March 27, 2009

The components of the bill are pieces of bills that have been heard at committee hearings throughout the legislative session as well as amendments that were added on in the last days during the committee process. The bill now needs to go through the K12 Finance Committee.

For purposes of assessment and testing, the bill further defines growth, value-added and proficiency.
Legislation for the Commissioner of Education to use fully adaptive assessments to the extent no net loss of federal and state funds occur.
A charge to the Office of Education Accountability to study the "the impact the statewide education accountability and reporting system has on Pre K-12 education policy effectiveness, resource distribution and structure." And "to carefully determine the state policy of administering 'high stakes' math and science tests in the context of awarding high school diplomas." Further, the OEA must convene and facilitate an advisory group that includes measurement experts "to consider and recommend how best to motivate students and improve academic achievement in the context of high stakes math and science tests required for a high school diploma."
Calls for the mentoring of probationary teachers and coaching for continuing contract teachers.
Establishes the membership of the P-20 Partnership: adds four legislators to the group and charges the Partnership to develop recommendations to the governor and legislature designed to maximize achievement while promoting efficient use of state resources.
Several provisions for alternative learning programs.
Several provisions for special education, including standards for restrictive procedures.

The House K-12 Finance Committee has a while longer to put its finance bill together. Bills dealing with ideas for shared services and grants have been on the positive side. It is very heartening to notice that all of the committee members understand the position our schools are in. There is enormous concern for how our schools are going to deal with the financial demands and increased expectations over the next years.

The Senate has been spending time on their policy bills. Charter schools, bullying policies and early learning were front and center this week. As these bills proceed it will be interesting to see which of them make it into a final bill. To hold to the Senate targets, the Senate Education committee must also pull together an education bill that totals 7% fewer dollars than last biennium.

A Look Ahead
The week of April 6 is a shortened week at the Capitol. Legislators will be taking a holiday break. This is a really good time to have a chat with your legislators in their home district. Ask them to join you for a cup of coffee and ask them to help you understand how they see schools faring this session.