1)
128th General Assembly: The Ohio House and Senate will hold sessions and committee meetings this week.
*Voters on
May 4, 2010 selected candidates for the November 2, 2010 general election, and approved two amendments to the Ohio Constitution:
a renewal of the $700 million Third Frontier program and a plan to move the casino site in Columbus. Voters also approved
99 of 175 (57 percent) school funding issues, according to unofficial results compiled by the Ohio School Boards Association.
For more information about the school issues please visit http://portal.osba-ohio.org/fmi/iwp/cgi?-db=Levy%20database&-loadframes.
*Eric Brown, Judge of the Franklin County Probate Court, was sworn-in on May 3, 2010
as chief justice of the Ohio Supreme Court by Justice Paul Pfeifer, who has served as acting chief justice since the death
of Chief Justice Thomas Moyer.
*The School Funding Advisory Council, chaired by Superintendent
of Public Instruction Deb Delisle, will meet on Thursday, May 13, 2010 at the Ohio School Boards Association, 8050 North High
Street, Columbus, OH.
The Traditional Public/Community School Collaboration Subcommittee will meet at 10:30-12:30
PM; the Special Needs, Education Linkages, and Regional Variation Subcommittees will meet starting at 12:30 PM; and the Education
Reform Tracking Subcommittee will meet at 3:00 PM. For more information please visit the Council's web site at http://education.ohio.gov/GD/Templates/Pages/SFAC/ODESFAC.aspx?page=673.
2) National News
*The U.S. Department
of Education announced on May 4, 2010 the selection of Kalamazoo Central High School in Kalamazoo, Michigan as winner of the
"Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge". Kalamazoo High School was selected from six finalists,
which included Clark Montessori in Cincinnati, OH. Over 1000 high schools entered the competition, which began in February
2009. President Barack Obama will deliver the commencement address at Kalamazoo High School, and a Cabinet secretary
or senior administration officer will deliver the commencement addresses at the runner-up schools. To see the high school
entries please visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/commencement.
*The U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions, chaired by Senator Tom Harkin, heard testimony on May 4, 2010 from six witnesses regarding the reauthorization of
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The hearing focused on improving secondary schools in the U.S. and
how students need support at the middle grades to become successful students in high school. To read the testimony of
the witnesses, please visit
http://help.senate.gov/hearings/hearing/?id=f3ef1b1c-5056-9502-5dcb-7eb0969b6c37
*The U.S. House Committee
on Education and Labor, chaired by Representative George Miller, held a hearing on May 4, 2010 examining how best to support
teachers and school leaders in a reauthorized ESEA. Two panels of experts on teaching presented to the committee.
To read the testimony of the panel members please visit http://edlabor.house.gov/hearings/2010/05/supporting-americas-educators.shtml.
The U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor will hold a hearing on May 18, 2010 examining a recent
review conducted by the Government Accounting Office (GAO) of selected Head Start grantees.
*The
New York Times and the Washington Post published articles on May 6, 2010 regarding the possible loss of up to 300,000 teaching
jobs nationwide due to projected state and local budget deficits.
The New York Times editorial, entitled
"Saving the Teachers", emphasized how the loss of so many teaching jobs and paychecks could affect the nation's
economic recovery.
The op-ed article in the Washington Post by Harold Meyerson entitled "Deficit Hawkery's
Harsh Impact on Education" explained how projected state and local budget deficits are leading to reductions in instructional
time, all-day Kindergarten, course offerings, teaching positions, and more.
Senator Tom Harkin and
Representative George Miller have both introduced in Congress separate legislation to provide up to $23 billion to protect
jobs, including teaching jobs, over the next year. However, according to the article in the Washington Post, there
are many in Congress who won't support these bills unless offsetting cuts in other programs or tax hikes to pay for them
are also made.
To read the articles please visit the Washington Post at
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/05/AR2010050503769.html and the New York Times at http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/06/opinion/06thu2.html.
3) This Week at the Statehouse
*The Senate
Energy and Public Utilities Committee, chaired by Senator Widener, will meet on May 11, 2010 at 9:30 AM in the Senate Finance
Hearing Room, and on May 12, 2010 at 9:00 AM (room tba).
The committee will hear testimony
on SB232 (Widener), which would exempt from taxation renewable energy facilities that are not financed through the Ohio Air
Quality Development Authority. The bill also requires a payment in lieu of taxes on the basis of each megawatt of production
capacity in such facilities.
*The Senate Health, Human Services and Aging Committee, chaired
by Senator Coughlin, will meet on May 11, 2010 at 10:30 AM, in the North Hearing Room, and on May 12, 2010 at 11:30 AM in
the South Hearing Room.
