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October 2008: Education Updates

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Political Landscape Archives >

Political Landscape section is a collection of news items, updates, and essays on policy issues, state and federal legislation, academic standards, testing issues, the politics of funding, and other issues.

The PO offers these excerpts from the Education Updates provided by Joan Platz of The League of Women Voters for principals who want to stay on the cutting edge of the “larger political, social, and economic context in Ohio.”

Contents:

Federal Higher Education Act Approved

President Bush signed H.R. 4137, the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (HEOA), into law on August 14, 2008. This law reauthorizes and revises the 1965 Higher Education Act, which expired 5 years ago. The last major revision of this act was made in 1998. In general, lawmakers have worked to improve access, affordability, and accountability of postsecondary education institutions in the reauthorized version of HEOA, and have approved other legislation, the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (September 2007) to address the student loan issue.

HEOA reauthorizes several current programs, authorizes new grant programs, increases federal oversight for higher education, and requires institutions of higher education to be more transparent. According to a press release from the U.S. House, Committee on Education and Labor, HEOA does the following:

  • Encourages colleges/universities to limit price increases and provide more information to the public about costs, scholarships, and grant programs
  • Increases accountability for student loan programs
  • Simplifies the federal student aid application process
  • Expands access to college for low-income and minority students, and continues support for the TRIO and GEAR UP college readiness programs
  • Increases college aid and support for veterans and military families
  • Ensures equal college opportunities for students with disabilities
  • Addresses issues of campus safety and disaster readiness plans

There are also several provisions that affect teacher preparation programs: Teacher Quality Partnership Grants to improve the quality of preservice preparation; a grant program called Preparing Teachers for Digital Age Learners; support for the Augusta F. Hawkins Centers of Excellence; a grant program called Preparing General Education Teachers to Teach Students with Disabilities; the Adjunct Teacher Corps; graduate fellowships to prepare faculty in high need areas at colleges of education; support for the Early Childhood Professional Development and Career Task Force; and initiatives to increase the accountability of teacher preparation programs.

For more information about HEOA, please visit the following sites:

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Local Report Cards Released

Ohio students in grades 3-12 continued to improve overall on state achievement tests and the Ohio Graduation Exam, according to a press release issued by the Ohio Department of Education on August 26, 2008. The ODE released the 2007-2008 Local Report Card data to the media on August 25, 2008, and the public on August 26, 2008. The Local Report Card provides information to the public about how well students are performing on state assessments and other indicators in school districts and schools, including community schools, based on four criteria:

  • State Indicators. 30 possible indicators in total, including student achievement on state assessments; graduation rate, and attendance rate.
  • Performance Index. Measures the achievement of every student and how “well” they performed—such as advanced, accelerated, proficient, basic, and limited—on state assessments.
  • Value-Added Measure. This measure is calculated for schools with grades 4-8 in reading and mathematics and recognizes that districts and schools may be making significant academic progress even though they may have not met the standard for student achievement.
  • Adequate Yearly Progress Goals. This federal measure of progress is computed using data on student achievement in math and reading, test participation rate, attendance rate, and graduation rate, for the following 10 student groups: All Students; Native American; Hispanic; White, Non Hispanic, Limited English Proficient; Black, Non Hispanic; Asian/Pacific Islander; Multi-Racial; Economically Disadvantaged; and Students with Disabilities.

Private schools, even those receiving public tax dollars through Ohio’s Cleveland Scholarship Program, the Autism Scholarship Program, and Educational Choice Scholarship Program, do not receive Local Report Cards.

Overall, Ohio’s public schools are improving, but the addition of the new value added component to the report card makes comparisons with last year difficult, because the value added component can affect the overall rating of a school or district. The number of school districts rated effective or above increased this year, and no school district received an academic emergency rating. Ohio’s graduation rate also increased to 86.9%. However, some school buildings have slipped this year. The number of schools in academic emergency increased from 182 to 234. The break down for charter schools shows that out of 247 schools with report cards, 103 are rated in Academic Emergency; 56 Academic Watch; 61 in Continuous Improvement; 18 Effective; eight Excellent, and one school is Excellent with Distinction. (Source: ODE printout of charter school results.)

The new addition to the Local Report Card, the “value-added” measure, shows how much educational progress students have made in one year: 45% of districts showed more than expected growth, 23% met expected growth, and 32% showed below than expected growth.

