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December 20, 2006

ACTION ALERT: CAMPAIGN FOR A GRADUATION REQUIREMENT IN THE ARTS

Please contact your lawmakers in the Ohio House and Senate and thank them for supporting the fine arts graduation requirement included in Sub. SB 311 (Gardner).   This is a key step in the advocacy process - your action right now to send a thank you email will demonstrate our effectiveness in advocacy and set the stage for future arts education related efforts.

Sub. SB 311 (Gardner), as passed by the Ohio House on December 19, 2006, and concurred to by the Ohio Senate on December 20, 2006, takes a giant step forward in the education of students in Ohio. For the first time ever, students in Ohio, who complete the Ohio Core Curriculum (with some exceptions), are required to complete between grades 7-12 two semesters or the equivalent in the fine arts (ORC Section 3313.603 (K). This is a tremendous achievement for arts education advocates who have worked to ensure that students in Ohio's schools have access to arts education programs. It also means that our work supporting arts education is only starting. This law provides a tremendous opportunity for arts educators to develop strategies in their schools and districts to ensure that students have access to the highest quality arts education courses to fulfil their arts education requirement for graduation.

BACKGROUND

Sub. SB 311 adds a new division (K) to Section 3313.603 of the Ohio Revised Code regarding requirements for graduation. This section includes a fine arts graduation requirement, which must be met by most students who enter the ninth grade for the first time on or after July 1, 2010, and applies to students enrolled in a public or chartered nonpublic school. Students may meet the fine arts graduation requirement in the following ways:

1) Earn a high school credit in the fine arts in grades 9-12;

2) Earn a high school credit in the fine arts in grades 7-8 through ORC Section 3313.603 (G), which requires a board of education to grant high school credit for high school level courses completed by students below the 9th grade;

3) Complete two semesters of the fine arts earned in grades 7-8.

In addition, SB 311 allows students to choose to earn additional credits in the fine arts for high school credit. The fine arts are included in the list of courses that students can complete to earn five credits of the minimum twenty credits the state requires for graduation.

Section (K) does not apply to the following students:

1) Students who graduate under division (D) of 3313.603. Section

(D) allows students to "opt out" of the Ohio Core after completing two years of high school. Students who "opt out" must comply with certain provisions in the law, and comply with current graduation requirements to earn a diploma. Current graduation requirements include the fine arts as an elective.

2) Students who graduate under division (F) of 3313.603. Section

(F) allows students who are enrolled in an eligible dropout prevention and recovery program to graduate by completing certain provisions outlined in the law.

3) Students who are pursuing a career-technical instructional track as determined by the school district board of education or the chartered nonpublic school's governing authority. This division goes on to say, "Nevertheless, the general assembly encourages such students to consider enrolling in a fine arts course as an elective."

We greatly appreciate the efforts of Senator Gardner and Senator Padgett to secure a place for arts education in the Ohio Core, and thank them and the members of the Ohio General Assembly for recognizing the importance of the arts in the lives of students and in the economic and cultural vitality of Ohio communities. Ohio becomes the 30th state in the nation to require students to complete an arts requirement for graduation. This is a tremendous accomplishment that can only lead to increased recognition of the arts in Ohio as a creative force to improve student achievement; keep students in school; improve school climate; build healthy communities; and provide valuable career opportunities for students.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Thank the members of the 126th General Assembly (Ohio House and Senate) for supporting arts education in Ohio's schools, and including in SB 311 for the first time, a requirement that students in Ohio who complete the Ohio Core, graduate with two semesters in the fine arts.

Thank you for your support!

Arts on Line, Education Update for January 2, 2007

Happy New Year!

IN THIS ISSUE:

1) 127^th GENERAL ASSEMBLY BEGINS

2) RECAP OF THE 126^TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

3) EDUCATION BILLS ENACTED INTO LAW

4) FYI ARTS

1)  127th General Assembly Begins:  The 126th Ohio General Assembly ended last week when the Senate officially adjourned.  The Ohio House had adjourned already on December 21, 2006.  The 127th Ohio General Assembly convenes on January 2, 2007, and a joint session of the Ohio House and Senate is scheduled for January 3, 2007 at 1:30 PM.  Governor-elect Strickland and Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher will be sworn into office on January 8, 2007, but their formal oath of office ceremonies will be held on January 13, 2007 at the Statehouse lawn in Columbus.

Completing his term as governor, Governor Taft signed into law last week HB 699 - capital budget; HB 79 - teacher conduct/vouchers; HB 71

- PERS military service credit; HB 276 - school harassment/bullying policies; and HB 671 - school treasurer contracts.  SB 311 - Ohio Core Curriculum, is scheduled to be signed on January 3, 2007 at Fairmoor Elementary School in Columbus.

2)  Recap of the 126th General Assembly:  House and Senate lawmakers introduced over fourteen hundred bills during the 126th General Assembly (2005-2006), and approximately one hundred were related to education.  These included bills that addressed topics such as Educational Service Centers; graduation requirements; aligning the PK-16 education system; teacher preparation and conduct; health and safety issues; school funding and tax policies; charter schools and vouchers; accountability for schools; student achievement; public records; energy efficiency; retirement and health care; school facilities; the length of the school year and day; and more.

Of those education related bills that were introduced, fifteen were enacted into law.  Significant changes in law related to education were also included in three budget bills, Am. Sub. HB 66 (Calvert) - the FY06-07 state budget; Am. Sub. HB 530 (Calvert) - budget corrections and capital renewal; and Am. Sub. HB 699 (Calvert) - the capital budget for FY07-08.  It is interesting to note that overall debate about education issues was conducted to a greater extent by the House and Senate committees hearing bills on finance and ways and means than by the education committees.

Some of the education bills not approved by lawmakers still became law because they were incorporated into other legislation that was passed.  For example, some of the provisions related to charter school accountability, which were originally introduced as separate legislation, were eventually included in HB 79 (Raga) - teacher conduct and HB 276 (Stewart) - harassment and bullying policies.  HB128 (Allen), a bill creating the Education Choice Scholarship Program, was added to the biennial budget bill, Sub. HB. 66 (Calvert).  This provision provides public funds for students to attend certain private schools.  And, HB 254 (Collier) - minimum hours of instruction - was eventually approved when it was added to SB 311 (Gardner), the Ohio Core Curriculum.

