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Last updated on Wednesday, June 13, 2018
(INDIANAPOLIS) - Today, the Indiana State Board of Education (SBOE) took action to empower Hoosier students to plan their course of study and potential careers and to provide greater options for aspiring teachers and district level superintendents.
Additionally, the Board set the course for schools to establish goals for student performance improvement as well as promote changes that benefit Indiana's students from Pre-K to beyond high school.
The Board approved, by a vote of 10-0, its first Locally Created Pathway (LCP) as part of the new Graduation Pathways policy for Hoosier students. The Civics Arts Pathway, from Greater Clark County Schools will serve as connector between their students of the civic arts to public service careers in civic institutions, such as museums, public galleries, community art organizations, performing arts groups, arts councils and public arts organizations. The Civic Arts Pathway was developed in collaboration with businesses, community organizations, educators, and parents across the district.
Courses within the Civic Arts LCP will vertically align content across the disciplines. Many classes provide additional knowledge and expertise to add value to students' postsecondary endeavors.
Every student in the Civic Arts Pathway will create an E-Portfolio, where the student's academic and Pathway-specific experiences and artifacts can be documented. The E-Portfolio will serve a similar role as traditional portfolios with the addition of students being able to maintain, update and share their portfolios with colleges and employers through a dedicated web link.
The passage of the Civics Arts LCP also marks the first LCP that will now be available for other schools in Indiana to consider using as well. For more information, the approved LCP can be found here.
Those who are seeking to become teachers or district level superintendents also gained additional opportunities with the passage of three separate educational programs. First, the Board approved, by a vote of 10-0, a new secondary transition-to-teaching program from Ball State University. Interested applicants with a background in a high school content area and who meet transition to teaching admission requirements will now have access to receive the pedagogical preparation required to teach in the high school setting.
Second, Western Governors University gained approval, by a vote of 9-0, to offer a Bachelor of Arts program for the Elementary Generalist (K-6) initial licensure. This provides Hoosier college students pursuing an education degree an additional option. Dr. Vince Bertram recused himself from this vote.
And third, the American College of Education gained approval, by a vote of 10-0, to offer a new licensure program for aspiring district level superintendents. The program will offer an Educational Specialist degree (Ed.S.) in District-Level Administration, or as a focus of study within a doctorate in Leadership program. Additionally, individuals already holding an Ed.S. or higher may complete the required courses at the post-master level.
The Board also approved, by a vote of 8-1, school improvement grant funding for Turnaround Academies. The funds are aimed at transforming educational opportunities for students in the state's lowest performing schools. These additional funds are tied directly to rigorous performance benchmarks that hold schools accountable for dramatically improving student outcomes. Superintendent McCormick voted no and Dr. Ernest recused himself from the vote.
Finally, the Board approved, by a vote of 10-0, the application to establish the Coalition of Continuous Improvement School Districts (CCISD). Established by HEA 1398 during this past session of the General Assembly, this legislation provides that the SBOE may approve a coalition of four to eight school districts for the 2018-19 school year. The goal of this CCISD is to improve student performance, offer flexibility of educational programs, promote innovative instructional strategies, and create system level changes for students spanning Pre-K through workforce and higher education. The membership of the 2018-19 school year CCISD includes:
1. Batesville Community School Corporation: located in Franklin and Ripley counties. The district enrolls 2,200 students, with 28% qualifying for free and reduced lunch.
2. Concord Community Schools: located in Elkhart. The district enrolls 5,200 students, with 55% qualifying for free and reduced lunch.
3. Crothersville Community Schools: located in Jackson County. The district enrolls 459 students, with 55% qualifying for free and reduced lunch.
4. Greater Clark County Schools: located in Clark County. The district enrolls 10,000 students, with 57% qualifying for free and reduced lunch.
5. Goshen Community Schools: located in Elkhart County. The district enrolls 6,600 students, with 65% qualifying for free and reduced lunch.
6. Elkhart Community Schools: located in Elkhart County. The district enrolls 12,000 students, with 65% on free and reduced lunch. 2 7. MSD of Decatur Township: located in Marion County. The district enrolls 6,800 students, with 64% qualifying for free and reduced lunch.
7. MSD of Decatur Township: located in Marion County. The district enrolls 6,800 students, with 64% qualifying for free and reduced lunch.
Additional school districts can apply to join the CCISD beginning in the 2019-2020 school year. To join the CCSID, districts will submit an application to the coalition and the coalition will then make a recommendation to the SBOE. The legislation provides that in 2019-20 no more than 12 districts will be in the CCSID, no more than 16 in 2020-21, and a maximum of 30 districts thereafter.
The next SBOE Business Meeting will take place Wednesday, July 11, 2018 Indiana Government Center South, Auditorium, 302 W Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46204.
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