Preparing for change: State school superintendent warns of potential cuts, accountability, school grading

Clark County

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November 6, 2009

By TARA HETTINGER The News and Tribune Fri Nov 06, 2009, 06:08 PM EST

With financial cuts looming in the state, Indiana’s top education official Tony Bennett stopped by The Evening News and The Tribune on Friday to talk about what’s to come with budget cuts, teacher licensure changes, grading schools based on performance and charter schools, among other topics.

BUDGETS

Bennett reiterated the message he told school superintendents this week to put major expenses and contract decisions on hold.

“It was giving them a heads up ... Up to this point, we have done all that we can do to protect K-12 education,” Bennett said. “I think everything is now on the table [as far as potential cuts].”

This comes as Gov. Mitch Daniels announced Friday a series of spending cuts and other steps designed to offset a $310 million dollar decline in state revenue. Bennett said he doesn’t think school districts’ general funds — which pays mostly for salaries and is controlled by the state — will be immune from those reductions.

In a move to save more money, Bennett said ideas will be put on the table for the legislature, such as possibly consolidating school corporations.

Bennett said he isn’t sure yet on the details of how much, if any, will be cut, but he isn’t optimistic.

“I think this is going to get worse before it gets better,” he said.

TEACHER LICENSES

Bennett dismissed criticism on the proposed teacher licensure changes, which would require more content-focused classes for teachers during college and more, saying changes are needed.

“It needs to happen. We have a responsibility to make sure our kids are served to prepare them for the 21st century,” he said. “I think there is no question that if you are going to teach a subject like math, I think the first key ingredient is that you have to know math. I also think the other ingredient is that you have to know how to teach.

“We’re trying to make sure we have the right blend.”

He said the educational system in Indiana is resistant to change and he will push it to have more competition, freedom and accountability.

He said the licensure changes — which would allow a quicker path for people switching careers to teaching — is the way to go to bring more qualified people into the field. He said this will help widen and deepen the pool of qualified, potentially talented teachers.

He said in addition to competition is the freedom aspect.

“Besides charter schools, I think every school in school corporations in the state should run in a charter-like environment,” Bennett said. “That’s why we stripped out a bunch of the regulations.”

He said Indiana allowed laptops to be counted as textbooks, alternative methods for giving physical education credit and other steps.

ACCOUNTABILITY

With accountability, the third aspect, Bennett said he’s in favor of paying more to teachers who are succeeding in the classroom and ranking schools with grades to show their performance to the community.

Bennett said the state has piloted three differentiated pay methods, one based on individual performance, another on building performance and the third on extended time in the classroom.

Bennett said the job is to now build a model that works for school corporations.

GRADING SCHOOLS

Making schools accountable is something else Bennett hopes to achieve. He wants schools to start receiving a grade, A through F, this spring.

“It’s transparent and easy to understand,” Bennett said. “It’s compelling for the community to take action.”

Bennett said he hopes to give grades to schools based on performance as well as how much students improve from one year to the next.

He said he plans to have this implemented in the spring following the Public Law 221 scores, meaning Exemplary Progress will equate to an A and Academic Probation would be an F.

CHARTER SCHOOLS

As Rock Creek Christian Academy, in Sellersburg, moves on to the final stage in applying to become a charter school, Bennett said charters can help public education for everyone.

“I’m all for charters. I think charters are all part of the competition issue,” Bennett said. “Frankly, I think we need more good charters ... I’m a strong proponent that parents and children should be able to pursue an education opportunity that meets their needs.”