a strong voice for kids 2nd Congressional District
a strong voice for kids 2nd Congressional District
Found that the decision of the Steamboat Springs School District to deny the charter application for the Steamboat Springs Montessori Charter School a second time was contrary to the best interests of the pupils, school district, or community, and to remand back to the district. [Passed 5:2. Hudak and Munn dissented; Baca was absent.]
BACA: [Still doesn't have a voice.]
HUDAK: I attended the NASBE Legislative Conference. There was a very strong speech by U.S. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee from Texas. She said, "The Berlin Wall fell without a gunshot; so did the Soviet Union." She believes that diplomacy will be more effective than the war on Iraq. At the conference there was a very good presentation by Barnett Berry of the Southeast Center for Teaching Quality about teacher mobility. He said that induction programs decrease attrition by 70% for new teachers if the programs are high-quality. We made visits to several of our members of Congress. Polis and I met with Rep. Udall's staff and discussed his bill to amend the state's Enabling Act regarding the School Trust Lands. I emphasized at that meeting that the bill is antagonizing the education community. We also met with our U.S. Senators, both of whom are participating in the Rural Caucus to address issues of NCLB. Back in Colorado, I attended the ASCENDS conference on quality teaching. There I attended a workshop about the California New Teacher Program, which has reduced attrition of new teachers by two-thirds. California established standards for induction programs - something our SBE should consider doing. I also went to a workshop on Project Promise, an accelerated alternative teacher preparation program at CSU (Commissioner Moloney mentioned this a couple of months ago). It provides multiple field experiences interspersed through the year. In an address to the conference, Teacher of the Year Lorynda Sampson said something I found compelling: "We can't teach all kids with one-size-fits-all tests or curriculum."
MUNN: In our Retreat, our Board came up with a mission and vision, which are now on large plaques on the wall here. Testified on behalf of Senator Evans' bill on Closing the Achievement Gap, as did I and Dorothy Gotlieb. Hopefully the bill will move forward. Noted with some dismay that Bill DeLa Cruz resigned from the Boulder Valley School Board. Working on Board members' roles and responsibilities and on a policy for Board members to take a position on issues. Attended Community College of Denver's foundation dinner. They are doing much to improve opportunities for Colorado students. Denver is in the middle of an election cycle, and nationally there are many candidates for President coming forward. Encourages people to participate.
ORR: Has a pen pal now - Doug Young from Congressman Udall's office. Very much appreciates Udall and his staff. When was asked by Vicki Newell to write on the topic of school trust lands for her Capital QIPS, got quite a response from Udall's office, and he and Doug Young have been corresponding back and forth. Good follow-up with the meeting on Tuesday. Allard and McInnis have backed off. Starting to question the wisdom of own party - was selected as Republican Businessman of the Year.
POLIS: Presented the award from our Board Retreat for our bowling tournament - Christine Baca bowled a 177, the highest score from all participants. Coming from Retreat, with our renewed commitment to bipartisan cooperation, is a position statement in today's agenda on school choice. Got our ideologically diverse board to agree on principles for school choice, be it magnet schools, charter schools, or whatever. Has been pleased with how our board has been operating since coming together at the Retreat. An example is our meeting with Udall's staff the other day. We are unified on this issue and are able to advance the legitimate position to maximize the revenues from the school trust lands and use it to benefit Colorado's schools.
SUCKLA: Been busy serving on the boards that she has been assigned as a liaison to. There was a regional meeting of primarily school board members in Alamosa. They expressed concern about laws being made just because of the issues of just one or two districts, like St.Vrain Valley. There was an interesting conversation about the issues of closing the achievement gap and discrimination - that by separating out racial/ethnic groups to close the achievement gap, we end up discriminating. Attended a superintendents' meeting the next day. Many school districts are unaware that they can apply for grants if they are impacted by mineral mining. Then went directly to a CASB board meeting. They discussed school finance issues. They wanted her to bring to the SBE a question about changes we've made in our charter school appeal hearings. They didn't know that they can't talk to us about charter school appeals and would like something in writing specifying what they can and can't discuss with us. Jill Brake, former CASB president, has been selected to serve on the NASBA board. There are currently openings for 30 superintendents. Districts are hurting financially. Districts are giving incentives to students to take CSAP, including ice cream parties, shopping trips, and a personal day. Then went to McCREL policy board, where they discussed national education issues. At the end there was a session about people's communication styles; participants were supposed to share with the group what their style is, which she refused to do.
