STATE OF IOWA

STATE OF IOWA

BOARD OF EDUCATIONAL EXAMINERS

Grimes State Office Building – 400 East 14^th Street

Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0147

Minutes

February 5, 2004

Table of Contents

Motions

Meeting Called to Order

Licensee Discipline

Consent Agenda

Communication

K-6 and 7-12 Reading Endorsements - Notice

Driver Education Requirements – First Reading

Leadership Partnership Report

Petition for Waiver

Discussion of Background Checks for Licensure Renewal

Continued Discussion of Board Priorities

Discussion of Ethics for Renewal

Continued Discussion of a Student Teaching License

Adjournment

STATE OF IOWA

BOARD OF EDUCATIONAL EXAMINERS

Grimes State Office Building – 400 East 14^th Street

Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0147

Motions

February 5, 2004

Anita Westerhaus moved, with a second by Judy Jeffrey, that the Board go into closed session for the purposes of discussing whether to initiate licensee disciplinary proceedings, pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.5(1)(d). MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Anita Westerhaus moved, with a second by William Haigh, that in case number 03-18, the Board extend the 180-day deadline for issuance of the final decision, based upon delay in investigation due to the investigator’s extended medical leave and prioritization of cases. Roll call vote: Aboud – yes; Carter – yes; Chen – yes; Haigh – yes; Jeffrey – yes; Paulsen – yes; Wellborn – yes; Westerhaus – yes; and Hathaway – yes. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

William Haigh moved, with a second by Anita Westerhaus, that in case number 03-20, the Board extend the 180-day deadline for issuance of the final decision, based upon delay in investigation due to prioritization of cases. Roll call vote: Aboud – yes; Carter – yes; Chen – yes; Haigh – yes; Jeffrey – yes; Paulsen – yes; Wellborn – yes; Westerhaus – yes; and Hathaway – yes. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Jacqueline Wellborn moved, with a second by Anita Westerhaus, that in case number 03-21, the Board extend the 180-day deadline for issuance of the final decision, based upon delay in investigation due to the investigator’s extended medical leave and prioritization of cases. Roll call vote: Aboud – yes; Carter – yes; Chen – yes; Haigh – yes; Jeffrey – yes; Paulsen – yes; Wellborn – yes; Westerhaus – yes; and Hathaway – yes. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Anita Westerhaus moved, with a second by Jacqueline Wellborn, that in case number 03-22, the Board extend the 180-day deadline for issuance of the final decision, based upon delay in investigation due to the investigator’s extended medical leave and prioritization of cases. Roll call vote: Aboud – yes; Carter – yes; Chen – yes; Haigh – yes; Jeffrey – yes; Paulsen – yes; Wellborn – yes; Westerhaus – yes; and Hathaway – yes. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

William Haigh moved, with a second by Jacqueline Wellborn, that in case number 03-23, the Board extend the 180-day deadline for issuance of the final decision, based upon delay in investigation due to the investigator’s extended medical leave. Roll call vote: Westerhaus – yes; Wellborn – yes; Paulsen – yes; Jeffrey – yes; Haigh – yes; Chen – yes; Carter – yes; Aboud – yes; and Hathaway – yes. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

John Aboud moved, with a second by Brian Carter to approve the January 16, 2004, minutes, as distributed. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

John Aboud moved, with a second by Ying Ying Chen, to file under Notice of Intended Action the proposed changes to the K-6 and 7-12 reading endorsements in Chapter 14 that increase the required number of semester hours from 20 to 24 and add greater clarity to the requirements to communicate better what reading teachers must know and be able to do. Roll call vote: Aboud – yes; Carter – yes; Chen – yes; Haigh – yes; Jeffrey – yes; Paulsen – yes; Wellborn – yes; Westerhaus – yes; and Hathaway – yes. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

John Aboud moved, with a second by Tom Paulsen, that in PFW 04-01, Nancy L. Roe, the Board deny the Petition for Waiver. Roll call vote: Westerhaus – yes; Wellborn – yes; Paulsen – yes; Jeffrey – yes; Haigh – yes; Chen – yes; Carter – yes; Aboud – yes; and Hathaway – yes. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

