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here to go back to the LWVO Education Update Main Page To: LWVO From: Joan Platz Education Update for May 14, 2007 1) 127th Ohio General Assembly: The Ohio House and Senate have scheduled sessions and committee meetings for this week. *According to the Ohio Department of Education, voters approved on May 8, 2007 89 out of 164 school funding issues (54.27 percent), which is less than the approval rate for the 2006 May election. 50.9 percent of the levies for capital improvements were approved, and 56 percent of the operating levies were approved. *The House agreed with the Senate amendments to Am. HB 2 (Webster), which allows the governor to appoint the chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents, and makes other changes regarding the responsibilities of Ohio Board of Regents. Governor Strickland is expected to sign the bill into law this week. The bill includes an emergency clause, and will take effect on July 1, 2007. *The Senate Education Committee, chaired by Senator Padgett, reported out favorably on May 8, 2007 SB143 (Padgett), which establishes a limited student permit category for speech language pathology interns, and includes an emergency clause that allows the placement of interns in schools as early as 2007. Currently there is a shortage of speech language pathologists in schools, and this bill will begin to address the situation. A similar bill has been introduced in the Ohio House, HB 180 (Setzer). 2) Testimony on Am. Sub. HB 119 (Dolan): Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. Susan Tave Zelman, testified on May 8, 2007 for two and a half hours before the Senate Finance and Financial Institutions Committee, chaired by Senator Carey. For this committee meeting Senator Carey handed over his gavel to the chair of the Senate Education Committee, Senator Padgett, who then presided over the hearing. Dr. Zelman provided an overview of the status of Ohio's education system, the funding components of the House version of Am Sub. HB 119 (Dolan), and requested that the Senate consider some changes as it debated HB 119. According to Dr. Zelman's testimony, "Ohio's system of public education is better than it has ever been, but we still have more work to do. Until every Ohio student graduates from high school and is prepared to enter postsecondary education and the workforce, the challenge to improve education in Ohio continues. Our state's economy desperately needs a more skilled workforce, and supporting the education system is crucial to a vital economy." Overall the House version of HB 119 (Dolan) includes $6.9 billion in FY08 and $7.2 billion in FY09 for primary and secondary education, which is an increase of .9 percent and 4.4 percent respectively. The base cost per pupil would increase three percent each year from $5,403 for FY07 to $5,565 in FY08 and $5,732 in FY09, and base cost supplements would increase the amount per pupil by $49.38 in FY08 and $50.90 in FY09. Other components of the school funding program, such as parity aid, poverty based assistance, categorical support for special education and career technical education, and gifted education, are retained with some changes. There is also support for teacher preparation and training, principal training, the Ohio Core, early childhood education, public preschool, assessment, accountability, and high school reform. Less than two percent of the ODE's budget is used for Ohio Department of Education operations. Dr. Zelman also noted in her testimony that several State Board of Education recommendations were included in HB 119. For example, the House version of HB 119 includes modifications for Poverty Based Assistance (PBA), which provide school districts with more flexibility for using these funds; locks in the PBA index based on prior year data to avoid fluctuations during the year; eliminates all but the transitional guarantee to simplify the formula; supports a pilot project to define expenditure patterns in schools; provides stipends for National Board Certified teachers; seeks changes in the TANF eligibility and work related rules to expand access of the Early Learning Initiative, and more. Dr. Zelman also recommended that the Senate consider the following areas as they deliberate on the budget: Special Education: The state support for the catastrophic special education subsidy, funded at $19.8 million in FY08 and $20.5 million in FY09, is $30 million less than the actual obligation. This means that state funds for catastrophic special education to school districts are reduced proportionately, and districts pick up the excess costs. Teacher Mentors: The annual state stipend for mentor teachers, $600 in FY08 and $500 in FY09, will be reduced as more teachers are added to the program. Local districts will need to contribute additional funding to provide the same level of support for teacher mentors. Kindergarten: The State Board of Education has recommended full funding for all-day Kindergarten as one of its priorities. Parent Curriculum Guides: The House version of the HB 119 reduced funding for standards and curriculum models by $252,000 each year, which will eliminate funds to publish and distribute parent guides to the academic content standards. Transportation: The current formula produces an incentive for districts to reduce transportation services to students. As a result, transportation of students has dropped 12 percent over the past two years. A new fairer transportation subsidy