By Paige Clark
TheStatehouseFile.com

The Indiana Education Roundtable endorsed new state standards for math and English during a meeting Monday despite boos from opponents who say the new education guidelines are too much like Common Core.

The standards passed easily and now move to the State Board of Education for a final up-or-down vote.

Members of Hoosiers against the Common Core – a group that has been fighting standards that have been adopted by a majority of states and endorsed by President Barack Obama’s administration – rallied at the Statehouse then marched to the roundtable meeting Monday to show their protest.

“We’re going to that meeting to have them looks us in the eye,” said the group’s co-founder, Erin Tuttle. “We are the people that have to live with the consequences of their decision.”

In 2010, Indiana adopted the standards for math and English but opted out of the science, social studies and history standards set by the Common Core. But as the state began phasing in Common Core, became increasingly controversial.

Last year, the General Assembly paused Common Core’s implementation and ordered education officials to take a second look. Then one month ago, Gov. Mike Pence signed SB 91 – calling for new standards written “by Hoosiers for Hoosiers.” Superintendent Glenda Ritz and the state board have been working through that process.

Pence said Monday that the new standards were created by “the best process” with “more Hoosier input and transparency than ever before.” They combine some of Indiana’s past standards with Common Core and ideas from other states.

The crowd against the new standards booed and laughed as Pence spoke.

“I teach for various colleges here in Indiana and I put together some of my own curriculum,” said David Lantz at the rally prior to the meeting. “I have a master’s degree and so what Common Core does is it pushes anybody that has any knowledge about their subject matter from creating competing text books.”

Molly Chamberlin, chief assessment and accountability officer for the Center for Education and Career Innovation, said the process included an evaluation board, assessment board, and a college and career ready panel.

For the first time in Indiana, the standards included math beyond algebra two – trigonometry, pre-calculus – and focused on the integration from high school to post-secondary options.

“There are things that other states will learn from our process,” Chamberlain said. The crowd, again, responded with a laugh.

“We always worried the that we would have a Common Core rebrand, but what I never imaged is that they would produce a set of new standards that is actually worse than the Common Core. That really shocked me. It contains more of what of we didn’t want and less of what we advocated for,” Tuttle said. “To me the new standards are really a smack in the face to parents who have fought really hard in opposition to Common Core.”

Despite the crowd’s loud objections, the standards passed – math 21-2, one abstention, and English 21-3.

Wendy Robinson, Fort Wayne Community Schools Superintendent, said the issue is complex and should be treated that way.

“People want to simplify something that is very complicated,” Robinson said. “I had to re-read (the new standards.) But I had to re-read the ones in 2000 too. We’re acting as if these are different the (standards) adopted in 2000.”

A big difference between the old and new standards is the focus on “media literacy” – which became controversial at the meeting. Amos Brown, a talk show host for AM 1310, said it was unreasonable to expect teachers to fully understand what media is.

“Was anyone in the media consulted on this?” Brown said. “I think the standards need to respect the simple Hoosier language.”

Danielle Shockey, deputy superintendent of public instruction for the Indiana Department of Education, said the term “media” was being misunderstood. She said the standard related to using the media and deciding what sources are credible and which aren’t.

“(Students) need to be taught how to be critical thinkers,” Shockey said.

Even though the “media literacy” standard was added to the curriculum, it will not be a part of the assessment testing, said State Superintendent Glenda Ritz.

The new standards move onto the Board of Education and must be finalized by July 1 of this year. However, they will not be fully implemented until the 2015-2016 school year.

Pence said Indiana is the first state to repeal the Common Core standards.

“I am grateful to every Hoosier who knew that Indiana could do better than the Common Core,” Pence said. “The Indiana standards before you today, I believe, were crafted in the Indiana way. I trust Hoosiers, I trust our teachers who worked in good faith to craft these standards.”

Paige Clark is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.

Today the Indiana State Police recognized Forensic Scientist William Bowles from the Evansville Regional Laboratory for his 35 years of dedicated service to the department and the citizens of Indiana. Major Steve Holland, Commander of the Indiana State Police Laboratory Division, presented Bowles a 35 year certificate on behalf of Superintendent Doug Carter.

Bowles is a native of Berea, KY, and a 1967 graduate of Berea Foundation High School. He later attended Berea College where he graduated in 1971 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry.

Bowles started his forensic science career with the Indiana State Police in April 1979 and was the very first forensic scientist hired to work at the Evansville Regional Laboratory, which serves all law enforcement agencies in southern Indiana. His primary responsibility is analyzing drugs (controlled substances). During the first several years after opening the laboratory, Bowles was responsible for guiding tours and speaking to numerous college and high school groups about the new facility. He was also responsible for training new analysts. During his career, Bowles has testified as an expert witness in over 500 criminal trials.

