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30 July 2009
Colbert rips the most idiotic man on television
Go Tony, Go!!!!
Article published Jul 30, 2009
Teacher licensing rules eyed
Schools chief wants changes; board slows plan.
By DEANNA MARTIN Associated Press Writer
INDIANAPOLIS -- A state licensing board put the brakes on state Superintendent Tony Bennett's plan to revamp teacher licensing rules Wednesday after some complained the changes would downplay the importance of learning how to teach.
Bennett wants to eliminate some requirements for teacher licensing and says the process should ensure potential teachers have a deep understanding of the subject they will teach. He said current requirements focus too much attention on teaching methods.
"We need folks who understand rigorous content," Bennett said.
Under the proposed changes, elementary education majors would take no more than 30 college credit hours in teaching methods and would have to have a minor in a content subject area such as science, math or English. It's unclear how the limit on credit hours would work, and members of the Professional Standards Advisory Board said they wanted to clarify that and other issues before voting on whether to move forward with the changes.
The proposed rules also would allow anyone with a bachelor's degree to become a teacher if they pass a test from the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence. Currently only seven states allow teachers to be licensed with that online program, according to the group's Web site.
Opponents of some of the changes said future teachers need to understand teaching methods, not just be brilliant in their respective fields.
"How you teach does make a big difference," board member George Van Horn said. "The 'how' is critical."
Bennett also wants to allow anyone with a master's degree to become a district superintendent if they pass a school leader's license test and get state approval.
Bennett said school districts need the flexibility to hire people from outside traditional education channels. The change would give local school boards more options, he said. If a board wanted to hire someone with a traditional educational background, they could do so, but if they needed an acute business manager to handle district financial problems, they could choose someone from outside the education field.
Opponents said not anyone can become a superintendent.Stephen McColley, the superintendent of Wes-Del Community Schools in Delaware County, said he was a teacher before becoming a bank executive and later a superintendent. His experience in business helped him understand the financial side of running a school district, but that was just a small portion of his job, he said."
Can I be a brain surgeon because I want to be a brain surgeon? No," McColley said. "School superintendents must be educational leaders, not a business person who looks at the bottom line."Several board members complained they had little time to read and review the proposed changes. Some said they got the extensive proposals 4 p.m. Tuesday, and a revised copy was given to them shortly before the meeting Wednesday afternoon.
Pat Mapes, director of the Office of Educator Licensing & Development, suggested the board meet again later to discuss the proposed changes and tweak them before voting on whether to advance them. The changes are subject to approval by the board, the Office of Management and Budget, the attorney general and the governor. If the proposals are approved, they would take effect next July.
Teacher licensing rules eyed
Schools chief wants changes; board slows plan.
By DEANNA MARTIN Associated Press Writer
INDIANAPOLIS -- A state licensing board put the brakes on state Superintendent Tony Bennett's plan to revamp teacher licensing rules Wednesday after some complained the changes would downplay the importance of learning how to teach.
Bennett wants to eliminate some requirements for teacher licensing and says the process should ensure potential teachers have a deep understanding of the subject they will teach. He said current requirements focus too much attention on teaching methods.
"We need folks who understand rigorous content," Bennett said.
Under the proposed changes, elementary education majors would take no more than 30 college credit hours in teaching methods and would have to have a minor in a content subject area such as science, math or English. It's unclear how the limit on credit hours would work, and members of the Professional Standards Advisory Board said they wanted to clarify that and other issues before voting on whether to move forward with the changes.
The proposed rules also would allow anyone with a bachelor's degree to become a teacher if they pass a test from the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence. Currently only seven states allow teachers to be licensed with that online program, according to the group's Web site.
Opponents of some of the changes said future teachers need to understand teaching methods, not just be brilliant in their respective fields.
"How you teach does make a big difference," board member George Van Horn said. "The 'how' is critical."
Bennett also wants to allow anyone with a master's degree to become a district superintendent if they pass a school leader's license test and get state approval.
Bennett said school districts need the flexibility to hire people from outside traditional education channels. The change would give local school boards more options, he said. If a board wanted to hire someone with a traditional educational background, they could do so, but if they needed an acute business manager to handle district financial problems, they could choose someone from outside the education field.
Opponents said not anyone can become a superintendent.Stephen McColley, the superintendent of Wes-Del Community Schools in Delaware County, said he was a teacher before becoming a bank executive and later a superintendent. His experience in business helped him understand the financial side of running a school district, but that was just a small portion of his job, he said."
Can I be a brain surgeon because I want to be a brain surgeon? No," McColley said. "School superintendents must be educational leaders, not a business person who looks at the bottom line."Several board members complained they had little time to read and review the proposed changes. Some said they got the extensive proposals 4 p.m. Tuesday, and a revised copy was given to them shortly before the meeting Wednesday afternoon.
Pat Mapes, director of the Office of Educator Licensing & Development, suggested the board meet again later to discuss the proposed changes and tweak them before voting on whether to advance them. The changes are subject to approval by the board, the Office of Management and Budget, the attorney general and the governor. If the proposals are approved, they would take effect next July.
27 July 2009
catch-22 quote of the day
"They're trying to kill me," Yossarian told him calmly.
"No one's trying to kill you," Clevinger cried.
"Then why are they shooting at me?" Yossarian asked.
"They're shooting at everyone," Clevinger answered.
"They're trying to kill everyone."
"And what difference does that make?"
"No one's trying to kill you," Clevinger cried.
"Then why are they shooting at me?" Yossarian asked.
"They're shooting at everyone," Clevinger answered.
"They're trying to kill everyone."
"And what difference does that make?"
26 July 2009
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