formula has been developed by the ODE, but this formula will not be in place for two years. Funding Levels for ODE: Funding levels for operating the ODE are below FY03 levels, even though the responsibilities of the ODE have increased. The ODE will need increased funding to implement the proposed voucher program for special education students and employ four agriculture employees. Earmarked Funds for Programs: The State Board of Education opposes earmarking funds for specific programs in the budget. HB 119 proposes $10.5 million in FY08 and $8.5 million in FY09 in earmarks. Teacher on Loan - $750,000: This program was eliminated in the House version of HB 119. The ODE had planned to use those funds to provide school improvement services. STEM Funding - $20 million: Support for STEM should be included in the ODE budget rather than in the budget of the Ohio Board of Regents. Students in Residential Treatment Facilities: The ODE is requesting that the education of students who are placed in residential treatment facilities be funded as a deduction from regular school districts. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act: The ODE is requesting that the Ohio Revised Code be revised to align with hanges in the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act. 3) Responses to ODE Testimony: Members of the Senate Finance and Financial Institutions Committee had many questions for Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. Susan Tave Zelman, following her testimony on HB 119 (Dolan) on May 8. 2007. These questions illustrate the complexity of Ohio's education system and especially its funding system for schools, and also indicate which education issues are a high priority for lawmakers. The questions also provide a way to see what changes the Senate may have in store for HB 119. The following areas of committee interest were identified from the questions posed by committee members: Workforce Development: Senator Carey asked about the changes that have been proposed to shift some workforce development programs from the ODE to the Ohio Board of Regents. Dr. Zelman responded that she believes that GED and other programs should remain in the ODE. Core Incentive: Senator Gardner proposed that school districts be provided an incentive to implement the Ohio Core graduation requirements earlier than proposed in SB 311, which is 2011. Dr. Zelman agreed. Physical Education Standards: Senator Gardner also asked Dr. Zelman about SBE support for physical education standards. Dr. Zelman replied that the State Board of Education would be reviewing his bill, SB 118 (Gardner) Physical Education Standards, at their May meeting. Charter School Accountability: Senator Dale Miller asked Dr. Zelman about the proposed changes to increase the accountability of charter schools included in the budget bill. Dr. Zelman responded that some accountability provisions supported by the State Board of Education are included in another bill currently in the Senate Education Committee, SB 141 (Padgett), and these should be added back into HB 119. Per pupil spending: Senator Amstutz questioned Dr. Zelman regarding per pupil expenditures, and why some districts were able to spend less, but had better academic results than high spending districts that receive more state support. Dr. Zelman responded by saying that limited funds need to go to the districts with the most need. The State Board of Education recommended even more funds for school improvement, but these were not reflected in the budget. Parity Aid: Senator Roberts asked why community schools should receive parity aid. Dr. Zelman responded that the SBE supports community schools receiving parity aid, because they don't have the ability to raise local revenue. Rapidly Growing Districts: Senator Cates suggested creating a way to support rapidly growing school districts so that they can keep up with the added expenses as their student population increases during the school year. Otherwise districts must wait until the following year for enrollment increases to be supported with additional funds. Excellent District Incentive: Senator Cates also asked about the proposal in the House version of HB 119 to provide an extra $10 per student ($6 million in FY09) for school districts that achieve an excellent report card rating. Dr. Zelman agreed that school districts and schools should be recognized for their success, but there also must be dollars for school districts that need to be improved. Accountability for Charter Schools: Senator Ray Miller asked what the ODE is doing to ensure that charter schools are being appropriately monitored. Dr. Zelman replied that the SBE has requested for legislative changes so that the State Board of Education has oversight over all sponsors of charter schools, and also agreed that the provisions in SB 141 (Padgett) should be included in HB 119. Support for English as a Second Language: Senator Stivers asked how school districts experiencing a rapid growth in the number of students with limited English were being supported. Dr. Zelman noted that Poverty Based Assistance provides some financial support, and the State Board of Education has been researching a weighted formula for ESL students. Special Education Voucher Program: Senator Niehaus asked about the cost to administer the proposed special education voucher program included in HB 119 by the House. Dr. Zelman estimated that 8000 students may take advantage of the scholarship, and the ODE would need more funds to monitor