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To: LWVO From: Joan Platz Education Update for March 10, 2008 1) 127th General Assembly: The Ohio House and Senate are scheduled to hold sessions and committee hearings this week. *The House Finance and Appropriations Committee, chaired by Representative Hottinger, reported out favorably on March 6, 2008 HB496 (Hottinger), which makes reappropriations for the biennium ending June 30, 2010, and makes certain other capital appropriations. This bill includes reappropriations of $5.85 billion to continue work on capital projects, such as the Veterans' Home Improvement Fund, Clean Ohio Trail fund, Parks and Recreation Fund, Adult and Juvenile Correctional Building Fund, etc. The largest amount, $3.6 billion, is allocated for the School Building Program Assistance through the School Facilities Commission. The bill also includes $144.5 million in new capital funds for the Public Works Commission. *The Senate Finance and Financial Institution Committee, chaired by Senator Carey, reported out favorably SB273 (Niehaus) Classroom Facilities. This bills amends section 3318.032 and enacts section 3318.033 of the Revised Code. It calculates an alternate equity list for fiscal year 2008 to determine school district eligibility for assistance under the Classroom Facilities Assistance Program and the local share in fiscal year 2009; calculates an alternative equity list for fiscal year 2009 funding under the Classroom Facilities Assistance Program and the Exceptional Needs School Facilities Assistance Program for certain school districts with large one-year reductions in valuation; recalculates the local share of a current classroom facilities project for certain school districts that had a net gain in interdistrict open enrollment students when they became eligible for state facilities assistance; specifies the local share of new projects for certain school districts that previously received assistance; and increases the percentage of classroom facilities appropriations that may be used for joint vocational school districts in fiscal year 2008. 2) March 4, 2008 Election Results: According to the ODE website, voters approved 46.06 percent of the 165 school district tax issues on the March 4, 2008 ballot. This is a lower rate of approval than previous primary elections. The five year average rate of approval for school tax issues for a primary election is 51.80 percent. For all elections the five year average rate of approval is 49.37 percent. Over the past five years there have been 2447 tax issues for schools on the ballot (including operating, capital, and combined), and 1208 have been approved. 3) This Week at the Statehouse: The Senate Finance and Financial Institutions Committee, chaired by Senator Carey, will meet on March 11, 2008 at 2:30 PM and March 12, 2008 at 9:30 AM in the Senate Finance Hearing Room. The Committee will hear testimony on HB 496 (Hottinger), Capital Reappropriations for the biennium ending June 30, 2010, pending referral. The Senate Education Committee, chaired by Senator Padgett, will meet on March 11, 2008 at 4:00 PM in the North Hearing Room. The Committee will hear testimony on SB264 (Carey), which prohibits classroom teachers employed by boards of education from striking, and instead requires binding arbitration to settle their unresolved collective bargaining disputes, and makes an appropriation; and SB270 (Cates), school employee misconduct. 4) Update on Federal Initiatives: *The U.S. House of Representatives, Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education will hold a hearing on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 on "After School Programs: How the Bush Administration's Budget Impacts Children and Families". For more information please visit, http://edlabordemocrats.congressnewsletter.net/mail/util.cfm?mailaction=clickthru&gpiv=1999909942.11222.215&gen=1&mailing_linkid=9372 *The U.S. House and Senate Budget Committees approved last week resolutions in support of a $3.1 trillion budget package for FY09. The resolutions have been placed on the House and Senate calendars. The U.S. Senate Budget Committee, chaired by Senator Kent Conrad chair, approved SCR 70 on March 6, 2008. This resolution includes over $64 billion for education in discretionary spending, an increase of $5 billion over President Bush's FY09 recommendations when adjusted for inflation. The resolution reinstates the 48 programs eliminated in the President's proposed FY09 budget; provides additional funding for Head State, NCLB, IDEA, Pell Grants, and job training compared to the President's version; and includes $2.5 billion for the Child Care Development Block Grant in 2009. This is $406 million above the 2008 level adjusted for inflation, and $441 million more than