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45 °F Forecast | Road Cams Wednesday, April 14, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend March 16, 2004 Local teacher helps reshape No Child Left Behind Act By SARAH LEMON Mail Tribune An Eagle Point teacher was the driving force behind changes to the country’s No Child Left Behind Act, said U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden. Difficulties Janean Nodine experienced as a middle school teacher under No Child Left Behind inspired his efforts to improve the 2001 law, Wyden said. The U.S. Department of Education Monday announced changes to several provisions of the act. Chief among them is an extra year for rural teachers to show they are qualified in all their classes, making the new deadline spring 2007. "It was her story that really brought home to me the need to provide flexibility for teachers struggling to meet the requirements of the law in rural school districts," the Oregon Democrat said via e-mail Monday. A science teacher at White Mountain Middle School in White City, Nodine was labeled "not highly qualified" under No Child Left Behind because she did not have an endorsement in science, she said. A teacher in the Eagle Point School District for 14 years, Nodine possesses a master’s degree, which meets the state’s teaching requirements. She also holds a National Board Certification, the highest credential available for teachers. Advertisement Nodine’s troubles began when her district transferred her to White Mountain in 2002 after a tenure teaching elementary students. She was assured that she wouldn’t have to go back to school for more credentials, she said. But when districts started conforming to No Child Left Behind, her experience wasn’t good enough. Her "not highly qualified" status reflected poorly on the school’s overall assessment. To erase the black mark, Nodine was required to pay for and complete 45 hours of graduate-level classes. By 2006, she may have lost her job if she didn’t earn the endorsement, she said. To top it off, the federal law forced school district officials to inform parents that Nodine was not highly qualified to teach. The unflattering letters circulated in a community where Nodine had worked to build a school greenhouse and volunteered at the former Veterans Affairs Domiciliary. "That was just a pure slap in the face," she said. Nodine poured out her story last fall when Wyden visited local schools. Wyden said he designed his subsequent proposal to improve the law’s least- workable provisions and enhance benefits for Oregon children and schools. The Department of Education will now give teachers in positions similar to Nodine alternate means of meeting the federal requirements, according to a statement issued by Wyden’s office. While Nodine said she was happy to hear of the outcome Monday, she still worried about the future of students in crowded classrooms as schools continue to deal with a lack of funding. Reach reporter Sarah Lemon at 776-4487, or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times