the program. No money is included currently in the budget to monitor the program. Closing the Achievement Gap: Senator Clancy asked a question regarding achievement gaps, and if closing achievement gaps was a major concern for all districts or just a few. Dr. Zelman replied that the data the ODE has been collecting shows that even excellent districts are having trouble meeting Adequate Yearly Progress for all subgroups of students. Board Certified Teachers: Senator Clancy asked how many board certified teachers are in the state, and will the added funds for National Board certification encourage teachers to become Board certified. Dr. Zelman estimated that there are 3000 or so Board Certified teachers in Ohio, and that the stipends proposed in HB 119 would encourage more teachers to become Board Certified. Cost of Doing Business Factor: Senator Dale Miller stated that with Ohio's weak economy and the elimination of the cost of doing business factor (CDBF) that he was fearful that the "pie" would be cut up into smaller pieces, and that changes in state funding will be made at the expense of urban districts. Should the state give larger shares of dollars to needy school districts, or focus on improving education across the state? Dr. Zelman replied that the SBE did not agree with the CDBF -- since it was based on county costs, which vary even within the county. The Executive Budget made a commitment to flow dollars to the districts that need them the most through Poverty Based Assistance; closing the achievement gap; TANF funds; Parity Aid, and public pre-school programs. Achieve Report: Senator Roberts stated that he has some concerns about the Achieve report, which he believes was developed with limited participation from educational organizations and the public. He asked Dr. Zelman what are the next steps for the Achieve report. Dr. Zelman replied that the SBE will meet in June for their two day retreat, and will look at the data and make recommendations for the next steps regarding the Achieve report. Guarantee: Senator Stivers stated that there were about 400 districts on the guarantee, and asked what that says about the school funding formula. Dr. Zelman responded that it means that it is time to rethink the way schools are funded. Charter School Facilities: Senator Dale Miller asked about the House language that requires school districts to sell schools that are being used less than 75 percent of the time for educational purposes 75 percent of the year. Dr. Zelman responded that the ODE is no longer involved in issues regarding school facilities. Regional Centers: Senator Padgett was concerned about support for the regional centers included 126-HB115. $13 million was eliminated for these centers in the governor's budget, and now she is hearing from people in the field who are losing their jobs. Dr. Zelman agreed that the money should be restored. Dual Enrollment Programs: Senator Padgett said that she was very, very, very interested in allocating funds for "bridge programs" that encourage students in high school to take courses at the college and university level for credit. These include advanced placement and Postsecondary Enrollment Options program. Dr. Zelman replied that the SBE had recommended putting more dollars in these programs, and also dollars to train AP teachers and for supplies and fees for students to take the AP exams. There is a lot of research on AP. Three wishes: Senator Padgett asked Dr. Zelman if she had three wishes, what three items would she like to see included in the budget that would make the most impact.... not necessarily the most expensive, but the most impact. Dr. Zelman replied that the SBE education would want dollars to go into foundation program. But, to impact students she thought the budget should include 1) more dollars for high quality professional development to improve classroom teachers; 2) restore the $13 million for school improvement services; and 3) investments are most valuable in early childhood education. 4) Statewide Education Organizations Respond to the Proposed Budget: Members of the Ohio School Boards Association, Ohio Association of School Business Official, the Ohio Education Association, and the Buckeye Association of School Administrators sent a letter to Senate President Harris on May 8, 2007 to clarify their positions on Am. Sub. HB 119 (Dolan) the Biennial Budget, in response to comments that have been made by legislators and the media. According to the letter, which is available on the website of the Ohio School Boards Association (http://www.osba-ohio.org), these organizations commend Governor Strickland for his commitment to making education a priority in spite of fiscal constraints, and applaud the House for supporting investments in early childhood education, Poverty Based Assistance, the removal of the second ADM count for school districts, and important implementation language recommended by the School Employees Health Care Board. They see this budget as a transition to a better school funding system, which will support a quality education system to ensure a strong economy for Ohio. The letter goes on to recommend the following changes for Am. Sub. HB 119 as the Ohio Senate considers putting together its version of the state budget: *Consider an alternate method for accounting for the differences in costs for districts across the state to replace the Cost of Doing Business Factor, which has been eliminated. The Education Tax Policy Institute (ETPI) has developed