Achievement gaps still persist, however, among the 10 “groups of students” in some schools and school districts. According to Superintendent Zellman, “While our tests show overall progress, we must continue to improve our state’s education system.” Zelman said. “We need to have high expectations for all students and explore a new generation of standards, assessments, and accountability that reflects the real-world knowledge and skills our students need to thrive in the ever-shrinking world.”

Discussion about the Local Report Cards

Matt Cohen, Executive Director, and Jeanine Molock, Director, ODE Office of Policy and Accountability, presented an overview of the results of the 2007-2008 Local Report Card. The 2007-2008 Local Report Cards include new elements that provide a more complex series of lenses to examine student achievement in Ohio’s schools. The temporary use of the Performance Index (PI) to measure “growth” has been replaced by the “value-added” measure. The Performance Index will continue to be used to measure growth for certain schools that do not meet the minimum student enrollment number.

According to the presentation, there has been steady improvement in ratings over the past years, and 74 school districts and 158 school buildings received a new designation of excellent with distinction this year. The% of students reaching proficient on achievement tests has been mixed. Some grade levels have moved up, while others have decreased. Student achievement on the Ohio Graduation Test has remained flat over the past 3 years, but the high school graduation rate has increased. (Year delayed). According to an ODE chart, 54% of nongraduates are white, 31.9% are black, 5.3% are Hispanic, and 2.6% are multiracial.

The State Performance Index has leveled off due to the increase in the number of tests administered. 54% of school districts and 46% of schools improved their Performance Index Score. The highest level of improvement in PI scores was at the middle school/junior high school level last year.

Three changes this year affected the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) rating. The minimum number of students who are counted for a group (the N size) changed for special education students from 45 to 30; the AYP goals were raised; and the results of the growth model were factored into the rating. The growth model treats students who are on a path to proficiency within 2 years as proficient. The new AYP goals in reading and math increased significantly this year. But, schools and districts still made progress. The number of school districts meeting AYP increased this year primarily due to the application of the growth model. All types of schools also increased their AYP rating as a result of the growth model.

The value-added component was also added this year to measure school and district progress. The value-added component is a composite score that applies to districts and schools with grades 4-8. The value-added measure is based on a standard rate of growth rather than a normed rate of growth. This year the value-added component helped raise ratings for 14.1% of all types of districts and community schools. 18.9% of suburban districts increased their rating through value added; 12% of urban districts; and 8.9% of community schools.

Web links for information:

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Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll Released

The 40th Annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll (PDK/Gallup Poll) of the Public's Attitudes Toward Public Schools was released on August 20, 2008. The poll is conducted annually by Phi Delta Kappa International, an association of education professionals, and the Gallup organization, and assesses what Americans think about their schools and national education policy. William Bushaw is executive director of PDK International and co-director of the PDK/Gallup poll with Alec Gallup, president of Gallup Poll.

This year the poll asked questions about the presidential elections, national education standards, federal funding for public schools, the best way to measure student achievement, how U.S. schools compare with schools in other countries, and the No Child Left Behind Act. Some of the poll results are summarized below. To read the full results of the poll, please visit www.pdkeducationpoll.org.

Summary of Poll Results

NCLB: “When it comes to NCLB, the national education law enacted in 2002, there’s been relatively little change in Americans’ knowledge of the law and their opinion about it during the past 3 years. Only one in four Americans believe the legislation is helping schools in their local communities. And if a school is labeled as failing under the law’s accountability standards, equal numbers of Americans would blame the law as would blame the school.” The majority (54%) of the public still know very little or nothing at all about NCLB. A greater number of public school parents believe that examples of student work (36%) and teacher observations (24%) are more accurate measures of student achievement than test scores (20%) or teacher grades (15%). “Over 40% of the public believes the next president should change the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) significantly, while a quarter would like to see the law expire. Sixteen% would like to see NCLB extended without change.”

Comparisons with Other Countries: “Americans believe that U.S. high school students compare favorably to students in other developed countries in terms of their creativity and problem-solving abilities. However, Americans are less confident that the reading and writing skills of American high school students compare favorably to students globally, and they believe that high school students in other countries rank much higher in mathematics and science skills than American students.”

