is time to get back the momentum from November and raise our voices loud to make sure our PUBLIC schools come out with minimal destruction from this legislative session.  We must STOP HB 1003 in the Senate, and take a stand again when it comes to SB 493 in the House.

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

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