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To:     LWVO
From:   Joan Platz
Education Update for April 23, 2007

1) 127th Ohio General Assembly: 
The Ohio House and Senate will hold sessions and committee meetings this week.  (Please see #4 below for details.)  The Ohio House and Senate will meet in joint session at noon on April 25, 2007 to hear Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Moyer present the "State of the Judiciary Address".

The House Finance and Appropriations Committee, chaired by Representative Dolan, completed hearing testimony last week on HB 119 (Dolan), the $53 billion operating budget for FY08-09 submitted by Governor Strickland.

Now the process will begin for the Ohio House to put its stamp on the proposed budget.  Finance Committee members were asked to submit their amendments to Chairman Dolan by last Friday.  The Finance Committee is scheduled to meet at the end of this week to consider amendments and vote on the amended bill.  HB119 is scheduled to be considered for a vote by the full House the first week in May, and then move on to the Senate for debate.  Hearings on HB 119 are tentatively scheduled to begin in the Senate Finance and Financial Institution Committee, chaired by Senator Carey, on Tuesday, May 1 and conclude by Tuesday or Wednesday, June 12 or 13, 2007.  The education budget will be considered by the full Finance Committee rather than the Senate Education Committee.  The deadline to approve the state's biennial operating budget is June 30th.

The House Finance Committee was packed last week as interestedparties, proponents, and opponents of the HB 119 (Dolan) provided up to five minutes of testimony to the committee.  The education related provisions of HB 119 that raised the most questions include the proposed moratorium on new charter schools, the elimination of the EdChoice voucher program, support for early childhood education, the securitization of funds from the tobacco settlement master agreement, property tax relief, the sustainability of funds for certain proposed programs, and the overall lack of additional funding in this tight budget.

Testimony on the higher education budget focused on the provision that limits state financial aid through the College Opportunity Grant, the Student Choice Grants, and the Work Force Development Grant for students attending proprietary career schools that have not been certified by the Ohio Board of Regents, and for students who do not qualify for the College Opportunity Grant.

*The Ohio Department of Taxation released this past week information showing how Governor Strickland's tax relief plan, the Homestead Plan, would affect qualified home owners in school districts. The document is called "SAVINGS FROM PROPOSED SENIOR CITIZEN PROPERTY TAX RELIEF Based on Estimated Median Home Value by School District".  The document includes a table that shows the net savings and the percentage of savings for a typical taxpayer due to the proposed change in property taxes for senior citizens in each school district. The proposed change, included in HB119 (Dolan) - the FY08-09 Budget request, would replace the current homestead exemption program with an exemption of $25,000 from the market value of a home for all owner-occupied homesteads, in which the homeowner is age 65 or over, or is the spouse of a deceased homeowner who was 65 at the time of death, or is totally and permanently disabled.  The income limits in the current Homestead Exemption Program would be eliminated.

According to the document, this proposal would expand the number of home owners who participate in the homestead exemption program, from 220,000 under the current program to about 775,000.  On average, the proposed homestead exemption program would provide tax relief of more than $400 for each eligible homeowner.  The table is available on the web site of the Ohio Department of Taxation at http://tax.ohio.gov/, under hot topics.

2) Federal Update:
*Two bills have been introduced in Congress to support the
development of effective school leaders.

-S. 837 (Clinton) --  Improving the Leadership and Effectiveness of Administrators for Districts Act (I LEAD ACT) --  was introduced by Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.  This bill would establish a national principal recruitment program to recruit and train principals; provide grants to create model school leadership programs; and grants to conduct research-based evaluation of school leaders.

-H.R. 1156 (Lowey) -- Investment in Quality School Leadership Act -- was introduced by Representative Nita Lowey.  The bill would authorize $100 million for a grant program to provide principals and superintendents with ongoing, intensive professional development opportunities to increase their knowledge of effective instructional practices, state content standards and their classroom implementation, comprehensive whole-school reform, educational technology, recruitment and retention of teachers, management and organizational skills, leadership skills, the effective use of data for decision making, and the implementation of school-based leadership teams.

*A new report from the National Center for Education Statistics provides data on revenue and expenditures for public elementary and secondary education for the 2004-05 school year. The report contains state-level data on revenues by source and expenditures by function, including expenditures per pupil. The report is available at http://www.ecs.org/00CN3435>http://www.ecs.org/00CN3435

3)  Update on Ohio House and Senate Education Committee Hearings:
*The House Education Committee, chaired by Representative Setzer, met on April 17, 2007 and heard testimony on HB27 (Wolpert) - Academic Performance Ratings, HB 155 (Setzer) STEM Schools, and a presentation about the Achieve report, "Creating a World-Class Education system in Ohio" from Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. Susan Tave Zelman.

