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To: LWVO From: Joan Platz Education Update for February 11, 2008 1) State of the State Address: Governor Ted Strickland recalled the courage, ingenuity, and fortitude of those who first settled Ohio in his second "State of the State Address", presented to a joint session of Ohio House and Senate on February 6, 2008. In his address the Governor focused on the accomplishments of his administration in 2007, the challenges Ohio is facing, and proposed initiatives to complete work on the energy bill, serve veterans, create jobs, rebuild infrastructure, expand higher education opportunities, take authority for primary and secondary education, and more. The details of the proposed initiatives need to be worked out, but it is assumed that changes in law will be necessary to implement several of the proposed initiatives. Lawmakers could include these changes in separate legislation or through a budget corrections bill and/or a capital budget. The text of the State of the State speech is available at http://governor.ohio.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=799. A summary of some of the proposed initiatives follows: *Create the Ohio Department of Veterans Affairs as a cabinet-level agency to serve veterans more effectively. *Propose a ballot initiative to support the "Building Ohio Jobs" program, a $1.7 billion jobs stimulus package. *Include in the ten-year plan for the University System of Ohio a guarantee that students can complete an associate's and bachelor's degree within thirty miles of their homes. *Create the "Seniors to Sophomores Program", which will enable a twelfth grade student who meets the academic requirements a choice of spending their senior year in their home high school, or spending it on a University System of Ohio campus -- starting the upcoming school year. Chancellor Fingerhut has been directed to develop this initiative, which will be built on the existing Post Secondary Enrollment Options Program. Participating seniors will graduate from high school ready to start their sophomore year in college without paying for tuition. Students will receive their high school diploma and one full year of college credits at the same time. The credits will transfer in full to public institutions, as well as many private colleges. According to Governor Strickland, "Its goal is to raise the aspirations of all students, to challenge students who might feel disengaged from their high school studies, and to help students who want to accelerate their college education. And, just think about the effect on a family's budget when they save the cost of an entire year of college tuition." *Promote the following vision for our schools: -Strengthen our commitment to public education. -Link education directly to economic prosperity. World class schools will produce a talented workforce, and a talented workforce will attract and create jobs. -Identify the great strengths of our schools such as fostering creativity and innovation. "Our schools must teach students to think past the limits of what's been done, and imagine what could be done." -Support talented teachers who want to stay in the classroom. Consult with our best teachers to show us what works best in the classroom -Strive to develop a specific, personalized education program that identifies how each individual student learns and uses the teaching methods appropriate to that student's needs and abilities. -Use testing and assessment to guide personalized and individualized education through a comprehensive and ongoing understanding of a student's capabilities and weaknesses and growth in the educational process. *Create the position of director of the Department of Education, appointed by the governor with the approval of the Senate. The director would have oversight over all Department of Education efforts. "The existing structure, including the State Board of Education and the State Superintendent of Schools, would remain in place in advisory and additional roles as determined by the director." "This change in organizational structure will ensure, like higher education, that there is a direct line of responsibility and accountability in K through 12 education." "It will ensure that our elected and appointed leaders are working together to strengthen education in Ohio." "Education is the central issue I face as governor. I am determined to bring real change and real results. But I am also determined to find the best answers. We are creating a blueprint for the future of our schools and our state. And we will take the time to get it right." 2) Response from the State Board of Education: On February 8, 2008 Jennifer Sheets, President of the State Board of Education, issued a letter to Governor Strickland responding to a proposal in the Governor's State of the State Address to create a Director of Education and turn the State Board and Superintendent of Public Instruction into advisors. In the letter President Sheets outlines the following reasons for supporting the current structure of the State Board of Education and Superintendency, and why changing the structure would limit participation by the public in education decisions: -The people of Ohio included in the Ohio Constitution an independent structure for State Board of Education and Superintendency to insulate decisions regarding education from politics; -The current structure of the State Board ensures that the geographic, rural, and urban diversity of the state are represented through eleven Board members who are directly elected by voters, and eight members who are appointed by the Governor; -Decisions regarding education are debated and made at public meetings ensuring transparency; -The structure of the Board ensures that changes in the political makeup of the Ohio General Assembly or Governor's Office do not disrupt the operations and programs that the State Board oversees; and -The State Board of Education is ready to work in partnership with the Governor's Office to "bring new ideas to the table", but cannot support "...any proposal that would reduce the importance of the board and state superintendent and thus take the "public" out of public education." 