Federal education reform
Obama: college/career-ready standards linked to federal $
Posted on 22. Feb, 2010 by Heather.
President Obama today shared with the nation’s governors his plan to include college- and career-ready standards in the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (aka No Child Left Behind).
Here are the bulleted policiesObama and his educrew would like to see integrated into ESEA:
- “Require all states to adopt and certify that they have college- and career-ready standards in reading and mathematics, which may include common standards developed by a state-led consortium, as a condition of qualifying for Title I funding.
- Include new funding priorities for states with college- and career-ready standards in place, as they compete for federal funds to improve teaching and learning and upgrade curriculum in reading and math. This priority applies to the President’s FY2011 budget request for new Effective Teaching and Learning programs in literacy ($450 million) and STEM ($300 million).
- Encourage states, schools districts, and other institutions to better align teacher preparation practices and programs to teaching of college and career-ready standards. This priority supports the President’s FY2011 budget request for a new Teacher and Leaders Pathways program ($405 million).
- Assist states in implementing assessments aligned with college- and career-ready standards, under a new Assessing Achievement program. The President’s FY2011 budget supports $400 million in state grants under this program.
- Support the expansion of the Race to the Top, beyond funding in the Recovery Act, to dedicate $1.35 billion in awards to states and school districts that have college- and career-ready standards in place as a condition of funding.
- Support professional development for teachers, leaders and other school instructional staff to better align instruction to college and career-ready standards. This supports the President’s FY2011 budget request for the Effective Teacher and Leaders state grant program ($2.5 billion).”
The big thing to note is the potential linkage of Title I funds to the adoption of college- and career-ready standards. For reference, Washington received $388.1 million in Title I funds in FY 2009(or roughly $776 million a biennium). This gels with previous statements and sentiments shared by the Obama adminstration that Race to the Top components will start to bleed into ESEA.
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If you were hiding under a rock last night, you missed two great things.
Posted on 28. Jan, 2010 by Maggie.
Over a hundred young people gathered to watch the State of the Union at Olympia in a Can. Later, Maggie (left) participated in a panel discussion about higher education.
1) Obama stated his commitment to making community colleges across the country more affordable
2) the Bus held Olympia in a Can (part 1 of 3)!
The first three weeks of the legislative session have been a whirlwind of topics: the budget, pre-kindergarten, the budget, race to the top, umm the budget, new revenue sources, and did I mention that people are concerned about Washington’s budget? Not so much a ‘whirlwind of topics’ … maybe more of a black hole, actually.
Amidst the furor over our 2.6 billion dollar deficit, Washington students must know one thing. State need-grants and work study money for two and four year students are on the chopping block.
This was the hot topic last night at Grey Gallery and Lounge, where over 100 young people convened with the Bus, LEV, WSA, and UAW Local 4121 to hear and discuss how this session will affect campuses across Washington.
A few, key facts:
Washington State has over 83,000 college students receiving some form of need-based grant or work study money.
83,000 is more than a sold out Seahawks game at Qwest Field and roughly 2/3rds of all students across the state!
Cutting the state-need grant would entirely eliminate funding for 12,300 students and reduce (by more than half) the awards for 57,000 other students.
Nobody likes the idea of students taking out private loans to pay for their education-except the banks.
Check out Washington Student Association’s calendar for days of action in February and stay posted to League of Education Voters’ student Facebook page for updates on how young people can stay involved in this year’s legislative session.
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SBE adopts accountability framework legislation
Posted on 04. Jan, 2010 by Heather.
The State Board of Education adopted legislation related to its accountability framework today in a special meeting in Olympia.
The approved legislation now goes to the Legislature for its approval during the 2010 session beginning next week. If passed by the Legislature the SBE will implement a system of identifying and assisting low-performing schools and districts, and gain intervention authority. The new system would also identify and reward the state’s top-performing schools and districts.
This work is the much-anticipated result of the many, many months of work by the SBE’s System Performance Accountability workgroup, as well as the Board itself. The U.S. Department of Education deserves a mention, as the intervention models in the plan are required for School Improvement Grants (as well as future receipt of Title I funds).
George Scarola testified on behalf of Excellent Schools Now, along with Caroline King. They spoke to the merits of the framework and the need for accountability at all levels.
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A strong case for including early learning in Race to the Top
Posted on 04. Sep, 2009 by Bonnie.
If you are reading our blog, chances are you know that we support our state applying for a federal Race to the Top (RTT) grant. Call us fanboys if you want - but we have a historic opportunity to use federal ARRA funds and expertise to accelerate and expand state reforms. The 2009 education reform legislation, ESHB 2261, launches a series of bold and critical initiatives, but they come with significant fiscal and design challenges. The federal government stands ready to assist with with resources and expertise. That’s not a bad thing.
Last month we released a report that makes the case for our eligibility and also highlights preliminary ideas to include in our RTT application, Using Stimulus to Drive Change: Opportunities for Washington State.
Another thing you might know about us - we’re big fans of early learning. Kindergarten should be the next step in education, not the first step. So, can we use our RTT application to bolster P-20 education reform efforts? Last month some of the most well-known early learning funders nationwide sent a letter to Sec. Arne Duncan asking the Obama Administration to think even bigger.