Representative Setzer provided sponsor testimony on HB155 (Setzer), which is currently a placeholder bill that calls for the establishment of a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics School System.  The bill states: "The General Assembly recognizes that the economic growth and prosperity of this state depends on a solid foundational knowledge base and outstanding talent in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The General Assembly shall establish a STEM school system to do the following:

(1) Create public schools that will graduate students who have the knowledge and skills to live and work in the twenty-first century global environment;

(2) Generate a talent base that will establish Ohio as a magnet and global leader in attracting, educating, and producing the next generation of scientists, engineers, and other professionals needed to create tomorrow's innovations for the betterment of all citizens;

(3) Foster increases in the number of Ohio citizens studying and working in STEM fields."

*The Senate Education Committee, chaired by Senator Padgett, reported out favorably SB 130 (Padgett) - Calamity Days, which allows school districts and chartered non public schools to count hours above the state minimum requirement after March 1, 2007 to compensate for lost instructional days due to weather and other calamities.  The extra hours would be used by districts, that had closed schools this past year beyond the number of calamity days already provided in law, to meet the state requirement for public and nonpublic schools to be open 182 days for instruction.  The bill is a temporary solution this year, but several committee members asked that a permanent solution be developed to address the annual calamity day issue in the future.

Several witnesses also testified in support of SB 118 (Gardner) - Physical Education Standards.  SB 118 expands instruction in physical education; increases graduation requirements for physical education; and expands requirements regarding physical education for community schools.  The following is a synopsis of SB 118:

*Requires the SBE to adopt standards for physical education by July 1, 2007, but does not require school districts to use the standards

*Requires the ODE to employ a full-time physical education coordinator in the Office of Curriculum and Instruction

*Retains the prohibition in current law regarding health standards without the approval of the General Assembly

*Adds to Section 3313.60 more details about the required curriculum in physical education.  States that physical education "...shall include daily, high-quality instruction involving a combination of physical activity and content instruction in each of grades kindergarten to six.  Physical education shall be provided in accordance with section 3313.603 of the Revised Code in grades seven to twelve."

*Requires boards of education to adopt a policy to comply with physical education requirement

*Defines one unit for physical education as 240 hours of course instruction, so that the number of total graduation credits required by the state remains at 20.  One unit usually means 120 hours of instruction, except for science lab courses, which are 150 hours. However, the bill increases the number of hours for a unit in physical education from 120 to 240, instead of requiring students to earn 21 credits to graduate.  According to law, 3313.603 (B) and (C) the Ohio Core, students would need to complete one half unit or 120 hours of instruction in physical education to graduate in grades nine through twelve.  In addition, section 3313.603 (L) is amended to require students to earn a total of one credit --- which is defined as 240 hours of instruction in physical education.

*Requires credits for physical education awarded in grades below the ninth grade to be included on the student's transcript (3313.603 (G))

*Eliminates current language in 3313.603 (L), which allows boards of education to excuse students who participate in sports, cheerleading, or marching band from meeting the physical education graduation requirement.  Instead, the bill increases the physical education requirements to one unit, but defines one unit as 240 hours, and outlines four ways for students to earn the 240 hours for physical education: 1) in grades nine through twelve, students can complete 120 hours for the PE credit, and another 120 hours can be an elective credit; 2) 120 hours can be completed in grades seven and eight and 120 hours in grades nine-twelve to meet 3313.603 (L); 3) 240 hours can be completed in grades seven and eight.  If 120 hours are for high school credit (meeting division 3313.603 G) the student will be awarded high school credit and will also meet section 3313.603 (L); and 4) 240 credits can be completed in grades seven and eight, but if the course does not meet the requirements under 3313.603 (G) for high school credit, the high school shall count 120 hours of coursework toward the requirement in 3313.603 (L), and require the student to complete another 120 hours in grades nine through twelve.

*Maintains an exemption from division 3313.603 (L) for students who are in dropout recovery programs.

*Requires all schools, including community schools, to employ qualified teachers for physical education with an appropriate license.  (This is a higher standard for physical education teachers than for other teachers employed by community schools.)

*Requires the governing authority of each community school to include in the school's curriculum daily, high-quality instruction in physical education by December 31, 2007.  (This is a higher standard for physical education than other content areas.)

*Requires community school students to complete one unit of physical education in order to graduate.  (This requirement is a higher standard than the graduation requirement for the fine arts, because community school students are not required to meet 3313.603 (K), which requires students to complete two semesters or the equivalent of coursework in the arts in grades seven through twelve in order to graduate.)

Those who testified on SB 118 generally spoke about the need for Ohio to adopt physical education standards; the health benefits for children who participate in physical education activities in schools; and the rising cost and health concerns about obesity.  Anne L'Heureux, a teacher from Athens, described CATCH, which provides a standards-based physical education curriculum for schools.  The curriculum includes movement, nutrition information for students and schools, information about healthy life styles, and involves parents and families.  It is an example of a program that is already available for schools.