Reviewing the legislation that was not approved by the 126th General Assembly may provide some insight about the legislative agenda for 127th General Assembly.  For example, eight bills were introduced in the House and Senate that addressed charter school law.  Although the 126th General Assembly did make some changes in charter school law, a number of accountability issues remain, and will no doubt be raised during the 127th General Assembly.

There were also a number of bills that were introduced regarding school funding.  These included bills that addressed the reimbursement for the loss of the tangible personal property taxes; full funding for all day Kindergarten; parity aid; cost of doing business factor;  bipartisan commission to study the cost of funding schools; health care costs, and more.

Some of the school funding and charter school issues are expected to be addressed in the FY08-09 budget bill, which will be submitted by Governor-elect Strickland to the 127th General Assembly early this year.  Also expected to be re-introduced in this session are legislative changes regarding the state's rating system for schools; state support for STEM Schools (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics); expansion of a voucher program to all students in special education; and health care for school employees.

3)  Education Bills Enacted into Law:  The following is a summary of the education related bills that were enacted, or are soon to be signed into law, by the 126th General Assembly.  This summary does not include the extensive education provisions that were included in the FY06-07 budget bill, Am. Sub. HB 66 (Calvert); Sub. HB 530 (Calvert); or the recently approved capital budget, Sub. HB 699:

*HB 671 (Webster) Revises the laws regarding the employment of school district and educational service center treasurers.

*HB 422 (Hughes) Requires community schools and chartered nonpublic schools to adopt school safety plans in the same manner as school districts; exempts school safety plans and school building blueprints from the Public Records Law; requires all public and nonpublic schools to conduct at least one school safety drill annually; and increases the fine for failure to conduct any required drill to one thousand dollars.

*HB 276 (Stewart) Regarding school policies prohibiting harassment, intimidation, or bullying; expands in-service training in child abuse prevention that school districts and community schools must provide; eliminates the summer administration of the third grade reading achievement test; allows specified students to substitute passage of the Ohio Graduation Test for passage of the ninth grade proficiency test in the same subject to satisfy diploma requirements; requires school districts and community schools to administer the kindergarten readiness assessment between four weeks prior to the start of school and October 1; permits the Department of Education to have access to personally identifiable student information under specified conditions; provides for the assignment of EMIS student data verification codes for children receiving early intervention services under the Help Me Grow program; allows community schools established outside of the statewide caps to be managed by operators not currently managing schools in Ohio; expands the circumstances in which community school performance data is included on school district report cards; specifies a procedure for a parent to waive entitlement to a computer from an Internet or computer-based community school; repeals the authorization for teachers to temporarily teach an area or grade level outside of their license or certificate; permits a school district board of education to renew the contract of a director, supervisor, or coach of a pupil-activity program who is not a licensed educator without first offering that position to a licensed educator; permits temporary deficits in school district special funds under certain conditions; requires textbook publishers to comply with the National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard; permits waivers from the minimum number of school days in the 2006-2007 school year for certain joint vocational school districts that experience delays in a state-assisted construction project; and permits the boards of trustees of Rio Grande Community College and the University of Rio Grande to cooperate in employing a president and operating the community college.

*HB 234 (Wolpert) Permits a board of elections, in conjunction with a board of education, the governing authority of a community school, or the chief administrator of a nonpublic school, to establish a program permitting certain high school seniors to serve as precinct officers on the day of an election, and permits a board of elections to establish such a program for home-instructed students who are in the equivalent of the twelfth year of a one through twelve year instructional program.

*HB 203 (Raga) Requires the Director of Health to establish the School Health and Safety Network to coordinate and collect data from school inspections, and to include Network inspection rules within the practice of environmental health for registered sanitarians.

*HB 184 (Faber)  Requires school districts and community schools that receive donated copies of the mottoes of the United States of America or the State of Ohio to display the mottoes in school buildings.

*HB 115 (Setzer)  Establishes the Educational Regional Service System and the EMIS Advisory Board; revises the financing of Educational Choice Scholarships for kindergartners; permits the governing authority of a start-up community school that meets certain conditions to establish another community school above the cap on the number of community schools; permits school districts to establish residency requirements for superintendents, and makes an appropriation.

*HB107 (Setzer) Requires the State Board of Education to adopt standards that require the curricula of teacher preparation programs to be aligned with the state academic content standards and with the value-added progress dimension developed by the Department of Education, and extends the deadline for the Department and the Educator Standards Board to propose a career ladder program for teachers.

*HB 79  (Raga) Requires that information about professional misconduct or child abuse or neglect committed by a person licensed by the State Board of Education be submitted to the Superintendent of Public Instruction; requires the State Board to request a criminal records check prior to renewing an educator license; requires the State Board to request a criminal records check every five years for a person teaching under a professional or permanent teaching certificate issued under former law; clarifies the information provided by a public children services agency to the Department of Job and Family Services about a person applying for licensure or certification to operate a family day-care home; adds representatives of community school sponsors and staffs to the membership of the Partnership for Continued Learning; revises terms for renewing Educational Choice Scholarships; revises eligibility for the Educational Choice Scholarship Pilot Program; establishes the maximum number of Educational Choice Scholarships that may be awarded in each year; renames data acquisition sites as information technology centers; revises regional designations for educational service centers or school districts located in multiple regions; revises the Educational Regional Service System advisory councils membership; clarifies the duties of regional advisory councils under the Educational Regional Service System; revises the Educational Regional Service System Information Technology Center Subcommittee membership; requires additional content in fiscal agent performance contracts under the Educational Regional Service System; revises meeting requirements for the State Regional Alliance Advisory Board; requires the State Board of Education to adopt recommendations for the development of school parental involvement policies; changes the law regarding the filing of school building blueprints with the Attorney General; prohibits persons from serving on more than two start-up community school governing authorities; prohibits certain conflicts of interest between community school governing authorities and operators; specifies that members of the governing authority of a start-up community school may be compensated for attending meetings of the governing authority; provides an appeal process for community school operators whose management contracts are terminated or not renewed; requires school districts to sell certain property that is suitable for classroom space and has not been used for educational purposes; revises the criteria for closing poorly performing community schools; provides for the inclusion of certain Educational Choice Scholarship students in the formula ADM of their resident school districts; requires school districts to submit student acceleration policies to the Department of Education for approval; and clarifies which schools are subject to inspection under the School Health and Safety Network.

