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Motions 2

Meeting Called to Order 4

Licensee Discipline 4

Board Chair Designation 5

Consent Agenda 5

Communication 6

Chapter Citation Reference – Adopt 9

Clear Driving Record – Adopt 9

Licensure Appeal 9

Family and Consumer Sciences Presentation 9

Review of Legislative Reception 9

Future Board Meeting Dates 10

Licensure System Demonstration 10

Goals Discussion 11

Adjournment 11

Anita Westerhaus moved, with a second by Jacqueline Wellborn, that in case number 04-17, the Board extend the 180-day deadline for issuance of the final decision, due to the need for additional time to conduct a hearing, prepare a proposed decision, and review the proposed decision by the Board. Roll call vote: Haigh – yes; Westerhaus – yes; Wellborn – yes; Paulsen – yes; Jeffrey – yes; Seeland – yes; Chen – yes; Carter – yes; Aboud – yes; and Hathaway – yes. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Anita Westerhaus moved, with a second by Ying Ying Chen, to approve the December 10, 2004, minutes, as distributed. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Judy Jeffrey moved, with a second by Anita Westerhaus, to adopt and file the proposed change to Chapter 11 that would revise the reference in rule from Chapter 12, which has been rescinded, to Chapter 25, which has replaced it. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Jean Seeland moved, with a second by Ying Ying Chen, to adopt and file the proposed change to Chapter 21 that would align Board rule with the change in a Department of Transportation rule, which now requires a clear driving record of the previous two years, instead of the previous four years. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Brian Carter moved, with a second by William Haigh, that in case number
APP 04-04, the Board not initiate review of the proposed decision and allow the proposed decision to become the final decision of the Board unless an appeal is taken by one of the parties within the time allowed by rule. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

The Board of Educational Examiners held its monthly meeting on January 27, 2005. Department of Education (DE) Director Judy Jeffrey called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. as Chair of the Board. Members attending were John Aboud, Brian Carter, Ying Ying Chen, William Haigh, Peter Hathaway, Judy Jeffrey, Thomas Paulsen, Jean Seeland, Jacqueline Wellborn and Anita Westerhaus. Also in attendance were Dr. George Maurer, Executive Director of the Board; Barbara Hendrickson, Board Secretary; and other visitors. Assistant Attorney General and legal counsel to the Board Christie Scase arrived shortly thereafter, and Board Member Greg Robinson arrived at 8:41 a.m. Assistant Attorney General and legal counsel to the Board Jeanie Vaudt was unable to attend the meeting. Ms. Scase did not attend the afternoon session, and Mr. Paulsen left at 1:22 p.m.

Ms. Jeffrey subsequently passed the gavel to Mr. Hathaway to assume once again his prior position as Board Chair for the remaining few months of his term on the Board.

The Board took action on only one case of licensee discipline. Anita Westerhaus moved, with a second by Jacqueline Wellborn, that in case number 04-17, the Board extend the 180-day deadline for issuance of the final decision, due to the need for additional time to conduct a hearing, prepare a proposed decision, and review the proposed decision by the Board. Roll call vote: Haigh – yes; Westerhaus – yes; Wellborn – yes; Paulsen – yes; Jeffrey – yes; Seeland – yes; Chen – yes; Carter – yes; Aboud – yes; and Hathaway – yes. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Board Chair Peter Hathaway and DE Director Judy Jeffrey explained to those present the reasons for the decision that Ms. Jeffrey now serve on both the Board of Educational Examiners (BoEE) and the State Board of Education, essentially the strong partnership and agreement needed between the BoEE and the DE on how to move forward on a variety of issues. Statute, then, requires Ms. Jeffrey to hold the position of Board Chair with the BoEE. Ms. Jeffrey and BoEE Executive Director Dr. George Maurer, consequently, will examine the responsibilities of the Board Chair, and some of the duties performed by the Board Chair in the past will be assumed by the Vice-Chair, following election of same. The Vice-Chair, therefore, will take a more prominent role in some of the workings of the Board. Mr. Hathaway suggested the possibility of an expanded role for the executive subcommittee in shouldering some of the previous responsibilities of the Board Chair. Increasing subcommittee membership from three to four, the number used in Dr. Maurer’s past experience, would also add balance to the subcommittee on several counts. The subcommittee may take a general opportunity to examine the roles of board members and possibly give individuals a little more responsibility in the working of the Board. The restructuring resulting in a joint effort of the BoEE and DE will communicate the collaborative partnership the two bodies believe should exist between them. Ms. Jeffrey reaffirmed that the BoEE is an independent board for licensure purposes, but for those matters on which the BoEE and DE need to work together, the symbolic move of a closer association is an important signal of unity to the profession and to representatives of state government.

