The mission of the Ohio Fair Schools Campaign is to organize and advocate for high quality public education opportunities for all Ohio children wherever they live, whatever their race and whatever their family background.
To:      LWVO
From:     Joan Platz
Education Update for November 12, 2007

1)  November 6, 2007 Election Results for School Issues: 
There were 200 taxing issues for Ohio school districts on the November 6, 2007 ballot.  These include new and renewed property tax levies, replacement levies, income tax levies, and capital issues.  108 (54 percent) were approved, and 92 (46 percent) failed.

There were fewer taxing issues for school districts on the November ballot this year compared to the past five years, but the approval rate was basically the same at around 50 percent.  In 2006  there were 206 issues and 109 passed; in 2005 there were 222 issues and 124 passed; in 2004 there were 286 issues and 143 passed; and in 2003 there were 216 issues and 103 passed.  this information is available on the web site of the Ohio Department of Education at http://www.ode.state.oh.us/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/ODEDetail.aspx?page=3&TopicRelationID=1216&ContentID=4198&Content=40108

*Nationally, voters in Utah rejected through a referendum on the November 6, 2007 ballot, a statewide voucher program approved by the Utah legislature in February 2007.  62 percent of the voters opposed the program that provided from $500 to $3000 per student, depending on income level, to attend private school.

According to the National School Boards Association, voters in several states have rejected vouchers (public funds to pay for students to attend nonpublic schools) eleven times since 1972, including California and Michigan in 2000.

2)  127th General Assembly: 
The Ohio House and Senate will hold some committee meetings this week, and the Ohio Senate will hold session on November 14, 2007.  The Senate also announced this past week that it was canceling Senate sessions on December 4 & 5, 2007.  Senate sessions on December 11 & 12 are still scheduled.

*Last week the Ohio House concurred with Senate amendments to two bills, HB166 (Schindel), which creates the Office of Internal Auditing and establishes the State Audit Committee, and Am. Sub. HB190 (Hite).

As introduced Am. Sub. HB 190 revises the scheduling of the spring administration of the elementary achievement tests from no earlier than the week containing May 1, as under current law, to no earlier than the week containing April 24; provides for the elementary achievement tests to be administered over a two-week period, instead of five consecutive days; and clarifies that the elementary achievement tests must be submitted to the scoring company after all of the tests have been administered for the designated testing period.

The Senate Education Committee, chaired by Senator Joy Padgett, amended the bill on October 30, 2007 to address other issues that have recently been brought to the attention of lawmakers.  According to the analysis prepared by the Legislative Service Commission (LSC), HB 190 was amended to permit school districts that are not eligible for state payments for all-day kindergarten to charge tuition on a sliding scale for all-day kindergarten classes; requires the Department of Education (ODE) to issue an annual report on tuition charged by school districts for all-day kindergarten; requires the ODE by April 30, 2008 to issue a report on fees charged by school districts for (1) classes or programs that are offered during the regular school day or after school and for which students earn credit or are assigned grades, (2) instructional materials, and (3) summer school.

Several amendments were also added by the Senate Education Committee to address teacher misconduct, in response to recent reports in the Columbus Dispatch.  These include the following, also from the LSC analysis:
-requires school districts, educational service centers, community schools, STEM schools, and chartered nonpublic schools to request criminal records checks for all job applicants and employees, not merely those whose duties entail the care of children;
-requires private contractors hired by those employers to request criminal records checks for job applicants and employees who will work in schools;
-requires subsequent criminal records checks every five years for all school employees who are not subject to periodic post-employment records checks under other laws;
-requires that the initial and periodic criminal records checks of school employees, including State Board of Education licensees, include checks of FBI records as well as state records;
-permits the State Board of Education to revoke an expired educator license for misconduct;
-requires the Educator Standards Board to make recommendations for a code of conduct for educators; and
-directs the ODE by December 31, 2007 to recommend penalties for failure to report to the Department or the State Board of Education information about educators who have committed an act unbecoming to the teaching profession or that makes them a threat to students' safety;

The bill also permits the Superintendent of Public Instruction to waive the minimum number of school days in the 2006-2007 school year for a certain joint vocational school district that experienced delays in a state-assisted construction project; extends to July 1, 2008, the deadline for issuance of recommendations by the public-private collaborative commission studying the promotion of student success in conjunction with the Ohio Core curriculum; and removes the Directors of Natural Resources and Job and Family Services from the Ohio Community Service Council, and adds two members appointed by the Governor.

