Hoosier State Press Association - The Indiana Publisher
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/92460
November 8, 2012 News in brief progress made in education reform during the past few years, and now I fear we are at risk of moving backward. I'm worried the defeat of Tony Bennett as state superintendent of public instruction puts this state's education reforms at risk. An Associated Press ducation is on my mind this week. There's been a lot of achieving. Yet those voices have to News Biz By Greg Morris be careful their message does not blend in with the underperformers who are loudly complaining to protect their own self-interest. Everyone would like to headline this week read, "Teacher wrath boosts Ritz to upset in state education race." In the article, Glenda Ritz, our new education chief, pledged to roll back many of Bennett's changes, including a reading test that third- graders must pass to advance to fourth grade. Teachers and adminis- toward private takeovers of public schools that repeatedly fail. Many educators don't like They don't like the move the expansion of charter- school access, limitations of their collective bargaining rights and pay raises based on annual evaluations. Well, accountability does come with some cost and sacrifice. Gov. Mitch Daniels dedicated about half of his State of the State address in January 2011 to his education reform agenda. Daniels recapped the early achievements of reform in January of this year. Governor-elect Mike Pence is poised to pick up the education-reform baton and run with it. However, now it's possible came from across the state to rally and voice their objections to Daniels' education reforms and the specifics of the House Bill 1002, which they feared would drain resources from traditional public schools. Daniels and Bennett have More than 1,000 teachers see more consensus on what changes are needed. However, it has been Daniel Byron spent the month of Septem- ber in Indianapolis attorney obvious for decades that consensus is not at hand. The change we need has to be forced. Daniels has forced change, and I applaud the effort. Bennett has forced change often been demonized because they've forced change in an attempt to fix a failing system. Isn't that the way it always trators don't like the A-F grade system they are subject to. is? everyone says they want to improve it. But when significant change is finally proposed and executed, all the individual and special interests scramble to fight it. Nothing happens, and the A system is failing, and cycle repeats itself. Change does not come easily. Education reform is a topic that brings out passion – and rightfully so. Our children are our future. It's tough to take the lead and criticize some teachers, administrators and school systems when there are good things happening in many schools. But the numbers don't lie. Indiana students as a group have been underperforming, and schools as a group have been failing for years. Yet there are excellent he has a potential adversary to work with instead of a partner. Obviously, not everyone school systems that con- sistently perform at a high level. These high-performers agrees more charter schools or other proposed reforms are a good idea. Do you remember the raucous scene at the Indiana Statehouse last year? as well, and that didn't make him popular with many. As a result, he paid the price in his re-election bid. So why am I on my soapbox talking about this issue? I don't believe there is any better catalyst for positive change in education reform than what can be fostered in every newspaper in every community in this great state. As newspaper publishers, Mongolia working for the cause of media freedom in the coun- try sandwiched between Russia and China. Byron, who prac- Daniel Byron Page 3 Newspapers can push for education solutions Lawyer's trip promotes freedoms E than my stay in Ghana. The food was better, for one thing." In the Mongolian capi- tices media law with Bingham Greenebaum Doll, traveled as part of the International Senior Lawyers Project. The group provides pro tal of Ulaanbaatar, Byron gave a seminar to 40 trial judges, encouraging them to expand their views of free press and free speech. He also spoke to law and journalism students and employees of the Mongolia National Broadcasting Co. and spent time conferring with the Mongolian minis- ter of justice. "The Mongolian people we have a responsibility to facilitate the discussions that provide positive solutions for our kids. And we need to continue to hold responsible parties accountable for their actions or inactions, as the case may be. Maybe Ritz has better solutions, and she'll work with the governor and the legislature as partners for positive change. But no matter what side of bono legal services to pro- mote human rights, equi- table economic develop- ment and media freedoms. Byron traveled to Ghana and 15 other Eastern Africa nations as part of the same program five years ago. "It was a fascinating experience," Byron said of his time in Mongolia. "I think I enjoyed it more are very accommodating and open to free press and free speech," Byron said. For the most part, the people were friendly and pro-America. "Mongolia wants to get closer to us and further away from Russia and China," Byron said. "They laugh at Russia, but they are fearful of China." Byron posted blogs dur- ing his stay at dbyronin mongolia.blogspot.com. – North Vernon Plain Dealer Examiner reporter Darrell Smith became a Kentucky Colonel on Oct. 22. The the aisle you're on as to which changes need to take place, I hope we can all agree that we can't return to the status quo. We can't go backward. Thanks for doing what don't like a lot of the reforms because they want to be granted more local control and take their game to an even higher level. They don't want to be saddled with state mandates they say will hinder the success they are already you all do best – taking the lead in your individual communities on topics like education reform. of directors president, is presi dent of IBJ Media and publisher of Indianapolis Business Journal. His column appears in the first issue of each month. Greg Morris, HSPA board Request your access handbook can request the updated Handbook on Indiana's Pub- lic Access Laws free from HSPA. The 64-page booklet lists Publishers and editors the Open Door Law and Access to Public Records Act. It also includes explana- tions of the two public access statutes, information on the Indiana Public Access Counselor and a sample letter for making records requests. The new booklet includes changes made this year by the state legislature, including the provision for civil fines that can be levied by a judge who finds that violations of public access laws were deliberate. To request copies of the updated handbook, contact Shawn Goldsby at sgoldsby@ hspa.com or (317) 803-4772. designa- tion from the gover- nor of Kentucky is based on a person's service to his or her community. Smith, a reporter at the Darrell Smith You can call him Colonel Smith Connersville News- mend Darrell Smith because of his worth to this community," Woolery said. "He is a real nice guy and does one fine job for this community and for mankind." News-Examiner general "I decided to recom- News-Examiner for 12 years, was gathering police news for the paper when a group of local men came in the office to present the award. One of them, Garrie D. Woolery, nominated Smith for the recognition. manager Kelly Miller said the newspaper values Smith for his knowledge of the community and his involvement in activities that help others. She praised his loyalty and the thoroughness of his work for the newspaper. After accepting a Kentucky Colonel certificate and a pin, Smith went right back to work. War II Museum and Scripps Howard Foun- dation offered newspapers across the nation the opportunity to reprint on Veteran's Day Pyle's most famous column – "The death of Capt. Waskow." It's a reminder of the ultimate sacrifice made by so many Americans to maintain the freedoms U.S. citizens enjoy. Newspapers were asked Stay ahead of your to consider including a paragraph about the Ernie Pyle World War II Museum in Dana, Ind. The Pyle offering also Pyle column offered to papers The Ernie Pyle World – Connersville News-Examiner other stories written by Pyle. Visit http:// journalism.indiana.edu/ resources/erniepyle. The Ernie Pyle World included a link to the IU School of Journalism web- site, where one can access War II Museum features the famed journalist's birthplace and a museum dedicated to Pyle's life and writings as a war cor- respondent. It is owned by the Friends of Ernie Pyle, a group dedicated to pre- serving and expanding the legacy of the writer whose columns linked the sol- diers on the front line to worried families on the home front. To learn more about the Ernie Pyle World War II Museum, go to www.erniepyle.org. 800.245.9278 | create@multiad.com multiad.com CreativeOutlet.com | Recas® | Creator Professional Send promotions, announcements, staff changes and other corporate news to mtuley@hspa.com.