HB0218 update--passes first reading

HB0218 was read in the House this afternoon (ended 5 minutes ago, in fact). Rep. Harvey gave a nice introduction, and Rep. Craft spoke passionately in favor of the bill. She particularly complimented the teacher groups for all coming and supporting each other.

Rep. Harshman brought an amendment, ultimately withdrawn, which would remove foreign languages (and the arts) from the Hathaway altogether, saying that doing so would return the Hathaway to how it was originally intended to be. He said twice that HB0218 is a "special interest" bill. This amendment was withdrawn, but Rep. Harshman said he would introduce it again on Second Reading.

The bill did pass first reading. Second reading is likely to be Monday or Tuesday.

Have a nice weekend!

HB0218 update--Hathaway Success Curriculum

As of this morning, House Bill 0218 had moved up on the House's schedule from about 10th from the bottom to 13th from the top. This means there is a strong chance it will get heard today or tomorrow.

If it does get heard, and then passes, it must be scheduled for second reading by end of day Tuesday the 9th. If it passes second reading, it must be scheduled and pass third reading by end of day Wednesday the 10th.

From there it will go on to the Senate.

HB0218--Hathaway Success Curriculum Update

We had a very exciting day at the Legislature yesterday! The House Education committee was unanimous in their acceptance of the proposal to change HB0218 to reflect Fine and Performing Arts, and unanimous in their acceptance of the bill. Four teachers presented in support of the bill:
Cindy Schmid, Cheyenne
Amy Simpson, Cheyenne
Sheila McHattie, Casper
Kelly Bembry-Hennings, Cheyenne

Many other teachers, and some administrators, also attended to show their support.

The House Education committee made a number of supportive comments about this bill, and several representatives commented that they had received a lot of email on the topic. The committee was joined by the chair of the Senate Education committee (Senator Coe), and also Senator Dockstader. Senator Dockstader, who is married to an art teacher in Star Valley, was kind enough to give the presenting teachers advice on the process, and help us all by talking to a number of legislators. Superintendent McBride was also there and provided some comments on the bill.

This bill still has a number of hurdles to overcome before it is law, but it is well on its way. What’s next?

The bill is waiting in line on the docket to be presented to the Committee of the Whole (the House). The Majority Floor Leader sets that schedule. The House Floor Majority Leader is Edward Buchanan (Torrington). The bill must be read by the end of the day on Monday, February 9 in order to continue through the process.

If it does get read by end of day Monday, February 9, it will then be voted upon by the Committee of the Whole (House). If it passes, it goes to second reading. It must be read and voted on by the end of the day on Tuesday February 10 to continue to its third reading.

It must have its third reading and voted on by the end of the day on Wednesday, February 11. If it passes, it moves on to the Senate Education Committee. If it doesn’t pass, it is dead.

All House Bills must have achieved third reading by Wednesday, February 11, or they are dead.
These are the stages that must occur between now and the time the HB0218 is presented to the Senate side.

So, still a ways to go before it becomes law.

Modification to the Hathaway Scholarship to include music

A bill modifying the requirements for the Hathaway Scholarship was recently introduced by Elaine Harvey, a Representative to the House from Lovell. The bill as currently written would allow a student to substitute two years of music education in grades 9-12 instead of foreign languages. The bill does specify music education, not fine and performing arts.

The bill has been assigned the number HB0218 and is entitled Hathaway Success Curriculum. The bill as it currently stands can be accessed here. It has been referred to the House Education Committee. It is scheduled to be heard on Monday, February 2. For updates on the status of the bill, go to: http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2009/Bills.htm. The bill can be searched for by number. The bill at this point could be modified several times. It can be modified in committee, on the floor of the House, or, if passed, by the Senate committee or on the floor of the Senate.

Cindy Schmid and Amy Simpson, another music teacher, met with Rep Elaine Harvey and Rep Joe Barbuto yesterday. They were able to help them organize talking points for the bill, but did not feel they were successful in making the case to modify it to Fine and Performing Arts.

Following are a few reasons to request the modification to Fine and Performing Arts:
1) Wyoming does not have stand-alone standards in music; all of the arts are together under Fine and Performing Arts. Currently, students must gain proficiency in the arts in order to graduate with two of our three diplomas. Keeping it consistent with the current system is simpler for administration purposes, and for districts to advise students.
2) Not all students are good at music. If the purpose is to create successful students, providing as many avenues as possible for success is important. Changing the requirement to the Fine and Performing Arts allows students to select from music, art, dance or theatre.
3) All of the arts provide important benefits to students. A variety of studies has shown correlations between participation in the arts and the likelihood a student will stay in school. All of the develop higher order thinking and creative problem solving skills, which are in high demand in the workforce today.
4) People who participate in the arts are more likely to vote, volunteer and generally participate in public life.

There are many more reasons why arts education is necessary for the development of the whole child. Some links for more information on the importance of arts education are:
Arts Education Partnership
Americans For the Arts
Arts & Learning Toolkit from the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies

The members of the House Education committee are:
Del McOmie (Fremont)
Bob Brechtel (Natrona)
Cathy Connolly (Albany)
Bernadine Craft (Sweetwater)
Ross Diercks (Niobrara/Weston/Converse/Goshen)
Allan Jaggi (Uinta/Sweetwater)
Thomas Lubnau (Campbell)
Robert McKim (Lincoln)
Matt Teeters (Goshen/Platte)

Contact information for legislators can be found at: http://legisweb.state.wy.us/