“Bowles is the most conscientious forensic analyst I have had the privilege of working with over my 35 year career in forensic science. The excellent reputation of the Evansville Regional Laboratory was earned in large part by the sacrifices and contributions made by Bowles,” said Joe Vetter, Manager of the Evansville Regional Lab.

Bowles and his wife, Linda, reside in Vanderburgh County and they have two children.

Photo: Left to Right – Major Steve Holland, William Bowles, Donna Roskowski and Joe Vetter

University of Southern Indiana junior third baseman Trent Gunn (Tell City, Indiana) scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the ninth to lift the 18th-ranked Screaming Eagles to a 7-6 victory over Oakland City University Tuesday evening at the USI Baseball Field. The Eagles go to 31-8 overall, while Oakland City falls to 4-23.

The non-conference victory also takes USI’s winning streak to a season-high 10 games and 17 of the last 18 contests.

USI had control of the game through the first five innings by scoring a tally in their first three at-bats to lead 3-0. Senior leftfielder Brent Weinzapfel (Evansville, Indiana) singled home junior shortstop Matt Chavarria (Carlsbad, New Mexico) to start the scoring in the first frame, while junior rightfielder Kyle Kempf (Evansville, Indiana) drove in a run in the second with a sacrifice fly and senior designated hitter Bryce Shoulders (Newburgh, Indiana) singled in the third run in the third.

The Mighty Oaks would battle back to tie the game, 3-3, with two runs in the sixth and a single tally in the seventh. The Eagles seemed to regain command in the bottom of the seventh with a three-run rally, featuring a two-run double by Weinzapfel and re-establishing the three-run advantage, 6-3.

USI would take the 6-3 lead into the ninth when the Eagles’ bullpen hit a rough patch, allowing three runs to knot the game at 6-6. USI junior right-hander Scott Haag (Ft. Wayne Indiana) and Chavarria, the USI right-handed closer, allowed three runs on one hit, two walks, and a hit batter. Depsite the rough outing, Chavarria (2-0) posted his second win of the year.

In the bottom of the ninth, the Eagles took advantage of the Mighty Oak’s bullpen to manufacture the win. Gunn started the inning with a walk, advanced second on a sacrifice, moved to third and scored on a wild pitch.

On the mound, sophomore right-hander Tyler Nichols (Newburgh, Indiana) went the first five innings and did not factor in the decision. Nichols scattered three hits and two walks, while striking out two in five innings of work.

Senior right-handed reliever Brandon Shaw (Cuba, Illinois) followed Nichols and went a third of an inning, allowing two runs, one earned, and a walk. Junior right-hander Andrew Mercer (Mount Pearl, Newfoundland) was the Eagles’ best reliever of the evening, allowing two hits and a run in 2.2 innings.

The Eagles conclude the 11-game homestand this weekend when they host Saint Joseph’s College for a four-game Great Lakes Valley Conference series. The series starts Friday at 6 p.m., continues Saturday with a 2 p.m. doubleheader, and concludes Sunday with Senior Day at 2 p.m.

ST. LOUIS – Vilneff of the University of Evansville and Alison Szykowny of Loyola University Chicago have been selected Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athletes of the Week, Commissioner Doug Elgin announced today. Vilneff and Szykowny were honored for their performances during the period of April 7-13.

Quinn Vilneff has helped the University of Evansville men’s golf team to a pair of spring victories while finishing in the top 19 in all four events thus far. This weekend saw the defending Elite 18 winner finish in a tie for 19th place at the Hoosier Invitational. He posted two rounds of 72 before finishing the event with a 76. Prior to that, he tie for 10th place helped his team bring home a victory at the Bradley Invitational. He is a sports management major and maintains a 3.91 grade-point average.

Alison Szykowny had a sensational week in the field, breaking a pair of school records at the Illinois Twilight, hosted by Illinois. Szykowny smashed her own school record in both the the hammer throw (51.74m) and the discus (50.29m), finishing second and fourth, respectively, in those events. Also the school-record holder in the shot put, Szykowny holds a 3.23 GPA as an accounting/finance major

To qualify for Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Week laurels, student-athletes must carry a cumulative grade-point average of 3.20, completed at least one academic year at a Valley institution and must be at least a sophomore in academic standing.

Redshirt freshmen and first-year junior college transfers are not eligible. In addition to the academic qualifications, student-athletes will be evaluated on their athletic performance for a one-week period.

Looking for something new this spring? Check out the North High School German Club’s annual Spring Craft and Vendor Fair this weekend, Saturday, April 26, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at North High School (15331 Highway 41 N.). The fair will include more than 70 vendors, a silent auction and concessions. Admission to the fair is free and open to the public.

