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Motions 2

Meeting Called to Order 4

Licensee Discipline 4

Welcome by Dr. David Roe, President of Central College 5

Consent Agenda 6

Communication 6

Pre-filed Bill Discussion 8

Teacher Intern Rules – First Reading 8

Adjournment 9

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

William Haigh moved, with a second by Jacqueline Wellborn, that in case number 04-16, the Board find that the evidence gathered in the investigation, including witness statements and the documentary evidence, does not corroborate the allegations in the complaint, and that the Board, therefore, lacks probable cause to proceed with this matter. However, the Board does not condone the behavior gathered by the facts in the investigation. Roll call vote: Aboud – yes; Robinson – yes; Carter – yes; Seeland – yes; Paulsen – yes; Wellborn – yes; Westerhaus – yes; Haigh – yes; and Hathaway – yes.

Jacqueline Wellborn moved, with a second by Anita Westerhaus, that in case number 04-17, the Board find probable cause to establish a violation of the following provisions of the code of professional conduct and ethics:
282—12.2(1)(d) and order this case set for hearing. Roll call vote: Haigh – yes; Westerhaus – yes; Wellborn – yes; Paulsen – yes; Seeland – yes; Carter – yes; Robinson – yes; Aboud – no; and Hathaway – yes. MOTION CARRIED.

Jean Seeland moved, with a second by Greg Robinson, to approve the October 8 and October 11, 2004, minutes, as distributed. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

John Aboud moved, with a second by Anita Westerhaus, to submit a pre-filed bill to change the Iowa law mandating resolution of a complaint within 180 days to investigation of complaints and determination of probable cause by the Board within 120 days, with further clarification in the way of statement of problem and solution to be included in the cover memorandum. Roll call vote: Haigh – yes; Westerhaus – yes; Wellborn – yes; Paulsen – yes; Seeland – yes; Carter – yes; Robinson – yes; Aboud – yes; and Hathaway – yes. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

The Board of Educational Examiners held its monthly meeting on November 5, 2004, in the BMW Rooms of the Maytag Student Center on the campus of Central College in Pella. Board Chair Peter Hathaway called the meeting to order at 9:31 a.m. Members attending were John Aboud, Brian Carter, William Haigh, Peter Hathaway, Thomas Paulsen, Greg Robinson, Jean Seeland, Jacqueline Wellborn and Anita Westerhaus. Also in attendance were Susan Fischer, Interim Executive Director of the Board; Christie Scase, Assistant Attorney General and legal counsel to the Board; Barbara Hendrickson, Board Secretary; and other visitors. Ying Ying Chen and Judy Jeffrey were unable to attend the meeting. Ms. Scase left at 1:33 p.m.

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

The Board reconvened into open session at 10:09 a.m.

William Haigh moved, with a second by Jacqueline Wellborn, that in case number 04-16, the Board find that the evidence gathered in the investigation, including witness statements and the documentary evidence, does not corroborate the allegations in the complaint, and that the Board, therefore, lacks probable cause to proceed with this matter. However, the Board does not condone the behavior gathered by the facts in the investigation. Roll call vote: Aboud – yes; Robinson – yes; Carter – yes; Seeland – yes; Paulsen – yes; Wellborn – yes; Westerhaus – yes; Haigh – yes; and Hathaway – yes.

Jacqueline Wellborn moved, with a second by Anita Westerhaus, that in case number 04-17, the Board find probable cause to establish a violation of the following provisions of the code of professional conduct and ethics: 282—12.2(1)(d) and order this case set for hearing. Roll call vote: Haigh – yes; Westerhaus – yes; Wellborn – yes; Paulsen – yes; Seeland – yes; Carter – yes; Robinson – yes; Aboud – no; and Hathaway – yes. MOTION CARRIED.

The Board recessed from 10:11 a.m. to 10:18 a.m.

Board Chair Peter Hathaway introduced himself and, on behalf of the Board of Educational Examiners, thanked Central College staff for its hospitality for the November board meeting. He said that an annual highlight for the Board is a visit to the campus of a teacher preparation institution and seeing things first hand.

Central College President Dr. David Roe welcomed the Board to campus and thanked members for the opportunity of extended time to explain the college’s Central Teacher Academy. Dr. Roe extolled the excellent reputation of the college’s Education Department and its graduates.

On behalf of Central College’s Education Department, and program partners Heartland Area Education Agency (AEA) 11 and the Pella Community School District (CSD), Dr. Pamela Ewell also welcomed the Board. She then presented the framework for Central Teacher Academy, which was followed by a presentation by representatives of those implementing the program. Central Teacher Academy was defined as a triadic multi-tiered partnership program among Central College teacher education, Pella CSD and Heartland AEA 11.
It is a collaborative program for preparing pre-service teachers and is also a mentoring program; it assists K-12 students as well. The program bridges classroom theory with application, being both an intensive and extensive opportunity for pre-service teachers, above and beyond field experiences and student teaching. In addition to Central Teacher Academy liaison Mindi Kacmarynski, others giving first-hand accounts of the operation and success of the program represented Pella CSD, Heartland AEA 11, first-year teachers and undergraduate academy students.

