State Board of Ed Real Life “House of Cards

Just like the despicable back room government machinations that take place in the TV
show “House of Cards”, the Indiana State Board of Education (SBOE) and Governor have proceeded
to manipulate education policy procedures regardless of public preference or even legislative
promulgations.

Glenda Ritz received 1.3 million votes to oust Tony Bennett and his policies even before
it was discovered that he changed the school grading parameters to make the Charter School
performance of a wealthy donor reach “A” status, and before he admitted to unethical political
use of his staff on the tax payer’s dime.

As Glenda Ritz revealed herself to be a true professional educator with the best interests
of students in mind, not political platforms, the Governor autonomously created a parallel Department of Education named CECI (Center for Education and Career Innovation) to ensure political agendas would be forced on the public.

The SBOE has now put in place procedures that allow it to override any decision or proposal
from Supt. Ritz.

The CECI has publicly second guessed Supt. Ritz’s federal funding waiver, putting millions
of dollars of federal funding at risk.

Supt. Ritz’s educationally sound proposal to add Reading to the State assessment has
been rejected by Governor.

The SBOE, against the judgement of every professional educational organization in the
State, is moving towards approving “adjunct” teachers who would have no formal training.

The State Legislature banned growth measures that use peer growth comparisons of
students based on ISTEP scores, the SBOE is taking action to continue this practice anyway.

The SBOE has just given itself permission to raise any proposal for a vote without any
advance notice to the public.

Perhaps the writers of “House of Cards” will borrow SBOE minutes as a script in an upcoming
episode.

Voice disapproval at www.in.gov/gov/2333, rguffin@ceci.in.gov, tony@walkerlawgroup.
biz (local SBOE rep)