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CLOUDY Temp: 40 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Saturday, December 21, 2002 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend November 19, 2002 More in Medford teach outside training New state requirements, retirements and budget cuts are among reasons teachers apply for temporary permits By JILL BRISKEY Mail Tribune Tom Rambo is certified to teach social studies, but last year the Scenic Middle School instructor found himself using Bunsen burners and leading a science class. Bilingual teacher Lori McHenry speaks a 50-50 mix of English and Spanish to her fifth-graders at Phoenix Elementary School. Despite being a certified bilingual instructor, McHenry doesn’t have the proper endorsement from the state to teach non-English speaking students. Rambo and McHenry are part of a growing number of teachers across the state who are teaching subjects their certifications don’t cover. They are known as "misassignments," and because of budget cuts, unexpected vacancies and changing state requirements, they are teaching new subjects with temporary state permits. "It certainly doesn’t mean they’re not competent," said Phoenix-Talent Superintendent Ben Bergreen, whose district has seven teachers using the temporary permits this year. "It just means that they don’t have state licensure. Misassignment is like a negative factor, and I don’t see that at all." After a year in science, Rambo is back to teaching eighth-grade history. He said the experience was educational but sometimes difficult. "It can be frustrating," he said. "You’re working to stay ahead of the class and on solid ground." So far this year, 36 teachers in Jackson County’s public schools are using the temporary permits. According to state records, a total of 41 Jackson County teachers sought the permits during the 2001-02 year. Budget cuts that eliminate positions and force teachers to pick up new responsibilities, retirements or vacancies and new state requirements are a few of the reasons teachers apply for the permits, said Jan Madland of the state Teachers Standards Commission. "In most cases, the teacher has some training or coursework in the area prior (to obtaining the permit)," Madland said from her Salem office on Monday. According to Eagle Point Superintendent Bill Jones, budget cuts and unexpected vacancies resulted in School District 9 teachers obtaining 16 permits in 2001-02. But shuffling, new hires and proper certification has cut that number to two, Jones added. "Sixteen was really an anomaly," Jones said. "Misassignments are a result of unanticipated enrollment and unexpected vacancies." This year, Medford has the most noncertified teachers with 26 permits. But 16 of those permits came as a result of a new state-required endorsement for English for Speakers of Other Languages, or ESOL, said Medford Personnel Director Dan Zaklan. "These are kids whose first language isn’t necessarily English but they’re usually proficient," said Madland. "It’s more a method of teaching, per say." Statewide, Madland said, the largest number of temporary permits are sought for ESOL and special education. Teachers must apply for a permit if they teach more than 10 hours weekly — the equivalent of two classes — in a subject they aren’t certified for. The permit allows a teacher to instruct students in a specific area three years, giving the applicant time get the required certification if desired. The conditional assignment permits can also be used as a temporary Band-Aid. For example, Prospect Superintendent Don Alexander said the district’s single permit will be needed for only one month. Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy webmaster feedback A D V E R T I S E R S