National Standards: “Americans are warming to the idea of national education standards, but they believe state-level education leaders should work together to develop these standards. 50% said they prefer national standards, and 46% said they prefer state standards. Interestingly, when substituting the words ‘common expectations’ for standards, 62% favored one set of expectations nationwide, while 36% favored common expectations set by each state.”

Federal Funding: “Americans favor an increased use of federal funds to finance public schools and also to support young people who have the desire and academic ability to attend college. 37% said they would like to see federal taxes fund public schools, 35% said state taxes, and 20% said local taxes. And 86% favored more state and federal assistance for students who have the ability and desire to attend college but not enough money. Although a greater proportion of the public thinks the best way to finance public school is through federal taxes, they prefer for local school boards (46%) to have the greatest influence over what is taught in schools instead policymakers at the state (30%) or federal (20%) levels.”

Funding Schools: “The percentage of adults who feel a lack of school funding is the biggest problem facing public schools dropped from 22% to 17% in the past year despite the downturn in the economy. However, funding is still the public's greatest concern and is ranked above discipline, overcrowding, fighting, drugs, good teachers, and standards.”

Vouchers: 44% of respondents support and 50% of respondents oppose allowing students to attend private schools at public expense. This is an increase in the percentage of respondents who support vouchers compared to the results in 2007. (39% supported and 60% opposed in 2007.)

Charter Schools: 51% of respondents favor charter schools; 35% oppose charter schools and 14% “do not know.” This is a decrease in support for charter schools compared to 2007. (In 2007 60% favored charter schools, 35% opposed charter schools, and 5% did not know.)

College Credit in High School: “Americans increasingly believe that our young people should not only finish high school, but that many of them will need some college instruction—instruction that they believe can and should begin in high school. 87% said they favor allowing students to earn college credits while still in high school.”

Standardized Tests: “Americans are losing faith in standardized tests and believe there are better ways to measure a child’s academic and other skills. 32% believe that examples of student work are the most accurate measure of a student’s achievement, and 25% believe teacher observations are most accurate.”

Teacher Quality: “Americans favor national teacher certification, teacher career ladders, and incentives for teaching in ‘high need’ schools, but they are almost equally split on whether teacher’s salaries should be linked to student standardized test scores. 70% said teachers should be paid higher salaries to teach in schools that are in need of improvement.”

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State Board of Education Subcommittee Discusses Top Ten List for Education

The State Board of Education Subcommittees for Education in the Global Economy (EDGE), Quality Middle and High Schools, and School Funding met on September 7, 2008 at the Embassy Suites Hotel, Columbus. The EDGE Subcommittee, chaired by Colleen Grady and Steve Millett, discussed the next steps regarding the revision and dissemination of the Top Ten List for Education in the Global Economy.

The list of skills, knowledge, and behaviors to support student success in the 21st Century was developed through a survey of business and education leaders in Ohio, a literature review, and an online public survey. Information about these meetings, and an online survey to respond to the Top Ten List, is available on the ODE website >.

  • Critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and applied knowledge for practical results
  • Mastery of rigorous academic content, especially in literacy, mathematics, and information technologies
  • Innovative and creative thinking, including entrepreneurial skills
  • Communication skills, both oral and written
  • Team learning and work, relationship building, and interpersonal social skills
  • Alignment of education with the needs of economic development, including better communications and cooperation between educators and business people*
  • Personal responsibility, including good work habits, work ethic, knowing how to be flexible and continue learning, and financial literacy
  • Global awareness, languages, and understanding other cultures (including history, economics and geography)
  • Communications and better interfaces between K-12 public education and postsecondary/higher education to make high school graduates better prepared for the next stages of their education and lives*
  • Teacher education, preparation, and professional development to support content mastery and skill development, including applied learning (or problem-based learning) across disciplines in a global context*

*While these items are not necessarily knowledge, skills or behaviors, they were among the top 10 responses and address changes needed in Ohio’s education system

Regional Meetings to Discuss Top Ten List

Please call (614-728-4510) or e-mail (edge@ode.state.oh.us) to let the ODE know if you plan to attend one of these sessions.
Athens: Tuesday, September 23, 2008, 1-3pm, at the Ohio University Inn & Conference Center, 331 Richland Ave., Athens, OH (740-593-6661)
Columbus Area: Wednesday, September 24, 2008, 1-3pm, at the Holiday Inn Columbus Worthington, 7007 North High Street, Worthington, OH (614-436-0700)

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National Student Parent Mock Election on October 30

The Ohio PTA and the Ohio Secretary of State’s office are partnering to promote the National Student/Parent Mock Election, a nonpartisan voter education project that is being held in all 50 states on October 30, 2008. Educators and parents are encouraged to enroll and participate, and national and local media will be encouraged to cover the results.

