A View from AASABruce HunterVASS Legislative ConferenceOctober 18, 2007Reauthorizing the Elementary & Secondary Education Act:Getting it Right this time1ESEA Reauthorization Its MovingHouseMiller/McKeondiscussiondraftissuedAugust30hearingonitSeptember10Miller/McKeonplanningmarkupendofOctoberfrustrationamongRsandDfreshmencloudpicture.SenateKennedy/EnzidraftreleasedOct.16noTitleIthoughMarkupscheduledforOct31Kennedy/EnzimethodofdevelopmentiscontroversialwithotherSenators,soprospectsarecloudyIfESEAisnotreauthorizedin2007,itmaynotbereauthorizeduntilanewPresidentisinauguratedin2009.2009. AASA is a key player in intensive bipartisan conversations AASA is a key player in intensive bipartisan conversations with crucial staff in both houseswith crucial staff in both houses2ESEA Reauthorization Its MovingTrouble In Paradise!Roll Call -Talks Stall on No Child Left BehindOctober 11, 2007, By Steven T. Dennis, Roll Call Staff “EffortstoreachabipartisandealonrevampedNoChildLeftBehindlegislationhavebrokendown,withRepublicanschargingthatHouseEducationandLaborChairmanGeorgeMiller(D-CA)hasrefusedtocompromise.”“RepublicanssaidWednesdaythatMillerhasshownlittletonowillingnesstoaccommodatetheirconcernsaboutanerosionofaccountabilitymeasuresandahostofotherissueswiththebillandsaythatunlessMillershowsnewflexibility,Republicanswillvoteenmassetokillit.“Werestillbetteroffwithcurrentlaw,”saidEducationandLaborrankingmemberHowardMcKeon(R-CA).”3ESEA Reauthorization Its MovingTrouble in Paradise!CQ TODAY, Oct. 12, 2007 7:15 p.m. Democrats Divided on No Child Reauthorization, By Michael Sandler, CQ Staff CaliforniaDemocratGeorgeMillerhasclashedpubliclywithRepublicansandtheWhiteHouseinrecentweeksoverhisvisionforrenewingalandmark2002educationlaw.Butanequallyprecariousfightisshapingupwithinhisowncaucus.Miller,chairmanoftheHouseEducationandLaborCommittee,ishearingnegativefeedbackbehindthescenesfromseveralDemocrats.TheyaretroubledbythediscussiondrafthecirculatedinlateAugustthatwillprobablyserveasthebasisforthelegislation.SomeofthestrongestcommentshavecomefromAlbertR.Wynn,D-Md.,whosentMilleraletterexpressingstrongconcernsregardingthedirectionweappeartobeheadinginreauthorizingtheNoChildLeftBehindAct.Wynnoutlinedfourareasinthedraftthatdidnotmeetwithhisapproval,includingtestingrequirementsthathavebecomethemainareaofdisagreementoverthelaw.IfthebillultimatelypresentedtotheHousedoesnotreflectsignificantchanges.Iwillhavedifficultysupportingitspassage,Wynnsaidintheletter.4ESEA Reauthorization Its MovingTrouble in Paradise!One key Republican staffers reaction to the Kennedy/Enzi draftWell,heresthefirstbatchoflanguagefromKennedy-Enzi.Itisnottheproductofabipartisanprocess,butitistheirfirstdraftoftheminorstuff.YallshouldpaycloseattentiontohighschoolsandhomelessandSDFS.Newmantraofthisreauthorization:MoreFederalcontrol.MoreFederalcontrol.Morefederalcontrol.NoETAatallonthestuffthatmatters,1111and1116.Maybenextweek,butwouldntholdmybreath.KennedystaffisnowsayingOctober31markup,butIwouldntputdownanyofmyownmoneyonthat.Ifithappensthatsoon,itwontbebipartisananditwontgetoutofcommittee.Theresjustnowaywecangetabilldonethiscongressatthispoint.Butpleaselookthroughthis_andsendme(andasmanyothersasyoucan)youroutrageaboutallofthefederalizationofdecisionmakingandthemassiveexpansionofobligationsandmandatesundertheseproposals.Itsdepressing.5Congressional PositioningChairmanMillersNon-negotiableList100%2013-14DisaggregationPenaltiesforcontinuedlowtestscores6Miller/McKeon Discussion DraftTheconceptualcoreofNCLBremains100%,2013-14,testingeverystudenteveryyear,AYP,matrixforevaluationThediscussiondraftaddressesmanycomplaintsGrowthmodel,multiplemeasures,differentiatedconsequences,greaterfocusonassistanceTherearemanynewconceptsandmandatesMorepaperwork7Carry