*HB 11 (Schlichter) Grants high school diplomas to certain veterans of the Vietnam Conflict and permits school districts, educational service centers, and county MR/DD boards in fiscal year 2006 to apply to use funds appropriated for school bus purchases to pay the cost of purchasing fuel for buses.

*SB 311 (Gardner) Establishes the Ohio Core curriculum; calculates the minimum school year based on hours, rather than days, of instruction; restructures admission requirements and remedial courses in state universities; implements other initiatives to enhance secondary and post-secondary education in Ohio, and makes an appropriation.

*SB 164 (Schuring)  Permits students of school districts, community schools, and chartered nonpublic schools to carry epinephrine medication approved by the students' physicians and parents, and grants immunity to school districts, community schools, and chartered nonpublic schools and their employees for good faith actions in connection with this permission.

*SB 71 (Wilson) Permits certain school districts and nonpublic schools located in areas flooded during the 2004-2005 school year to count time that schools are in session beyond the required minimum number of hours in order to make up calamity days missed in excess of the number of days permitted by law and the number of days specified in their contingency plans, and declares an emergency.

*SB 56 (Mumper) Enacts as a separate act the provision of law exempting employees of the Ohio School Facilities Commission from the collective bargaining law.

*SB 6  (Padgett) Establishes the Partnership for Continued Learning to make recommendations for facilitating collaboration among providers of preschool through postsecondary education and for maintaining a high-quality workforce in Ohio.

FYI ARTS

Research Articles on Arts Education:  The following is a summary of two articles on arts education published in the International Journal of Education and the Arts:

*"Artistic Choices:  A Study of Teachers Who Use the Arts in the Classroom" by Barry Oreck, New York City Public Schools.  (IJEA Vol 7 #8, December 8, 2006.)

According to the abstract, this study shows that classroom teachers who integrate the arts in their lessons do so to meet the diverse learning styles and needs of their students.  "The teachers articulated a variety of ways in which arts-based professional development experiences encouraged them to bring their creativity into the classroom, expand their teaching repertoire, and find effective ways to incorporate the arts in the academic curriculum."

The article is available at http://ijea.asu.edu/v7n8/

*"Experiences of Artists and Artist-Teachers Involved in Teacher Professional Development Programs" by Rena Upitis Queen's University.

(IJAE Volume 6 Number 8, August 28, 2005)

Researchers studied the experiences of artists and artist-teachers involved in two professional development programs for arts education:

a national Canadian program and a state-wide American program.  Both programs provided classroom teachers strategies to teach in and through the arts by interacting with partnering artists and/or arts organizations.  According to the study results, the views of artists changed regarding the following:  their art forms, the challenges facing public education, the teaching profession, and the benefits of the arts in young people's lives. The paper includes a discussion of issues to consider when designing professional development programs involving artists and teachers.  The article is available at http://ijea.asu.edu/v6n8/.

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This update is made possible through the generous support of the Ohio Music Education Association (www.omea-ohio.org), Ohio Art Education Association (www.oaea.org), Ohio Educational Theatre Association (www.Ohioedta.org); OhioDance (www.ohiodance.org), and the Ohio Alliance for Arts Education (www.OAAE.net).

This site is being updated. Please check back frequently for upcoming pages and changes.

Coming Soon! Look for our upcoming Advocacy page in the near future

FROM          Ohio Alliance for Arts Education

                      Donna Collins, Executive Director

                      Joan Platz, Information Coordinator

          Arts on Line, Education Update for January 8, 2007

IN THIS ISSUE:

1)  110^TH CONGRESS BEGINGS

2)  110^TH AGENDA FOR EDUCATION

3)  127^TH OHIO GENERAL ASSEMBLY CONVENES

4)  NEW GOVERNOR AND STATWIDE OFFICIALS TAKE OVER THIS WEEK

5)  126^TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY COMES TO A CLOSE … REALLY

6)  STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

7)  QUALITY COUNTS 2007 RELEASED

FYI ARTS

1)  110th Congress Begins:  The U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate convened as the 110th Congress on January 4, 2007, led by a Democratic majority in both chambers.  Ohio's delegation includes U.S. Senators George Voinovich and Sherrod Brown, and Representatives Steve Chabot, Jean Schmidt, Mike Turner, Jim Jordan, Paul E. Gillmor, Charlie Wilson, David L. Hobson, John A. Boehner, Marcy Kaptur Dennis J. Kucinich, Stephanie T. Jones, Patrick J. Tiberi, Betty Sutton, Steve C. LaTourette, Deborah Pryce, Ralph Regula, Tim Ryan, and Zach T. Space.

The leadership in the U.S. House includes Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (CA); Representative Steny H. Hoyer (MD), Majority Leader, and Representative James E. Clyburn (SC), Majority Whip.  Representing the Republicans are Representatives John Boehner (OH), Minority Leader and Roy Blunt (MO), Minority Whip.

In the Senate Senator Harry Reid (NV) will serve as Senate Majority Leader, Senator Robert Bryd (WV) President Pro Tempore, and Senator Dick Durbin (IL) Assistant Majority Leader.  For the Republicans Senator Mitch McConnell (KY) will serve as Minority Leader and Senator Trent Lott (MS) Assistant Minority Leader.

Chairing key committees in the House are Representatives David Obey (WI) Appropriations, John Spratt (SC) Budget, and George Miller (CA) Education and Labor.

Chairing key committees in the Senate are Senator Robert Byrd (WV) Appropriations, Senator Kent Conrad (ND) Budget, Senator Max Baucus (MT) Finance, and Senator Ted Kennedy (MA) Health Education Labor & Pensions Committee (HELP).

Appointments to subcommittees have not been finalized at this printing.