the President's request. The resolution also provides a deficit-neutral reserve fund for up to $50 billion to expand coverage for the estimated six million children eligible but not enrolled in either SCHIP or Medicaid, and maintains coverage for all currently-enrolled children. Also included in the resolution are a deficit-neutral reserve fund to facilitate legislation to rebuild crumbling schools, and an expansion of education-related tax credits and deductions. The U.S. House Budget Committee, chaired by Representative Spratt, approved HCR 312 on March 6, 2008. This resolution provides a $7.1 billion increase for the education budget and reinstates 47 education programs eliminated in President Bush's proposed FY09 budget. This resolution also provides an increase of up to $50 billion to expand the children's health insurance program, subject to the pay-as-you-go rule. 5) State Board of Education to Meet: The State Board of Education (SBE), Jennifer Sheets president, will meet on March 10-11, 2008 in Columbus, Ohio. The State Board of Education's Quality Middle and High Schools and School Funding subcommittees were scheduled to meet on March 9, 2008 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Columbus, but were canceled due to the snow emergency. The State Board of Education will hold its meetings on March 10-11, 2008 at the Ohio School for the Deaf, 500 Morse Road, Columbus, OH. On March 10, 2008 the Achievement Committee, Michael Cochran and Ann Womer Benjamin co-chairs, and the Capacity Committee, Rob Hovis and Jane Sonenshein co-chairs, will meet at 8:00 AM. The Capacity Committee will discuss Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) Rule 3301-71-01, Disadvantaged Pupil Impact Aid; Rule 3301-23-41, 12-hour Temporary Teacher Permit; Rule 3301-24-15, Provisional Educator License for STEM; the Legislative Recommendations for Performance Standards for Dropout Recovery Schools; the Educator Code of Conduct; Safe Schools Recommendations; Community School Fiscal Officer Requirements; and the work of the Entry-year Advisory Committee. The Achievement Committee will discuss Administrative Code Rule 3301-51-11, Pre-School Special Education Requirements; the Perkins IV Five-Year Plan; and improving student achievement at the middle grades in literacy and mathematics. At 10:15 AM representatives from the Ohio Attorney General's Office will conduct a training session on the Ohio Public Records Act and Open Meetings Act. The recipients of the Milken Award will be recognized at 11:45 AM, and then the Board will break for lunch. After lunch at 1:15 PM the Achievement Committee and the Capacity Committee will present their reports followed by the Legislative Report, presented by Board members John Bender and Carl Wick. Both the Achievement and Capacity Committees will hold working sessions on legislative and budget recommendations at 2:30 PM. The Board will review written reports, discuss items for a vote on the business agenda, and hear reports from Board members at 3:30 PM. At 4:00 PM the Board will hold a Chapter 119 Hearing on the following rules: Chapter 119 Hearing -Adopt OAC Rules 3301-17-01 to 09, Accurate Reporting of Data. -Amend OAC Rules 3301-102-02 to 06, Community School Sponsorship -Amend OAC Rule 3301-104-02, E-School Expenditure The Board will adjourn following the hearing. The State Board of Education's Subcommittee for Education in the New Global Economy (EDGE) will meet from 5:00 - 6:30 PM. On February 12, 2008 the State Board of Education's Coordination Committee will meet with the full Board starting at 8:30 AM and discuss legislative and budget recommendations. The Board will convene its business meeting at 10:45 AM and immediately proceed into executive session. Following lunch at 1:15 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 then take action on four personnel items and the resolutions included below. The Board will then accept public participation on non-agenda items and adjourn. The next meeting of the State Board of Education is April 7-8, 2008. AGENDA ITEMS -Approve a Resolution of Intent to Rescind and Adopt Rule 3310-26-01, Examinations for pre-Kindergarten Associate Certification, Classroom Teacher Certification, and Educational Personnel Certification -Approve a Resolution to Refile Proposed New Rule 3301-51-11, Preschool Special Education Requirements -Approve an Intent to Rescind and Adopt New Rule 3310-71-01, Poverty Based Assistance -Approve a Resolution to Amend Rules 3301-35-05 and 06, Operating Standards for Ohio Schools -Approve a Resolution to Amend Rule 3301-44-09, Participation by Nonpublic Schools in Post Secondary Enrollment Options -Approve a Resolution to Rescind and Adopt New OAC Rules 3301-51-01, to 09, Operating Standards for Ohio's Schools Serving Children with