SBE
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.
Continue Reading
SBE & PESB to meet Nov. 11-13
Posted on 11. Nov, 2009 by Heather.
The State Board of Education and Professional Educator Standards Board are meeting November 11-13 in Vancouver. The agendas for both meetings are here (SBE) and here (PESB). I’ll be boucing back and forth between the two, updating on the blog when I can, so check back often.
Continue Reading
SBE Accountaility subgroup meeting today
Posted on 13. Oct, 2009 by Heather.
The State Board of Education’s System Performance Accountability (SPA) subgroup is meeting today at the Puget Sound Skills Center. The agenda and other meeting materials are available here.
Continue Reading
SBE to meet Sept. 17-18
Posted on 16. Sep, 2009 by Heather.
The State Board of Education is set to meet tomorrow and Friday at the Puget Sound ESD in Renton. Thursday the Board will be looking big picture education reform, CORE 24 implementation, and the Accountability Index. Friday looks to be largely about WASL scores and assessment system updates. The full agenda is available here.
Continue Reading
Apply for a Position on the Washington State Board of Education!
Posted on 21. Jul, 2009 by John.
Do you have extensive experience with education? Do you want to affect change at a higher level? If you think you have what it takes, apply for the vacant position on the State Board of Education (SBE)! According to the SBE website, an appointed board member must have the following qualifications:
1. Demonstrated interest in public schools and are supportive of educational improvement.
2. A positive record of service.
3. Capable and willing to devote the time necessary to meet the responsibilities of the board.
The applications period closes on August 19. There is more general information on the SBE here, and the application and application information are located here and here, respectively.
We need a strong, dedicated Board to help fix education in Washington State. Apply now, and you can help make that happen!
Continue Reading
LIVE BLOG: SBE
Posted on 17. Jul, 2009 by Heather.
12:30pm-12:55pm
Update on System Performance Accountability Work - Kris Mayer, Edie Harding
Take a look at the PowerPoint available here.
>>Questions about the NBPTS bonuses, especially those for teachers in low-performing schools. Dr. Mayer said it may be worth sending in cohorts of National Board certified teachers into struggling schools, to better impact student achievement.<<
12:55pm-1:30pm
Public Comment
Martin Huffman, Lyle School District - In support of school year waiver pilot
Peggy Douglas, Paterson School District - In support of school year waiver pilot
Kareen Borders, middle school teacher, Peninsula School District - In support of National Board program
Tim Knue, Washington Association of Career and Technical Education - Introducing himself
Doug Nelson, Public School Employees - In re: school year waiver pilot is a classified staffing issue, PSE will be watching how SBE implements the pilot
Anna Williamson, Everett School District - In re: science textbook review, fair review the textbooks
1:30pm-1:35pm
Executive Committee Election
Steve Dal Porto removed his name from consideration
1:35pm-1:45pm
Business Items
Approval of Math Rule - Approved
SBE Budget for FY2010 - Approved
180 Waiver Requests - Approved
Jack Schuster elected to executive committee
Continue Reading
LIVE BLOG: SBE
Posted on 17. Jul, 2009 by Heather.
9:45am-10:25am
SBE Plan for Rules Update and Waiver “Flexible Calendar” Efficiency Pilot - Brad Burnham
Some rules up for review largely due to legislation and revised RCW.
SBE may grant up to five waivers for the purposes of economy and efficiency in the pilot program. Not much student achievement data available related to shortened school weeks.
>>Ms. Frank raised questions over what students will do on the day off. Dr. Mayer raised questions over asking districts what they will use cost savings for, seeing the savings as more likely going toward keeping the district afloat. It was noted that this requirement is in the law. Questions arose over how to measure impacts on student achievement. Members had concerns over districts getting behind in other areas with loss of a day, e.g. textbook adoption, professional development.<<
Districts granted waivers would need to report it to the state when applying for transportation funding, which will reduce the amount of transportation funding they receive.
10:25am-10:30am
Review of Proposed Math Rule for High School Credit and Public Hearing - Kathe Taylor, Brad Burnham
In requiring a third math credit to graduate from high school, some ambiguity was left in WAC over courses applicable for high school credit. No testimony during the public hearing.
10:30am-11:30am
Science Curriculum Update - Porsche Everson, Jessica Vavrus
-No recommendation for elementary level; all reviewed curriculum had scores below the “cut score”
>>Ms. Ryan asked about linking Science exam scores with curriculum used. That is on the to do list.
-Middle school recommendation: Science Explorer (Pearson-Prentice Hall), McDougal Littell: Science Modules (Holt McDougal), Full Option Science System (Delta Education)
-High school recommendation:
*Biology: Biology: A Human Approach (Kendall/Hunt), Insights in Biology (Kendall/Hunt)
*Chemistry: Active Chemistry (It’s About Time Publishing)
*Earth and Space Science: EarthComm (It’s Abut Time Publishing)
*Integrated Science: Science: An Inquiry Approach (Kendall/Hunt), Coordinated Science (It’s About Time Publishing, does not include life science standards)
*Physical Science: Active Physical Science (It’s About Time Publishing), Foundations of Physical Science
*Physics: Active Physics (It’s About Time Publishing)
-Most districts report use of a variety of curriculum in science classes
Next steps: SBE has two months to respond to OSPI recommendations. Final report published in September 2009.
>>Mr. Vincent would like a more detailed survey, to provide more accurate data. Dr. Mayer added that it’s about curriculum alignment, which encompasses more than textbooks.<<
11:30am-11:45am
Update on CORE 24 ITF - Steve Dal Porter, Jack Schuster, Kathe Taylor
The Implementation Task Force has looked at awarding competency-based credit in world languages, conducting follow-up transcript studies and convening a group on an Algebra II equivalent CTE course.