SPONSORED BY DEFENSE ATTORNEY IVAN ARNAEZ.
DON’T GO TO COURT ALONE. CALL IVAN ARNAEZ @ 812-424-6671.
Catch the latest edition of the “Indiana State Police Road Show” radio program every Monday morning at your convenience.

Download the program from the Network Indiana public website at www.networkindiana.com. Look for the state police logo on the main page and follow the download instructions. This 15 minute talk show concentrates on public safety and informational topics with state wide interest.

The radio program was titled “Signal-10” in the early sixties when it was first started by two troopers in northern Indiana. The name was later changed to the “Indiana State Police Road Show” and is the longest continuously aired state police public service program in Indiana.

Radio stations across Indiana and the nation are invited to download and air for FREE this public service program sponsored by the Indiana State Police Alliance and Cops for Kids, a subsidiary of the Indiana State Police Alliance.

This week’s show features Tom Melville, retired Major with the Indiana State Police and current reserve deputy with the Boone County Sherriff’s Department. Deputy Melville discusses the “INTIME” crash management system and how to obtain the training.

The City County Observer will provide contemporary political cartoons daily for your reading pleasure. CCO continues to add new features and enhanced offerings to better serve the discerning needs of our readers. Click and enjoy! We’ll post daily! City County Observer (c) 2014.

SPONSORED BY DEFENSE ATTORNEY IVAN ARNAEZ.
DON’T GO TO COURT ALONE. CALL IVAN ARNAEZ @ 812-424-6671.Below is a list of felony cases that were filed by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office on Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Angela Hankins                Possession of Methamphetamine-Class D Felony
Unlawful Possession of Syringe-Class D Felony
Theft-Class D Felony

Joshua Hutchison            Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance-Class D Felony
Dealing in a Synthetic Drug or Synthetic Drug Lookalike Substance-
Class D Felony

William Mason                 Possession of Marijuana-Class A Misdemeanor
( Enhanced to  D Felony Due to Prior Convictions)

Rebecca Rhodes               Possession of a Schedule IV Controlled Substance-Class D Felony
Unlawful Possession or Use of a Legend Drug-Class D Felonies
(Two Counts)

For further information on the cases listed above, or any pending case, please contact Kyle Phernetton at 812.435.5688 or via e-mail at KPhernetton@vanderburghgov.org

Under Indiana law, all criminal defendants are considered to be innocent until proven guilty by a court of law

By Ron Nichols To meet the growing sustainability challenges of the 21st Century, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is reminding people that many of the solutions are right at our feet — in the soil. Here are the top five reasons NRCS says why on Earth Day 2014, set for April 22 this year, you should “root” for soil health farmers: 5. A lot of people are coming to dinner. We all rely on the soil for our food and fiber. By the year 2050, an estimated 9 billion people will join us at Earth’s dinner table, meaning we’ll have to grow as much food in the next 40 years as we have in the past 500. The Soil Health Solution: Improving soil health increases the productivity and function of our soil (including nutrient uptake to plants), which offers increased food security in a growing world. A lot of people are coming to dinner. We all rely on the soil for our food and fiber. By the year 20 4. There are fewer acres of land to grow the food we need. Globally, millions of acres of cropland are lost to development or resource degradation. The Soil Health Solution: Improving soil health naturally can protect our working lands from erosion and desertification and ensure that our food-producing acres stay fertile and productive. There are fewer acres of land to grow the food we need. Globally, millions of acres of cropland are 3. Weather extremes like drought and climate change pose increasing food production challenges. The Soil Health Solution: Healthy soil is more resilient soil, with greater infiltration and water-holding capacity, which make farms more resistant to periods of drought. And since it holds more water, healthy soil helps reduce flooding during periods of intense rainfall. Weather extremes like drought and climate change pose increasing food production challenges. 2. There is growing competition for water and other food production resources — and many resources are limited (or in some cases finite) in their supply. The Soil Health Solution: Healthy soils help optimize those inputs and maximize nutrient use efficiency. In addition, healthy soil keeps production inputs like fertilizers and pesticides on the land and out of our streams, lakes and oceans. There is growing competition for water and other food production resources — and many resources are 1. We can repair and rebuild it. For years, it was believed that a certain amount of cropland soil erosion was inevitable. The Soil Health Solution: By using conservation techniques like cover crops, no-till and diverse crop rotations, an increasing number of farmers are proving that we can build our soils — and, in some instances, increase soil organic matter by as much as 3-4 percent. In the process, farmers are actually using less energy, maintaining or increasing production and improving their bottom lines. Meet some of those farmers. We can repair and rebuild it. For years, it was believed that a certain amount of cropland soil e In fact, there are many more reasons why soil health is important to all of us on Earth Day — and every day. Learn more about the basics and benefits of soil health and how NRCS is helping our nation’s farmers “Unlock the Secrets in the Soil.”