Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 29 November 2002 — Page 2

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THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29,2002

Indiana Caucus to sponsor town hall meeting on education

ContlniMd from A1

R«p. Carolina Maya, Rap. Mat Dlckanaon, s#n * G,e * n Howard, San.SamSmlth,Dl8trlct2 Rap. Vernon G. Smith, Rap. Gregory Porter, Rap. Charlie Brown, District 94 District 95 District 33 District 14 District 96 Districts

addresses those issues of con- “The paper has recommendacem. The paper is an accumula- tions on how we can go about tion of surveys conducted by closing the achievement gap,” Prentiss and 30 other legislators, says newly elected House Ways As a result, legislators concluded and Means chairman. Rep. that quality education remains William Crawford. ‘*71)6 focus separate and unequal for many in of our town hall meeting will be the United States. looking at those recommenda-

tions, looking at the federal requirements, and looking at how we can fashion programs in Indiana that achieve those overall objectives - whether it be in a rural setting, suburban setting, or an urban setting.” IBLC Chairman Rep. Gregory

Porter of Indianapolis discusses some possible solutions that will aid in narrowing the achievement gap among minorities. “... Having more smaller class sizes; proposing having more mentors in the school systems for new teachers; (and) also trying to

bring teachers back to urban school settings ... (will) eliminate the achievement gap in regards to education for low income people and minorities in the school systems across this nation,” said Porter. Sen. Rogers also has some

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(Hr the answers, see section C3)

arrive curious

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ideas for possible solutions. She says equity and funding are high on the list. “Since most of the money for education comes from property taxes, those schools that are in areas in which there are fewer property taxes paid, they suffer because not as much money is spent on their education as in some of your more affluent neighborhoods. When there’s that disparity in funding, the state needs to step up and put money in those areas where there is a lack of property taxes to make sure that as much is spent on poor students as more affluent students,” said Rogers. RecorderCorrespondent, Tysha Hardy-Seller contributed to this story.

About the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus Members of the IBLC listen and respond to questions and concerns of constituents as well as educate communities about the political process. The caucus identifies common social issues and builds consensus to address these issues to provide a better quality life. Action plan for legislators Closing the Achievement Gap provides an action plan for legislators to use at the state and local level. The report focuses on the following recommendations to improve the quality of education for Black children: • Develop and support programs designed to promote high academic standards. • Support programs that reduce class size and support prevention - intervention strategies, including programs that promote literacy and reading. • Develop policies to increase teacher quality and address teacher shortages. • Increase funding to implement standards, reduce class size, improve teacher quality, and provide necessary classroom supports. Information provided by “The Legislator, a Publication of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators.”

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