Bosma's Comments on Voucher Bill

I read an interesting column in the Louisville Courier-Journal from last week, where Indiana Statehouse reporter Lesley Stedman-Weidenbener discussed the comments made by House Speaker Brian Bosma, (R)-Indianapolis, regarding the purpose of the voucher bill.  The Democrats proposed an amendment to this bill prior to its passing the House which would have only made vouchers available to students in failing schools.  Representative Ed Delaney, (D)-Indianapolis, explained, "If Republicans had been honest about their motivation for vouchers, they would certainly accept the failing school amendment."  However, the amendment failed, and when asked about the Republicans' motivation behind supporting the bill, Bosma explained, "Helping kids escape from failing schools was never the primary goal of the voucher plan... 'It’s about empowering parents with additional choices'"  This column was clearly left-leaning, but it still proposes a good point.  I have no problem with providing parents with additional choices in districts where they are needed; however, I do not like the fact that providing an emphasized focus to children in failing schools was not even considered by Republicans.  I understand limiting the control of government over citizens' actions, but providing all Hoosiers with a quality education is a guaranteed right in the Indiana State Constitution, and insuring that this right reaches all students should be the primary goal of both Democrats and Republicans.

The article can be read on the Courier-Journal's website.

5 Bills With Greatest Impact to Future Teachers & Their Statuses in the General Assembly

Now that both chambers of the General Assembly have reconvened, we can begin looking at the progress of education bills again.  These, I argue, are the five bills under serious consideration that would have the greatest impact on future teachers.  Their current statuses in the GA are also listed.

• HB 1002 - Charter Schools: Passed House 2/8/11, in second of three readings in Senate as of 4/5/11
• HB 1003 - School Vouchers: Passed House 3/30/11, transferred to Senate Education Committee as of 3/31/11
• SB 001 - Teacher Tenure: Passed Senate 2/22/11, transferred to House Education Committee as of 3/28/11
• SB 294 - Probationary Period for New Teachers: Passed Senate 2/22/11, transferred to House Education Committee as of 3/28/11
• SB 575 - Teacher Collective Bargaining Rights: Passed Senate 2/22/11, passed House Labor Committee 4/7/11, awaiting second hearing in House

While a great number of the education bills mentioned at the beginning of my blog have been thrown aside because of the House walkout situation, these five bills are still very contentious and could have the momentum to pass.  Whether or not you agree with the principles of these bills, most can probably agree that, if passed, they will place a deep impact on Indiana teachers for years to come.  Now that the GA is operational again, these bills will likely progress quickly, so I will try to pay attention to their progress as the month moves on.