BURNETT: Wanted to remind people that April 20 is the 4th anniversary of the murders of Columbine. Four years passed quickly. [In response to my quote from Sheila Jackson Lee} said that maybe we didn't fire shots to tear down the Berlin Wall, but he visited East Berlin and saw the contempt of Berliners for the Russians - and people WERE shot.
DEHOFF: Recognized Baca for being awarded as Parent of the Month at Aurora Central High School. Acknowledged Christine's remarks about how she qualified for this award - PTSA, Band Boosters, and After Prom. Was also at the NASBE conference, but was less taken by Rep. Lee's remarks. Since he is chairing the NASBE study group on charter schools, he went to a regional meeting of charter school authorizers, where he got a different perspective from some of the attendees. The Public Policy Institute does a lot on charter schools, has the best newsletter on education, even though they're connected with the Democratic Party. McREL will be releasing a study on teacher recruitment and retention with district-level data from Colorado in the past two school years, showing where teachers come from, go to; some fascinating numbers - Denver doesn't have the most inexperienced and unqualified teachers - Jeffco and Douglas have higher percentages in their low-performing schools. Yesterday morning the tri-chairs of the Alliance for Quality Teaching made a presentation on that data to the joint House and Senate Education Committees. Programs that states have instituted to address retention and recruitment have been tremendously ineffective. For example, Colorado's LIFT program authorized 1000 teachers but only helped 40; the problem is that hardly anyone is eligible. The research consistently shows the importance of strong induction programs for teacher retention. Falcon is fastest growing school district in Colorado; they recruit from nearby Midwest states with similar rural, small-town characteristics.
COMMISSIONER MOLONEY: There have been some changes in names of units at CDE, such as English Language Acquisition - units used to be named after programs rather than what they are working to achieve. Across that state there has been an ongoing conversation about learning and results; thus, CDE created the Learning and Results Unit headed by Jo O'Brien. There never had been a conversation between assessment and data people, but the SARs drove them together. Getting the parts together is very important. Jo has been going around the state collecting data about how things can work effectively. Thus, we will now have a presentation on the project that CASE, CASB, and CEA find to be highly valuable: Data Feedback: Tools for Improved Student Learning.
JO O'BRIEN: Office of Learning and Results is working on a number of projects. First, a version of the "No Excuses" project. Second, creating a Teacher Recruitment Web Page. Third, creating an "electronic rolodex" with the help of Dorothy Gotlieb's Office of Professional Services to give access to outstanding teachers in the state that teachers can contact to ask questions.
Finally, completed the book Data Feedback: Tools for Improved Student Learning, a guide collected from throughout the state of data tools for classroom feedback, district feedback, parent feedback, and state feedback that are used by some of our best schools. Allows districts to select from the most successful tools. Begins with profiles from some select districts about how they are using data. For each data tool, gives information about its features, what it does do and doesn't do, and who is using it, and it shows some of the screens of the tool. Have discovered that many more exist in the state and will probably do an updated version in the future.
We are selling these books for $20 apiece. CEA is buying thousands for their members; CASE and CASB are also buying and distributing copies. There will also be a CD available for $2.00.
Approved contract between the State of Colorado - for the use and benefit of the Colorado Department of Education, Special Education Services Unit, and the University of Colorado at Denver, School of Education - LEAP, for the period of July 1, 2003, through June 30, 2004, in the amount not to exceed $151,592. [The LEAP - the Learning Experiences: An Alternative Program for Preschooler and Parents - project is designed to train and assist local school districts in developing and implementing a highly effective, developmentally appropriate and less costly means of service delivery with positive child outcomes for preschool children with disabilities. Three districts are chosen each year to participate for a period of two years of intense training and monthly onsite mentoring.