The committee will hear testimony on SB210 (Coughlin) Nutritional Standards for Schools,
which would establish nutritional standards for certain foods and beverages sold in public and chartered nonpublic schools;
require public school students to have periodic body mass index measurements; and require daily physical activity.
*The
House Education Committee, chaired by Representative Williams, will meet on May 11, 2010 at 3:30 PM in Hearing Room 017.
Pursuant to HB1, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Deborah Delisle, will present the revised academic content standards
and model curricula to the committee. The committee will also hear testimony on HB472 (Lundy) Textbook Affordability, which
would enact the "Textbook Affordability Act".
*The Senate Education Committee, chaired by Senator Cates,
will meet on May 12, 2010 at 10:00 AM in the Senate Finance Hearing Room. Pursuant to HB1, Superintendent of Public
Instruction, Deborah Delisle, will present the revised academic content standards and model curricula to the committee.
The committee will also hear sponsor testimony on SB246 (Sawyer), which would permit the establishment of a community school
to serve adults of school age who are incarcerated or who have been released from the Department of Youth Services, and declares
an emergency.
*The House Ways and Means Committee, chaired by Representative Letson, will meet on May
12, 2010 at 3:00 PM in Hearing Room 114. The committee will hear testimony on HB464 (Winburn) Wind/Solar Energy Facilities,
which would exempt qualifying wind and solar energy facilities from property taxation for up to 20 years, and would require
payments in lieu of taxes on the basis of each megawatt of production capacity of such facilities.
*The
House Health Committee, chaired by Representative Boyd, will meet on May 12, 2010 at 4:00 PM in Hearing Room 121. The
committee will hear testimony on HB373 (Carney) Nutritional Standards for Schools, which would establish standards for certain
foods and beverages sold in public and chartered nonpublic schools; require public school students to have periodic body mass
index measurements; and require daily physical activity for students. A substitute bill is expected.
4) State
Board of Education to Meet: The State Board of Education, Debbie Cain president, will meet on May 10-11, 2010, at the Ohio
School for the Deaf, 500 Morse Road, Columbus, Ohio.
MEETING ON MAY 10, 2010
The Executive Committee,
chaired by President Cain, will meet at 8:30 AM at the Ohio School for the Deaf Conference Room. The committee will
finalize plans for the 2010 retreat, and discuss a motion regarding public participation at the June Board retreat.
The State Board will receive a presentation from education stakeholders at 9:00 AM. The Catholic Conference will present
at 9:00 AM and Ohio Youth Voices will present at 9:30 AM.
The Achievement Committee, chaired by Mike Collins, and
the Capacity Committee, chaired by Rob Hovis, will meet at 10:20 AM.
The Achievement Committee will discuss and
approve a resolution of intent to adopt information security rules; approve a resolution of intent to adopt academic content
standards for English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies; and discuss proposed amendments to Rule 3301-15-02
"Provisions for granting exemptions from statutes and rules".
The Capacity Committee
will approve a resolution of intent to adopt the amended SBE policy on bullying, harassment, and intimidation; discuss and
approve a resolution to adopt Ohio School/District Operational Waiver Standards; discuss and approve a resolution of intent
to adopt amended Rule 3301-37-01, Child Day Care Program Definitions; discuss special education program Rules 3301-53-01 and
-03, and 3301-55-01; discuss and approve the amending of Rule 3301-24-05 to include School Nurse Wellness Coordinator endorsement;
and hear an update on standards for school district treasurers and school business managers.
The State
Board of Education will recognize the following three "Middle Schools to Watch" at 11:45 AM: Ankenny Middle School,
Beavercreek City School District (Greene County); Nagel Middle Schools, Forest Hills Local School District; and Wadsworth
Middle Schools, Wadsworth City School District.
Following lunch (1:00 PM) the Board will receive a presentation
from the OSU Kirwan Institute.
The Advocacy and Outreach Subcommittee, chaired by John Bender, will meet at 2:30
PM. The subcommittee will discuss pending legislation and the state legislative platform.
A Chapter 119 Hearing
will be conducted at 4:00 PM regarding Rule 3301-13-11, Assessments; Rules 3301-19-01 to 03, School District Expenditure Flow
Reports; Rules 3301-35-01-06, revision of the Operating Standards; Rule 3301-51-09, caseload and ratio recommendations; and
Rules 3301-102-01 - 07, community school sponsors.
The full Board will then review written reports; receive reports
from committees, and review items for vote during the business meeting.
The SBE has also scheduled an optional
board discussion regarding academic content standards following the 119 hearing and the SBE reports.