3) 127th General Assembly: The Ohio House and Senate are not holding sessions this week. Some Ohio House and Senate Committees will be meeting, but not the education committees. *The Ohio Senate Finance and Financial Institutions Committee, chaired by Senator Carey, will meet on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at 11:00 AM in the Senate Finance Hearing Room. The Committee will hear testimony on SB273 (Niehaus) Classroom Facilities Assistance, which calculates an alternate equity list for fiscal year 2008 to determine school district eligibility for assistance under the Classroom Facilities Assistance Program, and their local shares in fiscal year 2009. *The STEM Subcommittee of the Partnership for Continued Learning will meet on February 13, 2008 at 1:00 PM at the Ohio Board of Regents, 30 E. Broad St., 36th Floor. At this meeting the Subcommittee will select the recipients of STEM school and STEM program of excellence grants, which will be available starting July 2008. To see an agenda of this meeting please visit http://www.pcl.ohio.gov/jcore/pcl/HomeContent.jsp?node=D676EB47-8397-4427-B393-73645554EC80. 4) President Makes Last Budget Request: President Bush submitted his 2009 budget to Congress on February 4, 2008. The $3.1 trillion budget request includes cuts in 151 government programs, including those in education, health care, the environment, the arts, and programs to help low income earners. It also extends the tax cuts of 2001 and 2003, and would increase the total federal deficit to $547 billion in FY 08-13, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. (http://www.cbpp.org/2-4-08bud2.htm) The budget for the U.S. Department of Education would total $59.2 billion, unchanged from FY08. A slight increase of 2.9 percent is proposed for Title 1 ($14.3 billion), which includes funds to support the No Child Left Behind Act. The budget also expands funding for school choice ($300 million); Reading First (restored to $1 billion); the Teacher Incentive Fund ($200 million increase); America's Competitiveness Initiative ($175 million, including an increase for Advanced Placement and IB); Individuals with Disabilities Act ($11.3 billion including an increase of $377 million); and almost $19 billion for the Pell Grant Program for low-income college students. The proposed budget eliminates 47 programs, saving $3.3 billion, including Career and Technical Education Grants to states ($1.6 billion); Even Start ($66.5 million); Educational Technology State Grants ($267.5 million); Arts in Education ($37.5 million), and reduces spending for other programs, such as Safe and Drug Free Schools and 21st Century Learning Opportunities. The President's budget proposal is unlikely to be approved as introduced. The federal budget submitted by the executive provides an outline of expenditures, but Congress distributes funds to government agencies and departments through several appropriations bills. Congress is likely to approve a continuing resolution to fund federal programs past the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2008 until a new president takes office in 2009. For more information please visit these web sites: U.S. Department of Education: http://www.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/budget09/index.html Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: http://www.cbpp.org/pubs/fedbud.htm 5) State Board of Education to Meet: The State Board of Education (SBE), Jennifer Sheets president, will meet on February 10-12, 2008 in Columbus, Ohio. The State Board of Education's Quality Middle and High Schools and School Funding subcommittees met on February 10, 2008 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Columbus. The State Board of Education will hold its meetings on February 11-12, 2008 at the Ohio School for the Deaf, 500 Morse Road, Columbus, OH. On February 11, 2008 the Achievement Committee, Michael Cochran and Ann Womer Benjamin co-chairs, and Capacity Committee, Rob Hovis and Jane Sonenshein co-chairs, will meet at 8:30 AM. The Capacity Committee will discuss Ohio Administrative Code Rule 3301-26-01, Educator Examinations; Rule 3301-71-01 Disadvantaged Pupil Impact Aid; approve an intent to amend Rule 3301-8-01 Payment of Debt Service Charges; discuss legislative recommendations for Performance Standards for Dropout Recovery Schools; discuss the Safe Schools Summit recommendations; and discuss the Educator Code of Conduct draft. The Achievement Committee will approve an intent to amend Ohio Administrative Code Rule 3301-61-17 Emergency Service Telecommunicator Training; approve a resolution to refile revised Chapter 3301-51 regarding Operating Standards for Children with Disabilities; and approve a resolution of intent to adopt the Perkins IV Five-Year Plan. The Legislative Report will be presented at 10:45 AM by Board members John Bender and Carl Wick. At 11:30 AM the full Board will discuss legislative recommendations for performance standards for Dropout Recovery Schools. After lunch at 1:15 PM the Achievement Committee will present information about the Perkins IV Five Year Plan. At 2:15 PM the Board will discuss the draft Educator Code of Conduct, and then review the agenda for the business meeting on Tuesday, hear reports from subcommittees, and hear an update on financial literacy. Deborah Wickerham, the 2008 Ohio Teacher of the Year, will be recognized by the Board at 3:45 PM At 4:00 PM the Board will hold a Chapter 119 Hearing on the following rules: -Amend Ohio Administrative Code Rule (OAC) 3301-51-15 - Gifted Services -Amend OAC Rules 3301-35-05 and 06 Operating Standards -Amend OAC Rule 3301-44-09 Postsedondary Enrollment Options -Amend OAC Rule 3301-52-01, Screening and Assessment -Rescind Rules 3301-69-11 and 12, Head Start, Head Start Plus. The Board will