|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| To: LWVO From: Joan Platz Education Update, February 18, 2008 1) 127th General Assembly: The Ohio House will hold committee meetings and session this week. The Ohio Senate will hold one committee meeting this week. The House and Senate Education committees are not meeting. The House Finance and Appropriations Committee, chaired by Representative Hottinger, will meet on February 19, 2008 at 1:00 PM in hearing room 313 to hear testimony on HB 381 (Webster), which increases funds for the Ohio Research Scholars Program. *On February 13, 2008 Governor Strickland signed into law SB148 (Faber), which revises eligibility requirements for members of the School Employees Retirement System. *The STEM Subcommittee of the Partnership for Continued Learning (PCL), Chancellor Eric Fingerhut chair, met on February 13, 2008 and selected the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (and partners) and Wright State University (and partners) to receive the STEM High School award. The PCL also selected Westlake City School District, New Lebanon, Fort Recovery, Cincinnati, Worthington, Miller-North Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, and Canton to receive the K-8 STEM Program of Excellence awards. These awards will support the creation of STEM high schools and STEM programs of excellence for the 2008-2009 school year. A total of $6 million in state funds will be allocated to these recipients. Individual grants average approximately $700,000. Information about the PCL and the STEM awards is available at the Partnership for Continued Learning website at http://www.pcl.ohio.gov. 2) State Board of Education Meets: The State Board of Education (SBE), Jennifer Sheets president, met on February 10-12, 2008 in Columbus, Ohio. The State Board of Education's Quality Middle and High School Subcommittee and School Funding Subcommittee met at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Columbus on February 10, 2008. QUALITY HIGH AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS SUBCOMMITTEE The State Board of Education's Quality Middle and High Schools Subcommittee, chaired by Carl Wick, reviewed a matrix of proposed legislative and policy recommendations pertaining to high schools and middle schools. The matrix included recommendations for post secondary enrollment options; individual career and personal learning plans; early college; and the creation of an innovation fund. These are initiatives are currently underway, or will be proposed for the next state budget. Subcommittee members also discussed how to better prepare students in middle school so that they are successful in high school, and suggested that the ODE increase the rigor of the middle school curriculum; better align the middle and high school curriculum; and provide more support for middle school students. It was also suggested that the subcommittee review the recommendations from the High School Task Force to see if the matrix aligns with those recommendations. MaryLou Rush, Executive Director, Center for Students, Families, and Communities, shared some of the strategies and programs being implemented by the ODE to keep students in schools, improve school climate, develop an online personal planning tool, and implement alternative schools that provide intensive intervention. David Burns, Executive Director, Office of Career-Technical and Adult Education, presented information about "Bridge Schools", which are programs for students who have dropped out of school, and provide these students with high school, college, or career tech training. Students who participate in a Bridge Program are usually provided a job as an incentive to complete the program. Several members of the subcommittee suggested that the ODE investigate how to design a Bridge School model for middle schools also. There was also a discussion about the resources necessary to implement programs to address the needs of all students, and what kind of policies, tools, and models need to be developed by the ODE to implement a more aligned personal learning system for all students. SCHOOL FUNDING SUBCOMMITTEE The School Funding Subcommittee, chaired by Virgil Brown, discussed the latest draft of the subcommittee's school funding proposal called "Toward Recommendations for School Funding Reform in Ohio, An Interim Report of Ideas Developed by the School Funding Subcommittee of the Ohio State Board of Education" (Draft 2/4/08). The subcommittee discussed several "next steps", and decided to ask staff to determine the "base cost" amount included in the proposed state school funding formula before releasing the draft for public feedback. Several Board members believe that the state has a responsibility to develop a school funding system that supports a high quality education system with high standards for all students, especially now that Ohio's students are expected to complete the Ohio Core in order to graduate. The subcommittee also decided to meet sometime before the next State Board of Education meeting in March to determine how to select the school districts that will be used in a study of base cost. SBE MEETING ON FEBRUARY 11, 2008 The State Board of Education met 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, met to discuss and approve several proposed rules. CAPACITY COMMITTEE The Capacity Committee approved changes to several rules, including an intent to amend Rule 3301-8-01, Payment of Debt Service Charges, and rescind and adopt Rule 3301-26-01, Educator Examinations. The committee also discussed Rule 3301-71-01 Disadvantaged Pupil Impact Aid, and legislative recommendations for Performance Standards for Dropout Recovery Schools. The committee also discussed the following: School Climate Accountability System: MaryLou Rush, Executive Direction, ODE Center for Students, Families, and Communities, led a discussion