The Quality Education Council meets today. See agenda and matierals here. Watch on TVW here. Hit ‘refresh’ for updates.
9:05am-9:25am
State and Federal Timber Revenue — Shawn Lewis
PowerPoint available here
Shawn Lewis recommends the QEC send this issue to the Local Funding Work Group.
9:25am-9:55am
Graduation Requirements Recommendation — Edie Harding, Kathe Taylor
PowerPoint available here
>>Rep. Bruce Dammeier is concerned the revised requirements are too geared toward 4-year college enrollment. Edie Harding highlighted the Career Concentration/CTE options in the revised requirements. Rep. Dammeier also worried about rigor if cross-crediting is allowed. Ms. Harding said students would still need to complete 24 credits, even if they meet two requirements with one credit. Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn seemed to defend the common pathway which will prepare students for both college and career, but worried about facility capacity. Kathe Taylor said most districts require at least 22 credits to graduate from high school.<<
9:55am-10:40am
General Discussion on Costs of New SBE Proposed Graduation Requirements — Shawn Lewis
PowerPoint available here
OSPI is using prototypical school model and presuming state already pays for 6-period day, with larger class sizes.
>>Mary Jean Ryan asked about the current baseline — state not paying for summer school, etc. Shawn Lewis said the state currently provides a 4-credit buffer for students (with current 20-credit graduation requirements), and staff needs more direction on what additional costs the state will pay for with 24-credit requirements. Sen. Joseph Zarelli said he sees the state as needing to provide opportunity, but cannot guarantee outcomes, and believes not all kids can meet all of these requirements.<<
OSPI will need to estimate increased materials costs, and survey districts on facility needs to estimate costs.
>>Sen. Zarelli asked if staff is looking at alternate methods to deliver instruction, including software programs for world language instruction. Shawn Lewis said they were, but the funding model is based on student instructional time. A few QEC members expressed garbled concerns over possible increased staffing needs. Stephen Rushing brought up related teacher certification and endorsement issues.<<
10:50am-11:30am
Building Bridges Workgroup Report and Recommendations — Annie Blackledge
PowerPoint available here
>>Questions from QEC members about costs. Annie Blackledge said members of this workgroup are not fiscal experts and would leave that to another workgroup.<<
11:30am-11:35am
Public Comment
Lucinda Young, WEA — While important legislation has passed (2261, 2776, 6696) and good work is being done (e.g. evaluation pilot), concerns remain over funding — including cost increases associated with new graduation requirements
Wes Pruitt, Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board — Decreasing dropout rates will save the state money
