kmattas, Author at Stand for Children Indiana

Why I stood for ELL funding

Equitable Funding | 06/21/2023

Lizzie Galvan Public school student and advocate

When I was in 3rd grade, I was held back a year because I didn’t understand English. I know firsthand what it means to be an English Language Learner (ELL) who attends an underfunded school and ends up stuck in the system.

As a part of the Stand for Children Indiana spotlight series, watch my video to learn why I spoke up during the legislative session and how advocates like me are making a positive change:

I had never spoken to legislators before, and due to working until 6 A.M., I had not gotten much sleep. While I am generally a very private person, I showed up and waited my turn to speak because I knew my story was worth sharing. I knew there were other students like me in Indiana, who had been held back and stuck in the system. I wanted to make sure they received more support that provided them with the environment to graduate on time and excel in school.

Today, I am glad I shared my story. Not only will ELL students see some additional funding, but the experience taught me that my voice matters and can make a difference.

If you have a story to tell, I encourage you to join Stand for Children Indiana’s email list and share by emailing [email protected].

New law calls for Indiana to pull accreditation for teacher prep programs flunking the science of reading

Media | 06/20/2023

Stand for Children

Change comes amid national study giving some of Indiana’s largest teachers colleges ‘Fs’ for their training approach to teaching literacy

INDIANAPOLIS – A new law passed in April by the Indiana General Assembly calls for a review of whether educator preparation programs are training their teacher candidates in the science of reading, a vast body of research that details how the human brain learns to read and write. According to a newly released national study, this state review is desperately needed when it comes to some of Indiana’s largest teacher prep programs.

The National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) issued a report this week that gave educator preparation programs at Ball State University and Indiana University-Bloomington — among the largest teachers colleges in the state — an “F” grade for not introducing key concepts related to evidence-based reading instruction. NCTQ’s research also detailed higher education institutions doing the best when it comes to training future educators on the science of reading, including Marian University, Evansville University and Purdue University – Northwest.

Under HEA 1558, the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) will review accredited educator preparation programs specifically for whether curriculum and teaching practices align with the science of reading. Under the law, the IDOE can require an improvement plan from any institution falling short in its instruction around teaching literacy, as well as revoke state accreditation from educator preparation programs that fail to meet requirements.

“NCTQ’s recent report shows that some of our largest teacher prep programs appear to be virtually ignoring teaching evidence-based literacy practices to future educators,” said Stand for Children Indiana Executive Director Justin Ohlemiller. “If we’re going to address the literacy crisis in our state, it’s going to take a significant change in approach from those who are responsible for training our educators of the future.”

Only 33% of Indiana 4^th graders are reading proficiently according to the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP).

Indiana’s review of teacher preparation programs will take place in 2024, according to the new science of reading law passed by lawmakers in April.

Stand for Children Indiana joined with partners last legislative session in rallying parents, teachers and education leaders to support HEA 1558, which creates new guidelines and requirements to ensure instructional practices in classrooms align with the science of reading.

In addition to the changes to Indiana law, the IDOE is leading a significant effort to support early literacy improvements — including targeted investments to help higher education institutions improve their instruction around the science of reading.

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About Stand: Stand for Children is a unique catalyst for educational success and social progress, to create a brighter future for us all.
For more information, please visit: https://stand.org/indiana/

You can make a difference

Current Events & News | 06/15/2023

LaToya Hale-Tahirou Parent and advocate

I got involved with advocacy because my children weren’t getting the type of education I wanted them to have – the type of education that would set them up for success.

But over the years, Stand for Children Indiana has taught me that I can do something about the inequities I see in our public schools. I can make a difference not only for my children but for other children as well. You can too.

If you haven’t already and you live in Indianapolis, I hope you’ll take two minutes today to take this survey. Being involved for as many years as I have, I know that your answers truly matter to Stand Indiana and will be used to make sure parents like me advocate for the things that matter to you and this community in the coming year.

TAKE SURVEY

Why I stood for equitable K-12 funding

Equitable Funding | 06/13/2023

Mary Bova Advocate

Being an ELL teacher has been the most heartbreaking and rewarding profession imaginable. It’s heartbreaking because so many of my students are misunderstood and often called lazy, but they are undoubtedly the hardest working people I know.