STATE OF IOWA

BOARD OF EDUCATIONAL EXAMINERS

Grimes State Office Building – 400 East 14^th Street

Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0147

Minutes

February 5, 2004

The Board of Educational Examiners held its monthly meeting on February 5, 2004. Board Chair Peter Hathaway called the meeting to order at 8:34 a.m. Members attending were John Aboud, Brian Carter, Ying Ying Chen, William Haigh, Peter Hathaway, Judy Jeffrey, Thomas Paulsen, Jacqueline Wellborn and Anita Westerhaus. Also in attendance were Dr. Anne Kruse, Executive Director of the Board; Christie Scase and Jeanie Vaudt, Assistant Attorneys General and legal counsel to the Board; Barbara Hendrickson, Board Secretary; and other visitors. Board Members Jean Seeland and Veronica Stalker were unable to attend the meeting.

The Board reconvened into open session at 8:51 a.m.

John Aboud moved, with a second by Brian Carter to approve the January 16, 2004, minutes, as distributed. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Board Chair Peter Hathaway announced that Board Member Dr. Veronica Stalker had, with regret, submitted her resignation from the Board, effective immediately, citing her many responsibilities. Members paid tribute to Dr. Stalker’s invaluable service, lauding her perspective, fairness and wisdom.

Board Member John Aboud expressed concern over the University of Northern Iowa’s closure of the Iowa Office for Educator Development. Judy Jeffrey briefly explained the situation. Teachers with mentors currently in the program will be allowed to continue, and the National Board certification process itself, with funding for registration fees and stipends, will continue in Iowa. Funding for the support system through UNI’s office will not.

Mr. Aboud also suggested including the Board’s website, address and telephone number on the back of the wallet-sized card that accompanies each new license. This would enhance the Board’s visibility with its constituents. Board Chair Peter Hathaway proposed adding the teacher licensure information telephone number. Executive Director Dr. Anne Kruse said options would be explored.

Board Member Tom Paulsen was asked to speak at a four-state regional student teaching conference for agriculture teachers in Missouri, which was later cancelled due to budgetary and other issues. In addressing what it means to him to be an agriculture teacher, he planned to include the importance of ethics. The student president of the organization enthusiastically supported his idea, which Mr. Paulsen then recognized as truly filling a need. He now plans to speak at the next conference, part-way through the student teaching experience. Board members mentioned past presentations and potential opportunities for future ones to keep ethics at the forefront.

Board Chair Peter Hathaway asked if there were any public comments. There were none.

Executive Director Dr. Anne Kruse reported on a number of issues:

1) She recommended that, as in the past, there be no February meeting, due to time constraints.

Earlier in the week, she had attended a conference on alternative licensure in conjunction with the Transition to Teaching grants. Iowa has not obtained this funding because the teacher preparation institutions have no programs in place, although administrative rules are in place. She spoke there with Dr. Robert Ristow of Davenport’s St. Ambrose University, who said that, although there is interest in designing an alternative preparation program, such an undertaking would shift significant funding from the traditional preparation curriculum to put it in place. The conference theme advocated no lowering of requirements for alternative programs, while presentations otherwise addressed lowering barriers by making routes to licensure quicker and cheaper. Polarization was evident. The trend in programs contains these elements: a bachelor’s degree, content mastery (assessed via a test or G.P.A.), on-the-job training in teaching full time, completed coursework, and participation in mentor and induction. Verification of content mastery is most important, which is followed by classroom entry as the teacher of record. Iowa’s program differs with a preliminary screening, 12 summer credit hours, a classroom internship, then finishing up [with 12 more summer credit hours]. Dr. Kruse said that, traditionally, secondary teachers are in short supply throughout the nation, which helps explain the content mastery focus of other states’ programs. Graduates of alternative programs are sometimes targeted to go into difficult areas, such as those of low socio-economic status. Conference speaker Dr. C. Emily Feistritzer advocated that alternative preparation programs not target all areas, which often results in suburban placements, where teachers are not needed, but, rather, target those areas where teachers really are needed.

