12/04/2003
Indiana Teacher Advisory Council
Indiana Department of Education

Present: Mark Weaver, Rick Crosslin, Ralph Walker, Jan Weir, Butch Bauer, Rex Bolinger, Sherry Annee, Christine Michael, Misang Han, Theresa Knipstein Meyer, Sarah Powley, Alicia Harris, Matt Walsh and Zoma Barrett, and our special host: Dr. Suellen Reed with Cathy Danyluk.

Introductions were made for Matt Walsh and Zoma Barrett - our newest Milken Award Winners! Each person introduced themselves to our newest members of the Milken Family. Zoma is from Salem and teaches mathematics and technology. Matt is from Brownsburg and teaches social studies.




Mark Weaver also is Indiana's Teacher of the Year! (Mark had to be surprised for a second time...that was a real challenge!) Rick Crosslin is almost half way through his yearlong program at the Children's Museum and loving every minute of this change!

The Work: Dr. Reed explained once again that the reason why we have is group is to act as a springboard for educational concerns and ideas.

One of the big issues right now in Indiana is in the area of early childhood development. Dr. Reed shared some of her observations in a classroom in France where it is routine that children who are ages 3, 4 and 5 are in school. In fact, right now there is public discussion in terms of deciding if children as young as 2 should be in school! The whole approach is very much experiential and ties in cultural experiences to real learning while focusing on the whole child. Children are routinely being educated at a very early age in all communities throughout France (part of the governmental system). One of the things that Dr. Reed is trying to develop is an exchange program between France and Indiana where college age French students would work with children at the early primary levels to help develop foreign language programs in those schools which do not have them. She would like to involve local businesses in this endeavor (maybe working with the Lilly Endowment and Purdue University as possible partners). Dr. Reed is acutely aware that with all the attention given in terms of accountability, assessment and funding shortage, we still must not lose sight of the importance of ensuring that we keep the arts and foreign language in early education.

Dr. Reed explained that another issue which is very important to promote is all day kindergarten for the whole state of Indiana. While this is such an important topic, she also recognizes that the whole funding issue is a major stumbling block. There are some public concerns that people think that "5 year olds are too young to be taught all day" and "kids that age still need their naps" and that "mothers should be the ones to educate their children." Dr. Reed stated that 70% of all pre-school age children have parents who both work full time and these children are in some form of day care anyway.

Dr. Reed emphasized that we must continue our efforts to develop partnerships so that our children will be able to compete in our global society. Both Theresa and Jan spoke about contacts with Forest Glen Elementary School - a foreign language immersion school where there are many teachers are foreign nationals and several teachers and administrators are working on postgraduate degrees involving data and research in this area.

Dr. Reed shared that she is very concerned about the eating habits of kids in school in terms of what effect this is having on their learning. How do we involve the community in trying to re-educate our students and parents in healthy eating. Rick stated that they are just finishing a long project that was in partnership with the NIH where they studied blood pressure, exercise and eating habits and diabetes. This project is just finishing in the next couple of weeks so that some very good data will be available. (Rick also runs a summer camp program for children with type I diabetes.)

Rick Crosslin talked about the The Great Grow Along: A Tale of Two Rats (sponsored by the American Dairy Association) where kids learn about diet and nutrition using milk vs. Coke as the rats grow. The American Dairy Association provides the genetically engineered rats (cost is only $5) and can be a wonderful tool to teach kids. Rich now has about 10 years of data using this project.

Dr. Reed spoke about her opportunity to speak with Peyton Manning to school age kids and the importance of education. There are several athletes who can be great role models for kids in ways that others cannot do.

Recommendations for new TAC members: Dr. Reed would like all members of this group if they have any ideas in terms of the above issues and to share them with her.

The Issues:
1. Assessment
2. No Child Left Behind
3. P16

Jan asked about the ECAs for the CORE 40 assessments and the P-16 Plan. Dr. Reed responded that since the budget has been cut so much that it is uncertain as to when the statewide pilots will continue. This next spring, both US History and Biology were supposed to be implemented but with the budget cuts, we don't yet know whether or not this will occur. There were also issues with schools that had the Block 4 schedule and those schools which had technology issues (for last years Algebra and English on-line tests). Dr. Reed will be attending a meeting regarding the ECAs and other issues on December 5th. We should know more about the direction of where this is headed after that time. However, black line masters will still likely be available for school systems to use as they continue their work on implementing the Standards in their K-12 curriculum.

Rick asked about where to go for answers to questions that he often gets in terms of class sizes at his school. Dr. Reed responded that the bulk of the data is inconclusive. She continued by saying that the only really conclusive data is that at the kindergarten level, a ratio of 15:1 is the best ratio for kids. Sarah stated that there are very good articles in ASCD (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development) and in the National Council of English teachers in terms of class load. Each professional organization likely will have data in their own areas. Rick also gets questions about looping and multi-age groups and most teachers don't typically know where to go to get this information other than ERIC. Dr. Reed said that the US DOE is compiling definitive educational research (scientifically based!) which will eventually be available. She also said to always question the sources of stated information since there is so much misinformation out there.

Mark concluded the meeting with a presentation of the Indiana Milken Educator's Mission Statement to Zoma and Matt.

Next meeting: Tentatively planned for Saturday, February 28th at the Children's Museum.