In addition to conducting the mock election, participating schools will gain access to free resources for teaching students in kindergarten through grade 12 about the democratic process and the upcoming general election. These online materials include a video game, a toolkit, curriculum guides, special event and contest ideas, and “real-world reports.” The reports also summarize election lessons schools have conducted in civics, social studies, art, music, mathematics, English language arts, and other subject areas.

To enroll in the National Student/Parent Mock Election program, and to learn more, please visit http://www.nationalmockelection.org. For more information please contact the Ohio PTA at office@ohiopta.org or (614) 781-6344; Barb Bungard (bbungard@ohiopta.org) or Debbie O’Malley (domalley@ohiopta.org), Ohio PTA Co-Chairs.

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New Kennedy Center Education Program offers opportunities for student storytelling through digital media

The Kennedy Center Education Department recently announced a new program, “On Location: Spotlight On Your Community.” This program will enable students to tell the story of an artist or arts group in their community through digital media at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ website.

Up to 10 schools from around the country will be selected to participate in this program through an application process. A “Thomas Bus,” part of the Daimler family of transportation, will be outfitted as a media studio on wheels and will visit each school for 2 weeks sometime between January and June 2009. Each selected school will receive a new media lab and $1,000 to support further development of the media lab. Over the 2 weeks, a drama artist and media artist will be on location to work with one class (grades 5-8) in storytelling techniques and media/video/technology skills. The teacher(s) and students will work together to create a short (3-5 minute) video about an artist or arts group in the community. The finished video will be uploaded to a website maintained by the Kennedy Center to share across the world.

“On Location” builds on the Kennedy Center’s “Arts Across America Program.” For more information, please visit http://www.kennedy-center.org.

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Budget News Forces More Reductions

Governor Strickland announced on September 10, 2008 that more budget cuts would be necessary to ensure that Ohio’s FY09 operating budget remained balanced. An additional $540 million in cuts, or a 4.75% reduction for most state agencies and departments, is needed according Governor Strickland and Director of the Office of Budget and Management (OBM) Pari Sabety. The governor ordered $733 million in cuts in January 2008, bringing the total amount reduced from the FY08-09 budget to $1.27 billion.

According to the press release and documents prepared by the OBM, state agencies and departments will be required to reduce spending by $198 million, and $341.7 million will be saved through “cash management” strategies, such as use of rotary funds, cash balances in accounts, and lapsed accounts. The governor is not asking the Ohio General Assembly for additional authority to use the Budget Stabilization Fund (rainy day fund), just in case it is needed in the future. The governor also announced no plans for increasing taxes or changing the new tax system.

State agencies and departments are required by September 22, 2008 to provide information to the OBM regarding where cuts will be made. The Ohio Department of Education is required to reduce spending by $25.9 million, the Ohio Board of Regents by $22.2 million, and Ohio Arts Council by $532,625. Some education related budget items are exempt from cuts: the school foundation program; pupil transportation; gifted education; special education enhancements; career/technical education enhancements; Ohio College Opportunity Grants; Ohio Instructional Grants; state share of instruction; school facilities; and tax relief, such as the Homestead Exemption, property and tangible tax reimbursements.

For more information please visit the following websites:

State Board of Education Meeting

The State Board of Education (SBE), Jennifer Sheets president, met September 7-9, 2008 in Columbus, Ohio.

SBE Discussion of Proposed FY2010-11 Budget

On September 8, 2008 the full Board met at the Ohio School for the Deaf and discussed the proposed FY2010-11 education budget. Kelly Weir, Director, ODE Office of Budget and Planning, presented an overview of changes that have recently been made in the draft budgets since the July 2008 SBE meeting. These changes include updates of certain accounts and line items; adjustments to foundation aid as a result of the phasing out of the tangible personal property tax; changes in gifted funding; changes in special education and poverty based assistance to reflect concerns expressed by the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities; adjustments in funding for students in Limited English Proficient programs; additional funding to support Family and Children First Councils; and three additional legislative recommendations.

