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BizVoice/Indiana Chamber – September/October 2015
I’m talking, of course, about teachers. That makes
it all the more troubling to see recent stories about a
dramatic decline in education school enrollment, as
well as district difficulties in finding qualified teachers
for available openings.
The all-too public disputes between the Indiana
Department of Education and the State Board of
Education are hopefully a thing of the past. There is no
worse example, or bigger drain on morale, than adult
battles that can – and should – be avoided.
As a wife, daughter and sister of teachers, I see firsthand
the passion and commitment they bring to their work.
As someone advocating in the areas of education and
workforce development, I’m in constant contact with
others who share that dedication to seeing all students
have the opportunity to succeed.
I’m proud that my employer has a mission that calls
for providing “economic opportunity and prosperity for
the people of Indiana” and leads an
Indiana Vision 2025
plan that boasts Outstanding Talent as its most important
economic driver.
I’m pleased that our state has opened new doors
for families through the introduction and expansion of
charter schools and vouchers. These schools and these
programs, like all others in education, however, must
continue to demonstrate proven results. There is no
room for underperformance in this critical enterprise.
I’m happy that the Indiana Chamber and its allies
have helped deliver alternative routes for persons
holding professional degrees to share their expertise by
becoming teachers. The success stories of these career
changers and the lives they impact continue to grow.
I’m encouraged that full-day kindergarten options
are in place and that preschool pilot programs are taking
off in a few selected counties. The expedient expansion
of early education, especially for low-income and other
disadvantaged population, is hopefully among the next
steps. The results are proven and the need is great.
But what about those teachers? They are the
MOST critical factor in each student’s ability to obtain
the quality education that allows them to become
productive members of society. There is no doubt that
more needs to be done to attract, retain and reward the
best teachers. “More” includes:
• increasing starting pay for teachers to attract the best
and brightest to the profession;
• paying our best teachers more money;
• directing more than the 57% (as of 2013) of every
K-12 dollar that reaches the classroom;
• providing meaningful feedback and professional
development for all educators; and
• celebrating teaching successes and lifting up those
who have the greatest classroom impact.
While teachers play that crucial role, discussions
about public education need to focus on the students.
Equal opportunity for a quality education and success in
school for every child is the most important social
justice issue of our time. That quality education is the
surest way to break cycles of poverty, transform
individual lives, lift up our communities and our state,
and attract the best employers and jobs.
Thousands of well-paying jobs are going unfilled
today and our future ability to secure the best jobs
relies on what we do now to provide educational
opportunities for all. Every child, every school and
every community benefits when all children are learning
and succeeding. Students with a high-quality education
gain the confidence, character and abilities to become
engaged and productive citizens.
Education is not about public versus private or
unions versus politicians. It’s about parents, educators,
employers, communities and all others coming together
and creating an expectation, opportunity and clear path
to success for every child.
Lesson No. 1
Teachers Deserve – and Need – Our Support
AUTHOR:
Caryl Auslander
is vice president of
education and workforce
development policy for the
Indiana Chamber of
Commerce
GUEST COLUMN
By Caryl Auslander
With the new school year underway, what better opportunity is there to celebrate the people
who make such a positive impact on so many lives.