of policy options regarding implementation of the recommendation of the Safe School Summit to create a School Climate Accountability System. The Safe Schools Summit recommended that the ODE/SBE 1) develop recommendations requiring schools to adopt comprehensive school climate standards; and 2) strengthen accountability for improving learning conditions that promote student achievement by reporting school climate measures on the local report card, and by embedding in future academic content standards a framework that schools and families can use to enhance social and civic responsibility among students. Research is clear that school climate correlates with staff retention, attendance, and student achievement. The ODE is piloting a school climate survey of 30,000 with several school districts. Board members asked how school districts were implementing the recently approved anti-bullying guidelines; what would be the cost of the proposed Accountability System; and how the results of the Safe Schools Summit survey are being used. Grade Band Configurations: Lou Staffilino, Associate Superintendent, ODE Center for the Teaching Profession, described to the committee the process being used to revise grade band licenses. The current grade band configurations were established in the mid 1990s, and are considered by some administrators to be rigid. 7000 stakeholders participated in an online survey to select grade band configurations from among the following choices: -Early Learning License, birth through Grade 2 or 3; Elementary Education License, grade 1 through 6; Middle Childhood Education License, Grade 5 through 9; and Adolescence to Young Adult License, Grade 9 through 12. or Early Learning License, birth through grade 2; Elementary Education License, grade 1 through grade 6; and Secondary Education License, grade 6 through grade 12. The survey results were split evenly between the two choices. This information will be used to fine tune other possible options. The committee did not have to take any action on this item, and will be kept informed of the progress. Educator Code of Conduct: The committee reviewed and approved the latest draft of the Educator Code of Conduct. This draft has been developed over several months, and truly reflects the feedback from stakeholders. ACHIEVEMENT COMMITTEE The Achievement Committee approved an intent to amend Ohio Administrative Code Rule 3301-61-17 Emergency Service Telecommunicator Training; approved a resolution to refile revised Chapter 3301-51 regarding Operating Standards for Children with Disabilities; and approved a resolution of intent to adopt the Perkins IV Five-Year Plan. The committee also reviewed several legislative and policy recommendations that may become part of the Board's budget recommendations. LEGISLATIVE REPORT Carl Wick presented an overview of federal legislative activity. President Bush has introduced a proposed budget for FY09, which includes $52.9 billion for education. A bill reauthorizing the Higher Education Act is now in conference committee, and Senator Kennedy is expected to markup legislation reauthorizing the No Child Left Behind Act over the next few weeks. John Bender reviewed the following legislation currently being considered by the Ohio House and Senate: -HB 456 (Raussen) Requires the State Board of Education to adopt nutrition and pricing standards for foods and beverages sold in schools; -HB 464 (Gerberry) Requires a percentage of the lottery profits to be distributed annually on a per pupil basis to public and chartered nonpublic schools; -SB 264 (Carey) Prohibits classroom teachers employed by boards of education from striking, and instead requires binding arbitration to settle their unresolved collective bargaining disputes. -SB273 (Niehaus) Calculates an alternate equity list for fiscal year 2008 for purposes of determining school districts' eligibility for assistance under the Classroom Facilities Assistance Program and their local shares in fiscal year 2009. -SJR 4 (Schuring) Amends Section 6 of Article XV and enacts Section 2a of Article VI of the Constitution of the State of Ohio to require all lottery profits and a percentage of revenue from certain taxes to be devoted to funding primary, secondary, and higher education. -SCR 18 (Padgett) Approves the Department of Education's proposed changes to the state academic accountability system for public schools. -HB 428 (Setzer) Eliminates the performance index score as a factor in school district and building performance ratings, makes changes in the Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Program, and makes changes in the requirement that schools offer dual enrollment programs. -HB 347 (Setzer) Replaces the Praxis III assessment as a condition for a professional educator license with assessment systems developed by school districts, community schools, STEM schools, and chartered nonpublic schools. -SB 141 (Padgett) Makes changes in the law regarding the approval and monitoring by the Department of Education of community school sponsors. PRAXIS III The ODE staff has been meeting with Representative Setzer regarding HB 347, which would eliminate the Praxis III assessment. An Entry Year Teacher Review Committee has been meeting to review and make recommendations for the teacher induction system. This group and Representative Setzer have agreed to introduce a substitute bill that will preserve a statewide assessment to obtain a license; maintain the use of the Praxis III in the short term; and more closely align mentoring programs to the Ohio Teaching Standards. SEAT BELTS ON SCHOOL BUSES Jeannette Oxender and Pete Japikse from the ODE have been working with the Department of Public Safety to resolve a discrepancy between the Ohio Revised Code and Administrative Code rules regarding the mandatory use of child safety restraints on school buses. The ODE is recommending a