Board Member Judy Jeffrey attributed Iowa institutions’ lack of initiative in developing a program to current economic conditions and to resources via revision of their respective teacher preparation program as a result of performance licensure and the new program approval rules. They are heavily focused on putting together those assessment systems. Iowa is also an exporter of teachers; the institutions see no great need for alternative preparation. Ms. Jeffrey mentioned that the Department of Education has encouraged an out-of-state institution, which is going to locate its headquarters in Iowa, to consider program approval first in alternative preparation, considering it a niche not yet filled by Iowa institutions.

Dr. Kruse acknowledged that there are states that have needs for a quicker entrance into the teaching profession, underscoring the rationale for alternative routes to licensure. Some states, however, may be moving too fast, thereby eroding quality, and they may not have an alternative program comparable to traditional curriculum, although they are striving to maintain equivalency. Three representatives of the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) attended the conference, and the USDE has accepted alternative routes as "highly qualified." Proponents of alternative licensure were also at the meeting.

The Board of Educational Examiners is marking its 15^th year. The Board will invite former members to join them in a celebratory reunion dinner the evening before the June 25 board meeting in Cedar Rapids.

The previous morning Dr. Kruse had made a 15-minute presentation to the joint House and Senate on the Praxis II Report and the misconduct reporting rules, followed by 45 minutes of questions. She reported to them that the Board was split on the testing issue and had not made a decision. Legislators were supportive of the Board’s focus and emphasis on ethics, its efforts to reduce and sanction any and all activity not acceptable to the Board. In the afternoon, accompanied by Board Chair Peter Hathaway, she met with the education appropriations committee, explaining the proposed rules on fee increases. The Board has no pre-filed bills this session.

Next week Dr. Kruse will send to the teacher preparation institutions a survey requested by the Board, through which the schools will verify their efforts to attest to students’ content competency. Dr. Kruse will supply their data and a summary chart. Ms. Jeffrey stated that the program approval process is the statutory responsibility of the State Board of Education, and it is a very rigorous procedure. Mr. Hathaway responded that any difference of opinion on the Board did not deal directly with the colleges of education, but was a consequence of test results in certain content areas. Ms. Jeffrey replied that there was difference of opinion on that, as well, and that the institutions were acting to respond to the unexpected and disappointing scores in content areas. She stated, moreover, that she receives no complaints on the content knowledge of teachers entering the classroom. She said it was important, at this point, that Iowa teachers not be characterized as not having content knowledge.

The Board considered proposed rules for changes to the K-6 and 7-12 reading endorsements. The recommended rules place greater emphasis on quality reading instruction and assessment and on meeting the needs of a wide range of learners in today’s changing population. There was some discussion of whether the proposed rules, if approved, should run concurrently with, or should replace, the rules now in effect. The Board agreed to publish the proposed rules in the concurrent format presented and make changes, if any, following notice and hearing. John Aboud moved, with a second by Ying Ying Chen, to file under Notice of Intended Action the proposed changes to the K-6 and 7-12 reading endorsements in Chapter 14 that increase the required number of semester hours from 20 to 24 and add greater clarity to the requirements to communicate better what reading teachers must know and be able to do. Roll call vote: Aboud – yes; Carter – yes; Chen – yes; Haigh – yes; Jeffrey – yes; Paulsen – yes; Wellborn – yes; Westerhaus – yes; and Hathaway – yes. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

The Board recessed from 9:59 a.m. to 10:13 a.m.

Licensure Consultant Dr. Gary Borlaug presented for first reading proposed changes to the driver education requirements. There are not 15 semester hours of material available in specific driver education course work, and the extra course work results in unnecessary expense in time and money for applicants. The proposal would adjust the requirements to be in line with what is available to be taught.

