Supporting Understanding of Proposed Legislative Changes

Goals for the Session

 Foster an understanding of ‘high impact’ bills being discussed at legislature  Answer questions about proposed bills  Communicate the process on how to contact legislature about your opinions

Indiana General Assembly Web Site

 http://www.in.gov/legislative/index.htm

Indiana General Assembly Web Site

 Click on Bills/Resolutions

House Bill 1429

 Textbooks and Other Curricular Material  Definition expanded to include hardware, software, and digital content  Removes authority from state board to adopt textbooks  DOE to publish reviews of curriculum

Last updated January 31, 2011

House Bill 1429

 Textbooks and Other Curricular Material  What does this mean for you?

○ Students accessibility to curriculum via online becomes much easier ○ HCCSC can purchase textbooks that have online capability —from support services to full digital curriculum ○ More flexibility is created for local school district to purchase material that best suits the students served ○ Rental rates are still in existence

House Bill 1238

 Advocacy with Public Funds  Specific limitations for district leaders to promote a position to a referendum to increase the district’s property tax levy.

 A referendum is defined as a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal to adopt textbooks.

 An organized community can invite a school district leader in to speak about the referendum.

 If the referendum tax levy is passed, any prior tax levy is rescinded.

Last updated January 26, 2011

House Bill 1238

 Advocacy with Public Funds  What does this mean for you?

○ You, as a tax payer, can receive information about the referendum from the Superintendent or designee.

○ Organizations must ask the Superintendent to speak and address specific questions. Your involvement in organizations within the community is essential. Even an organization like your school’s PTO can invite the Superintendent in.

○ This allows you to make a more knowledgeable decision on a proposed referendum.

House Bill 1002

 Charter Schools  Charter School Board is a sponsor of Charter Schools.

 Second-class city and secondary education institutions can sponsor a Charter School.

 Monitoring for all Charter Schools.

 Uniform transfer of credits from Charter school to other public schools.

  Charter schools to lease or purchase existing school buildings that are underutilized.

District’s transportation fund levy to be used for Charter Schools.

 Procedural changes for converting public school to a Charter School.

Last updated January 25, 2011

House Bill 1002

 Charter Schools  What does this mean for you?

○ You, as a tax payer, would have tax dollars go toward a Charter School, if established in the community, outside of the school district.

○ Charter Schools can use school buildings that are deemed underutilized for only $1 a year ○ Funding from the state is divided proportionately between the school district and the Charter Schools in the community ○ School busses could be used for transporting students who are in Charter Schools ○ A public school could become a Charter School

House Bill 1567/Senate Bill 0538

 Antibullying/Bullying Prevention  IDOE (Indiana Department of Education) required to develop guidelines to assist schools in development of bullying programs   Schools report on bullying to the state Definition of bullying, by proposed bill, stated as, “overt, repeated acts or gestures, including physical acts committed, or any other behaviors committed by a student or group of students against another student with the intent to harass, ridicule, humiliate, intimidate, or harm the other student…”  School safety plan developed with parent assistance

Last updated January 25, 2011

House Bill 1567/Senate Bill 0538

 Antibullying/Bullying Prevention  What does this mean for you?

○ You may be asked to help work on bullying/antibullying prevention guidelines ○ Schools will continue to monitor bullying and look for trends and patterns ○ Bullying prevention programs will become more streamlined and organized at the school level

House Bill 1581/Senate Bill 317

 Preschool and Kindergarten Programs/Kindergarten  When adequate funding is available, full-day kindergarten and preschool programs must be offered  Must attend school in the fall term when student becomes six  Must be at least five by: ○ 2012-2013: Must be five by September 1 ○ 2013-2014: Must be five by October 1 ○ 2014-2015: Must be five by November 1

Last updated January 25, 2011

House Bill 1581/Senate Bill 317

 Preschool and Kindergarten Programs/Kindergarten  What does this mean for you?

○ Student must be in school by the age of six. ○ Kindergarten and preschool programs are required when funding is available (HCCSC ahead of the curve; offering all day kindergarten in all schools; preschool in three schools ○ Four year olds may start school and then turn five as late as November 1.

 Are they ready?