2) 110th Agenda for Education:   The 109th Congress adjourned in December 2006 without approving all of the FY07 appropriations bills, including the one for education.  A "continuing resolution" was approved in December to keep federal agencies and departments operating, but this resolution expires in February 2007.  Senate and House leaders are expected to approve a joint resolution to continue federal spending at FY06 levels, with some exceptions, for the remainder of the fiscal year, which ends in October 2007.  This temporary solution will enable Congress to proceed with the FY08 budget process.  President Bush is already working on the FY08 federal budget proposal, which will be introduced in the House in February.

The following education priorities for 2007 have been identified by House and Senate leadership:

*Reauthorize Head Start and strengthen early learning opportunities.

*Ensure that schools are equipped to meet the challenges of the global economy.

*Fully fund IDEIA.

*Expand support for teacher preparation programs.

*Increase college affordability and increase Pell Grants from $4,050 to $5,100.

*Support math and science education.

*Create incentives for high quality teachers - especially in high demand subjects such as math and science - to teach in high poverty schools.

*Reauthorize the Workforce Investment Act; and *Revisit the reforms contained in the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), which faces reauthorization in 2007.

Democrats are expected to make funding the No Child Left Behind Act a priority during the reauthorization process.   Other provisions in

the NCLB will also be reviewed, such as, ensure that tests are used to improve instruction, not just label schools;  ensure that students struggling to meet high standards have the best teachers and expanded learning opportunities; and provide parents with accurate information to make informed choices about schools.

3)  127th Ohio General Assembly Convenes:  Members of the 127th Ohio General Assembly convened in Columbus on January 2, 2007, and began the legislative session for the next two years by taking oaths of office, certifying the November 7, 2006 election results, and adopting rules and procedures.

Seventeen out of 33 seats in the Ohio Senate were contested on November 7, 2006.  The Democrats gained one seat, but the Republicans retained a 21 -12 majority. Senator Bill Harris will lead the Ohio Senate again as Senate President, and Senator Teresa Fedor will serve as Minority Leader in the Senate.

The following members of the Ohio Senate are term-limited at the end of 2008:  Senators Amstutz; Austria; Gardner; Harris; Jacobson; Mumper; and Spada.

Ninety-nine members were elected to the Ohio House of Representatives on November 7, 2006 for two year terms.  The Democrats gained eight seats and the Republicans gained one.  The Republicans retained a 53-46 majority.

Leading the Republicans in the Ohio House is House Speaker Jon Husted, and leading the Democrats is Minority Leader Joyce Beatty.

The following Ohio House members are term-limited at the end of 2008:

Representatives Aslanides, Beatty, Brinkman, Carano, Carmichael, Collier, Core, DeWine, Distel, Driehaus, Fessler, Flowers, John Hagan, Hughes, Husted, Latta, Otterman, Peterson, Redfern, Reinhard, Schneider, Seitz, Setzer, Strahorn, Webster, White, and Wolpert.

Committee assignments for the House and Senate are expected to be announced over the next few weeks.

4)  New Governor and Statewide Officials Take Over This Week:

Governor-elect Strickland and Lieutenant Governor-elect Fisher will be sworn into office on January 8, 2007 at midnight, but their formal oath of office ceremonies will be held on January 13, 2007 at the Statehouse lawn in Columbus.  Other statewide elected officials to be sworn in on January 8, 2007 are Ohio Auditor-elect Mary Taylor, Ohio Treasurer-elect Richard Cordray, and Attorney General-elect Marc Dann at the Trumbull County Courthouse.  Secretary of State-elect Jennifer Brunner, will take the oath of office on January 12, 2007.

5)  126th General Assembly Comes to a Close... Really:  Governor Taft signed into law last week several bills left over from the 126th General Assembly, including the Ohio Core Curriculum, Am. Sub. SB 311 (Gardner).  The law requires most students graduating in 2014 to complete the Ohio Core Curriculum as a prerequisite for admission to Ohio's four-year state assisted institutions of higher education.

Governor Taft vetoed a provision in SB 311 that was added on the floor of the House during debate on the bill in December 2006.  That provision changed current law, which calculates the minimum amount of time traditional public schools are required to provide instruction based on a minimum number of days and hours per day, to a calculation based on a total number of hours of instruction, with some limitations.

Governor Taft also signed into law last week HB272 (Schneider), which makes statutory changes regarding state retirement systems, and HB343 (Raga), which, among other provisions, increases the age at which a person is eligible to obtain a temporary driving instruction permit from 15 years 6 months to 16 years.

6)  State Board of Education to Welcome New Members:   The State Board of Education, Sue Westendorf president, will meet on January 8 & 9, 2007 at the Ohio School for the Deaf, 500 Morse Road, Columbus, OH.  The School Funding Subcommittee met on January 7, 2006 at the Embassy Suites in Columbus to discuss a report on school funding that will be presented to the full Board.

The Executive Committee, chaired by Sue Westendorf, will meet at 8:30 AM to hear updates from subcommittees; discuss legislative recommendations regarding ADM counting procedures; and discuss the motion to accept the report of the School Funding Subcommittee.

An update on state and federal legislation will be presented to the full Board at 9:00 AM.

The Achievement Committee, chaired by Mike Cochran, and the Capacity Committee, chaired by Carl Wick and Jennifer Sheets, will meet at

9:45 AM.

The Achievement Committee will discuss resolutions regarding the value added rules, the rules for the Honors Diploma; and the draft of the alternative pathway to the OGT for earning a high school diploma.

The Capacity Committee will discuss procedures for the regional delivery system; legislation regarding poverty-based assistance; the community school sponsor evaluation; and revisions to the Education Choice Scholarship rules.

The full Board will convene in the Conference Center at 11:30 AM, when the oath of office will be administered to the new members of the State Board of Education by Justice Evelyn Lundberg Stratton of the Ohio Supreme Court.

Following lunch at 1:00 PM the Board will discuss rules regarding funding for preschool and special education, the School Funding Subcommittee Report, the legislative recommendation regarding counting students (Average Daily Membership), and the recommendation for funding Education Service Centers.