I have been teaching for about 10 years now. I have taught at several charter schools and all the work I have done has been with English Language Learning (ELL) students.

I decided to testify on behalf of more funding this legislative session because as a teacher I know our charter schools often serve a higher percentage of low-income students and diverse students, but they receive much less funding from the state. I also know the lack of support and resources for ELL programming often translates to more students being stuck in the system. Students (like Lizzie) who don’t need to be.

As a part of the Stand for Children Indiana spotlight series, watch my video to learn why I shared my story and how advocates like me are making a difference:

Through Stand for Children Indiana, I have learned not only how to use my voice, but how to effectively use it for positive change. We all have a story to share that can make a difference. If you have a story to tell, I encourage you to join Stand for Children Indiana’s email list and share by emailing [email protected].

Why I stood for literacy

Science of Reading | 06/7/2023

Natalie Lott Advocate

I did not initially think Indiana was facing a literacy crisis. Then I began to volunteer with my church. In asking elementary through middle school students in my Sunday school class to read basic passages, I saw and was extremely disheartened by the failures of our public schools.

Seeing so many kids behind where they should have been, I couldn’t sit by and do nothing.

So, I testified in support of the Science of Reading this legislative session. I wanted to ensure our schools had the right curriculum, based in science. I wanted to voice that our kids need to read because it will determine not only their futures but also ours as a state.

Watch my video to learn why I shared my story and how literacy in our state is changing because of advocates like me:

Just imagining the difference this bill will make in the lives of children across our state is so fulfilling. While I had to push through the nerves and feelings that I couldn’t do it, I am glad my story made a difference. Our teachers and schools will now have the science-based training and curriculum they need to support all Indiana children in becoming skilled readers.

If you have a story to tell, I encourage you to join Stand for Children Indiana’s email list and share by emailing [email protected].

Our involvement and voices matter

Parent & Family Engagement | 06/6/2023

Shawanda Tyson Parent and advocate

When I was only six years old, my father was wrongfully convicted of a crime he didn’t commit. My mother now had five children to care for on her own. Because she never finished school, helping us with our education was hard for her. My mom didn’t know about GPAs or graduation requirements. She didn’t know how to be involved with my schooling. Today, I am deeply involved with my son’s education because I realized then how important it was. Today, because of a voicemail I received from Stand Indiana years ago, I have an abundance of support in my journey to becoming a parent advocate.

In 2011, my son was diagnosed with Autism. I didn’t know what that was. I was scared for him, so I started researching it online to learn how to help. His first year of school was so rough – he was suspended on his first day of kindergarten and most of the 21 days that followed.

That was my first experience of really feeling like a battle was beginning.

From there, I enrolled him in a new school and worked with the staff and teachers to come up with a plan. Near the end of his kindergarten year, I received a voicemail from Stand Indiana about an event, and I went. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but I knew I wanted to support my son and his education.

I got to the meeting an hour late, after work. During this intro meeting, I heard Stand Indiana’s regional organizing director at the time say, “You are your child’s first and most important teacher.” It made me realize that what I was doing wasn’t in vain.

I would sometimes feel drained, but I left this meeting feeling like I could conquer the world, help my child, and that I wasn’t alone.

Since that day, I’ve been deeply involved with my son’s education, and Stand Indiana has been by my side every step of the way. Stand has become family to me. The organization and its mission are so close to my heart.

Through Stand, I’ve learned parent involvement is everything. My involvement will help my child receive the best education possible and help other children too. By creating a community of engaged parents, I believe we can create a culture in which children know they are supported and community members know parent voices matter.

If you live in Indianapolis, I encourage you to start getting involved now. One way to get involved is to take this survey. It only took me a few minutes to complete, but it was a great way to express what changes I most want to see. The results will help determine what Stand for Children Indiana and parents like me advocate for in the coming year.

TAKE SURVEY

Why I stood for youth justice

Youth Justice | 05/31/2023

Dontia Dyson Parent and advocate

Because I wanted to make a difference for kids and families who would be most impacted by the high costs associated with our youth justice system, I shared my personal experience with lawmakers during the legislative session.

Watch my video below to learn why I shared my story and how the youth justice system is changing because of advocates like me.