a new "cost adjustment" factor that takes into account wages, housing costs, remoteness of the school district, and concentrations of poverty. *Reinstate the multiple guarantees and Parity Aid funding to all the school districts that have qualified in the past. We also support the restoration of the 9.5 mill calculation for Parity Aid. *Provide weighted funding to meet the needs of Limited English Proficiency (LEP) students, 100% funding for Special Education weights, and increased funding for Education Service Centers (ESCs have not received an increase in state funding for over 10 years). *Eliminate the proposed special education voucher program in the substitute bill, which weakens the due process rights of students and parents, and drains resources from the public schools. Currently school districts can utilize outside providers to meet the needs of students with special needs, but these providers are also accountable to the school district for their performance. This program will divert dollars for a few students, and jeopardize the ability of public school districts to meet federal and state standards. *Provide meaningful investment for STEM within the current public school structure. *Reinstate the provisions regarding community schools and the elimination of the EdChoice voucher program in the Executive Budget request, which best addresses accountability issues. 5) This Week at the Statehouse TUESDAY, MAY 15, 2007 *The Senate Finance and Financial Institutions Committee, chaired by Senator Carey (614-466-8156), will meet at 10:00 AM and 2:30 PM in the Senate Finance Hearing room. The Ohio Department of Job & Family Services - Helen Jones Kelley, will present testimony on HB119 Biennial Budget (Dolan) in the morning, and Attorney Marc Dann will present testimony on the biennial budget in the afternoon. *The House Education Committee, chaired by Representative Setzer (614-644-8051) will meet at 2:30 PM in room 116. The committee will hear testimony on the following bills: -HB94 Undergraduate Education (Koziura) Requires universities to guarantee undergraduate students can complete study in a specified time. -HB190 Elementary Achievement Tests (Koziura) Specifies administration dates for the elementary achievement tests. -HB181 School records - missing children (Setzer) Requires public and nonpublic schools to mark the records of students identified as missing children and notify law enforcement of requests for those records. -HB180 Speech Language Pathology Interns (Setzer) Establishes a limited student permit category for speech language pathology interns and declares an emergency. -HB155 (Setzer) Establishes Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Schools. -HCR9 (Skindell) Amends the No Child Left Behind Act to fully fund the appropriations. *The Senate Education Committee, chaired by Senator Padgett (614-466-8076) will meet at 4:00 PM in the North Hearing Room. The committee will hear testimony on SCR3 No Child Left Behind Act (Dale Miller), which urges Congress to amend and fully fund the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001; SB118 Physical Education Instruction (Gardner), which requires daily physical education instruction in grades K-6; and SB89 School Opening Day (Gardner), which prohibits schools from opening before Labor Day. WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2007 *The Senate Finance and Financial Institutions Committee, chaired by Senator Carey (614-466-8156), will meet at 9:30 AM and 2:30 PM in the Senate Finance Hearing room. The committee will hear invited testimony on Am. Sub. HB 119 (Dolan) from state agencies and departments. THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2007 *The Senate Financial and Financial Institutions, chaired by Senator Carey (614-466-8156), will meet at 9:30 AM and 1:30 PM in the Senate Finance Hearing Room. The committee will hear invited testimony on Am. Sub. HB 119 (Dolan) the FY08-09 State Budget from state agencies and departments. FRIDAY, MAY 18, 2007 *The Senate Financial and Financial Institutions, chaired by Senator Carey (614-466-8156) will meet at 9:30 AM and 1:30 PM in the Senate Finance Hearing Room. The committee will hear invited testimony on Am. Sub. HB 119 (Dolan) from state agencies and departments. 6) State Board of Education to Meet: The State Board of Education, Jennifer Sheets president, will meet on May 14-15, 2007 at the Ohio School for the Deaf, 500 Morse Road, Columbus, OH. The Executive Committee, chaired by Jennifer Sheets, will meet on May 14, 2007 at 8:30 AM in the Conference Room. The committee will review the agenda and receive updates from the School Funding and Territory Transfer subcommittees, and make a recommendation as to public participation at the upcoming June SBE meeting. The Capacity Committee, Sue Westendorf and Carl Wick co-chairs, and the Achievement Committee, Michael Cochran and Steve Millett, co-chairs, will meet at 9:15 AM. The Capacity Committee will discuss the community school sponsor evaluations; discuss the definition and criteria of a Master Teacher, discuss and approve SB 311 family and community engagement policy; discuss and approve a resolution of intent to adopt Rule 3301-25-09, Speech-Language Pathology Internship Permit. The Achievement Committee will approve the resolution of intent to adopt "A Comprehensive System of Learning Supports Guidelines"; review rule 3301-07-01 ethical use of tests; review rules 3301-13-01 to 3301-13-18 to 3301-13-11 state testing; review rule 