The Board will then hear updates from members and committee reports, review written reports, and review the consent agenda for the business meeting on January 9, 2007 starting at 3:00 PM.  Included in the written reports is the 2005-2006 Annual Report on Ohio Community Schools, which is available on the ODE web site at

http://www.ode.state.oh.us/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/ODEDetail.aspx?Page=3&TopicRelationID=662&Content=23122

At 4:00 PM the Board will hold a Chapter 119 hearing on four rule changes: Rule 3301-24-05 of the OAC - Licensure; Rule 3301-41-01 - Certificate of High School Equivalency; Rules 3301-83-01, 06, 13, and 19 - Pupil Transportation Operation and Safety; and Rules 3301-89-01 and 02 - Transfer of School District Territory.

The State Board will also meet on Tuesday, January 9, 2006 at 9:00 AM to discuss "Survive or Thrive:  Education in a Flat World Facilitator's Guide," and hear an update on the Achieve Policy Study.

The Board's business meeting will be called to order at 1:00 PM and the Board will immediately convene into executive session.  After reconvening its public meeting, the Board will elect officers for 2007-2008; hear a report from the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. Susan Tave Zelman; hear public participation on agenda Items; and consider action on 21 resolutions, including 13 personnel items and the following:

#2. Approve a resolution of intent to rescind Rule 3301-54-01 - Contracted Special Education Units and amend Rule 3301-51-11 - Funding for Preschool Special Education.

#3.  Approve a resolution regarding the 2007 Ohio Teacher of the Year, George Edge, who teaches instrumental music and is the director of bands at Grove City High School.

#4.  Approve a motion that the State Board of Education accepts the report from the Board's School Funding Subcommittee.

#5.  Approve a motion that the State Board of Education adopt the document entitled "Average Daily Membership: Findings and Legislative Recommendations for Change."

#21.  Approve a resolution to rescind Rule 3301-2-04 of the Ohio Administrative Code - Notice of Personal Information Systems.

The Board will then consider old business, new business, miscellaneous business, and hear public participation on non-agenda items.  The Board will then adjourn.

For more information about the meetings of the State Board of Education, please visit www.ode.state.oh.us and follow the links to the State Board of Education.

7)  Quality Counts 2007 Released:  Education Week, Virginia B. Edwards publisher, released last week its annual review of the state of education in the nation called "Quality Counts 2007:  From Cradle to Career, Connecting American Education From Birth Through Adulthood."  This year the Education Week analysts focused on how states serve the educational needs of children from birth to careers. They looked at ways in which states have created "seamless" preK-career educational systems and have defined student readiness to succeed at each stage of the educational process.  Quality Counts 2007 is available online at http://www.edweek.org/ew/toc/2007/01/04/index.html.

In order to track this information, the Editorial Projects in Education Research Center developed for Education Week the "Chance for Success Index" based on 13 indicators that highlight whether or not children "...get off to a good start, succeed in elementary and secondary school, and hit key educational and economic benchmarks as adults."  The researchers then used this index to evaluate state education systems.  This index will now be used by Education Week to track state efforts to create seamless education systems.

The indicators for the Chance for Success Index are grouped under three headings:  the early years, the school-age years, and the adult years.  The researchers found that most states are working to define school readiness and provide interventions for children in the early years, but fewer states have defined college or workforce readiness.  Virginia, Connecticut, Minnesota, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire rated above the national average on this new index, while Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas, Arizona, Louisiana, and New Mexico rated below the national average.

Ohio ranked 27th on the Chance for Success Index with a -1 index score compared to top-rated Virginia, which received a +22 and low-rated New Mexico, which received a -23.  Ohio rated below the national average in the categories of parent education; preschool enrollment; Kindergarten enrollment; adult attainment; and annual income.  Ohio rated higher than the national average in the categories of family income 200 percent above the poverty level; linguistics integration; elementary reading; middle school mathematics; and high school graduation.

Quality Counts 2007 also developed a new "State Achievement Index" to rate the performance of K-12 education systems in each state based on

15 indicators under the headings state standards, assessments, and accountability systems.  Previous indicators for school climate, efforts to improve teacher quality, and school finance are not included this year in the rating system, and states did not receive a letter grade as in the past.  State ratings will now be based on whether or not students are above or below the national average on the State Achievement Index, and how much progress states are making on the indicators.

Massachusetts, New Jersey, Vermont, Connecticut, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Virginia, and Washington State rated highly on the State Achievement Index, while the District of Columbia, Louisiana, Alabama, Hawaii, New Mexico, West Virginia, and Mississippi rated at the bottom.  Ohio rated ten along with Montana, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin with a score of 13 points.  Massachusetts was the highest rated state with 20 points, while Mississippi earned a -14 for the low.  Ohio rated above the national average on the NAEP Mathematics scores at the 4th and 8th grades; NAEP Reading scores at the 4th and 8th grades; NAEP scale score change at the 4th grade; graduation rates in 2003; and change in the highest test scores 2000-2005.

Quality Counts 2007 also includes several articles that provide excellent background information about education policy in the nation.  For example, included in this issue are also articles about "Breaking the Cycle of Poverty", "Moving Beyond Grade 12", and "Linking Learning to Earning."

FYI ARTS:

*Ohio Arts Council:  Governor Taft announced last week the appointment of C. Daniel DeLawder (Newark) to the Ohio Arts Council to a term ending July 1, 2009.  Mr. DeLawder is the chairman and chief executive officer and board member of The Park National Bank and the Park National Corporation.

*Arts Competition Announced:  The 30th Ohio Decoy Collectors and Carvers Association Show and Sale are proud to be this year's host for the Ohio Federal Junior Duck Stamp Competition.  This art competition is for youths between Grades K -12, and is divided into four groups.  The deadline for Ohio students to enter is March 1, 2007.  The judging for the competition in Ohio will take place in the main ballroom of the Westlake Holiday Inn, Westlake, OH on Thursday, March 15, 2007 beginning at 8:00 AM.  Additionally, the ODCCA show offers students, educators, and parents the opportunity to view all the Junior Show entries, participate in a kid's painting workshop, and meet several prominent wildlife artists, including Ohio's own Adam Grimm, winner of numerous state AND FEDERAL wildlife art competitions!  The winner of the contest will represent Ohio at the Federal contest being held in conjunction with the World Carving Competition in Salisbury, Maryland.