Over from NCLB to the Discussion DraftThediscussiondraftcontinuedthefollowingprovisionsfoundinNCLB:Thegoalof100%proficiencybythe2013-14schoolyearTherequirementtotestatleast95%ofthestudentsingrades3-8everyyearinreadingandmathandthenonceagaininhighschoolonstatewidetestsbasedonstatestandards.8Carry Over from NCLB to the Discussion DraftTherequirementthatthetestsbebuiltaroundtheconceptofgradelevel.Therequirementtosetahighperformancestandardcalledproficiencyforgrades3-8and10asthetargetforallstudents.Therequirementtodisaggregatefindingsfor8groupsofstudentsandreporttheresultstoparentsandthecommunity.9Carry Over from NCLB to the Discussion DraftTestingEnglishlanguagelearnersoncontentinEnglishafteroneschoolyear.TherequirementtocomputeAdequateYearlyProgress,AYP,basedonAnnualMeasurableObjectivesthatleadallstudentsandallgroupsofstudentsto100percentproficiencybythe2013-14schoolyear.Evaluationofschoolsandschooldistrictsusinga36cellmatrixofallgroupsofstudentswherefailuretohitannualmeasurableobjectivesforanygroupofstudentswasjudgedtobefailure.10Carry Over from NCLB to the Discussion DraftPenaltiesareprescribedforschoolsthatfailtohitannualmeasurableobjectives.Thepenaltieslevied,inorderofprogression,include:PermittingstudentsinaschoolthatmissedAYPtomovetoanotherschooloftheirchoiceinthedistrict.PermittingstudentstopurchaseafterschooltutoringfromalistoftutorssuppliedbythestateReopeningtheschoolasacharterschoolHiringanoutsidegrouptoruntheschool,andReconstituting(redesigning)orclosingtheschool11Departures from NCLB in the Discussion DraftPermittingthestatestomeasuregrowthinproficiencybylookingatscoresofcohortsfromyeartoyear.Thechangeinthepercentageofstudentsscoringproficientfromyeartoyearisdeterminedtobethevalueadded.StatesarerestrictedtothedefinitionofgrowthusedbytheU.S.DepartmentofEducationunderthecurrentregulations.Thisrestrictivedefinitiondoesnotfitthedefinitionofgrowthmeasuresusedbymanypsychometriciansbecauseitisbasedonscoresoftestsaimedatgradelevelforgroupsandnotindividualscoresbasedoncurrentachievementlevel.Permittingstatestousemultiplemeasuresofachievementbeyondtheannualstatewidetests.Thediscussiondraftlimitsoptionstoforbothelementaryandsecondaryschools.Thespecifiedoptionsareanotherstatewidetestinelementaryschoolsandgraduationrates,ratesofcollegereadinesstestslikeAPandIB,ratesofenrollmentinaccreditedpostsecondaryinstitutions,andscoresonastatewideformativeassessment.Ifthestateelectstomeasuregrowthandadditionalfactorcanbegrowthfrombelowbasictobasic;basictoproficient;andproficienttoadvanced.Themultiplemeasuresareallowedtobeusedtopreventaschoolfrombeingidentified.12Departures from NCLB in the Discussion DraftCodifyingtheregulationsforassessmentofspecialeducationstudentsbyincludingtheonepercentandtwopercentrulestotestingspecialeducationstudentsandtherestrictionontheoutoflevelassessmentstowithintheonepercentcap.Thischangesthelanguageofthestatutebutnotpracticesbecausetheregulationsspecifiedpractices.TestinganygroupofELLstudentswhocompriseatleast10percentofallELLstudentsinthestateintheirnativelanguage.CreatingtwotiersforschoolsmissingAYP:HighPriorityandPriority.HighPriorityschoolshaveagraduationrateof60%orless;lessthanofstudentsscoringproficient;lessthaninanydisaggregatedgroupareproficientifthestateusesagrowthmodel.SanctionsarelimitedtoHighPriorityschools.Requiringstatestouseastandardcalculationofgraduationrates,todisaggregatetheratesandtousetheratesforAYPinaveryspecificway.13Departures from NCLB in the Discussion