Through Stand for Children Indiana, I have learned that my voice matters. My story helped influence lawmakers to make a big change in the law that will prevent youth and their families from being negatively impacted by unjust costs and fees in our youth system.

If you have a story to tell, I encourage you to join Stand for Children Indiana’s email list and share your story by emailing [email protected].

2023 Legislative session visual snapshot

Current Events & News | 05/24/2023

Stand for Children

Stand for Children Indiana staffers Carolina Figueroa and Kristin Casper at the Indiana statehouse.

Our team has been reviewing the collective action that went into some landmark wins this last legislative session, and the results are truly something to celebrate. Here’s a visual snapshot of how your voice and our collective efforts drove substantial progress for young people and their families:

For a full summary of the work Stand for Children Indiana and advocates accomplished this session, check out this blog.

2023 Legislative session summary

Current Events & News | 05/24/2023

Stand for Children

Governor Holcomb pictured along with Stand for Children Indiana staffers Carolina Figueroa and Kristin Casper at a ceremonial signing of House Enrolled Act 1558 on May 22, 2023.

April 28 marked the end of a busy and exciting 2023 legislative session in Indiana. We are thrilled to update you on the policy priorities we shared as the legislative session started, which focused on advancing educational equity and youth justice in Indiana.

Before we jump into the policy, we want to thank the many advocates who engaged throughout the legislative session – from participating in listening sessions to identify needs and policy solutions to interacting with lawmakers or sharing experiences with members of the media. Hundreds of you sent thousands of emails to policymakers and many shared their lived experiences in testimony before committees. Advocates like you made a huge difference for Hoosier kids and families.

Ensuring our public schools are equitably funded and the school funding formula considers low-income and traditionally underserved students as well as our SPED and ELL populations.

In terms of K-12 funding, Stand Indiana and advocates worked to rally support for significant increases in the English Language Learning (ELL) and complexity grants, as well as addressing the funding gap for charter schools.
- We initiated an email campaign focused on equitable funding, which led to nearly 2,400 emails being sent to key lawmakers who would decide on the final budget.
- We worked closely with partners like The Mind Trust and EmpowerED Families, who both did an excellent job championing the major reforms to charter funding that passed into law (which should net about $2,300 in additional money per student).
- Advocates like Irma, Lizeth, Mary and Dontia shared their lived experiences with the School Funding Subcommittee.

Advocating for our public schools to be equipped with the curriculum and best practices in teaching reading that aligns with scientific research as our state faces a literacy crisis.

Over the course of the legislative session our team, powered by the voice of our advocates, spent extensive time helping shape HEA 1558 – a bill that dramatically changes our state’s approach to literacy instruction in the classroom.
- As a result of HEA 1558, Indiana classrooms will now be required to use evidence-based reading practices. Because lawmakers added the $40 million early literacy grant fund to the budget, hundreds of additional schools will have access to the training and staffing support they need to help struggling readers much more effectively. This funding will also help ensure districts can hire reading coaches.
- Our work will now shift to supporting the implementation of this landmark legislation, which should lead to tens of thousands of struggling readers in our state getting the support they need much earlier in their schooling experience. Additionally, this will provide the tools educators have long been looking for to teach literacy much more effectively.
- If you want to learn more about the Science of Reading, visit this page. To read why Natalie advocated for the passage of HEA 1558, read her blog.
While our team was proud to play a significant role in shaping this legislation, we’re so grateful for the partnership and support of advocates from the dyslexia community, as well as numerous non-profit organizations working in K-12 education. The IDOE also deserves our collective gratitude for their leadership on this bill and their ability to leverage major philanthropic support from the Lilly Endowment. Last, none of these impactful literacy policies would’ve been possible without Rep. Jake Teshka, Chairman Bob Behning, Sen. Aaron Freeman and Chairman Jeff Raatz. We’re very grateful for their commitment to ensuring Indiana is changing our approach to teaching literacy in classrooms across the state.

Supporting the governor’s agenda item to increase the number of young people applying for 21st Century Scholarships.