Race to the Top does tip it’s proverbial hat to P-20, but it could do more. They argue that the Race to the Top Fund is missing a key link to pre-kindergarten. Here is their argument in a nutshell:
Given the power of the research and the scale of the Race to the Top’s ambition to make a difference, The Buffett Early Childhood Fund, The W.K. Kellogg Foundation, The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, and The Pew Charitable Trusts urge, in addition to the specific modifications outlined below, the Department of Education to elevate the level of priority given to “P-20 Coordination and Vertical alignment” from an “invitational priority” to a “competitive priority.” In doing so, the Race to the Top Fund will motivate states to design and implement their reforms starting with high-quality pre-kindergarten, assuring a much greater likelihood of success for America’s children and schools.
So, what would including early learning in RTT mean in terms of the four assurances?
- Standards and Assessments: Voluntary, national standards should begin at pre-k, be grounded in child development principles, and be aligned with national assessments of kindergarten readiness and third grade performance.
- Data Systems to Support Instruction: Longitudinal data systems should begin at pre-k, be designed so that data eventually can be captured at birth, and feed into Quality Rating Improvement Systems for pre-k linked to K-3.
- Great Teachers and Leaders: Create a Pre-k – 3 Teaching Credential and Career Pathways for Early Educators.
- Turning Around Struggling Schools: Implement early learning reform strategies in struggling schools and districts.
While the work isn’t complete, it is important to keep in mind that Washington State is making significant progress on every idea listed above. Race to the Top could seal the deal.
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Education is hot, debt is not.
Posted on 03. Sep, 2009 by Maggie.
Today, the Wall Street Journal published an article stating that student loan borrowing grew 25% in the last year (and has been steadily rising for some time now). “Today, two-thirds of college students borrow to pay for college, and their average debt load is $23,186 by the time they graduate.” For many of us, this is no surprise.
The article goes on to talk about the consequences of a young generation amassing such measurable amounts of debt at such an early age-the effects of which I have been feeling myself! Graduated 20 somethings are postponing important life steps such as buying a home or starting a family due to debt.
This sucks. Walking around with $20,000 worth of debt on your shoulders doesn’t do much for one’s moral. But what upsets me most is who is BENEFITING from student debt. Private lenders!
The House of Representatives is slated to weigh in on this issue very soon. The Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (SAFRA) breezed through the House Committee on Education and Labor, but it’s going to need a lot of support. I’m urging all students out there to contact your House Rep and tell them we’re tired. Tired of debt and tired of private companies making money off our debt. While you’re at it, send that very message to Senator Murray. We need a companion senate bill to support SAFRA and she can do it!
Education is hot, debt is not. Private lenders collecting interest off my federal loans? Definitely not hot. Let’s change this.
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July 28 conference call
Posted on 30. Jul, 2009 by Kelly.
We hosted a conference call about the current education landscape Tuesday night. Many thanks to those of you who joined us. For those that missed it, we now have a recording of the call. Since it’s a 4MB file, we recommend you email the link rather than the actual file.
Also, to help you follow along, this is the agenda we followed:
- Education Reform Bill HB2661 (George Scarola)
- What is in the bill
- What are the next steps to implement the bill
- Possible reconvening of legislature on 1776
- Overview of School Districts (George Scarola)
- Budget cuts
- Stimulus Funds run out 2010/2011
- National (Lisa Macfarlane)
- Stabilization/Race to the Top Funds
- State wide ballot issues (George Scarola)
- Initiative 1033
- Income Tax - Nov 2010
- Court Cases (Lisa Macfarlane)
- Federal Way equity lawsuit
- NEWS trial Sept
- Early Learning/Higher Education (Frank Ordway)
- Q&A
Listen to the entire conversation here.
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Step-Up and Make Your Voices Heard: Urge your legislator to vote yes on SAFRA
Posted on 29. Jul, 2009 by Lindsey.
This fall, I’ll be entering my senior year of college at a private school in North Carolina. Fortunately, my parents started saving for my college tuition before I was born and I have not had to worry about paying for school (thanks Mom and Dad!). However, for most college-age students this is not the case-they will graduate with thousands of dollars in student loans. Perhaps the best example of this is my best friend Jessica.
Jessica is four years older than me and a graduate of Western Washington University. She double majored in special education and general education and is currently teaching special education in the Seattle area. However, for most of her senior year of high-school she did not think she was going to go to college.
Jessica came from very modest means, neither one of her parents attended college, and they did not have any money to pay for her college education. She excelled in high school, earning top academic honors and competing on the varsity gymnastics team. However, Jessica never really knew if college was an option for her. She knew that her parents did not have the money to pay for an education and she’d looked at the FASFA website but it was confusing and time-consuming. Despite the challenges, Jessica persevered and filled out the FASFA form. She was awarded half of her total education cost through financial aid however she had to pay for the other half through federal student loans.