The U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Federal Duck Stamp Office, Washington D.C. sets the guidelines for the judging.  For rules and/or entry forms contact, Rebecca Hinkle, Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, 1.419.898.0014, Gary Luman, ODCCA 1.419.898.0906, or download at:

http://www.fws.gov/duckstamps/junior/junior.htm

You can also find information about the competition on the ODCCA's website at  http://www.odcca.net/show.htm ###

* DANCING WHEELS & ACCESSIBLE EXPRESSIONS OHIO: DEMONSTRATING ABILITIES:  The Accessible Expressions Ohio visual arts exhibition is the only known statewide, touring, art show for persons with all forms of disability. The tour visits locations throughout the state, touching the lives of thousands of Ohioans every year with its message of disability awareness and the unique abilities of all of us.  The 2007 opening ceremony will be held at the Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts on March 4, 2007. Adding to the festivities will be a performance by Dancing Wheels of Cleveland, the first modern dance company to integrate professional stand-up and sit-down (wheelchair) dancers.

VSA arts of Ohio is presenting the combined exhibition and performance to showcase artists in our state, letting them be known for their talents rather than for their handicaps. “If we can only get people to see how wonderfully talented the artists are, we can get them to understand the value of the arts in the lives of persons with disabilities” states Stephen G. Pleasnick, President of VSA arts of Ohio’s Board of Directors. “You have to experience an event like this to appreciate what it means to the people involved.”

Dancing Wheels will perform first at the event, at 4:00 PM in Studio Two. Tickets for the performance are available from VSA arts of Ohio for $20 each. An open reception of food and beverages will follow in the Studio Lobby, with the exhibition artwork on display including many pieces available for sale.  Recognition of the artists and the presentation of awards will take place  at 5:30, again, in Studio Two.  Attendance at the recognition ceremony is free. Contact VSA arts of Ohio at 614.241.5325 or info@vsao.org for more information or to make a reservation.

Since 1986, VSAO has provided opportunities for artists and audiences of diverse abilities to share their creativity through education, accessibility, professional development and outreach programs.  VSAO is a member of the international network of VSA arts, an affiliate of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.   

# # #

FROM:            Ohio Alliance for Arts Education

                        Donna Collins, Executive Director

                        Joan Platz, Information Coordinator

            Arts on Line, Education Update for January 16, 2007

IN THIS ISSUE:

1) GOVERNOR STRICKLAND TAKES OFFICE

2) 127^TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

3) ANNIVERSARY OF NCLB

4) NCLB CONSEQUENCES

5) STATE BUDGET PREDICTIONS FOR 2007

6) TOUGH CHOICES OR TOUGH TIMES

7) STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION

FYI ARTS

1)  Governor Strickland Takes Office:  Governor Ted Strickland and Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher took their oath of office on January 8, 2007.   In his Inaugural Address presented at the official swearing-in ceremony on January 13, 2007, Governor Strickland was hopeful and optimistic about the future of Ohio, and emphasized the role that education, creativity, talent, and productivity would play in turning Ohio around.  Said Governor Strickland, "I am convinced that the road to renewal - the road to a new, vibrant, growing Ohio, begins with building a system of education which is relevant to the needs of all Ohioans from pre-school through college and beyond."

Governor Strickland also stressed the importance of public education, which he noted is the "foundation of our ability to succeed."  He went on to say that, ".....those efforts which weaken public education - even well-meaning efforts - can only serve to weaken our mission of rebuilding Ohio."

On the issue of school reform Governor Strickland said, "And I expect and will encourage my fellow public servants to remind me that the goal of making our schools and colleges work cannot be achieved with simply more and more money.  We must be willing and brave enough to take bold steps to reform and renew the system of education itself.  We must be willing to experiment and innovate until we find a method or methods that work for every child in Ohio."

Governor Strickland's Inaugural Address is available at http://www.turnaroundohio.com/2007/01/governor_strick.php

2) 127th General Assembly:  Voting sessions for the Ohio House and Senate are scheduled for February 13, 2007, and committee assignments and chairs are expected to be announced soon.  Stay tuned!

3)  Anniversary of NCLB:  The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) turned five years old on Monday, January 8, 2007 and is scheduled for reauthorization this year by Congress.  Last week President Bush spoke at the U.S. Department of Education and reaffirmed that the reauthorization of NCLB would be a priority for his administration.

The reauthorization process began last year when the U.S. House Education and Workforce Committee chaired by Representative Buck McKeon held hearings on several aspects of the law, and the Commission on No Child Left Behind, led by Tommy Thompson and Roy Barnes, prepared recommendations for Congress.  Most education organizations (NEA, AFT, NSBA, etc.) have also submitted recommendations for Congress to consider for reauthorization, which some groups speculate will not occur until 2009!

While there seems to be overall support for the NCLB goals regarding improving student achievement and closing the achievement gap among groups of students, critics of the law raise concerns about its cost, teacher requirements, state measures of student achievement and state accountability systems, and what they see as flaws in the law.  One of the most cited flaws is rating schools as successful or failing based on the results of a single test in certain subject areas.

-For a summary of the effects of NCLB please visit http://www.cep-dc.org/nclb/NCLB-TenBigEffects.pdf

-For a view of the recommendations regarding the reauthorization of NCLB please visit http://www.aspeninstitute.org/site/c.huLWJeMRKpH/b.1200933/k.96C1/ResearchReports.htm

-For basic information about NCLB please visit the U.S. Department of Education's website at http://www.ed.gov/nclb/landing.jhtml and the Public Education Network's website at http://www.publiceducation.org/ -For "insider" information about the reauthorization visit http://www.edexcellence.net/doc/CrystalAppleNCLBBrief.pdf

4) NCLB Consequences:  Narrow Curriculum:  The Louis Calder Foundation, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, and The Thomas B.