MEETING
ON MAY 11, 2010
The Board will meet at 8:30 AM and receive a presentation on the academic
content standards revision process.
The full Board will receive a presentation from charter school stakeholder
groups at 10:15 AM.
Following lunch (12:30 PM) the Board will start its business meeting and immediately convene
into executive session.
Following the executive session the Board will receive the report of the Superintendent
of Public Instruction, Deborah Delisle; accept public participation on agenda items; vote on the report and recommendations
of the Superintendent (please see resolutions below); consider old business and new business; accept public participation
on non-agenda items; receive reports from Board members and Committees, and adjourn.
Resolutions to be considered
by the State Board of Education at their business meeting on May 11, 2010:
*Eleven personnel resolutions and the
following:
#4 Resolution of intent to adopt Rules 3301-2-14 and 3301-2-18 of the OAC regarding
confidential personal information.
#5 Resolution of intent to adopt Rules 3301-24-16 and 3301-24-17 of the OAC
entitled Senior professional educator license and lead professional educator license, respectively, and to amend Rule 3301-24-08
of the OAC entitled professional or associate license renewal.
#6 Resolution of intent to amend Rule 3301-37-01
of the OAC entitled definitions.
#7 Resolution of intent to adopt the common core academic content standards in
mathematics, and English Language Arts.
#8 Resolution of intent to adopt academic content standards in science
and social studies.
#9 Resolution to approve the agreement of the Boards of Education of the Girard City
School District and the Liberty Local School District to transfer school district territory.
#18 Resolution
to amend Rules 3301-3-01, 02, 04 to 07 of the OAC and to rescind and adopt Rule 3301-3-03 of the OAC regarding information
technology centers.
#19 Resolution to revoke the charter of Hartville Christian School.
#20
Resolution of appointment to the Educator Standards Board.
#21 Resolution regarding public participation
at the June 2010 State Board of business meeting.
#22 Resolution to confirm the Reynoldsburg City School
district board of education's determination of impractical the transportation of certain students attending the Oakstone
Academy, a chartered non-public school, Franklin County.
#23 Resolution to approve the
resolution of the Southern Local School District board of education to sever the district from the territory of the Perry-Hocking
Educational Service Center and to annex to the territory of the Athens-Meigs Educational Service Center.
5) Report
Released on the Status of Preschool Programs: The National Institute for Early Education Research at Rutgers University
(NIEER) released on May 4, 2010 "The State of Preschool 2009" by W. Steven Barnett, Ph.D., Dale J. Epstein, Ph.D.,
Allison H. Friedman, Ed.M., Rachel Sansanelli, M.A., and Jason T. Hustedt, Ph.D. The study is based on an annual survey
of state-funded preschool programs, and ranks states on the following factors: 1) the number of children enrolled in
state-funded preschool programs in 2008-2009; 2) the amount that a state spent per child on public-preschool programs; and
3) the number of NIEER quality benchmarks for preschool programs that a state has met.
According to the researchers,
state expansion of preschool programs over the past several years has now slowed, and some states have been forced to reduce
enrollment, funds, and quality as a result of state and local budget deficits. The following is a summary of some of
the findings of the report:
-Enrollment in State-Funded Preschool: Total enrollment increased by more than
81,000 children nationwide, but not in every state. Nine states reported a decline in the percentage of children enrolled
in preschool, and twelve states provided no state-funded preschool programs. Nationally more than 1.2 million children
attended state-funded preschool programs in 2008-2009.
-Per child spending: State funding for preschool increased
by $446 million to $5 billion, but the average amount states spent per child on preschool programs, when adjusted for inflation,
declined from $4,179 in 2008 to $4,143 in 2009. Real spending declined in 24 of 38 states.
-Quality Assurances:
Twenty-three of 38 states with state-funded preschool programs failed to meet NIEER benchmarks for teacher qualifications;
six states had programs that met fewer than half of the benchmarks for quality standards; and "Oklahoma remained the
only state where almost every child had the opportunity to attend a quality preschool education program at age 4."
According to the data compiled for Ohio, enrollment of three-year-olds in state-funded preschool programs increased
from 3 percent in 2008 to 5 percent in 2009, but enrollment for four-year-olds dropped from 10 percent in 2008 to 8 percent
in 2009. Ohio ranked 30th compared to the other states for access to state-funded preschool programs for four-year-olds
and 10th for access to state-funded preschool programs for three-year-olds.
Spending for state-funded preschool
programs in Ohio decreased in 2009 to $6,904 per child from $7,478 in 2008. Ohio ranked 5th in state spending and 10th
for all-reported spending.
