posted on 2/27/12
Saint Joseph's College Students Attend Day at the Statehouse
A group of SJC Education students joined other students from across the state of Indiana in downtown Indianapolis for Day at the Statehouse (DATS). The students voiced concerns focused particularly on the state's new evaluation model being pushed into schools, which takes into account a school's overall letter grade as well as student test scores.
The group had the opportunity to meet with State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett in a question-and-answer session, receive a tour of the Statehouse, and watch the House and Senate in session. Representative Timothy Neese met with officers of the Indiana State Education Association (ISEA) college chapters, giving them a tour of the House Chamber and presenting each individual with an American flag that was flown over the Statehouse. SJC senior Patricia Roeder of Goshen, Ind. was honored to be included in the group. Roeder is an officer for the Puma Educators Association, SJC's ISEA chapter.
"It was a privilege meeting Rep. Neese," said Roeder. "Every year, the ISEA sponsors an event called 'Outreach to Teach.' A needy school is selected for improvements and modernization, and this year a school from Elkhart, Ind. was chosen, which is in Rep. Neese's district. It was a great experience."
Saint Joseph's College, named a "character-building college" by the Templeton Foundation and a "best Midwestern college" by the Princeton Review, is a four-year, Catholic college offering 27 majors, 4 group majors, 34 minors, and 9 pre-professional programs, complemented by the nationally acclaimed Core Program. Founded and sponsored by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood, SJC is located in Rensselaer, Indiana, approximately 90 minutes from both Chicago and Indianapolis, on a park-like campus of 180 acres and has an enrollment of 1,100 students.
# # #