Fordham Institute, Chester E. Finn president, hosted a day long conference on December 12, 2006 to discuss the narrowing of the curriculum, which has been one of the consequences of the NCLB Act.   The conference, "Beyond the Basics: Why Reading, Math, and Science Aren't Sufficient for a 21st Century Education", included presentations by Diane Ravitch - Brookings Institute; Kati Haycock - Education Trust; E.D. Hirsch - Core Knowledge; Toni Cortese - AFT; Lynn Olson - Education Week; Dana Gioia - National Endowment for the Arts; Marty West - Brown University; Chester Finn and Michael Petrilli - Thomas B. Fordham Institute; Jay Matthews - Washington Post; Sidney Harman - Harman International Industries, Inc., and others.

According to a summary of the conference at http://www.edexcellence.org, the NCLB Act has led to a narrowing of the curriculum in America's public schools.  History, civics, literature, and the arts are being neglected, and as a result, students are not being prepared to participate in the 21st Century.

This situation threatens the economic competitiveness of the U.S. in the global economy.  Some of the solutions discussed included increasing instructional time; testing more subject areas; and providing teachers with a coherent and focused curriculum, rather than one that is vague and broad.

5) State Budget Predictions for 2007:  Richard G. Sheridan, financial consultant for the Center for Community Solutions, offers his analysis of the 2008-2009 state budget in "State Budgeting Matters; State Budget Predictions for 2007."  This January 8, 2007 issue of the weekly publication on state finances is available on the web site of the Center for Community Solutions at www.CommunitySolutions.com.

In his budget predictions for 2007, Sheridan notes that, "Much of what the legislature did in enacting the current state budget will severely impact the upcoming state budget.  The individual income tax rate will continue to go down, causing a larger loss of state revenues in the coming biennium than was experienced during the current biennium.  As the new Commercial Activity Tax on businesses continues to be phased in, there will be more demands for excluding certain businesses and granting costly tax breaks to others.  Phasing out the tangible personal property tax will require more money from the state to reimburse schools and other local governments for the loss of revenue.  A new "building blocks" funding model for primary and secondary education will become more costly as it is fully implemented.  The legislature promised to repay tobacco settlement money "borrowed" to support state GRF spending from tobacco cessation and school construction set-asides, and doing so would be costly."

Governor Strickland and lawmakers will have fewer options to raise new state revenue in 2007.  Lawmakers of the 126th Ohio General Assembly enacted a 3.5 percent limit (State Appropriations Limit) on annual budget increases based on the state's general revenue fund appropriation for the prior fiscal year, and included a reduction in the amount of revenue collected from the new Commercial Activity Tax, if that tax reached certain levels.  Sheridan makes the following predictions for the next budget cycle:

Prediction #1: The nation will fall into an economic recession.  Even though some economists believe the national economy has made a soft landing, a huge trade deficit and defense spending may cause future problems.  Ohio will be hard hit if there is another recession, because it never really recovered from the 2001-2002 recession.  AND, the changes in Ohio's tax system have made the state's economy "...more dependent on economically-volatile taxes than it had been and will make it extremely difficulty to balance the state budget if there is a national recession in 2007 or 2008."

Prediction #2: The state will have insufficient current revenues to support current state spending.  The sales tax and income tax are especially sensitive to any negative change in the economy, which may happen in 2007.  Ohio's tax reform package already includes reductions in the personal income tax rates, a phase-out of the corporate franchise tax, and earmarks some funds from the new CAT to pay for the loss in tangible personal property taxes.  Even though the state has a $1 billion rainy day fund, there just might not be enough "current revenue" to balance "current spending".

Prediction #3: The next state budget will properly be labeled an "executive budget" rather than a "legislative budget."  Governor Strickland and his budget staff have the expertise to control the budget process and put their stamp on the state budget, unlike recent state budgets which have strongly reflected the interests of legislators.

Prediction #4: The FY 2008-FY 2009 state budget will not be enacted by the end of the current state budget on June 30, 2007.  This Sheridan prediction depends on the state's economy and the amount of state revenue available and how many policy changes opposed by the Republican led General Assembly Governor Strickland includes in the budget.

Prediction #5: Among the top four state spenders (K-12 education, Medicaid, Higher Education, and Aid to Local Government), the big budget loser this time will be Medicaid and the big winner will be Higher Education. According to Sheridan, higher education and local governments have been the big losers in recent state budgets. Medicaid and K-12 education have been the big winners.  Higher education will receive more funding since it was a campaign issue and is connected to local and state economic development.

The next issue of State Budgeting Matters will describe the fiscal issues that Governor Strickland and the General Assembly will face as they develop and debate the 2008-2009 state budget.

6)  Tough Choices or Tough Times:  A report issued in December 2006 by the New Commission on the Skills of the American Workforce called "Tough Choices or Tough Times" has increased debate among state policy makers and educators over what type of education system will best prepare a 21st Century workforce to maintain America's standard of living for future generations.

The report is the result of a two year study conducted by a research team assembled by the National Center on Education and the Economy for the New Commission on Skills of the American Workforce, chaired by Charles B. Knapp.  In 1990 the first Commission on the Skills of the American Workforce issued a report called "America's Choice: High Skills or Low Wages".  This new report, like the former, makes bold recommendations that would significantly change education systems in the states if enacted, and has raised many questions from the education community.  (See ED Week January 10, 2007 - "School Proposals in 'Tough Choices' Report Could Face Frosty Reception From States")

According to the Executive Summary of the report (which is available at www.skillscommission.org), America's education system is not preparing students to adequately compete in the global economy with well-educated workers from China, India, etc, and this situation will eventually lead to a decrease in the U.S. standard of living.

To compete in the new global world economy, "Strong skills in English, mathematics, technology, and science, as well as literature, history, and the arts will be essential for many; beyond this candidates will have to be comfortable with ideas and abstractions, good at both analysis and synthesis, creative and innovative, self-disciplined and well organized, able to learn very quickly and work well as a member of a team and have the flexibility to adapt quickly to frequent changes in the labor market as the shifts in the economy become ever faster and more dramatic." (p. 8 Executive Summary).

The report recommends that all students take "board" authorized examinations in subject areas beginning at the end of 10th grade.

Those who pass will move on to their local community college, technical/vocational school, or other education programs/training.

Those who do very well on the exams will take additional academic courses in high school to prepare for a second series of board exams, and if successful on those, will move on to a four year college, possibly with college credit for the courses taken in high school.