DraftRequiringstatestoverticallyalignstandards,whichwouldmakemeasuringgrowthmoreaccurate.Addingthegoalsofcollegeandworkplacereadinesstothestatestandards.Changingthestandardforidentificationformissinganycelltomissingthesamecelltwoyearsinarow.14Departures from NCLB in the Discussion DraftExpandingtheimprovementtimelineandgivingschoolsasecondyeartoimprovebeforepenaltieskickin.Providinggreateroversightoffirmsandgroupsofferingtutorialservices.15Controversial Changes and New ProvisionsNEAandAFThaveveryseriousproblemswithtwonewinitiativesinthediscussiondraft.Calculatingcomparabilitybycomparingtheaverageteachersalaryinhigh-povertyschoolstotheaveragesalaryinlow-povertyschools.ProvidinggrantsforperformancepayinTitleIIthatatallrelatetostudentperformance.16Controversial Changes and New ProvisionsAASAalsohasseriousconcernswithnewprovisionsofthediscussiondraftincluding:CodifyingtheregulationsregardingassessmentofspecialeducationstudentsheightenstheconflictbetweenIDEAandTitleIofESEAregardingstudentassessmentbecauseofIDEAsemphasisonindividualsandNCLBsemphasisongroups.Thecalculationofgraduationratesfailstorecognizethatspecialeducationservicesarepermitteduntilage21.TheHouseisworkingofafixforthatcontradictionthatconceptuallyseemstoworkbuttheproofwillbeinthetextofthechairmansmark.17Controversial Changes and New ProvisionsThegraduationcalculationoptionswilloverstatedropoutratesbynotincludingstudentsinalternativeschoolsandstudentswhogetadiplomathroughadulteducation.Theincreasednumberofstudies,plans,reportsandstaffingmandates.AASAcounted46newrequirementsinthediscussiondraftwithnoadditionalresources.18Controversial Changes and New ProvisionsTheproposedexpansionofservicesforhomelessstudentsundertheMcKinneyVentoHomelessActaloneadds12newrequirements.ExtendsschooloforigintransportationrequirementthroughhighschoolgraduationAddsanewIDEAlikedisputeresolutionprocess19Proposed:Highly Qualified TeachersEachlocal educational agencyreceivingassistanceunderthispartshall ensurethatallteachershiredandteachinginaprogramsupportedwithfundsunderthispartarehighlyqualifiedLOCALPLAN.Aspartoftheplandescribedinsection1112,eachlocaleducationalagencyreceivingassistanceunderthispart shall develop a plan to ensureitscompliancewiththerequirementthatallteachersteachingwithintheschooldistrictservedbythelocaleducationalagencyarehighlyqualified.20Proposed:Highly Qualified TeachersHOUSSEprovisionseliminatedDiscussionofrestoringforspecialeducationteachersButnorecognitionofRuralissuesMath/Science/WorldLanguageteachershortages21Proposed Changes in PenaltiesDifferentiatedConsequencesHighPriorityMorethanstudentsnotproficient,Gradrateof60%orlessPriorityMissedAYPThirdyearbeforepenaltieskickinCausedbysamegroupmissingAYPtwoyearsinarowAddressHighPriorityschoolsfirstRedesignratherthanreconstitution(5)SUPERVISIONBYSUPERINTENDENT.Thesuperintendentorchiefexecutiveofthelocaleducationalagencyshalldirectlysupervisetheredesignofeachschoolbeingredesignedunderthissubsection.”22Proposed New Reports, Plans, Studies and Staffing Mandates14 new reports, studies, plans and staffing 14 new reports, studies, plans and staffing mandates required in Title I of the mandates required in Title I of the discussion draftdiscussion draft32 new reports, studies, plans and staffing 32 new reports, studies, plans and staffing mandates required in Titles II-XI of the mandates required in Titles II-XI of the discussion Draftdiscussion DraftThe Grand Champion of New MandatesGrand Champion of New Mandates is the Stuart McKinney Education for Homeless Children and Youth Act with 1212 new requirements23Proposed Computing AYP A High School Example24AASA Executive Committee Positioning AASA 