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

Board Chair Peter Hathaway once again thanked and complimented the Board for their work on October 8, carrying on in his absence, and their availability on October 11 for the final candidate interview for the position of Executive Director of the Board.

Jean Seeland moved, with a second by Greg Robinson, to approve the October 8 and October 11, 2004, minutes, as distributed. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

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

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

Interim Executive Director Susan Fischer reported briefly on a number of issues:

1. On the Board’s behalf, she had sent a congratulatory note to each of the Iowa Milken Award winners and to the Iowa Teacher of the Year. She also announced that the teacher of one of her sons had won the Golden Apple Award that is sponsored by Des Moines’ WHO-TV. American Education Week is November 14-20, and Board Member Jean Seeland suggested that Ms. Fischer write a letter to the editor of the Des Moines Register on behalf
   of the Board, expressing appreciation to school staff in Iowa and telling them what a fine group of people they are.
2. Ms. Fischer next directed the Board’s attention to a staff directory sheet showing the funding source for each of the staff members in the board office.
3. She then mentioned her involvement with the Teacher Quality Enhancement Grant. A group representing the Department of Education, the Board of Educational Examiners, community colleges and four-year institutions is working on content requirements, trying to improve the preparation of teachers in their content areas and providing more staff development for teachers so that they can meet the highly qualified definition. The Board may in the future see outcome from these discussions in proposals reflecting a concentrated effort to look at requirements in coursework and strategies with respect to content endorsements. Board Member Jean Seeland recommended that Ms. Fischer contact David Wilkinson of the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA), who is working on a grant for the Waterloo Community School District on how to retain highly qualified teachers in very difficult schools and how to attract the best and the brightest to those schools. Board Chair Peter Hathaway suggested that Ms. Seeland refer Mr. Wilkinson to the Omaha public school district, which has achieved success in this area. Ms. Fischer said that the grant will fund a number of projects, including possibly the teacher intern program and professional ethics.
4. Ms. Fischer said that the Leadership Partnership has begun discussing some additional changes for administrators, specifically some type of middle level administrative endorsement or lead teacher recognition, wherein the holder would do more of the plant management type of duties. A leadership academy for training and retention of administrators is the biggest part of that grant.
5. In response to a question from Board Member John Aboud, Ms. Fischer said that the original deadline for filling the position of Director of the Department of Education had been extended. Those involved hope to have the position filled by the first of the year.
6. Ms. Fischer met in Waterloo with a gathering of personnel directors. They were interested in the highly qualified definition for special education teachers, the teacher intern program, and the new administrative licenses and how one may switch from one to another.
7. A room in the Capitol has been reserved for the legislative reception scheduled for Thursday, January 26, 2005, the day before the board meeting. The tentative timeframe is 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., although adjustments before and after that time may be made, if desired.
8. Ms. Fischer asked the Board if they preferred the December or January meeting as a time for discussion of "wish list" ideas for Board consideration. The Board agreed on December. Board Chair Peter Hathaway then suggested a dinner with Dr. George Maurer, the income Executive Director of the Board of Educational Examiners, following the legislative reception on January 26.

Assistant Attorney General and legal counsel to the Board Christie Scase reviewed a draft memorandum regarding a pre-filed bill on the resolution of complaints before the Board. John Aboud moved, with a second by Anita Westerhaus, to submit a pre-filed bill to change the Iowa law mandating resolution of a complaint within 180 days to investigation of complaints and determination of probable cause by the Board within 120 days, with further clarification in the way of statement of problem and solution to be included in the cover memorandum. Roll call vote: Haigh – yes; Westerhaus – yes; Wellborn – yes; Paulsen – yes; Seeland – yes; Carter – yes; Robinson – yes; Aboud – yes; and Hathaway – yes. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Several colleges and universities interested in providing a teacher intern program had reviewed the attendant administrative rules. Based on those discussions, possible revisions in the rules were proposed, which allow for more innovation and flexibility, while still ensuring the integrity of the program standards. Interim Executive Director Susan Fischer led the Board in a discussion of the proposed changes. She also named the institutions with serious interest in providing this alternative teacher preparation. The Franciscan University’s program has already been approved, and that of Kaplan University is close to approval. Teacher preparation institutions that sent representatives to meetings considering formation of a consortium to offer a teacher intern program were Mt. Mercy College, Upper Iowa University,
the University of Northern Iowa (UNI), Grand View College, Iowa Wesleyan College and Simpson College. [N.B. A representative of Graceland University also participated in the group meetings.] No institution has yet signed off on the consortium. Should it not coalesce, UNI and Grand View College appear the closest of those interested in the consortium to offer a program of their own.

In response to a question from Board Member Brian Carter, Ms. Fischer offered to have Dr. Jackie Crawford, Administrative Consultant with the Department of Education, address the Board on how the teacher preparation institutions have moved in recent years to accept performance indicators and different types of assessment, not just coursework, to make sure that people meet the requirements to become teachers. Mr. Carter expressed interest in such a presentation. When Board Member Greg Robinson asked if the area education agencies had expressed much interest in offering a teacher intern program, Ms. Fischer said no. The Board will next see the proposed changes to the rules prepared for vote for Notice of Intended Action.

There being no further business, Board Chair Peter Hathaway adjourned the meeting at 1:40 p.m.