Disabilities -Approve a Resolution to Amend Rule 3301-51-15, Operating Standards for Identifying and Serving Gifted Students -Approve a Resolution to Amend Rule 3301-52-01, Screening and Assessment Information -Approve a Resolution to Rescind Rules 3301-69-11 and 12, Title IV-A, Head Start, and Title IV-A, Head Start Plus -Approve a Resolution to Confirm the Chardon Local School District Board of Education's determination that it is impractical to transport students to the Phillips-Osborne School -Approve a Resolution to Revoke the Charter of the Marva Collins Preparatory School -Approve a Resolution to Adopt the Ohio Five Year Plan for the administration of Career Technical Education effective July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2013 -Approve legislative recommendations regarding performance standards for dropout recovery schools required by 126-Am. Sub. HB 79 -Approve a Resolution Regarding the Code of Professional Conduct for Ohio Educators 6) BOR Announces Choose Ohio: The Ohio Board of Regents announced on March 7, 2008 the recipients of the Choose Ohio First Scholarship Program. This program was created by the Ohio General Assembly as part of the Ohio Innovative Partnership Program to provide scholarships to strengthen Ohio students in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, medicine, and STEM education. 28 proposals were submitted. $22. 7 million will be distributed to 21 Ohio public and private colleges and universities in this first round. Another $27.3 million will be awarded later. Universities and colleges are also contributing approximately $38 million in funds and support services to implement these programs. For more information please visit http://universitysystem.ohio.gov/chooseohio1st. The following programs will be awarded funding during this first round: *STEM Undergraduate Engagement in an Engineering Environment. The University of Akron (lead institution) will share $6.5 million with partners. *Ohio Consortium for Bioinformatics. Ohio University (lead institution) will share $4.475 million with partners. *Student Success in Mathematics. Cleveland State University (lead institution) will share $4.5 million with partners. The high schools involved include those in the following school districts: Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Aurora City Schools, Hudson City Schools, Crestwood Local Schools, New Philadelphia Schools, Waterloo Local Schools, Akron Public Schools, Summit County Educational Service Center, Chaney High School in Youngstown, East High School in Youngstown, Girard High School, Warren G. Harding High School in Warren, and Youngstown Early College. *Coming out of the Pipeline: The UC Interdisciplinary Pathway to STEM Professionals. The University of Cincinnati, in partnership with more than 760 Ohio businesses, will share $4.5 million. *Building the Nursing Workforce in Northeastern Ohio. Case Western Reserve University (lead institution) will share $676,800 with partners. *Pharmacy Scholarships. Ursuline College (lead institution) will share $364,000 with partners. *Diversifying Ohio in STEM (DO-STEM). Central State University (lead institution) will share $3.1 million with partners. 7) Colorado Report on Successful Schools: The Colorado Department of Education released a report on February 26, 2008 called "Profiles of Success: Eight Colorado Schools that are Closing the Achievement Gap". The report includes the findings of research conducted on several school districts in which economically-disadvantages students performed better than the state average on the Colorado Student Assessment Program in at least two subjects for at least three consecutive years. The Donnell-Kay Foundation and Augenblick, Palaich & Associates (APA) conducted the research. The report is available at http://www.apaconsulting.net/uploads/reports/11.pdf. Overall the researchers found that, "....no two schools allocated their resources in the same way. For example, when we compared the number of personnel per pupil across schools (in total and by sub-groups like instruction, counseling, and administration) we found considerable variance. Some schools invested heavily in instruction while others invested in administration. Yet all the schools were successful at closing the achievement gap. Since the schools studied showed such variance in how resources were invested, APA did not believe any single resource model could be recommended. Instead, what appears to be more important to the success of the eight schools we visited was the fact that many of the school leaders were given the flexibility and authority to decide how to direct resources to the areas of greatest need within their schools." According to researchers the successful schools exhibited the following common