Appointed people to fill vacancies on the SAC-GTE, as recommended by the committee. The recommended names will provide the SAC-GTE with three representatives from each Congressional District who are either a parent, teacher, K-12 administrator, higher educator, or business representative.
Appointed people to fill vacancies on CSEAC, as recommended by the committee. The recommended names will provide an equitable distribution of members from the Congressional Districts, as well as members representing various requirements, including the following: individuals with disabilities, parents of children with disabilities, and a facilities representative. However, an opening still exists for a vocational, community, or business organization representative.
Approved the merger of the Colorado Council for Library Development (CCLD) and the Colorado Library Resource Sharing and Information Access Board (RSB) to form one new advisory board, the Colorado Library Advisory Board (CoLAB). [Currently, the State Library has two advisory committees, CCLD, whose membership is appointed by the SBE, and RSB, whose membership is appointed by the Commissioner of Education. The State Library would like to combine these two committees to form CoLAB, to be appointed by the SBE. The reasons for combining them are to eliminate the duplication of topics, mostly due to evolving technology; to save on staff time; and to reduce travel and meeting expenses. Both groups have agreed to a merger and have formulated a Foundation Document and proposed roster of members.]
(1) EMERGENCY EDUCATOR AUTHORIZATIONS
Approved emergency Type III educator authorizations for 42 initially and 22 renewals.
[Local districts may request Type III Emergency Authorization to employ non-licensed teachers, principals, administrators, or special services providers if they agree to provide an induction program. The SBE's approval is based on consideration of whether the district has demonstrated a shortage of licensed personnel and the employment of non-licensed personnel is essential to preserving the instructional program and to the well-being of the children enrolled.]
(2) DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS
(These remain confidential until action is taken by the Board.)
Instructed the department staff and the attorney general's office to prepare the documents requesting a formal hearing to revoke the authorization of one substitute teacher.
Approved charter school waiver requests from April 10, 2003, to May 8, 2003, for Nuestra Escuela Charter School in the Mesa County Valley School District 51.
Approved payments of $206,908,160.38 under the Public School Finance Act for state share of total program for April 2003. [Local districts are entitled to receive monthly payments from the state by the 25th of each month, under provisions of the Public School Finance Act of 1994, as amended.]
Continued the hearing on proposed changed in the Licensing Endorsement for Rules for the Administration of the Educator Licensing Act, for the following:
[Over the course of several months from March through August 2003, the SBE is considering updates in Colorado's Educator Licenses, Authorizations, and Endorsements, issued under the Rules for the Administration of the Educator Licensing Act of 1991. This action is timely since under No Child Left Behind, our state's Provisional License has become equivalent to Colorado's definition of "highly qualified teachers." The major change in the updated rules are for candidates' licenses, authorizations, or endorsements to meet performance-based criteria. Also, the changes will bring the rules into compliance with state statutes, which have undergone several amendments since the rules were originally passed.]
The Board discussed these extensively yesterday afternoon. I will work with Dorothy Gotlieb on amending the English Language Arts to add more specificity on writing mechanics, such as punctuation. I asked the Board if we could have a further discussion on the issue of alternative licensure; Gotlieb said that it would be good to wait for the results of a study that is being conducted currently.
Motion passed 7:1 to continue the hearing to the next Board meeting, giving notice of the time and date of the hearing and the date when a final version will be available for public inspection. [Burnett dissented, because I made the motion by addressing DeHoff as "Mr. Chair" rather "Mr. Chairman."]
Conducted a hearing on the proposed revisions to the Rules for the Annual Inspection and Preventative Maintenance of School Transportation Vehicles.
BRUCE LITTLE (CDE): Need rules for transport vehicles to be tougher to provide greater safety. Looked at recommendations from the National Safety Board, as well as the requirements of the Colorado State Patrol for commercial vehicles. Thinks that our rules should be tougher than those for commercial vehicles. Suggested a few changes in our rules: (1) During annual inspection, all four wheels taken off to inspect the brakes (rather than just one). (2) Standardize a minimum level of maintenance and inspection. (3) Require seat foam to cover back frame and core of seats.
