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To: LWVO From: Joan Platz Education Update for January 28, 2008 1) 127th Ohio General Assembly: The Ohio House and Senate will hold sessions and committee hearings this week. The Ohio Senate approved on January 23, 2008 SB46 (Mumper) Youth Athletics. This bill requires the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association to develop a coach's conduct and ethics policy for volunteer coaches involved in recreational youth athletics. SB46 now moves to the House for consideration. *Last week Speaker of the House Jon Husted announced several changes in committee assignments. Representative Matt Dolan resigned as chairman of the Finance and Appropriations Committee to work on the November 2008 election, and has been replaced by Representative Jay Hottinger. Representatives Wagoner and Webster have also been removed from the Finance and Appropriations Committee, and replaced by Representatives Sears, Gardner, and Mecklenborg. Representative Gardner was also appointed as chair of the Higher Education Subcommittee. *House Democrats may wait until after the March 2008 Primary to select a replacement for Representative William J. Healy II (52nd House District), who resigned from the House after he was elected Mayor of Canton in November 2007. *Changes in committee assignments were also made as a result of the leadership changes in the Senate Democratic caucus. Senators Dale Miller, Ray Miller, and Roberts were replaced on the Senate Finance and Financial Institutions Committee by Senators Cafaro, Sawyer, and Wilson. 2) Meetings and Hearings Scheduled for January 28 through February 1, 2008: *The Ohio Educator Standards Board will meet on Monday, January 28 at 6:00 PM and Tuesday, January 29 at 8:30 AM at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 2700 Corporate Drive, Capitol Room in Columbus, OH. *The House Finance and Appropriations Committee will meet on January 29, 2008 at 1:00 PM in room 313, and hear testimony on HB381 Ohio Research Scholars Program (Webster), which increases funds available for Ohio Research Scholars Program, and permits a nonpublic four-year Ohio university to submit a proposal for the Ohio Research Scholars Program. *The Senate Finance and Financial Institutions Committee, chaired by Senator Carey, will meet on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 2:30 PM in the Senate Finance Hearing Room. The Committee will hear testimony on SB273 (Niehaus) Classroom Facilities Assistance, which will calculate an alternate equity list for fiscal year 2008 to determine school districts' eligibility for assistance under the Classroom Facilities Assistance Program and their local shares in fiscal year 2009. *The House Education Committee, chaired by Representative Setzer, will meet on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 4:00 PM in hearing room 116. The committee will hear testimony on the following bills: -HB379 (Fessler) Historical Document - Requires the study of specified historical documents in the high school American history and government curriculum. -HB424 (Setzer) - Eliminates the performance index score and makes changes to Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Program. -HB428 (Setzer) School Employee Misconduct - Addresses school employee misconduct, reporting, and discipline. *The Senate Education Committee, chaired by Senator Padgett, will meet on January 29, 2008 and hear testimony on the following bills: -SB264 (Carey) Teacher Strikes: Prohibits classroom teachers from striking, and requires binding arbitration to settle unresolved collective bargaining disputes. -SB270 (Cates) School Employee Misconduct: Regarding the reporting of and discipline for school employee misconduct. -SB141 (Padgett) Community School Accountability: Clarifies the responsibilities and oversight of sponsors of community schools. 3) Governor Reacts to Economic News: Several news organizations reported last week about a budget briefing that Governor Strickland held with legislative leaders on January 23, 2008. The briefing focused on the status of Ohio's FY08 and 09 budgets, and included three scenarios for projecting the fiscal year fund balance based on economic projections for low growth in the economy, zero growth in the economy, and a recession. According to the briefing document entitled "Council of Economic Advisors, Economic Forecast Update" (OBM 1/23/08) the continued decline in the economy will have a negative impact on Ohio's economy and tax revenue. The state budget approved by the Ohio General Assembly in June 2007 (HB119-Dolan) was based on an assumption that the economy would show slight growth in mid 2008 and stronger growth in 2009. However, recent analyses of the state and national economies project a weaker economy and lower than estimated revenue. Under the low growth, zero growth, or recession scenarios, the state's fiscal year fund balance could be respectively $733 million; $1.2 billion, or $1.884 billion below estimates. Governor Strickland is expected to address the budget issues in the annual State of the State Address on February 6, 2008. In the meantime, the governor has directed state agencies to identify areas to cut. The Office of Budget and Management also reports that approximately $1 billion is available in the budget stabilization fund (rainy day fund). A link to the briefing document is available through the article in the Columbus Dispatch at http://blog.dispatch.com/dailybriefing/2008/01/massive_budget_shortfall_possi.shtml 4) Constitutional Amendment on School Funding Proposed: Senator Kirk Shuring has proposed a constitutional amendment (SJR 4) that would direct all lottery profits and a percentage of revenue from certain taxes to fund primary, secondary, and higher education. The proposal, if approved by the Ohio General Assembly and the voters of Ohio, would amend Section 6 of Article XV and enact Section 2a of Article VI of the Constitution. To be on the November 4, 2008 ballot this resolution must be approved by the General Assembly before the first week in August. The proposed constitutional amendment calls for the General Assembly to create an education stabilization fund in the state treasury, and dedicate a certain percentage of the income tax, sales tax, and "other taxes" exclusively to fund primary, secondary, and higher education. In addition, all net proceeds of the Ohio Lottery would be expended exclusively for primary and secondary education. Senator Shuring presented his proposal before the Senate Finance and Financial Institutions Committee, chaired by Senator Carey, on January 23, 2008. 