Senate Bill 141

 Texting While Driving  While using a vehicle, texting or sending an email is considered a Class C infraction ○ Includes the following:  Wireless telephone  Personal digital assistant  Pager  Text messaging device

Last updated January 25, 2011

Senate Bill 141

 Texting While Driving  What does this mean for you?

○ Don’t text. It is a Class C infraction.

○ Leave your phones on silent while driving.

○ Share with your children who are driving, family, and friends.

Senate Bill 85

 Study of Schools with Low Graduation Rates  Creation of High School Graduation Study  Cause of low graduation rates  Solutions to increase graduation rates

Last updated January 25, 2011

Senate Bill 85

 Study of Schools with Low Graduation Rates  What does this mean for you?

○ Schools with less than 50% will be studied  2010 HNHS Graduation Rate: 88.6% [6 graduates away from 90%]  2009 HNHS Graduation Rate: 89.1%  2008 HNHS Graduation Rate: 84.2% ○ 14 Member Study Committee  Report to Governor by December 2012

Senate Bill 0001

 Teacher Evaluations and Licensing  Elimination of Division of Professional Standards  Charter School: 50% or less teachers do not need to be licensed teachers.

 License of teacher revoked if teacher has convictions in other states.  Includes an annual staff performance evaluation  Teacher may not receive a raise or increment following year if rated ineffective.

Last updated January 25, 2011

Senate Bill 0001

 Teacher Evaluations and Licensing  What does this mean for you?

○ ○ Bill states that DOE grants licenses, not a professional standards board.

Charter School teachers only have to a bachelor’s degree; no license required.

○ Teachers must be evaluated annually; change in practice for teaching staff.

 Raises or incentives are given based on performance.

 Teachers rated ineffective for multiple years may have a contract terminated.

 Teachers rated effective or highly effective are working with students.

Senate Bill 0061

 Teacher Collective Bargaining  Schools can provide/offer postsecondary education or dual credits to students.

 Agreements between teachers and school districts may not extend beyond the end of the state budget biennium.      Prohibits certain subjects from being bargained collectively, and provides that prohibited subjects and items that lead to deficit financing may not be included in an agreement. Removes certain items from the list of discussion subjects between a school employer and an exclusive representative. Provides that collective bargaining begins not later than May 1.

Provides that if a complaint that is filed alleging an unfair practice concerning a subject of discussion is found to be frivolous, the complaining party is liable for costs and attorney's fees. Teachers can bargain on salary and fringe benefits.

Last updated January 25, 2011

Senate Bill 0575

 Teacher Collective Bargaining  What does this mean for you?

○ Districts must bargain salary and benefits with teachers; cannot put district in debt.

○ A district and teachers can discuss items of importance, but are not required.

○ School district makes decisions regarding curriculum, and other major areas, based on what is best for students.

○ Your middle and high school students can create academic tracks that include post-secondary and dual credit opportunities.

Indiana State Board of Education

 Indiana Reading Framework ○ Moved to Attorney General and Governor for approval ○ K-6 Reading Framework; schools under 90% pass rate must implement (based on i-Read). ○ i-Read assessment (given at grade 3; retention law)

Indiana State Board of Education

 New Accountability Framework ○ Based on growth model and performance ○ Letter grades given to school based on both growth and performance indicators.

○ View presentation in entirety at: http://www.doe.in.gov/stateboard/docs/accountability _021511.pdf

Next Steps

 Contact Your Legislatures  Senator James Banks (R) ○ Staff Contact: Vallerie Hackettt ○ Mailing Address: 200 W. Washington St Indianapolis, IN 46204 ○ Phone: 800-382-9467 ○ Email: [email protected]

○ Web Site: http://www.in.gov/s17/

Next Steps

 Contact Your Legislatures  Representative Daniel Leonard (R) ○ Staff Contact: Clint Smith ○ Mailing Address: 200 W. Washington St Indianapolis, IN 46204 ○ Phone: 800-382-9467 Email: [email protected]

○ Web Site: http://www.in.gov/s17/

Survey

• How was this presentation helpful?

• What was one proposed bill that was the most important to you? Why?

• How would you change this presentation?

• What will you do next after participating in this presentation?

Online Survey:

http://tinyurl.com/HCCSC-Bills