The committee also heard sponsor testimony on HB 2 from Representative Webster.  HB2 grants authority to the governor to appoint the chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents; gives the chancellor cabinet-level status; and makes the Board of Regents an advisory board by giving its powers to the chancellor.  In his testimony Representative Webster explained that another bill that he has introduced, HB 85, restructures the Board of Regents also, but gives the Board more authority over institutions of higher education. Opposition testimony on HB 2 was presented by Bruce Beeghly, vice chair of the Board of Regents, who asked the committee to look at the way Kentucky was able to successfully restructure its higher education system, and provide for more coordination of degree programs, control over tuition costs, and control over other economic factors.

4)  This Week at the Statehouse

TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2007
The Senate Education Committee, chaired by Senator Padgett (614-466-8076) will meet on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 at 4:00 PM in the North Hearing Room.  The Committee will continue to hear testimony on HB2 (Webster) --Higher Education Restructuring, SB118 (Gardner) --Physical Education Requirement, and sponsor testimony on SB143 -- (Padgett) Speech Language Pathology Interns.  This bill establishes a limited student permit category for speech language pathology interns, and declares an emergency.

THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2007
*The House Finance and Appropriations Committee, chaired by Representative Dolan (614-644-5088), will meet at 10:00 AM in room 313.  The committee will begin their discussion over amendments to HB119 (Dolan), the Operating Budget for FY08-09, which was submitted by Governor Strickland.

FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2007
*The House Finance and Appropriations Committee, chaired by Representative Dolan, will meet at 9:00 AM in room 313.  The committee will be considering amendments to HB119 (Dolan) Budget for FY08-09.

SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 2007
*The House Finance and Appropriations Committee, chaired by Representative Dolan, will meet at the call of the chair in room 313. The committee will be considering amendments to HB119 (Dolan) Budget for FY08-09.

SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2007
*The House Finance and Appropriations Committee, chaired by Representative Dolan, will meet at the call of the chair in room 313. The committee will be considering amendments to HB119 (Dolan) Budget for FY08-09.

MONDAY, April 30, 2007
*The House Finance and Appropriations Committee, chaired by Representative Dolan, will meet at the call of the chair in room 313. The committee will be considering amendments to HB119 (Dolan) Budget for FY08-09.

TUESDAY, MAY 1, 2007
*Senate Finance and Financial Institutions Committee, chaired by Senator Carey (466-8156), will meet at 2:30 PM in the Senate Finance Hearing Rm.  OBM Director Pari Sabety and LSC Director Jim Burley will present an overview of HB119 (Dolan) the FY08-09 operating budget.

5)  Education Summit to be Held: 
The Ohio International Summit for Education will be held on April 26, 2007 at 10:00 AM at the Ohio Historical Center in Columbus.  The summit will focus on ways to address the challenges and responsibilities of a global and international economy.  Ohio's First Lady, Francis Strickland, and Sir Michael Barber, former advisor to British Prime Minister Tony Blair, will be speaking at the summit.  Participants will have an opportunity to share ideas and strategies to help make Ohio's students competitive in the global society.  For information about the summit, please visit http://www.ode.state.oh.us and search for International Summit.

6)  ACT Survey Released: 
ACT released on April 9, 2007 the results of two surveys of high school students and college instructors called the "ACT National Curriculum Survey, 2005-2006" and "Aligning Postsecondary Expectations and High School Practice:  The Gap Defined." These surveys show a gap between what high school students know and what they need to know to be successful in their first year of college.  According to the surveys, the high school curriculum includes a broader array of topics, while college instructors want students to have more knowledge and skills in fewer topics.  The report includes an analysis of the differences between high school preparation and college expectations in several subject areas. According to ACT, Indiana, Kentucky, and Michigan are currently working to improve the alignment of their high school learning standards with college expectations. 
The report is available at http://www.act.org/news/releases/2007/04-09-07.html

7)  Achieve Releases Report on State Reform Efforts: 
Achieve, Inc., Michael Cohen president, released on April 18, 2007 the results of a national survey of high school reform efforts called "Closing the Expectations Gap 2007".  The survey provides information about what is happening in all 50 states to align high school standards, graduation requirements, assessments, and accountability systems with college coursework.  According to the report, 48 states have taken some action to improve graduation rates, attendance, and student achievement. 
The report is available at http://www.achieve.org/node/844

8)  Arts Education Study for California Identifies with Issues in Ohio: 
A second report has been released that analyzes the status of arts education in California.  The first report, "Quality, Equity, and Access" came out in November 2005, and described the need for stronger policies to support arts instruction in all of California schools.