5) What Does Education Need? Imagination!!: A national poll called "The Imagine Nation: Findings from a Nationwide Survey of 1000 Likely Voters" was released on January 15, 2008 by Lake Research Partners, Celinda Lake president. The poll identified a set of public values and a specific group of voters (coined in the survey as the "imagine nation") who believe that students need to develop creativity and imagination to be successful in the 21st century. These voters also believe that creativity and imagination are currently missing from the curriculum of most schools. The powerpoint document describing the results of this poll also provides an analysis of all the questions and responses. The findings of this poll could be used by school districts to fine tune messages to the public about why schools need to change instruction and learning to better prepare students. The following are some highlights from the poll: (Available at http://www.namm.org/press-room/news/news-releases/2008January24/view.) *Most voters say it is extremely or very important to them personally to have good public schools (94 percent important, 64 percent extremely important). *Fifty six percent of the electorate believe that public education in the United States is behind what is offered to students in other parts of the world, like Europe and China (21 percent very far behind). *Voters split on the issue of schools teaching students the skills they need to be competitive in the workforce (47 percent agree to 49 percent disagree). *More than half of voters think that it is extremely or very critical to incorporate building capacities of the imagination that leads to innovation into core courses (62 percent, mean 7.9). Upon re-ask, the electorate is slightly more likely to say this, with 66 percent thinking that it is extremely or very critical (mean 8.1). *While almost two thirds of voters think that is extremely or very important to have imagination and creative skills taught in school, most do not think that these skills are being taught extremely or very well. *The majority of the electorate see a decline in teaching skills of the imagination over the past ten years (56 percent decreased, 31 percent decreased a lot). *Voters, especially parents, believe that standardized testing discourages developing the imagination and creative skills in students (total: 56 percent discourages; parents: 61 percent). *Voters see imagination as contributing to the demands of the 21st century workforce, both when framed as focusing on the arts and building capacities. *More than half of voters say they strongly favor the statements that blend technology and the basics with an education in the arts, or one that encourages developing the imagination. *Nine in ten agree that using the imagination is important to innovation and one's success in a global knowledge-based economy (89 percent agree, 59 percent strongly) and essential to success in the 21st Century (86 percent agree, 58 percent strongly). *Eighty-eight percent of respondents strongly agree that an education in and through the arts provides students with the opportunity to develop their imagination. *Fifty seven percent of voters say they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who came out in support of more funding (29 percent much more likely) for building capacities of the imagination among students in public schools. *Sixty three percent of respondents believe that building capacities of imagination are just as important as the "basics". *Ninety one percent believe that an education in the arts help to substantiate imagination learning, and should be considered part of the basics. 6) Gifted Education on the Back Burner: According to an article in the Plain Dealer, "Thousands of Ohio's gifted students not receiving adequate education" by Jennifer Gonalez (January 23, 2008), most students who are gifted in Ohio are being neglected due to a lack of commitment, resources, laws, and policies. 31 states require school districts to offer special services to gifted students, but there is no federal or state law that mandates schools to identify or serve gifted students, such as the Individuals with Disabilities Act. If policy makers truly believed in meeting the individual learning needs of all students, then more gifted students would be identified and served. Currently under Ohio law school districts are only required to identify gifted students, but are not required to provide education services to meet their learning needs. Approximately sixteen percent of students in Ohio have been identified as gifted, but only twenty-six percent of those students received full or partial services last year. Without gifted education services research shows that these students often become disengaged, can develop behavior problems, and lose their academic or creative advantage. The state allocated approximately $47 million last year for gifted education for schools, but state funding has been flat for the past several years. Changes in the standards for gifted education are also being considered by the State Board of Education. The article is available at http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/jBoMeChEgmcPyAahcfcNMoyN?format=standard> 7) ASCD January 26, 2008 Column: The January 2008 ASCD (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development) column "Is it Good for Kids?" by Executive Director Gene R. Carter is entitled "Making the Grade in a Global Economy". The column notes that there are several school reform efforts underway to prepare students with 21st Century skills and knowledge. According to the article, "ASCD believes that a 21st century education should be built on a foundation of personalized relevant learning that is meaningful and engaging for each students. But such learning won't flourish within the confines of a watered down or narrow curriculum." Gene Carter goes on to write that The Partnership for 21st Century Skills has identified the skills students need to be competitive, and "....rigorous opportunities in the arts, foreign languages, and social studies are uniquely positioned to develop students' 21st century skills and global awareness." The ASCD supports educating the whole child in the whole world, and creating more opportunities for students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills through performance based assessments. To read the column please visit http://www.ascd.org/portal/site/ascd/menuitem.e904532af52fde8cbfb3ffdb62108a0c/ 8) Bills Introduced: -HB445 (Schlichter) School District State Aid: Adjusts school district state education aid and Classroom Facilities Assistance Program rankings to correct certification of tax-exempt property erroneously treated as taxable property. -HB439 (Hagan) School Suicide Prevention: Requires each school district and each community school to provide suicide prevention services for students in grades five to twelve. -HB443 (Peterson) Public Notice Web Site: Establishes the State-Sanctioned Public Notice web site, to permit any notice required to be published by statute or rule to be published on the web site. |
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Ohio Fair Schools Campaign, 94 Columbus Road Athens, Ohio 45701 Tel. (740)592-2866 Fax (740)593-5451 |
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