Gelser appointed to the House Select Committee on Education, GT 7/8/06

Corvallis Gazette-Times (original source )

State Rep. Sara Gelser has been appointed to serve on the House Select Committee on Education.

House Speaker Karen Minnis appointed the committee to examine and improve upon the ideas recommended by the Chalkboard Project and other groups working on recommendations for the 2007 legislative session.

The committee will hear proposals from the public and stakeholders regarding improvements in public education quality, accountability and stability.

“I am glad to serve on a committee focused on increasing opportunity to all Oregon kids,” Gelser said in press release.

“I hope we seize this opportunity to work collaboratively, build on the strengths of our public schools, and address the issues of quality, stability, and adequacy,” she said.

The Chalkboard Project has made 13 recommendations to address education quality, accountability and funding.

These proposals include the development of mentorship and enhanced professional development for teachers, merit pay for educators, changes to the formula for funding school transportation, reduced class sizes, and a redesigned system for local-option levies.

Gelser also recently completed the Western Legislative Leadership Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.

The academy included training in subjects such as ethics, communication, legislative strategies, working relationships, negotiations and time management.

Gelser and her classmates also participated in team-building and leadership exercises at the U.S. Air Force Academy.