legislative change so that school districts are not required to install child restraints on all school buses. BUDGET CUTS Jeannette Oxender and Kelly Weir from the ODE reviewed with the Board the cuts that will be made to the ODE's budget as a result of Governor Strickland's executive order to reduce the FY08 and FY09 budget for the state. The Office of Budget and Management requested that the ODE reduce spending by $51.8 million in FY08 and $49.6 million in FY09. The ODE's FY08-FY09 budget totals $15.84 billion. Approximately 98 percent of the GRF appropriations flows directly to schools and other education entities as subsidy payments, and $29 million supports ODE staff. The ODE identified approximately $30 million in lapsed funds from the Foundation Funding Program, but was not able to use those funds as part of the reductions. Other lapsed and encumbered funds were capped by the OBM. The Office of Budget and Management also directed the ODE to reduce funding for Educational Service Centers by $5 million in FY08 and 09 and approximately $400,000 from performance audits. Other ODE line items that will be reduced include funds for professional development; assessment; bus purchase allowance, and more. The ODE is also implementing spending controls on travel, equipment, etc; reviewing and renegotiating contracts; and reducing staff levels by 21-26 FTE through attrition and vacancies to cut costs. The ODE currently has 667 FTE employees, but its optimum staffing level is 773, according to a 2007 analysis of programs and responsibilities. 2008 TEACHER OF THE YEAR After lunch the full Board discussed information regarding the Perkins IV Five Year Plan; discussed the draft Educator Code of Conduct; and reviewed the agenda for the business meeting on Tuesday. The Board also recognized Deborah Wickerham, the 2008 Ohio Teacher of the Year. Governor Strickland was in attendance to present the Board's resolution. Deborah Wickerham is a fifth grade teacher at Chamberlain Hill Intermediate School in the Findlay City Schools, and has been teaching for 32 years. She received her National Board Certification in 2001, and has also received recognition from Ohio Energy as a Project Facilitator, and was selected as the 2007 Regional Teacher of the Year by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. CHAPTER 119 HEARING The Board held a Chapter 119 hearing on the rules below, and then adjourned for the evening. -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 Postsecondary Enrollment Options -Amend OAC Rule 3301-52-01, Screening and Assessment -Rescind Rules 3301-69-11 and 12, Head Start, Head Start Plus. EDGE SUBCOMMITTEE The State Board of Education's Subcommittee for Education in the New Global Economy (EDGE), chaired by Colleen Grady and Steve Millett, met on Monday evening to discuss the preliminary results of a survey and interview process that the subcommittee initiated to learn more about the skills, behaviors, knowledge, and attitudes that Ohio employers recommend students possess upon graduating from high school. According to a draft summary of the survey and interview results, "....almost universally the participants listed the ability to communicate, good critical thinking and problems solving skills and the ability to be creative as being more important than a strong academic background." Other themes that emerged from the interviews include the need for schools to do a better job in counseling students about careers and jobs; helping parents understand the skills students need for future careers; teaching students about diverse cultures and how to better relate to those from different backgrounds and cultures; teaching students foreign languages earlier; changing the social studies curriculum to stress world cultures, economics, anthropology, etc; and working with teachers so that they better understand what students need to know to succeed in a particular career. The interview process has not been completed, and so these results are preliminary. STATE BOARD MEETING FEBRUARY 13, 2008 POLICY DISCUSSION ON URBAN DISTRICTS State Board of Education members participated in a policy discussion about urban education at their February 13, 2008 meeting. Adrian Allison, ODE Executive Director of Urban Policy, led the discussion which included a presentation about several initiatives that are underway to help urban districts improve student achievement and graduation rates. According to the presentation Ohio's 21 urban centers educate 19 percent of Ohio's public school students; 67 percent of these students qualify for free and reduced lunch; and 17.2 percent are in special education programs. Students in Ohio's urban districts have made significant academic progress over the past few years. In 1999-2000 18 of the urban 21 school districts were in academic emergency, but today none are in academic emergency, and half are in continuous improvement. These districts are also showing achievement through the value added component. However, many students in urban areas come to school with learning gaps, and urban districts must have support to accelerate learning for these students so that they can eventually reach grade level. The ODE provides support for urban districts through the statewide system for school improvement, such as the Ohio Leadership Advisory Council; the State Action for Education Leadership Project; the Harvard Executive Leadership Program; the Urban Academy Administrator Preparation Programs; the Principal Evaluation pilot; the Medical Rounds Project; the Ohio Teacher Incentive Fund and the Teacher Advancement Program; the District Teacher Equity Project; and the New Teacher Project. Regional teams also work directly with school districts to align resources, provide tools, information, professional development, and technical assistance. The ODE has also focused on efforts to support leadership