Documents Concerning Rules Revisions for Educator Preparation |
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A Message to IMEA Members
October 13, 2009
IMEA has continued to follow the developments surrounding the proposed Rule Revisions for Educator Preparation and Accountability (REPA) since they were first presented in late July. Some changes have been made to the original proposal (http://www.doe.in.gov/news/2009/07-July/REPA.html is the latest summary), but areas of serious concern for music educators remain in the document. Many individuals have spoken at the open meetings of the Division of Professional Standards Advisory Board, and groups representing teachers, principals, superintendents and colleges of education have released statements outlining their points of disagreement. As you might expect, each constituency identifies and takes issue with different parts of the proposal. At the end of this message is the letter we have sent on behalf of IMEA to the DPS Advisory Board, Superintendent Bennett, and Governor Daniels, which lists what we believe are the areas of greatest concern for music education.
The proposal will have different and significant short-term implications for each of us. College students will find their curriculum becoming narrower and pedagogy options fewer. Teachers renewing their licenses will have their professional development activities limited to activities their building administrator determines would contribute to “increased student achievement.” University departments of music education will struggle to prepare teacher candidates for the broad and deep demands of the P-12 licensure. However, in the long term our entire profession will be weakened by the elimination of standards and subsequent inclusion of new teachers with minimal classroom experience and limited training in music methods and pedagogy. Indiana’s well-earned national reputation for quality music education is in serious jeopardy.
What you can do
You are encouraged to post your comments on REPA on the site that will be available October 1 through 30: www.doe.in.gov/repacomment. You can also read the entire 60-page proposal at that site.
When responding online, use your home address. You can represent yourself as a student, parent, music teacher, member of IMEA, etc. You may comment as many times as you would like.
You may compose your own message or copy and paste one of the paragraphs from the IMEA letter; they’re all around 1000 characters. Our paragraph about professional development relates to 515 IAC 1-7; all of our other points relate to 515 IAC 8. Comments that address more general issues can go into their “General” category.
Also note the opportunities to speak to the DPS Advisory Board at public hearings listed below, where individuals may speak for three minutes. Each meeting will be from 10 a.m. to noon.
October 27, 2009 at Rochester High School, 1 Zebra Lane Rochester, IN 46975
October 29, 2009 at Scottsburg Middle School, 425 South Third Street, Scottsburg, IN 47170
November 2, 2009 at Indiana State Library, 315 West Ohio Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Please feel free to forward any of this information to your faculty colleagues, especially other arts educators, and parents of your students. While some kind of change appears to be inevitable, we need to take every opportunity to let our voices be heard while the proposal is still being developed. Thanks, everyone!
Barbara Resch, IMEA President
Michelle Oyler, IMEA President-elect
Lissa May, IMEA Past President
Gary Wishmeyer, IMEA Educational Director
JoDee Marshall, IMEA Executive Manager |