characteristics: *A culture of high expectations and accountability for all students. *Targeted assessments and intensive use of data to guide instruction. *Individualized support for struggling students. *Active engagement of teachers in school leadership and decision-making. *Substantial time for collaborative planning and options for professional development. *Commitment to core academics and standards but not at the expense of other important learning in the arts and humanities. "A common complaint about schools today is too much "teaching to the test" and not enough opportunity for kids to learn through the arts and humanities. While it is evident that each of these schools takes the CSAPs very seriously, and focuses considerable time and attention to ensure that kids are prepared for such tests, they also noted the importance of other types of learning. For example, in a time when more and more schools are cutting out music, all the schools we visited maintain instrumental music programs. Furthermore, most offered foreign language courses, creative and performing arts, and other programs, especially in the secondary years, designed to broaden students' knowledge and experience bases (e.g., philosophy, engineering, graphic design, etc.)." *Stable and consistent leadership. *Small learning communities. *Flexibility to use resources to support student needs and reinforce school culture. "When asked how they might use an extra $100,000 per year, school priorities tended to include: (a) support extended day programming (academic and electives), including transportation associated with ensuring that all kids could participate in the extended day; (b) hire more "specials" teachers (e.g., P.E., Art, foreign language, etc.).; and (c) add teacher days for professional development and planning. A couple of schools lost their extended day programs this year due to district budget cuts and worried about the academic implications this was going to have on their students." * Economically integrated student-bodies. 8) March is Arts Education Month: The March 2008 issue of The School Administrator is entitled "The Arts at K-12's Center Stage, Finding ways to increase student access to creative learning." The issue features several articles that describe the latest research on arts education and its role in school reform, preparing students for future careers in the arts, and preparing students for success in the global economy. For example, the article written by Lois Hetland, a research associate with Project Zero at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, describes how struggling schools are using the arts to "...motivate thinking, speaking, reading and writing and, beyond motivation, to make students' learning visible so teachers can better target instruction to individual needs." This article also includes seven recommendations for superintendents who want to improve their arts education program to promote rigorous thinking and expand the arts throughout the curriculum. The article written by Dick Deasy, director of the Arts Education Partnership, describes certain capacities that students learn through the arts. These include imagination; innovation and creativity; engagement and achievement motivation; conditional reasoning; symbolic understanding; critical thinking; and collaborative learning and action. He writes, "These capacities demanded by the arts are the same skills that business and corporate leaders tell us are essential for American success in the global economy." For more information about the issue please visit http://www.aasa.org/. The following is a list of the articles and their authors included in the issue: "Why the Arts Deserve Center State", by Richard Deasy "Basically, Arts are Basic" by Harvard's Project Zero's Lois Hetland "Art Education Resources" by Marian Kisch "Bucking Trends: Expanding the Arts" by Kathi Levin "Creating a Brighter Workforce with the Arts" by Robert Lynch "Collecting Arts Data Under No Child Left Behind" by Narric Rome "The Arts in Contemporary Education" by John Eger "Why the Arts Change the Learning Experience" by John Eger "Creating a Whole New World" by Paul Houston "Bringing the Arts Front and Center" by Sarah Jerome 9) Bills Introduced: *HB495 (Fessler) Prohibits state institutions of higher education from requiring a student to purchase the institution's health insurance plan. *HB496 (Hottinger) Makes capital reappropriations for the biennium ending June 30, 2010, and certain capital appropriations. *HR142 (Foley) A resolution to urge the 2008 presidential candidates to hold a debate on their views on science and technology. |
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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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