*House Republicans selected last week Representative Michelle Schneider as majority whip and Representative Shannon Jones as assistant majority whip.

*The Senate Education Committee, chaired by Senator Joy Padgett, will meet on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 at 2:30 PM (or after session), in the Senate Finance hearing room.  The committee will see the video "Shift Happens", if available, and consider a substitute bill for SB 141 (Padgett), regarding community school sponsors.

3)  Federal Update on Education Issues:

*FY2008 Appropriations Bill Approved:  Both the U.S. House and Senate approved a conference report on H.R. 3043, which includes funding for the departments of Labor, Health, Human Services and Education.  The legislation provides a total of $150.7 billion in discretionary spending for FY 08, including $60.7 billion for education programs. President Bush has threatened to veto this legislation.

*The U.S. Senate considered on November 5, 2007 the Food and Energy Security Act of 2007, H.R. 2419 (the Farm Bill Extension Act of 2007).  Senator Tom Harkin, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, brought the bill to the Senate floor.  The bill would increase the availability of fresh fruits and vegetable for low income children in schools.  An amendment may be added that would establish regulations for food and beverages sold in schools, including food and beverages sold through vending machines.

*President Bush signed this week the Third Higher Education Extension Act of 2007, S. 2258, which   extends the program until March 31, 2008.  The U.S. Senate approved on its own version of the Higher Education Act, S. 1642, but the House has not moved forward on its own bill.  The Higher Education Act first came up for reauthorization in 2003, and has been extended several times.

4)  State Board of Education to Meet:  
The State Board of Education, Jennifer Sheets president, will meet on November 12 & 13, 2007 at the Ohio School for the Deaf, 500 Morse Road, Columbus, OH.

The State Board's Quality Middle and High Schools and School Funding subcommittees, met on November 11, 2007 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Columbus.

The Capacity Committee, Rob Hovis and Jane Sonenshein co-chairs, and the Achievement Committee, Michael Cochran and Ann Womer Benjamin co-chairs, will meet at 8:00 AM.

The Capacity Committee will discuss Rule 3301-44-09 (Post Secondary Enrollment Options); discuss the intent to adopt Rules 3301-48-01 and 02 (Open Enrollment); discuss the intent to amend Rule 3301-52-01 (screening and assessment); discuss the intent to rescind Rules 3301-69-11 & 12 (Head Start); discuss the Praxis II Test for Intervention Specialists regarding adding new Praxis II Tests and the Praxis II cut scores review process; and hear an update on Board Approved Priority 7 - Creating a World - Class Education System pertaining to end of course exams.

Ohio Treasurer of State, Richard Cordray, will meet with the Achievement Committee to discuss financial literacy in school.  The Achievement Committee will also discuss and approve a resolution of intent to transfer the Northwest Local School Career-Technical Programs and Services to the Butler Technology & Career Development Schools; discuss and approve a resolution of intent to adopt recommendations regarding information to be submitted to the eTech Clearinghouse; discuss and approve a resolution of intent to adopt physical education standards; discuss and approve a resolution to refile Rule 3301-13-11 (assessment); discuss Rule 3301-51-15 (Gifted Education); discuss Rules 3301-35-05 & 06 (Operating Standards); and hear an update on Board Approved Priority 7 - Creating a World Class Education System pertaining to end of course exams.

The full Board will convene at 9:30 AM in the Conference Center to hear a presentation regarding the recommendations of the Foreign Language Advisory Council.  Jennifer Stewart and Lou Ann Harrold are co-chairs of the Council.

The Board will hear an update on legislative issues from legislative liaisons John Bender and Carl Wick starting at 10:45 AM.  The Board will discuss the Federal Legislative Platform and legislative recommendations regarding teacher misconduct.