The Board was presented three budget scenarios from the SBE's Budget Subcommittee chaired by Carl Wick: A proposed biennial budget that provides 90 percent of the current ODE budget; a biennial budget that provides 95 percent of the current budget; and a flat plus biennial budget that includes some additional funding to support SBE priorities. The 90 percent and 95 percent budgets reflect the budgetary limits established by the Office of Budget and Management, and will be sent to the OBM by September 15, 2008. The flat plus budget will also be submitted to the governor and members of the Ohio General Assembly as the SBE's FY2010-11 Budget and Policy Recommendations. The following are some highlights of the proposed flat plus budget proposal:

  • Totals:
    FY09 - est. $7,879.118.258; FY2010 - $8,037,261.155 (2.0% increase); FY2011 - $8,456,686,761 (5.2% increase.) This total includes $667,900,000 in lottery profits for 2010 and 2011, but not the local tax supplement.
  • Per Pupil Funding:
    FY09 - $5,732; FY10 - $5,881; FY11 - $6,033
  • Basic Aid Support Total:
    FY09 - $4,335,732,890; FY10 - $4,276,905,179; FY11 - $4,470.554.153
  • Parity Aid:
    FY09 - $509,506,404; FY10 - $524.616.979; FY11 - $540,868,247
  • Early Childhood Education Total:
    FY09 - $248,695,479; FY10 - $314,461,651; FY11 - $335,051,323
  • All Day Kindergarten:
    FY09 - $127,319,284; FY10 - $179,200,836; FY11 - $186,691,463
  • Career Technical Education Total:
    FY09 - $274,182,755; FY10 - $284,955,560; FY11 - $300,494,716
  • Gifted Education Total:
    FY09 - $48,008,613; FY10 - $48,695,458; FY11 - $77,259,360
  • School Choice Total:
    FY09 - $548,807,839; FY10 - $614,012,578; FY11 - $668,024,468
  • Ed Choice Scholarships:
    FY09 - $38,500,000; FY10 - $55,300,000; FY11 - $56,742,000
  • Special Education Total:
    FY09 - $628,741,868; FY10 - $691,694,518; FY11 - $772,863,899
  • Students At Risk Total:
    FY09 - $345,881,476; FY10 - $361,537,292; FY11 - $377,975,898 (Poverty Based Assistance)

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Board Recognizes Finalists for Math and Science Teaching Award

The Board recognized the following finalists for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. This award, established by the White House and the National Science Foundation in 1983, identifies exemplary mathematics and science teachers in kindergarten through 12th grade. Finalists: Sharon Hall, South Lebanon Elementary School, Kings Local School District; Sally Pellegrin, Clara E. Westropp School, Cleveland Municipal School District; Lindsey Marie Young, Evendale Elementary School, Princeton City School District.

Committees

The Achievement Committee, chaired by Mike Cochran and Ann Womer Benjamin, discussed Rules 3301-34-01 and -04, Home Education Rules. The Home Education Rules are being reviewed per a requirement in law to review and update all administrative rules every 5 years. The proposed new rules include two technical changes. The SBE will consider an intent to adopt these new rules in October 2008, and adopt the rules in January 2009. The Achievement Committee also heard a presentation from the International Education Advisory Committee (IEAC), chaired by William Hiller, Executive Director of the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation. The IEAC has developed a draft strategic plan and recommendations, “To provide Ohioans with the necessary knowledge, abilities, and opportunities to thrive in a global society.” The IEAC will host regional meetings to bring together business, community, and educational leaders to begin work to develop networks of organizations and resources to support international education. The regional meetings will be held at the following locations:

  • October 2, 2008 at the University of Cincinnati
  • October 13-14, 2008 at Bowling Green State University in conjunction with a conference of international partners working on citizenship education
  • October 30, 2008 at Intercontinental Hotel in Cleveland, hosted by the Cleveland Council on World Affairs, the Jennings Foundation, and the Cleveland Clinic
  • November 14, 2008 at OCLC in Dublin hosted by the Columbus Council on World Affairs
  • November 19, 2008 at Ohio University