The Board reviewed briefly which board members were eligible for reappointment and which ones’ terms did not expire this year. Preliminary contact on the matter has been made with the Governor’s office.

Anita Westerhaus moved, with a second by Ying Ying Chen, to approve the December 10, 2004, minutes, as distributed. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Board Member Judy Jeffrey briefed the Board on the Title II Part A visit by representatives of the U. S. Department of Education (USDE) about two weeks prior. She said they come on a regular basis, and this one was an audit visit to determine if Iowa was in compliance with the highly qualified teacher definition under No Child Left Behind. One of the crucial issues is the issue of teacher testing. Ms. Jeffrey believed the Iowa DE and the USDE have reached some common ground. Many states do a "one test—one day—one score" method of evaluation. Iowa wrestled with that approach in many different venues and did not choose that method because of the number of performance assessments that are already in place in Iowa throughout the practitioner preparation programs and the basic skills inventory. Iowa’s gatekeeper approach is more robust and deeper than a one-test measurement. Ms. Jeffrey said that the USDE team tentatively agreed that if they can see a check mark in the content area of the list of all the teacher preparation programs, and if there is agreement on the assessment measures and consistency in the administration of the content areas, the USDE will find that acceptable. The USDE representatives must review this conclusion with the level of USDE authority that overseas the letter of findings that will be sent to the Iowa DE as a result of the visit. The practitioner preparation institutions have begun to put together a work schedule by which they will proceed to make sure that this happens within their institutions.

The USDE team disagreed with Iowa’s contention that all of its teachers are highly qualified. Following clarification by Ms. Jeffrey and Administrative Consultant Susan Fischer of the requirements in place, the team recommended a rewrite of the Highly Objective Uniform State Standard of Evaluation (HOUSSE) definition of how Iowa determines a highly qualified teacher in order to achieve compliance.

Executive Director Dr. George Maurer complimented Ms. Jeffrey’s strong stance of support in the beliefs and values of Iowa’s position with respect to the issues under discussion with the USDE team and saw that as instrumental in their apparent agreement on a different approach.

Ms. Jeffrey continued by stating that the good news is that the USDE has reached a better understanding of how things work in Iowa and of how well qualified Iowa teachers are. In response to a question from Board Member John Aboud, Ms. Jeffrey said that it would be the State Board of Education’s job to correct the situation if a practitioner preparation institution would not be line with state requirements. Replying to a question from Board Member Greg Robinson, Ms. Jeffrey said that the Board will soon have to discuss how Iowa will determine that an out-of-state individual is highly qualified.

Board Chair Peter Hathaway thanked, on behalf of the Board, the Iowa Association of Colleges for Teacher Preparation (IACTE), the Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB), the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA and the School Administrators of Iowa (SAI) for their support in underwriting the cost of refreshments at the legislative reception held at the Capitol the afternoon before.

Board Member Ying Ying Chen told the Board that one of her first grade teachers had posted her great-grandmother’s 1931 teaching license beside her own in the school. Ms. Chen circulated a copy of the teaching certificate.

Executive Director Dr. George Maurer first made brief mention of his testimony before the Joint Education Appropriations Subcommittee in the Iowa Statehouse, to which the Board would shortly recess. He thanked the DE’s Lee Tack and Roger Stirler for their assistance in formulating the budgetary considerations he was to present to the legislators. In his first weeks on the job, Dr. Maurer had introductory meetings with representatives of IACTE, IASB, ISEA and SAI and several legislators. His message was that the Board is a service group, here to help. If a constituent approaches any of them, referral may be made to the Board Office, and staff will take care of it. Dr. Maurer met with the professional staff, reviewed budget information with them, and was appreciative of their input. He participated in meetings with the USDE mentioned above. He anticipates discussion with the Board of its goals and plans for future board retreats. Dr. Maurer advised board members to expect a phone call from him, scheduled at their convenience, to visit with each of them in the next few weeks about a couple of questions he has about the Board and also about their philosophy, so that he can understand each one’s perspective.

Board Chair Peter Hathaway noted that the Board had been invited by the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) to hold the March 31 meeting on its campus, and the Board needed to make a decision on that option.

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

Assistant Attorney General and legal counsel to the Board Christie Scase presented the Board an update on legal proceedings in two Board cases that had been appealed in Iowa District Court.

Executive Director Dr. George Maurer briefed board members on what they could expect to see at the meeting of the Joint Education Appropriations Subcommittee in the Iowa Statehouse, before which he would shortly appear to speak about the Board budget. He had a handout of the budget issues and of the recommendations he was going to make. Revenues have not kept up with expenses, and the Board no longer receives an appropriation. Dr. Maurer wants the Board to keep all fees collected, to assume financial responsibility for all staff positions, and to retain up to 10% of the fees for carryover purposes, with any excess to be deposited into the General Fund.