Continue Reading
LIVE BLOG: SBE
Posted on 17. Jul, 2009 by Heather.
8:15am-8:20am
Update on Process for Appointment of Current Board Vacancy - Warren Smith, SBE
Application will be posted online. Applications due August 19th. Committee will then conduct interviews of applicants. New appointee announced by September 3rd.
Applications for two seats up for reelection are also due in August.
8:20am-8:25am
Nominations to Executive Committee - Amy Bragdon
Steve Dal Porto, Jack Schuster and Bob Hughes are under consideration.
8:25am-9:15am
Federal Stimulus Package and Other Federal Grant Updates - Judy Hartmann
Washington’s application for stabilization dollars was approved. One of the allowable uses is to backfill education expenditures, which Washington used some of the funds to do. In doing this, the state freed up state dollars to support education reform programs that fit into the four priority areas. Shout out to OSPI for helping with the application and getting things moving quickly.
Race to the Top Funds: U.S. Department of Education will award 10 to 15 grants to states with proposals that address all four areas and build upon current programs/efforts (so they can serve as a model). Governor’s office is looking at two buckets, 1) things we’re already doing, and 2) foundations upon which we can build. Examples the governor’s office is looking to highlight: teacher evaluation; assisting low-performing schools/accountability; and performance pay.
Secretary Duncan is very interested in charter schools. Looking under the term charter, it’s about innovation and creativity, which we do address in other ways in the state. Governor’s office working with OSPI to highlight the things we’re doing in Washington.
>>Warren Smith asked if school boards were addressed in these charter discussions, and Ms. Hartmann said no. Phyllis Bunker Frank asked about the research around charter schools, and Ms. Hartmann said Secretary Duncan acknowledges that being a charter school doesn’t automatically make a school great. Amy Bragdon asked if there were schools already in Washington that are examples of charter-type schools without the label, Ms. Hartmann said yes [Aviation High School, TAF Academy and Delta High School come to mind].<<
Other ideas under consideration: STEM, instructional quality, leadership quality, “achievement gap issues.” Expect draft regulations by the end of the month, and final regulations by October 1st. Deadline for applications would be December 1st. The USDE is not expecting many states to be ready. Second wave of applications would be due in June 2010.
>>Kris Mayer asked about evaluating the efforts, and whether a third party would be brought into assist. Ms. Hartmann said evaluation is very important, and data will be collected on all points. Dr. Mayer also asked how bold the governor is willing to be. Ms. Hartmann said the governor is serious about this, and wants to do something that isn’t just a “flash in the pan,” and want to do things that are meaningful.
>>Jeff Vincent asked about core standards and working with other states. Ms. Hartmann said Supt. Dorn is working with the consortium on common standards. Mr. Vincent also asked about Washington’s competitive edge on getting a Race to the Top grant. Ms. Hartmann said our competitive edge is the pace at which we are moving.
>>Mr. Smith asked about areas related to teachers. Ms. Hartmann said some of the work of the Professional Educator Standards Board applies. And one thing we might do is link professional development dollars with individual needs of districts.
>>Austianna Quick asked how any grant dollars may trickle down to schools. Ms. Hartmann said that at least 50 percent of awarded resources would go to participating schools and districts. Ms. Quick asked how schools and districts would be selected. Ms. Hartmann said a lot of it relies on districts and schools wanting to participate.
>>Ms. Frank asked if Washington’s rankings in certain areas (NAEP, TIMMS, etc) will affect our application, perhaps negatively as we often fall in the middle. Ms. Hartmann said not necessarily.
>>Mr. Vincent asked if the SBE’s accountability work could be used as focal point of a proposal. Ms. Hartmann said “yes, that idea is very much out there,” and relies greatly on where the SBE is in December.
>>Mary Jean Ryan made the point that even if the SBE has an accountability framework ready to go in December, the Legislature still needs to approve it, so isn’t June 2010 more likely. Ms. Hartmann said possibly, but the governor’s office isn’t giving up on the December 1st deadline.
>>Sheila Fox asked if Washington’s limited intervention authority (and perceived weakness) will hurt our application. Ms. Hartmann didn’t really answer the question.<<
9:15am-9:30am
Implementation of ESHB 2261 Education Reform Bill - Mary Jean Ryan, Edie Harding
There isn’t much to report as most of the groups working on the next steps haven’t come together yet.
Judy Hartmann volunteered that the House has appointed its members of the Quality Education Council, the Senate has not. Nominations are coming in for the Funding Formula Work Group. Ms. Hartmann also said these things “take time,” which was countered by Jeff Vincent’s sense of urgency.
Continue Reading
LIVE BLOG: SBE
Posted on 17. Jul, 2009 by Heather.
Live blogging is back! The State Board of Education is meeting today in Gig Harbor. See the agenda here. I’ll be posting throughout the day so check back for live blog updates.
Continue Reading
LIVE BLOG: SBE
Posted on 14. May, 2009 by admin.
3:15pm-5pm
Consideration of Future Work Based on State Budget and Federal Fiscal Stimulus Package and Retreat Planning
>>Board members reflected on positives from the past year. Things mentioned include better run board meetings, collaborating with stakeholders, and enacting good policy. Big shout outs to LEV’s organizing students to testify in support of CORE 24 [whoop whoop].<<
Things to Remember about the Federal Stimulus Package — Jeff Vincent
-Four assurances of State Fiscal Stabilization Fund are very important
-There are different pots of money
>>Discussion about various foundations and private dollar possibilities. Members expressed disappointment over Washington’s rank in various reports. Then much discussion about the Gates Foundation. Followed by discussion of the Core Standards work.<<
Small group discussions about the SBE strategic plan