The Capacity Committee, chaired by Rob Hovis and Jane Sonenshein discussed Rules 3301-103-01 through -08, the Autism Scholarship Program; Ohio’s Entry Year Teacher Program; and Rule 3301-69-03, Medicaid School Component Administrative Costs. The Committee postponed until next month a discussion about community school compliance with pupil transportation rules. Most of the committee discussion focused on Ohio’s Entry Year Teacher Program. The committee endorsed the following recommendations proposed by the ODE:

  • Develop a framework for a comprehensive model for induction that begins in preservice, continues through teacher’s entry year, and links to ongoing professional development and career advancement.
  • Complete the development of Induction Program Standards for Ohio that describe program design and structure, mentor selection and assignment, the role and engagement of site administrators, mentor beginning teacher interactions, mentor professional development.
  • Develop a mentor-training curriculum that is linked to Ohio’s educator standards and best practice.
  • Design tools, resources, and protocols that support the ongoing collections and analysis of teacher practice that can be used by mentors and beginning teachers to identify targets for continued professional growth.
  • Continue to examine efficiencies that can be achieved in the regional delivery system of the Praxis III.

The Quality Middle and High Schools Subcommittee, chaired by Sue Westendorf and Carl Wick, and the members of the EDGE subcommittee agreed to combine into one subcommittee as their work goes forward. David Burns, Sarah Luchs, and Stan Heffner from ODE updated the subcommittee on efforts to develop a way to award high school credit to students based on meeting certain competencies rather than seat time, and the development of performance-based assessments. ODE is working in collaboration with the Ohio Board of Regents, the Partnership for Continued Learning, and other organizations and foundations on these projects.

The School Funding Subcommittee, chaired by Virgil Brown, discussed the next steps related to a draft document titled, “Toward Recommendations for School Funding Reform in Ohio.” This latest draft includes several changes related to recommendations for Gifted Education, poverty based assistance, and special education. Kelly Weir, Barb Mattei-Smith, and Matt DeTemple from the ODE reviewed with the subcommittee the suggestions made by the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities and others. As a result of these conversations, the subcommittee agreed to amend the draft to address concerns regarding the weights proposed for students with special needs and students who also qualify for poverty based assistance, and using federal funds to supplant state funds. The subcommittee also discussed ongoing work to update special education caseloads, and using that information to update the special education weights in the future. Another draft document will be prepared and distributed for feedback.

Chapter 119 Hearing

A Chapter 119 Hearing was held at 4pm to hear testimony on the rescission of Rule 3301-9-01, Block Parent Programs, and an amendment to Rule 3301-24-05, fourth- and fifth-grade generalist endorsement. No testimony was presented.

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SBE Meeting, September 9

The SBE reconvened its business meeting at 8:30am on September 9. President Jennifer Sheets described the timeline for the State Board of Education to select a candidate for Superintendent of Instruction. Superintendent Zelman has accepted a position with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting as Senior Vice President, Education and Children’s Content, and will be leaving ODE at the end of October 2008. The Board’s Search Committee will narrow the list of candidates on September 28, 2008, and the Board will meet with two selected candidates on September 30, 2008.

The Board then received the report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Dr. Zelman highlighted some of her recent activities and those of the ODE, and encouraged the Board to recommend that the new Superintendent of Public Instruction continue meeting with stakeholder groups, including a “kitchen cabinet” that she has formed composed of members of local boards of education. David Burns and Sarah Luchs then presented a video that they have developed to facilitate conversations in communities about how public schools must transform to remain competitive and relevant to students and communities in the 21st Century. Board members applauded the video and suggested that it be made available on the ODE website. Following the presentation, the Board and audience gave Dr. Zelman a standing ovation to thank her for her work in Ohio over the past 10 years.

The Board then accepted public participation on Agenda items and took action on 24 personnel items, one territory transfer intent resolution, and the resolutions listed below. The Board then considered old business, new business, and adjourned its business meeting.

