12
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 3, 2017
Arizona eliminating state standards for public school teaching BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services
G
ov. Doug Ducey is defending controversial legislation he sought – and signed Tuesday – to allow more people without formal teacher training to lead a public school classroom. Existing laws already allow people who have expertise in science, technology, engineering or math to teach. SB 1042 would open it up to anyone who has “expertise in a content area or subject matter.’’ More significant, it exempts the person from having to take a test of professional proficiency, leaving much of the decision on who is qualified up to local school superintendents rather than the state Department of Education. It is that provision that has upset foes who have said simply being knowledgeable in an academic area does not mean an ability to actually teach. “We have a teacher shortage in the state of Arizona,’’ Ducey said. “We’ve got some very high-qualified, educated people in our community that have expressed interest in teaching.’’ But Ducey sidestepped a question of whether he, as an Arizona State University
graduate, is qualified to teach a thirdgrade class. “This isn’t about me or what I’m qualified to do,’’ Ducey responded. “I want to help bring the best qualified people, more of the best possible people into our classrooms.’’ His comments came just hours after the state House gave final approval to the legislation on a 33-22 margin. It had won Senate approval a day earlier. Among the provisions, school superintendents would be able to create what amounts to their own certification process, subject only to an avowal that the person “has made satisfactory progress and achievement with students.’’ Ducey said that makes sense given the need for more teachers to leave the decisions to local officials. He said that’s already the case at charter schools, which are public schools that can be run as forprofit or nonprofit operations. “They’re able to choose teachers and hire teachers whether they have the traditional training or not,’’ the governor said. “I think it’s good policy.’’ If Ducey signs the measure, it will be over the objections of fellow Republican Diane Douglas, the state superintendent of public instruction. “In my opinion, lowering the standards
for new teachers is not the way to correct the problem,’’ she said. Douglas said there already are “currently a variety of ways teachers can make their way into the classroom.’’ And she said there’s nothing wrong with looking for ways to streamline the process. “However, those programs should ensure that teacher candidates are prepared to manage a classroom, deliver instruction, and have mastered their subject area,’’ Douglas said. And Douglas said the focus should be to increase teacher pay “to help retain and attract the best candidates.’’ That stance was echoed during the House vote by Rep. Kirsten Engel, D-Tucson. She cited 2014 data that said 95,000 Arizonans were certified to teach but just 52,000 were in the classroom. “So, there are thousands, tens of thousands of teachers that have certification, that want to be teachers, that went to school, that learned how to teach a classroom, that learned how to interact with our students, and just are not teaching because we make it an impossible job,’’ Engel said. She said that’s not just about pay but other monetary issues like having overcrowded classrooms.
But Rep. Michelle Udall, R-Mesa, who said she just completed a teacher education program, said she’s not convinced that training is the best or only way to get qualified people into the classroom. “I didn’t have to take any child psychology classes or any child development classes,’’ she said. And Udall, who said her emphasis is on teaching math, did not take a single course on teaching that subject. “I took about seven on teaching literacy,’’ she said. Rep. Isela Blanc, D-Tempe, said those pushing to open classrooms to those without teacher training on the basis of a shortage are missing the point of why that’s occurring. She said much of the problem could be resolved by paying teachers more, pointing to data from the National Education Association putting Arizona salaries at or near the bottom of the entire nation. Blanc said that when inflation is taken into account, Arizona teachers are being paid 14 percent less now than they were in 2001. And until that’s resolved, Blanc said opening the doors to others with professional knowledge in special areas won’t solve the problem.
Ahwatukee-Gilbert bus route envisioned to start in October
Help for Addy and her family
AFN News Staff
N
(Special to AFN)
Zzeeks Pizza owners Mark and Jody Pectol, right, raised $1,125 to help pay for blood transfusions and a bone marrow transplant for 15-month-old Adelyn Troutman of Ahwatukee, being held by her mother, Kami Troutman, as her dad, Matt Troutman, holds daughter Alexa, 2, and son Ethan, 6, holds a facsimile of the check. Another fundraiser will be held 6-10 p.m. Wednesday, May 10, at the Chick-fil-A Ahwatukee Foothills, 5035 E. Ray Road. Potential bone marrow matches for Addy can get screened at the restaurant from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
ow that bus service in Ahwatukee has been extended on the weekends, Valley Metro is planning to extend it farther east this fall. A new Route 140 bus is planned to run 11 miles along Ray Road from 48th Street in Ahwatukee to Gilbert Road in Gilbert beginning Oct. 23. The Valley Metro board must first approve the proposed new route, and residents can make their feelings known in several ways. They can attend a public hearing on 5-6:15 p.m. May 15 in the Valley Metro 10th floor boardroom, 101 N. 1st Ave., Phoenix; participate in a webinar at noon May 9 through valleymetro.org, complete an online comment card on that website or email their comments to input@valleymetro.org by May 19. More information about all the proposed October service changes, can be
found at valleymetro.org/servicechanges. Attached is a basic map that shows route. A few details: Valley Metro spokeswoman Ann Glaser said the new Route 140 will provide nine additional connections in Phoenix, Chandler and Gilbert in a rapidly growing area. “According to the latest census estimates, this route would provide transit connectivity to almost 30,000 residents and 12,000 jobs within a quarter-mile of the proposed stops,” she said. Thanks to the voter-approved Phoenix Transportation 2050 plan, local bus routes and Dial-a-Ride in Ahwatukee last month expanded weekend service hours to match light rail hours every day of the week. Friday and Saturday hours were extended to 2 a.m. and Sunday to 11 p.m. In August 2015, Phoenix voters approved Transportation 2050, a 35-year citywide transportation plan that includes improved frequency on local bus service.