Congress is about to take a vote to pass The Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (SAFRA). This act will make it easier for students to obtain financial aid. SAFRA will raise Pell Grant scholarships from $5,350 to $6,900 by 2019. A Pell Grant differs from other types of financial aid because it does not have to be repaid. Further SAFRA will lower interest rates on need-based student loans. The Perkins loan program will expand to every university in the nation. This program gives out loans to many college students and depending upon their career paths will deduct the amount that is to be paid back. SAFRA also will revamp FASFA and make it more user-friendly so that everyone takes advantage of the opportunities that exist for funding a college education.
Everyone has a responsibility to let their legislatures know how important this bill is and to urge them to vote for it. An investment in our nation’s students is an investment in our nation’s future and individual futures, like my friend Jessica’s. I know that I have already written my congressmen and I hope that others will follow.
Sources:
www.collegeboard.com/student/pay/ scholarships-and-aid/ 36318.html
http://edlabor.house.gov/blog/2009/07/safra-whats-in-it-for-you.shtml
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TAKE ACTION: A bold proposal from the other Washington
Posted on 27. Jul, 2009 by Bonnie.
Can you think of a win-win for both young and older kids?
We can. It’s the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, which would make a landmark investment in our nation’s future by preparing young children for success in school and young adults for the workforce.
Washington State’s delegation in the House of Representatives will play a key role in moving this legislation forward. They will vote on this legislation this week. That’s why we need you to take action today!
This legislation is critical to our state and nation’s future. It would:
• Ensure young children enter kindergarten ready to succeed by creating an Early Learning Challenge Fund to provide states with $8 billion in competitive grants over 8 years. Economists, business leaders and scientific researchers agree that quality early childhood services stand among the smartest public investments available. This investment would improve outcomes for all children and especially at-risk children—resulting in higher graduation rates, higher rates of college attendance, and higher earnings at work.
• Prepare more students for the workforce by improving access and affordability to higher education through expansion of loan and grant programs, strengthening our nation’s community college system, and keeping interest rates low for students receiving need-based federal loans.
This is potentially a historical step forward in the education of America’s children—including thousands in Washington State.
Check out our Executive Director Chris Korsmo in the Seattle Times yesterday on this legislation. “We know that what happens in the first five years of a child’s life has a lot to do with how the rest turns out.”
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Additional ARRA guidelines released
Posted on 24. Jul, 2009 by Heather.
In addition to Race to the Top, the following guidelines are also out today:
Second round of State Fiscal Stabilization Fund grants
Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems grants
Guidelines for the Investing in Innovation Fund, Teacher Incentive Fund, Title I School Improvement Grants and State Educational Technology Grants will be released in the coming weeks, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
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I <3 the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act.
Posted on 15. Jul, 2009 by Bonnie.
Hot off the federal edu-news presses. This morning, Rep. George Miller (CA), Chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor, introduced the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act. Here are two reasons why this legislation had me at hello:
1) Tackling the Student Loan Problem
If you ask me, students these days are way too familiar with Sallie Mae. She’s like the house guest who will never leave. Sadly there are very few ways to fund higher education - other than to go in debt. Deeply in debt. And, guess who’s making money off this? Our forever-friend (whether we like it or not), Sallie Mae.
This legislation would eliminate wasteful subsidies to student loan companies and use the $87 billion in savings on a bold policy package to make college more affordable and accessible for low and middle income families. The legislation closely follows a proposal by President Obama, despite fierce opposition from the student loan industry, and represents the largest ever investment in higher education.
As Politico puts it, ‘Our choice is clear: we can continue funneling taxpayer dollars through boardrooms, or we can start sending them directly to dorm rooms.’ My vote is for the dorm. Check out the full Politico article here.
2) Investing in Innovative Early Education Programs.
Solve the problem before it starts. Makes sense, huh? This is why I’m such a huge fan of early education programs. I’m not alone. So is President Obama. Now we see Rep. George Miller is as well. Hooray for kids and common sense.
To ensure more kids reach kindergarten ready to succeed, the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act includes an Early Learning Challenge Fund to increase the number of low-income children in high quality early learning settings. If passed this legislation would invest $10 billion over 10 years in competitive grants to challenge states to build a comprehensive, high quality early learning system for children birth to age 5 that includes:
- Early learning standards reform.
- Evidence-based program quality standards.
- Enhanced program review and monitoring of program quality.
- Comprehensive professional development.
- Coordinated system for facilitating screenings for disability, health, and mental health needs.
- Improved support to parents.
- Process for assessing children’s school readiness.
- Use data to improve child outcomes.
Transform early learning programs by insisting upon real change in state standards and practices:
- Build an effective, qualified, and well-compensated early childhood workforce by supporting more effective providers with degrees in early education and providing sustained, intensive, classroom-focused professional development to improve the knowledge and skills of early childhood providers
- Best practices in the classroom by implementing research-based early learning standards aligned with academic content standards for grades K-3.
- Promote parent and family involvement by developing outreach strategies to parents to improve their understanding of their children’s development.
- Fund quality initiatives that improve instructional practices, programmatic practices, and classroom environment that promote school readiness.
- Quality standards reform that moves toward pre-service training requirements for early learning providers, and adopting best practices for teacher-child ratios and group size.
Here is a link to a short summary on the House Education and Labor Committee website.