development, resource allocation, curriculum and instruction, family and communities, and school options. The presentation also included an overview about how resources can be better aligned to support urban school initiatives. The ODE is building the capacity of urban schools to target resources through tools that help districts make better decisions about resource allocation. Ohio's eight largest urban districts receive support from the state through Poverty Based Assistance, which provides $244 million for intervention, professional development, and dropout prevention programs. A new fiscal tool called DREAM (District Resource Allocation Modeler) is currently being piloted, and allows districts to develop and examine scenarios for how to allocate resources differently to meet specific education goals. SBE BUSINESS MEETING The Board convened its business meeting and immediately proceeded into executive session. Following lunch the Board heard an update from the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. Susan Tave Zelman, about the following initiatives: a collaboration with the Ohio State University and Sesame Street to teach preschool-aged children Chinese; other efforts by the ODE to recruit Chinese language teachers for Ohio's schools; the Ohio Leadership Policy Forum, which will be held on February 19-20, 2008; STEM school and program grants; and the Seniors to Sophomores initiative, proposed by Governor Strickland in the State of the State Address. Chancellor Fingerhut has been designated as the lead person to develop the Seniors to Sophomore Program, which will allow eligible seniors to complete their senior year in high school on a college campus free of charge, and receive both high school and college credits. Although there is strong overall support for this concept, there will be an impact on some students, and an economic impact on school districts, which should have a voice in the planning and implementation of this initiative. There was no public participation on agenda or nonagenda items. The Board took action on 12 school personnel items and the resolutions included below, and adjourned. The next State Board of Education meeting is March 10-11, 2008. Agenda of the State Board of Education for February 12, 2008: -Approved a Resolution of Intent to amend OAC Rule 3301-8-01 Payment of Debt Service Charges -Approved a Resolution of Intent to amend OAC Rule 3301-61-17 Emergency Service Telecommunicator Training -Approved a Resolution of Intent to amend OAC Rule 3301-83-04, 06, -09, -10, and 16 Pupil Transportation Operation and Safety -Approved 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. -Approved 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. -Approved a Resolution to amend OAC Rule 3301-23-44 Temporary Licenses -Approved a Resolution to rescind and adopt new OAC Rule 3301-24-09 Performance Based Licensure for Administrators -Approved a Resolution to amend OAC Rules 3310-48-01-02 regarding open enrollment programs -Approved a Resolution to refile proposed new OAC Rules 3301-51-01, 09, and 11 regarding Operating Standards for Children with Disabilities -Approved a Resolution regarding the 2008 Ohio Teacher of the Year -Amended and then approved a Resolution to adopt a revised fee structure for all educator licenses, certificates, and permits issued by the ODE -Approved the following resolution: "Be it resolved that the state board supports the current system of an independent State Board of Education and an independent state superintendent as outlined in the letter of Feb 8, 2008 from President Jennifer L. Sheets." 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 3) OAPCS Releases Study: The Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools (OSPCS), Bill Sims, President and CEO, released on February 13, 2008 a study called "Shattering the Myth: An Analysis of the Impact of Charter and Voucher School Finances in Ohio's Big Eight Urban School Districts." The study was prepared by Bill Keip of Keip Government Solution, and is available at http://www.oapcs.org/pdf/SchoolChoiceFactbook.pdf According to the study, the urban eight school districts have not been harmed financially by school choice programs, and actually, "....the opposite is true: School districts have far more resources available to educate students today than they did 12 years ago, even adjusting for inflation." The study goes on to say, "Traditional public schools historically have monopolized the expenditure of public education funds. The existing funding formula awards districts rather than students. Now that approximately 86,000 children statewide are in choice programs (SY2006-07 data), the result is substantial inequity in public funding between them and their peers still in traditional public schools." The study makes the following conclusion: "With the many choice options available today, Ohio would do well to re-examine the current funding model and perhaps institute a "money follows the child" approach similar to other government programs such as the GI Bill, food stamps and Medicaid. In these programs, eligible participants are allotted funds and then permitted to seek education, food or medical care, respectively, from the provider of their choice. To carry the medical care analogy further, participants in Medicaid receive funding that is equitable but not necessarily equal. People with more severe medical problems receive greater support. Similarly, in a "money follows the child" approach, such as that contemplated in proposals called "weighted student funding," children with special needs might receive more funding, but money would be equitably distributed for the benefit of all children." |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Ohio Fair Schools Campaign, 94 Columbus Road Athens, Ohio 45701 Tel. (740)592-2866 Fax (740)593-5451 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