Ohio scored a 4.2 out of 10 on the NIEER Quality Standards Checklist for state-funded
preschool programs.
To read the full report, please visit http://nieer.org/yearbook/.
6) Foundations Announce Support for i3 Proposals: Twelve foundations
announced on April 26, 2010 a commitment to provide $500 million in matching funds to support school districts and schools
that participate in the U.S. Department of Education's $650 million Investing in Innovation (i3) Fund grant competition.
Participating foundations include the following: The Annie E. Casey Foundation; Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation;
Carnegie Corporation of New York; Charles Stewart Mott Foundation; Ford Foundation; John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation;
Lumina Foundation for Education; Robertson Foundation; The Wallace Foundation; The Walton Family Foundation; The William &
Flora Hewlett Foundation; and W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)
established the Investing in Innovation Fund. The i3 initiative provides competitive grants to local educational agencies
(LEAs) to expand and develop innovative practices that will improve student achievement or student growth, close achievement
gaps, decrease dropout rates, increase high school graduation rates, or increase college enrollment and completion rates.
LEAs are expected to work in partnership with the private sector and the philanthropic community, and identify and document
best practices that can be shared and taken to scale based on demonstrated success.
To facilitate the process
for schools to find partners and matching funding, a web site, the Foundation Registry i3, was created to process and coordinate
i3 applications with the U.S. DOE. The web site will make it possible for i3 applicants to register their proposal just
once, and reach a number of foundations.
Foundations are also providing additional resources to assist
schools and school districts apply for i3 funds, including technical assistance and tools to facilitate the development of
i3 proposals. To learn more about this effort please visit http://www2.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2010/04/04292010a.html
To access the Foundation Registry, please visit http://foundationregistryi3.org
To read more about the i3 Fund, please visit http://www2.ed.gov/programs/innovation/index.html
7) PA Legislation to Increase Oversight of Charter Schools: The Philadelphia
Inquirer reported on May 4, 2010 that the Pennsylvania State Senate's Education Committee approved a bill that would create
a state charter school office to increase oversight of charter schools in the state. ("Pa. senate panel OKs charter
school oversight measure" by Martha Woodall).
The proposed law would close loopholes
that have led to allegations of financial mismanagement in some charter schools in Philadelphia. The allegations include
excessive salaries for those in administrative positions, compliant governing authorities, excessive expenditures, conflicts
of interest, incomplete or missing records, unethical real estate practices, use of school facilities by other businesses,
including a night club, etc.
Pennsylvania approved a charter school law in 1997, and there are now 135 charter
schools in the state. Philadelphia City Controller Alan Butkovitz made allegations about the mismanagement of funds
at 18 Philadelphia charter schools in April 2010 after a special fraud investigation was conducted, following the publication
of several articles concerning charter schools in the Philadelphia Inquirer in 2008. The federal government is also
conducting a criminal investigation of the charter school allegations. This investigation might be the largest investigation
of charter schools in the nation.
For more information please read The Inquirer article at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/20100504_Pa__senate_
panel_OKs_charter_school_oversight_measure.html.
Also read http://www.philly.com/inquirer/hot_topics/34586314.html
8)
News from the ODE
*The May 3, 2010 EdConnections newsletter includes information about Ohio's latest application for
Race to the Top (RttT). The ODE extended the deadline to May 14, 2010 for school districts and charter schools (LEAs)
to submit to the ODE a "memorandum of understanding" (MOU) and be included in the RttT proposal. Over one
hundred LEAs have already submitted an MOU as of May 5th. The newsletter also responds to some misinformation
concerning Ohio's RttT application. For example, the newsletter clarifies that Ohio's RttT application does
not implement or require a statewide or local system of merit pay for teachers, end tenure, mandate involuntary transfers,
or override local decisions about compensation. The newsletter is available at http://education.ohio.gov/
GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/
ODEDetail.spx?page=3&TopicRelationID
=1368&ContentID=61688&Contt=84980
*The ODE will co-host with Massachusetts-based Community Advocates for Young Learners (CAYL) Institute
the 2010 National Conference for Elementary School Principals entitled "Ready Schools: Your Leadership in Systems
that Help Young Learners to Thrive." The conference will be held on July 11-14, 2010 in Columbus, OH
Sessions will focus
on serving students of diverse cultures, linguistic abilities, and learning experiences, and preparing students to be successful.
For information please visit http://www.cayl.org/.
9) Bills Introduced the Week of May 3-7, 2010
HB502 (Grossman) School District
Annexation Agreement: Prohibits an urban school district that is a party to an annexation agreement from declining to
extend the agreement.