Over the course of the legislative session, advocates have supported streamlining the 21st Century Scholarship enrollment process, and we are thrilled the Commission for Higher Education (CHE) and the legislature came together to ensure income eligible students don’t miss the opportunity to receive a two- or four-year scholarship that pays up to 100% tuition at an eligible Indiana college or university.
- We worked with CHE and lawmakers to strike the requirement for parents to file an application in writing at the end of their student’s eighth-grade year from state code.
- We initiated an email campaign focused on streamlining the 21^st Century Scholarship enrollment process, which led to over 1,800 emails sent to key lawmakers.
- We organized a team of student and teacher advocates at Purdue Polytech High School, who did an amazing job talking about the real-life impact of simplifying enrollment for 21st Century.
- We supported advocates like A.J., Eric and Lucas who wanted to share their stories online, which detailed how being 21^st Century Scholarship recipients changed their lives. Visit this page to watch their stories.

Ending some of the high costs and fees of our juvenile justice system that disproportionately burden low-income families and increase the time youth remain under court supervision.

During the legislative session, Stand Indiana and youth justice advocates worked on ensuring House Bill 1493 passed. Because of its passage, several reimbursement fees in the juvenile system will be eliminated, barring courts making a specific ruling that youth have the income to pay. Previously, it was assumed families could afford these costs, which disproportionately burdened low-income families and had the potential to increase the time youth remained under court supervision.
- We supported system-impacted advocates such as Dontia, Carolina and Maria with their testimonies before the House Courts and Criminal Code Committee and the Senate Committee on Family and Children Services.
- Our team worked closely with community stakeholders committed to reforming our youth justice system and are especially grateful for the Children’s Policy and Law Initiative, Marion County Commission on Youth, Indiana Legal Services and the Juvenile Law Center for their work to support HEA 1493.
- This legislation would not have been successful without the advocacy of Chairwoman Wendy McNamara and Senator Mike Crider. Their leadership ensured the bill’s passage and we are grateful for their work not only on HEA 1493, but also their commitment to reforming our youth justice system overall.

Thank you for being a part of this important work by boldly leading the charge to create better, more equitable public schools in Indiana and end the harmful practices of our youth justice system.

For a visual snapshot of the work Stand for Children Indiana and advocates accomplished this session, check out this blog.

Stand for Children Indiana praises General Assembly for passing plan to address literacy crisis

Media | 04/28/2023

Stand for Children

INDIANAPOLIS – The following statement was issued today by Stand for Children Indiana’s Executive Director Justin Ohlemiller after the passage of House Enrolled Act 1558, along with funding in the state budget for early literacy grants. The legislative package, in its entirety, aims to dramatically improve the state’s approach to classroom instruction related to reading. The legislation is now headed to Governor Holcomb for signature.

“We are grateful to the Indiana General Assembly for their work to address our state’s literacy crisis through House Enrolled Act 1558 and the creation of a $20 million annual grant fund to improve classroom instruction grounded in the science of reading. It is nothing short of a tragedy that only 31% of Hoosier students are proficient readers, according to NAEP data. The system has failed so many of our young people for generations, relying on unproven – and even harmful – instructional approaches to reading. We’ve also failed our educators too, having sent them into classrooms without the training and knowledge needed to help struggling readers.

“We cannot address the huge gaps in educational opportunity until we ensure all children have a strong foundation in literacy. We know from decades of brain research that there is a right way and wrong way to teach children to read. House Enrolled Act 1558 sets the stage for schools to use curricula and instructional practices rooted in science. The bill and as well as the grant fund support the ongoing work of Secretary Katie Jenner and the Indiana Department of Education to give educators the tools and training they need to help struggling readers much more effectively.

“Stand for Children Indiana is so appreciative for the work and leadership of legislators like bill author Rep. Jake Teshka, bill sponsor Sen. Aaron Freeman, Chairman Bob Behning, Chairman Jeff Raatz, Sen. Linda Rogers and Sen. Andrea Hunley. Their diligent work will ensure Indiana’s approach to literacy gets a significant boost from the policy outlined this legislative session. We also want to thank Secretary Jenner for her leadership on the issue, as well as the Lilly Endowment for their significant investment in increasing evidence-based reading practices in Indiana classrooms.”

About Stand: Stand for Children Indiana is a unique catalyst for education equity and racial justice, to create a brighter future for us all.