The full Board will convene at 1:15 PM to participate in a policy discussion about creating a positive school climate in schools.  The discussion will be led by Mitch Chester, Senior Associate Superintendent for Policy and Accountability, Mary Lou Rush, Executive Director, Center for Students, Families, and Communities, Dr. Zelman, Superintendent for Public Instruction, and guests Reid Caryer, Ohio Attorney General's Office and Bill Wilcox from the Ohio School Boards Association.

At 2:45 PM the Board will discuss the proposed revision of rules for Gifted Education led by Jane Wiechel, Associate Superintendent, Center for Students, Families, and Communities.

At 4:00 PM the Board will hold a Chapter 119 Hearing on the following rules:
-Rule 3301-07-01 Ethical Use of Tests
-Amend Rules 3301-13-01 through 06,08,09, and 11 State Testing
-Rule 3301-13-07 Fairness and Sensitivity
-Amend Rules 3301-91-01 and 04 Standards for School Lunch and Breakfast Programs

The Board will reconvene at 4:15 PM to review written reports and items that will be addressed during their business meeting on Tuesday, and hear an overview regarding the proposed standards for physical education.  The Board will adjourn at 4:45 PM

The subcommittee for Education in the New Global Economy (EDGE), chaired by Colleen Grady and Steve Millett, will meet from 4:45 to 6:30 PM.

On November 13, 2007 the State Board of Education's meeting will begin at 8:00 AM with a presentation from the Capacity Committee regarding the following Rules:
-Rule 3301-23-44 Temporary Teaching Licensure
-Rule 3301-24-09 Performance Based Licensure for Administrators
-Rules 3301-48-01 & 02 Open Enrollment

The Board will participate in ethics training starting at 8:30 AM and begin their business meeting at 10:45 AM.  The Board will immediately convene into Executive Session.

Following lunch at noon, the Board will reconvene its business meeting at 1:00 PM.   The Board will hear the report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, public participation on agenda items, and take action on 12 personnel items and the resolutions included below.  The Board will then hear reports from Board members, accept public participation on non-agenda items, and adjourn.  The next State Board of Education meeting is December 10-11, 2007.

State Board of Education Agenda for November 13, 2007

-6-Resolution to refile Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) Rule 3301-13-11 (LEP Students)
-7-Resolution of Intent to amend OAC Rule 3301-23-44 (Temporary Teaching Licenses)
-8-Resolution of Intent to rescind and adopt OAC Rule 3301-24-09 (Performance Based Licensure for Administrators)
-9-Resolution of Intent to amend OAC Rules 3301-48-01 & 02 (Open Enrollment)
-10-Resolution to adopt recommendations for Physical Education Standards
-11-Resolution of Intent to adopt recommendations for the eTech Ohio Clearinghouse
-12-Resolution of Intent to transfer the Northwest Local School Career-Technical Programs and Services to the Butler Technology & Career Development Schools
-15-Resolution to accept the determination of the hearing officer that the Watkins Christian Academy should not be registered for the 2007-2008 school year as a participant in the Ohio Educational Choice Scholarship Program under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3310
-16-Resolution to confirm the Norwood City School district's determination of impractical the transportation of certain students attending St. Nicolas Academy, Cincinnati, a charter nonpublic school, Hamilton County
-17-Motion to adopt legislative recommendations regarding teacher misconduct

For more information about the State Board of Education meetings, please visit http://www.ode.state.oh.us/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE ODEPrimary.aspx?page=2&TopicRelationID=574

5) Reauthorization of NCLB:   
Senator Ted Kennedy, chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, made an important speech in support of arts education on November 1, 2007 at the Arts in Education Symposium in Washington, D.C. sponsored by the Walnut Hill School, the second oldest secondary school for the arts in the U.S.

The U.S. House and Senate are currently considering the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act, which studies have shown is having a negative impact on arts education in schools.  In this speech Senator Kennedy expressed support for a new program in the reauthorized law that would provide funding for states, districts, and schools to provide more instruction time for arts and music education.