3301-13-07 testing fairness and sensitivity. The full SBE will convene at 11:00 AM in the Conference Center to hear presentations on a comprehensive system of learning supports guidelines, the family and community engagement policy per SB 311, the model anti-bullying and anti-harassment policy, and Rule 3301-25-09 Speech-Language Pathology Interns. During lunch the Achieve Report Public Engagement Subcommittee will meet in the Garden Gallery to discuss the current activities regarding the Achieve Report, "Creating a World Class Education System in Ohio." The full SBE will reconvene at 1:30 PM to hear reports on state and federal legislative initiatives and reports from SBE members. There is one written report this month on school readiness solutions implementation. The SBE will also review tems on this month's business agenda. At 4:00 PM the State Board will conduct a Chapter 119 hearing on Rules 3301-83-06 -07 and -20 School Bus Driver Issues. The SBE will then adjourn. On Monday evening at 5:30 PM the School Funding Subcommittee, chaired by Virgil Brown, will meet in Ballroom A at the Embassy Suites, 2700 Corporate Exchange Drive, Columbus. The Quality Middle and High Schools Subcommittee, chaired by Carl Wick, will meet at 7:30 PM in Ballroom B. The subcommittee will discuss recommendations from the Partnership for Continued Learning and an update on Early College and the Ohio High School Transformation Initiative. On Tuesday, May 15, 2000 the State Board of Education's Territory Transfer Subcommittee will meet at the Ohio School for the Deaf at 8:30 AM in the Delaware Room. This committee is chaired by Mike Cochran. At 9:00 AM Dr. Julie Schaid, Executive Director of the Ohio Partnership for Continued Learning, will present information regarding a recommendation for Dual Enrollment programs. At 9:30 AM Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. Susan Tave Zelman, will lead a policy discussion regarding Quality and Middle High Schools. The business meeting will begin at 11:30 AM, and the Board will immediately convene into executive session. After the Board reconvenes at 1:15 PM it will hear the report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. Susan Tave Zelman, public participation on agenda items, and take action on fourteen personnel items, one territory transfer, and the following resolutions: #3 Approve a resolution regarding public participation at the June 2007 SBE board business meeting. #4 Approve an intent to adopt Ohio Administrative Code Rule 3301-25-09 Two year school speech-language pathology internship permit. #5 Approve an intent to amend Ohio Administrative Code Rule 3301-40-03-05-06-07 regarding nonpublic schools administrative cost reimbursement. #6 Approve a motion to direct the ODE to withdraw Rule 3301-102-08, expected gains in student achievement from the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review. #7 Approve an intent to adopt the Comprehensive System of Learning Supports Guidelines. #8 Approve an intent to adopt the Anti-Harassment, anti-intimidation, or anti-bullying policy. #9 Approve an intent to adopt the Family Involvement Policy. #23 Approve a resolution to allow the Lakota Local School District Board of Education to sever ties with the Sandusky County Educational Service Center and annex to the Erie-Huron-Ottawa Educational Service Center. #24 Amend Ohio Administrative Code rules 3301-11-01,-03,-04,-05,-07 and -11 regarding the establishment of the Ohio Educational Choice Scholarship Program. #25 Rescind Ohio Administrative Code rules 3301-13-07 and adopt rule 3301-16-02 to establish criteria for the diploma with honors. #26 Adopt Ohio Administrative Code rules 3301-16-01 regarding GPA Calculation for Alternative Pathway to Graduation. #27 Adopt Ohio Administrative Code rule 3301-38-01, Transfer of Region within Education Regional Service System. #28 Adopt Ohio Administrative Code rules 3301-58-01, -02 and 03, Value Added Progress Dimension. #29 Refile Ohio Administrative Code rules 3301-83-06, School Bus Driver Personnel Qualifications. #30 Deny the request of the Creekside Academy to be registered for the 2006-2007 school year as a non-chartered, non tax supported school. #31 Declare that the Reformed Home School Academy not be registered for the 2006-2007 school year as a non-chartered, non tax supported school. #32 Declare that the Peaceful Sojourners School shall be registered for the 2006-2007 school year as a non-chartered, non tax supported school. #33 Declare that the Golden Sparrow Academy shall not be registered for the 2006-2007 school year as a non-chartered, non tax supported school. #34 Declare that the Hearts for Jesus Christ Christian Education Institute shall not continue to be registered for the 2006-2007 school year as a non-chartered, non tax supported school. The Board will then adjourn. The State Board of Education is scheduled to meet with members of the House Education Committee at the Riffe Center at 5:00 PM on May 15, 2007. For more information about the State Board of Education, please visit http://www.ode.state.oh.us/GD/Templates/Pages/ODEODEPrimary.aspx?page=2&TopicRelationID=574 7) Bills Introduced this Week: HB 216 School Construction (Collier): Grants priority for state classroom facilities assistance to school districts that consolidate or make joint use of their facilities. |
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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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