The Board recessed from 9:10 a.m. to 10:39 a.m. and accompanied the Executive Director to the Capitol.

Upon their return, the board members reviewed some of the budget data and received from the BoEE Executive Director and DE Director information in response to specific questions. Board Member William Haigh advised the Executive Director to follow up on a request made by one of the senators. He said that when a legislator asks about something, one should be sure to formally give a response.

The Board next voted on two simple sets of rules slated for adoption. Judy Jeffrey moved, with a second by Anita Westerhaus, to adopt and file the proposed change to Chapter 11 that would revise the reference in rule from Chapter 12, which has been rescinded, to Chapter 25, which has replaced it. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Jean Seeland moved, with a second by Ying Ying Chen, to adopt and file the proposed change to Chapter 21 that would align Board rule with the change in a Department of Transportation rule, which now requires a clear driving record of the previous two years, instead of the previous four years. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

The Board then reviewed a licensure appeal case. Brian Carter moved, with a second by William Haigh, that in case number APP 04-04, the Board not initiate review of the proposed decision and allow the proposed decision to become the final decision of the Board unless an appeal is taken by one of the parties within the time allowed by rule. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Administrative Consultant Susan Fischer introduced Mary Ann Adams, Consultant with the Bureau of Community Colleges and Career and Technical Education. Ms. Adams addressed the Board on the need to update the wording in the endorsements to reflect the national standards by which practitioners in the field of family and consumer sciences (formerly home economics) now teach. At the request of Board Chair Peter Hathaway, Assistant Attorney General and legal counsel to the Board Christie Scase then summarized the administrative rules process so that Ms. Adams would understand both the steps and the timeline involved.

The Board expressed significant satisfaction in the legislative reception held the afternoon before. Members made contact with key people and acquainted them with the Board’s work. Legislators seemed interested and responsive. Board Chair Peter Hathaway once again expressed appreciation to the professional organizations for their role in making the occasion a success. Board Member Brian Carter requested that staff find out the number of the Board’s pre-filed bill, which should be non-controversial, and the committee to which it will be referred, for ready reference to the legislators. Board Member William Haigh advised Executive Director Dr. George Maurer to have a mechanism in place for tracking the bill so that timelines are known and action taken accordingly. Mr. Hathaway noted that the gathering was a step for the Board in achieving its goal of broader exposure and visibility in the education community and "on the hill."

The Board amended the agenda by next considering future board meeting dates. The Board agreed to a board retreat on July 28-29, 2005, beginning about 1 p.m. on Thursday and concluding Friday afternoon. The Board decided not to accept the invitation of UNI to host the March 31 meeting and deferred to a future board meeting a decision on any other proposed dates. Board members expressed a continued preference for meetings to be held on Friday.

The Board recessed for lunch at 11:29 a.m. and reconvened at 12:29 p.m.

Licensure Consultant Dr. Gary Borlaug gave a presentation on the new licensure system soon to be effected. He showed how the program can be used by members of the public seeking licensure information on specific individuals and by licensees seeking to renew their licenses or to update certain categories of database information in their licensure records. Dr. Borlaug expected system implementation by the end of the school year. Responding to a request from Board Chair Peter Hathaway, Board Member Judy Jeffrey related that the new system assists in bringing the state into compliance with No Child Left Behind by its being a means of notification to parents of the qualifications of their children’s teachers. It is a school district’s responsibility to notify parents that their children’s teachers are highly qualified, and a link from a school district’s webpage to that of the new system would facilitate delivery of that information. The Iowa Access Funds financed the project.

The Board moved on to consider its most recent list of goals and priorities.
DE Director Judy Jeffrey summarized discussion by listing the three highest priorities between January and July: to promote ethics, to deal with out-of-state applicants for Iowa licensure and to work on the budget. July would be soon enough to look once again at other goals and priorities. Board members agreed.

Board Chair Peter Hathaway had board members look at revisions he had made, following the December board meeting, to the Board Mission, Principles and Actions document. They were satisfied with the changes and need not review them again before the July board retreat.

The Board acknowledged that departing Board Members Peter Hathaway and Anita Westhaus would attend their last meeting on March 31. Board Member Jean Seeland expressed appreciation for Thursday afternoon’s legislative reception and thought that both it and Friday morning’s attendance at the subcommittee meeting were very good. They were growth opportunities for board members.

There being no further business, Board Chair Peter Hathaway adjourned the meeting at 1:49 p.m.