Students will be able to take the board exams when they are ready, and those who fail will be able to take the exams over again until they pass.

The current education standards, curriculum, and assessments used by states will also need to change to reflect the skills needed for the 21st Century workforce, such as "...creativity, innovation, facility with the use of ideas and abstractions, the self-discipline and organization needed to manage one's work and drive it through to a successful conclusion, the ability to function well as a member of a team, and so on."

According to the report this proposed education system will be more efficient than the current system, and could save $60 billion, which could be used to expand preK programs and pay for other education efforts such as scholarships, adult education, and retraining.

The report also recommends significant changes for the teaching profession.  Teachers would be employed by the state, rather than by local districts.  Each state would create a Teacher Development Agency to recruit, train, and certify teachers.  States would recruit teachers from among the top level students at universities.  The retirement and compensation systems for teachers would also change to attract more young people into the teaching profession, and effective teachers would be provided incentives.

A change is also needed in the way schools are funded, organized, and governed.  Schools would no longer be owned by local schools districts, but would be operated by independent contractors, such as a group of teachers, or profit or nonprofit organizations, which would report to a board of education or other governance group.  The schools would be fully funded by the state through a weighted pupil formula.

Adults would be encouraged to improve their workforce skills through free training, and the federal government would create Personal Competitiveness Accounts enabling everyone to get the continuing education and training they need throughout their work lives.

Regional economic development authorities would be created to coordinate education and training for adults to meet the educational and economic needs of a region.

For more information about the report please visit http://skillscommission.org/

7)  State Board of Education:  The State Board of Education met on January 8-9, 2007 at the Ohio School for the Deaf, 500 Morse Road, Columbus, OH.  The School Funding Subcommittee, chaired by Virgil Brown met on January 7, 2007 at the Embassy Suites in Columbus to discuss draft three of a report on school funding called "A New Direction for Ohio's School Funding:  Designing a System that Relates Resources to Results." Draft four was accepted by the full board on Tuesday, January 9, 2007.

On January 8, 2007 the full board convened to hear an update on state and federal legislation presented by Emerson Ross.  The Board reviewed legislation approved in the December 2006 by the 126th Ohio General Assembly before it adjourned, and discussed its implications, including the funding ($16.8 million) for school districts included in Am. Sub. SB 311 (Gardner) - Ohio Core Curriculum.  Board members also raised questions regarding the federal budget; reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act; work of the foreign language advisory council included in SB 311; and legislative recommendations regarding the territory transfers process.

The Achievement Committee, chaired by Mike Cochran, discussed the value added rules; the rules for the Honors Diploma; and the draft of the alternative pathway to the OGT for earning a high school diploma.

The Capacity Committee, chaired by Carl Wick and Jennifer Sheets, discussed procedures for the regional delivery system; recommendations regarding poverty-based assistance; the community school sponsor evaluation; and revisions to the Education Choice Scholarship rules.  These issues are described below:

Poverty Based Assistance:  Paolo DeMaria and Barb Mattei - Smith distributed a draft document called "Poverty Based Assistance: Finding and Recommendations".   The ODE was directed by the General Assembly in 126-HB 66 to review the Poverty Based Assistance (PBA) mechanism included in the school funding formula, and make recommendations regarding restrictions that should be added.  PBA replaced Disadvantaged Pupil Impact Aid as a mechanism to distribute additional dollars to districts to assist districts with high concentrations of students from families with low incomes to meet the educational needs of students.  This draft will be shared with stakeholders, and brought back to the committee in February, which may move it to the full Board for acceptance. The following recommendations were made:

*Maintain the current requirement that all funds be restricted in use for districts, but set $10,000 as a minimum for imposing these restrictions.

*Eliminate the difference in restrictions based on the poverty index of the district.  Districts were confused by the restrictions, because their poverty index changed over the fiscal year.

*Develop a list of allowable uses for PBA and provide that any of the funds received may be spent for any of the items listed.

*Provide a mechanism for districts to apply to the DOE for a waiver to expend funds for programs not listed.

*Continue to require annual final expenditure reports.

Community School Sponsor Evaluation:  Todd Hanes, Executive Director, Office of Community Schools, explained that the ODE is currently conducting a pilot study using the community school sponsor evaluation tools to establish base-line performance for its authorized sponsors.  The information obtained through this evaluation will be used by the State Board of Education to evaluate Community School Sponsors in April 2007, and the Board may be asked to take further action on sponsors in May.

There are over 60 community school sponsors, but the State Board has authorized sponsor agreements with 18 sponsors (125-HB 364), and 10 of these sponsors oversee schools that have been operating for over one full year.  These 10 sponsors and the Lucas County Educational Service Center are participating in the pilot study using the sponsor evaluation tools.

The results of this evaluation will be used to make decisions about renewing sponsor agreements, approving expansions or restrictions to sponsor authority, corrective action plans, and technical assistance.

A rating system (Exceeds Standard, Meets Standard, Fails Standard) will be used to identify the level of sponsor performance in the areas of academic, fiscal, organization/operation, and other areas across the three categories of technical assistance, monitoring, and intervention for each school sponsored by an authorized sponsor.  The ratings would be based on a point system for each category.

Year one of the pilot study will provide a baseline of performance; year two of the pilot study will determine sponsor performance compared to the baseline performance. The Office of Community Schools has been working with a newly formed sponsor association, Ohio Association of Charter School Authorizers (OACSA), which is affiliated with a National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) to help refine the tools that will be used.  The OACSA has been awarded a contract to build the capacity of sponsors to do their job.  The ODE has also hired Dr. David Evans to provide analysis.

The following three tools will be used in the pilot program, along with additional information provided by the Office of Community

Schools:

*Community School-Sponsor Quantitative Tool (CSSQ), which is populated with data from the ODE.

*Sponsor Self Evaluation Report (SSE).  Sponsors are asked to provide evidence of technical assistance, monitoring, and intervention regarding the schools that they sponsor.

*Community School Site Visit (CSSV), or the Community School evaluation of the sponsor.  The Community School comments on the technical assistance, monitoring, and intervention provided by its sponsor.

What are the consequences for sponsors and community schools?