adjourn at 5:15 PM. The State Board of Education's Subcommittee for Education in the New Global Economy (EDGE) will meet from 5:30 - 7:00 PM. On February 12, 2008 the State Board of Education's meeting will begin at 8:15 AM with a policy discussion about targeted efforts to improve achievement in Ohio's urban districts. At 9:45 PM Board members will discuss the alignment of the work of various subcommittees, and at 10:15 AM the Achievement Committee working group and Capacity Committee working group will meet to discuss transforming Ohio's system of education. The Board will convene its business meeting at 11:15 AM and immediately proceed into executive session. Following lunch at 1:30 PM the Board will continue its business meeting starting with the report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and public participation on agenda items. The Board will take action on 12 school personnel items and the resolutions included below. The Board will then accept public participation on non-agenda items and adjourn. The next State Board of Education meeting is March 10-11, 2008. Agenda of the State Board of Education for February 12, 2008: -Approve a Resolution of Intent to amend OAC Rule 3301-8-01 Payment of Debt Service Charges -Approve a Resolution of Intent to amend OAC Rule 3301-61-17 Emergency Service Telecommunicator Training -Approve a Resolution of Intent to amend OAC Rule 3301-83-04, 06, -09, -10, and 16 Pupil Transportation Operation and Safety -Approve a Resolution of Intent to adopt the Ohio Five Year Plan for the administration of Career Technical Education effective July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2013. -Approve a resolution to accept the recommendation of the hearing officer and deny the transfer of school district territory from the Franklin City School District, Warren County, to the Middletown City School District, Butler County. -Approve a Resolution to amend OAC Rule 3301-23-44 Temporary Licenses -Approve a Resolution to rescind and adopt new OAC Rule 3301-24-09 Performance Based Licensure for Administrators -Approve a Resolution to amend OAC Rules 3310-48-01-02 regarding open enrollment programs -Approve a Resolution to refile proposed new OAC Rules 3301-51-01, 09, and 11 regarding Operating Standards for Children with Disabilities -Approve a Resolution regarding the 2008 Ohio Teacher of the Year -Approve a Resolution to adopt a revised fee structure for all educator licenses, certificates, and permits issued by the ODE For more information about the State Board of Education's meetings, please visit http://www.ode.state.oh.us/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE ODEPrimary.aspx?page=2&TopicRelationID=574 6) Discussion with Thomas Friedman and Daniel Pink: The February 2008 issue of The School Administrator includes a discussion between Thomas Friedman, author of "The World is Flat" and Daniel Pink, author of "The Whole New Mind". The authors discuss education and what students need to do to prepare themselves for living and working in a competitive and interconnected world. Referring to the latest edition of his book, Thomas Friedman said, "In the latest edition, I added a whole section on why liberal arts are more important than ever. It's not that I don't think math and science are important. They still are.. but more than ever our secret sauce comes from our ability to integrate arts, science, music and literature with the hard sciences. That's what produces an iPod revolution or a Google." Daniel Pink then added, "It's the combination of the left brain and the right brain. Left-brain thinking --rule-based, linear, SAT-style thinking -- used to be enough. Now right-brain thinking --artistry, empathy, narrative, synthesis -- is the big differentiator." Friedman's learning foundation is CQ + PQ > IQ, which stands for curiosity quotient plus passion quotient is more important than intelligence quotient. Both authors believe that to produce innovative students the education system needs to have more team teaching, integrate the arts into the curriculum, support writing across the subject areas, and empower students to use their imagination. According to Friedman, "So the school, the state, the country that empowers, nurtures, enables imagination among its students and citizens, that's who's going to be the winner." The article is available at http://www.aasa.org/publications/saarticledetail.cfm?ItemNumber=9736&snItemNumber=950&tnItemNumber 7) Interim Report on School Finance Released: The University of Washington and the Center on Reinventing Public Education have issued an interim report written by Paul Hill on the work of the "School Finance Redesign Project". This project encompasses research, policy analysis, and public engagement activities that examine how K-12 finance can be redesigned to better support student performance. The project addresses the basic question, "How can resources help schools achieve the higher levels of student performance that state and national education standards now demand?" by researching the following questions: Are public funds focused on student learning? Are there good ideas about how to focus money on instruction? Are there good ideas about attracting and rewarding quality educators? Do we know enough now to say exactly how money should be spent? How can policymakers spend the right among and ensure that funds are used effectively for student learning? The project was initiated in 2002 and is supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. It now encompasses more than 30 separate projects. The interim report provides an overview of the projects underway, who is doing the research, the research questions and strategies being used, and some of the preliminary findings. This report is available at http://www.schoolfinanceredesign.org/pub/pdf/sfrp_interim_07_web.pdf |
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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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