The new report released in March 2007, "An Unfinished Canvas.  Arts Education in California:  Taking Stock of Policies and Practices," was commissioned by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and researched by SRI International.  The report examines what is happening in California schools to educate the next generation in the arts, and provides information about why the arts are an important component for a quality education.

According to the report, "Artistic endeavor, by its nature, asks both that you bring the best of yourself to a task and that you seek creative new ways to engage the world. These are, as a growing number of business leaders have begun to acknowledge, precisely the skills California needs in its workforce, if it is to continue to point the way to the future."

However, even though arts education is required in California, data shows that standards in arts education are not being met.  "Although some California schools have excellent arts programs in place, with well-trained teachers, standards-aligned curricula, and high-quality facilities and materials, most do not. Instead, arts education in California is plagued by a lack of funding, underprepared elementary-level teachers, and inadequate facilities. It suffers from uneven implementation and is often crowded out by other curricular demands. As a result, most students in California do not receive instruction at the level required under state policy."

Although the study represents the current status of arts education in California, its recommendations resonate with arts education leaders in Ohio, who have identified as barriers that prevent access for all Ohio students to a quality arts education programs the crisis in school funding; the lack of assessment in the arts; the lack of accountability and compliance with "Operating Standards for Ohio's Schools"; and a decrease in professional development for arts educators.

The report includes the following recommendations for California:
*Increase and stabilize education funding so that districts can develop and support a standards-based course of study in each of the four arts disciplines.

*Strengthen accountability in arts education by requiring districts to report on the arts instruction provided, student learning in the arts, and providers of arts instruction, and by supporting the development of appropriate, standards-aligned assessments for use at the state and district levels.

*Rethink instructional time to accommodate the state's goals for meeting proficiency in English-language arts and math, while still providing access to a broader curriculum that includes the arts.

*Improve teacher professional development in arts education, especially at the elementary level, and consider credential reforms.

*Provide technical assistance to build districts' capacity to offer comprehensive, standards-based arts programs.

School and District Leaders
*Establish the infrastructure needed to support arts programs by developing a long-range strategic plan for arts education, dedicating resources and staff, and providing for the ongoing evaluation of arts programs.

*Signal to teachers, parents, and students that the arts are a core subject by providing professional development for teachers and establishing assessment and accountability systems for arts education.

Parents
*Ask about student learning and progress in the arts, and participate in school and district efforts to improve and expand
arts education.

*Advocate for comprehensive arts education at the state and local levels.

To read a summary of the California report, please visit
http://www.hewlett.org/Programs/Education/CA+Reform/Comprehensive+Study+of+K-12+Arts+Education+in+California+Schools+Finds+Vast+Majority+Fail+to+Meet+St.htm

9)  Bills Introduced

HB142 (Bacon) School Threat:  Requires the Highway Patrol to provide emergency assistance to schools confronted with a bomb threat.

HB143 (Wagner) Boards of Education:  Eliminates certain requirements/prohibitions that apply to school district boards of education.

HB152 (Widener) Alternative Retirement Plans:   Establishes alternative retirement plans for teachers and school employees.

HB155 (Setzer) STEM School System:  Establishes a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics School System.

HB162 (Luckie) Big Eight School District Teachers:  Allows a refundable credit against the income tax for taxpayers who teach in and reside in a big eight school district.

HB 166 (Schindel) State audits: Creates an Office of Internal Auditing within the Office of Budget and Management, to establish the State Audit Committee, and prescribes their respective and interrelated functions.

SB143 (Padgett) Speech Language Pathology Interns:  Establishes a limited student permit category for speech language pathology interns.

SB146 (Spada)  Office of Internal Auditing:  Creates the Office of Internal Auditing and establishes the State Audit Committee and prescribes their respective and interrelated functions.

SB148 (Faber)  SERS Retirement Eligibility: Revises retirement eligibility requirements for members of the School Employees Retirement System.

10) URGENT REQUEST FROM THE ODE: 
The Committee for the Arts and Innovative Thinking is accepting nominations for members.  THE DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS IS MAY 4, 2007.  This new committee will advise the Ohio Department of Education on matters relating to the arts and integrative learning, and meet two times a year in the Columbus area.  Membership on the committee may include educators from preschool through higher education, business and community leaders, representatives of professional arts and philanthropic organizations, artists, and arts patrons with interest in dance, drama/theatre, music or visual art.  The committee will consider the following:

-skills young people will need for the future and how the arts can prepare them for individual growth, continued learning and useful work;

-development of a statewide arts education plan; and

-building sustained cultural and community partnerships to increase arts resources to schools and districts.

Persons interested in becoming a member of this important committee should submit by MAY 4, 2007 a resume to mailto:Pamela.Hogans@ode.state.oh.us.
 
Ohio Fair Schools Campaign, 94 Columbus Road
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Tel. (740)592-2866 Fax (740)593-5451