The Beth Johnson Bill: a lesson in civics for teacher’s students

NORTH CANAAN — Here in North Canaan, it’s called the Beth Johnson Bill. In Hartford, it is known, more anonymously, as Raised House Bill No. 6499. It’s a bit cold; but legislators at the state capital now have a face to put with the bill if and when it comes up for a vote. As previously reported in The Lakeville Journal, Johnson is a sixth-grade teacher at North Canaan Elementary School who is setting a good example for her students by using the democratic process to try and change a contradiction in the way state education certification works. An elementary education degree now earns only a kindergarten-through-sixth grade certification in Connecticut, as opposed to the former kindergarten-to-grade-eight certification. Those who want to teach seventh and/or eighth grade have to earn a separate certification. Johnson recently earned a master’s degree in technology, which qualifies her to teach classes in computers — as long as she doesn’t do it in a kindergarten-through-grade-eight school. Which is what all the schools are in the Region One School District (which also includes the towns of Falls Village, Sharon, Salisbury, Kent and Cornwall).Rather than give up, or attend more classes for an additional certification, and because she thought others may find themselves in the same boat, Johnson contacted state Sen. Andrew Roraback (R-30). He agreed to sponsor a bill. On March 7, Johnson found herself in Hartford testifying in favor of the bill. It has become part of a proposed bill of numerous “minor revisions to education statutes.”If passed, it would “require the State Board of Education to adopt regulations that create a certification endorsement area in computer and information technology that allows computer and information technology teachers to teach in grades kindergarten to 12, inclusive ...”Johnson drove to Hartford the night before and stayed with a friend, fearing flooded roads would prevent her from arriving at the Legislative Office Building by the appointed hour of 9 a.m. It was probably a good call, and she got there early that rainy morning, ready to testify. Nine hours later, she was given six minutes to read the proposed bill and answer questions from legislators, which she reported were very thorough.The proposed legislation now finds itself keeping company with a variety of amendments that would require that: • Schools be provided with genocide education curriculum• American sign language be classified as a foreign language in curriculum• Parents be notified that unexcused absences may be reported to the courts• The State Board of Education define excused and unexcused absences. The amendments would also limit the access school superintendents have to the statewide public school information system (which is essentially student demographic data reporting).Anyone can track the bill’s progress by registering online at cga.ct.gov. This legislative session is scheduled to end June 8.