Senator Kennedy stated, "As we move forward with the reauthorization of the Act, I hope we can further encourage and support arts education in the new iteration of the law. We will include a new program to provide funding for States, districts and schools to expand learning time for students - to provide more time for arts and music education and experiential learning, as well as reading and math.  And we will ask States to keep track of how much time students are spending in arts and music, to ensure that all students receive a full and well-rounded education."
To read the entire speech please visit http://kennedy.senate.gov/newsroom/press_release.cfm?id=c2791749-ba10-4962-b953-6f2635e6b102


6) New Resources for 21st Century Skills: 
The Partnership for 21st Century Skills has launched a web site called "Route 21", which provides a one stop center for information, resources, and tools related to workforce preparation for the 21st Century.  The web site will provide an online forum, and will be updated frequently to include user experiences.  The site is available at http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/route21

7)  Creativity at Risk: 
The British House of Commons Education and Skills Committee issued a report on October 24, 2007 called "Creative Partnerships and the Curriculum."  The report highlights an initiative called Creative Partnerships launched in schools in the United Kingdom in 2002. This initiative links creative practitioners with schools, and is funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF).

The report recommends that more approaches to teaching creativity be implemented through the curriculum; evidence of the positive effects of teaching creativity be systematically collected and analyzed; professional development of educators include the importance of embedding more creative approaches throughout the curriculum; mentorship programs in which creative professionals work with teachers be increased; and the research of the National Foundation for Educational Research on creativity be widely disseminated, in a form accessible to school staff.

According to the committee, "We believe that the best education has creativity at its very heart. We recommend that the DCSF reviews policies such as Every Child Matters and personalised learning to ensure that creativity is established as a core principle in learning and development."

The report is available at http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmselect/cmeduski/1034/1034.pdf

8)  University System of Ohio: 
The Ohio General Assembly directed Eric Fingerhut, Chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents, to develop a 10-year master plan to chart the course of higher education in Ohio (HB 119 - Biennial Budget).  According to the web site of the Ohio Board of Regents, throughout November the Chancellor will release each primary goal of the master plan along with the measurements that have been proposed to gauge the success of the University System of Ohio.  The public is invited to respond to the proposed recommendations by visiting the Master Plan Forum at http://universitysystem.ohio.gov/master-plan/

The University System of Ohio is Ohio's network of public colleges and universities, including 13 universities with 24 branches; a public medical school; and 23 two-year technical and community colleges, "working in collaborative, cooperative environment across the state."  The University System of Ohio's mission is to provide affordable, high quality higher education opportunities for all Ohioans, and programs and curricula to meet Ohioans needs for the 21st Century.

So far two goals of the ten year master plan have been released for public comment.  They are Educational Attainment and Quality. Additional goals will be released on November 16 & 26, 2007.

Goal 1, Educational Attainment, states that the University System of Ohio will lead the development of a highly educated workforce capable of meeting the needs of existing enterprises and creatively leading the development and growth of new enterprises.

Achievement of this goal will be measured by the total number of students enrolled in postsecondary education; the total number of degrees and certificates awarded; the number of non-traditional students enrolled; and the number of undergraduate degrees awarded to first generation college students.

Goal 2, Quality, states that the University System of Ohio will be a flexible and efficient higher education provider known for the excellence of the teaching and learning of its faculty and students, and acknowledged by Ohio's taxpayers, business leaders, and national and international experts as a successful model for multi-institution systems.

Achievement of this goal will be measured by the graduation rate of students compared to expected graduation rate, which is predicted by characteristics of the student body, such as ACT/SAT scores; the number of students and faculty receiving major national and international awards; the number of students in the top 20 percent of their high school graduating class or the top 20 percent on the ACT/SAT tests; and the percent of facilities coded as satisfactory or needing minor rehabilitation.

9)  Bills Introduced:

*HB379 (Fessler)  Requires study of specified historical documents be included in the high school American history and government curriculum.
*HB380 (Coley) Requires commercial or public entity to maintain records regarding each worker who performs services for that entity, and establishes penalties for failure to maintain those records.
*HB381 (Webster) Increases funds available for Ohio Research Scholars Program, and permits a nonpublic four-year Ohio university to submit a proposal for the Ohio Research Scholars Program.
Ohio Fair Schools Campaign, 94 Columbus Road
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