Motion passed to close the oral portion of the hearing and schedule consideration for the Board's next meeting.
Unanimously adopted the following:
The Colorado State Board of Education believes that our education system should include a variety of opportunities and methods for students to acquire a quality education.
Empowering families to choose schools has several benefits:
We support school choice models that conform to the following principles:
ACCOUNTABILITY
Schools participating in a choice program should require CSAP testing for publicly funded students, and flow reasonable standards for accreditation. Meaningful oversight should exist to measure the success or failure of programs over time in raising student achievement, closing the achievement gap, or achieving other stated educational goals. All schools should conduct background checks on teachers and administrators.
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
Schools participating in a choice program should conduct their financial affairs in a responsible way, including appropriate documentation of funds, reasonable openness to public scrutiny, and audits.
ACCESS
Schools participating in a choice program should have the same admission requirements as regular public schools consistent with the educational program and philosophy of the choice school.
FOCUS
Choice programs should initially be targeted to benefit those students most in need of educational alternatives, such as those with special needs, in low-performing schools, and from families of limited means.
IMPACT
For the foreseeable future, the vast majority of Colorado children will continue to receive their education through the public school system. Therefore, it is important to take into account the positive and negative impacts on the overall health of this system in assessing the local impact of choice and choice schools.
Resolved "that the Colorado State Board of Education calls on all Colorado charter schools and their local districts to celebrate Colorado Charter Schools Week by showcasing charter school success stories and examining ways to spread those opportunities and successes to more local public schools communities. Passed 7:0 [I was absent for this vote].
The Educator Licensing Act of 1991 authorizes the SBE to annually establish the evaluation fees for licenses, authorizations, and endorsements. In addition, CDE is required to conduct CBI and FBI background checks and to collect the actual costs of those background checks from applicants. The proposed fee increases will still lower the department's reserves to the bare minimum, but well within the statutory limit. The fee increases being proposed for SBE approval are to raise the evaluation fees from $40 to $44 and for one-year substitute authorizations from $20 to $22, effective January 1, 2004. The SBE is asked to maintain the current charges for background checks at $36.
Approved the Teacher Residency Programs for the following:
[Colorado school districts and boards of cooperative educational services (BOCES) are authorized to establish teacher in residence programs, enabling them to hire non-licensed individuals with appropriate degrees for two years, providing that they give these people individual training, support, and evaluation and that they recommend them for licensure upon completion of the program. The intent of the teacher in residence program is to enable districts to address teacher shortages and reduce the number of people employed under Type III Emergency Authorizations. It also attempts to help school districts and BOCES to recruit and employ nontraditional teacher candidates.]
The SBE will be asked to approve contracts between CDE's Special Education Services Unit and the following:
REBECCA BASARAB: The Colorado State High School, a private school in Denver, has created the Home Study Diploma Program, an alternative to the GED which allows students to get their high school diploma through a home study program which requires an entrance test, a four- to six-week study course, tutoring, and a national exit test. It is her contention that the rigor of this program exceeds the GED and is equal to the Colorado state content standards. She said that 60% of her graduates have gone on to college.
ANDREA DURRELL (ACT): Rick O'Donnell asked her to come today and present information to us about the effects of the implementation of the ACT for all 11th graders. Colorado saw a 14% increase in Colorado students going to Colorado colleges and a 13% increase in low-income students that are considered ready for college work (scoring 19 or higher on the ACT). Also presented us with a copy of an ACT policy report: "School Relationships Foster Success for African American Students." Finally, gave us a booklet on ACT's "EPAS: A System That Works," which covers the entire educational planning and assessment system provided by ACT, including the EXPLORE in 8th and 9th grade, the PLAN in 10th grade, and the ACT for 11th and 12th graders.
PEG PORTSCHELLER (CASE): Extends a social invitation for May 5, when CASE is having a gala event for Superintendent of the Year and Principals of the Year, at the Red Room.
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