The Board listened to an account of the efforts and accomplishments of the Leadership Partnership. Judy Jeffrey of the Iowa Department of Education highlighted segments of the history of the group, beginning with the State Board of Education’s establishment of a state educational leadership partnership in 1999. Accompanied by handouts, Dr. Troyce Fisher of the School Administrators of Iowa (SAI) related information on those initiatives and recommendations on which SAI has been very active, particularly mentoring and induction, superintendent and principal evaluations, and a leadership academy or center. She stated that the systems approach to the principal evaluation was selected by the National Association of Elementary School Principals as one of the five best in the country. Susan Fischer of the Board of Educational Examiners (BoEE) reported on some of what the Board has effected as a direct result of the work of the Leadership Partnership, especially rule changes dealing with standards for administrators. Current discussion includes professional development for administrators, while alternative certification was an issue that the BoEE decided no longer to pursue.

Nancy L. Roe asked for reconsideration of the denial of her previous request (PFW 03-22) for waiver of the academic content requirements for obtaining a medial specialist endorsement. She holds a standard license with the endorsement for secondary English and was recently issued a Class B (two-year conditional) license as a school media specialist. She has the following experience: two years as an 8^th grade English teacher (1973-75); fourteen years as a librarian at the Mt. Ayr Public Library (1987-2001), including nine years as library director; one year as a monitor of the computer lab at the Mt. Ayr school district junior-senior high school (2001-02); and one year as library aide, keyboard instructor, and CCC lab monitor at the Mt. Ayr district elementary school (2002-03). She is currently serving as library media specialist for grades kindergarten through sixth in the Mt. Ayr District. Ms. Roe has completed none of the prerequisite coursework. She recently contacted the practitioner preparation institutions in Iowa that offer a program for medial specialists. The University of Northern Iowa has refused to accept her prior course work or experience to waive any of the course work for their program; the University of Iowa offers a program only at the graduate level. All of the online programs Ms. Roe investigated would require some in-person participation, which made the programs prohibitive to her. The Board does believe, however, that to the degree that Ms. Roe’s prior academic courses and experience have provided her with knowledge in the content areas required for this endorsement, a portion of the course hours covering specific subject matter may be waived. The Board, therefore, instructed Board staff to engage in a review of Ms. Roe’s academic transcripts and prior experience with an eye toward accepting the prior course work and experience as credit toward qualifying for the media specialist endorsement. John Aboud moved, with a second by Tom Paulsen, that
in PFW 04-01, Nancy L. Roe, the Board deny the Petition for Waiver. Roll call vote: Westerhaus – yes; Wellborn – yes; Paulsen – yes; Jeffrey – yes; Haigh – yes; Chen – yes; Carter – yes; Aboud – yes; and Hathaway – yes. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Executive Director Dr. Anne Kruse said that a trend exists among other states to conduct background checks on those applying for licensure renewal. She reminded the Board that those with a permanent professional license, however, do not renew. Board Chair Peter Hathaway believed that egregious violations that would affect continued employment as a teacher would not be secret. The Board’s consensus was not to conduct routine background checks on those renewing their licenses.

The Board recessed for lunch at 11:34 a.m. and reconvened at 12:16 p.m.

The Board continued its look at priorities. Communication with constituent groups and organizations, particularly dissemination of information on ethics, was emphasized. Information was repeated that SAI and the Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB) have an ethics portion on the agenda of their respective upcoming conferences.

The Board indicated renewed interest in having their biographical sketches on the Board’s website. Those are ready for final approval by board members. Those board members preferring not to have a paragraph citing their credentials on the website will communicate that to Executive Director Dr. Anne Kruse. The names, professional positions and hometowns of the board members will be put on the website in the meantime. Dr. Kruse also apprised the Board that stationery with board members’ names on it has been specially designed.

The Board agreed not to require an ethics component to licensure renewal. Members preferred approaching ethics from a positive, professional stance and communicating the information in a difference fashion.

The Board did not discuss a student teaching license, but, rather, Board Chair Peter Hathaway requested from staff a draft of possible rules.

There being no further business, Board Chair Peter Hathaway adjourned the meeting at 12:33 p.m.