Legislative Update

Following the business meeting, Dr. John Bender and Carl Wick, co-chairs of the SBE’s Legislative Committee, provided an update on state and federal legislative issues. A request was made to the SBE to take action at the October 2008 SBE meeting to support HB 406, which prohibits the use of corporal punishment in all public primary and secondary schools, and is sponsored by Representatives Peterson and Brian Williams. The House Education Committee reported out HB 406 favorably on May 28, 2008. President Sheets reminded the Board that it has already approved a resolution opposing the use of corporal punishment in Ohio’s schools. President Sheets requested that the ODE review the previously approved resolution, and determine how the SBE can take action on HB 406. Mr. Wick provided an update on federal legislative initiatives, and the approval by Congress and President Bush of the Higher Education and Assistance Act. In October the SBE will discuss its federal legislative platform. The Board will be asked to approve this platform in November 2008.

Bills Introduced

HB618 Special Education (Peterson) specifies that the school district of residence bears the burden of persuasion/production in an administrative hearing regarding the provision of special education and related services to a child with a disability

SB363 Transitional Aid-Schools (Cates) pays an additional transitional aid amount in fiscal 2009 to a city, exempted village, or local school district that experiences growth of more than 100 students, and makes an appropriation.

SBE Agenda Items

The SBE took action on the following items:

  • Approved an amended resolution regarding the State Board of Education’s 2010-2011 Biennial Budget request to the Governor and members of the Ohio General Assembly. The amended resolution adds a provision to accept three additional legislative recommendations proposed by the State Board Budget Subcommittee.
  • Mr. Hovis proposed, and later withdrew, an amendment that would have provided $36,000 in funding for an agriculture education program.
  • Approved a resolution to adopt new subject assessment tests for teacher licensure in foreign or world languages.
  • Approved a resolution to adopt Ohio Standards for Superintendents. These standards, which are part of Ohio’'s standards-based education system, identify the core knowledge and skills of effective superintendents. The standards are divided into five areas: (1) Vision, Continuous Improvement, and Focus of District Work; (2) Communication and Collaboration; (3) Policies and Governance; (4) Curriculum and Instruction; and (5) Resources. The purpose of the standards is to serve as a guide for professional development and a road map for higher education to develop content and leadership training programs.
  • Approved a resolution to amend Rule 3301-23-41 of the Administrative Code—Twelve Hour Temporary Teaching Permit for noncertificated individuals and use of individuals with the Twelve Hour Temporary Teaching Permit by Boards of Education
  • Approved a resolution to adopt Rule 3301-24-15 of the Administrative Code—Provisional Educator License for STEM School Teacher.

The next State Board meeting is scheduled for October 13-14, 2008.

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News from ODE

For information about conferences, services, and programs sponsored by the Ohio Department of Education, please subscribe to “Tools for Teachers,” an e-mail service from the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) at toolsforteachers@ode.state.oh.us.

  • The 2008 Ohio School Improvement Institute will be held November 20-21, 2008 at the Columbus Renaissance Hotel. The institute is sponsored by the ODE, the Ohio Board of Regents, High Schools that Work, Ohio College Tech Prep and Career Development, and will explore the theme “Stepping Outside the Box—Moving Our Learners Forward.” For more information.
  • The League of Women Voters of Ohio Education Fund has developed an interactive tool, “How Ohio Government Impacts You” to engage students in real-life government lessons. The CD-ROM includes instructional videos, charts about Ohio government, and frequently asked questions about the Buckeye state. Links to many state government departments and services are also included. To learn more about this tool, please visit http://www.ohioimpact.org/. For specific questions, or to obtain hard copies of the CD-ROM, please contact Project Manager Anne Nelson.
  • Ohio students again outperformed the national average on the ACT with an average score of 21.7 compared to the national average of 21.1. Ohio also saw an increase in the number of students taking the exam with a record number of 88,103 students this year. For more information >.
  • Applications are available for 2009 Ohio Teacher of the Year award. School districts, community schools, and chartered nonpublic schools may submit up to three applications to nominate prekindergarten through grade 12 teachers for this recognition. Nominees must be outstanding classroom teachers who are engaged in the direct teaching of students and plan to continue in an active teaching role. The deadline for applications is September 30, 2008. For more information >.
  • Ohio’s eight public television stations, eTech Ohio, and the Ohio Department of Education are partnering to co-facilitate a video contest for students. The sixth annual eTech Ohio Student Video Contest will recognize outstanding student achievement in the use of video production technologies while meeting Ohio’s academic content standards. Student videos must be submitted by November 12, 2008, to local PBS affiliates. For a list of PBS affiliates and contact information, please visit eTech Ohio >

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