10-06-07AASAviewsESEAasanimportantinstrumenttopromotesocialjusticethroughitsfocusonequaleducationalopportunitiesforlowincomeandminoritystudents.UnfortunatelythepoliciesandpracticescontainedintheMiller/McKeondiscussiondraftarenotsufficienttoimproveachievementamonglowincomeandminoritystudents.AASAiscompletelydismayedbythetopdown,commandandcontrolstructuregoverningdecisionsaboutteachingandlearning.ThemanycomplexdecisionsrelatedtoeducatingindividualchildrenaretoofarremovedfromWashingtonandtootemperedbyfamilyandneighborhoodconditionstocontrolthroughfederalpolicy.Furtherthereislittleevidencethatrigid,prescriptivefederalpolicyimprovesachievement.Thedownsideofatopdown,commandandcontrolstructurealsoincludeslostopportunitiesforimprovedachievementthroughindividualizedpoliciesandpracticesforspecificstudentsthatareforbiddenbyarigid,onesizefitsalllaw.Therefore AASA will withhold support for the discussion draft until sufficient changes, additions and deletions have been made to produce the desired results.25AASA Executive Committee Positioning AASA 10-06-07AddingbothaclearpromisetofullyfundTitleIofESEAandPartBofIDEAandaclearpathtofullfundingforTitleIandIDEA.Addingreal,valid,reliableandstandardsbasedmeasuresthataccuratelymeasureeachstudentsactualstartingpointandgrowthovertime.Thevalueaddedmodelinthediscussiondraftisaslightimprovementontheonceayearsnapshottests,butistooweaktoprovidetherichdiagnosticdataoneachindividualstudentneededtobringallstudentstoproficiency.SettlingthecontinuingconflictbetweenIDEAandTitleIofESEAinfavoroftheindividualizedinstructionandassessmentrequiredbyIDEAinthefollowingways:Eliminatethearbitrarycaps(1%and2%)onstudentassessmentandadddevelopmentallyappropriatemeasuresandassessmentscalledforinthestudentsIEP;IncludetheIDEAmandateforservicestohighschoolgraduationorage21(upto26insomestates)inthecalculationofgraduationrates.26AASA Executive Committee Positioning AASA 10-06-07PermittingstatestodetermineappropriatemeasuresandassessmentsforEnglishlanguagelearnersbasedonstateapprovestestsandtheprofessionaljudgmentofteachersandadministrators.Permittinglocalschooldistrictstoimplementformativeandadaptiveassessmentsthatprovideinstantfeedbacktostudents,teachers,administratorsandparentstoguideindividualinstructionaldecisions,andincludethelocalmeasuresintheaccountabilitysystem.Eliminatingallplans,reports,auditsandstaffingmandatesthatarenotfullyfundedandnotcriticaltoimprovedachievementforlowincomestudents.27AASA Executive Committee Positioning AASA 10-06-07PermittingstatesgreaterlatitudeinselectingmeasuresofachievementandprogramstrengthbeyondthelimitedmultiplemeasuresoptionsintheMiller/McKeondiscussiondraft.Addingarequirementforcompleteandimmediatetransparencyforallstateandfederalplans,requests,guidance,policylettersandresponsestostaterequests,andplans;eliminatesweetheartdealswithsomestatesandschooldistricts;andeliminateviolationsoftheDepartmentofEducationOrganizationActthroughbetterandmoreregularCongressionaloversight.Sharpeningthetargetingoffundstoschooldistrictsandschoolswherepovertyisconcentratedbasedonthepercentageofsuchstudents.28AASA Executive Committee Positioning AASA 10-06-07AddingmoreassistanceandsupportforschoolsandschooldistrictsthatmissAnnualMeasurableObjectives,AMOs,ratherthanpunishmentsthatdonotimprovestudentoutcomes.Eliminatingthecomparabilityrequirementforequalperpupilspendingonteachers.Thecomparabilitycalculationmistakenlyequatessalarywithteacherquality.Becausethisisanewcalculation,thecostspentgatheringandanalyzingdatawillbemassive.Thiswillgeneratealotofnewpaperworkwithnobenefittostudentachievementbecausethereislittleconnectionbetweenteachersalaryandstudentachievement.Eithereliminatingallteacher,administratorandparaprofessionalcredentialingrequirementsorrestoringtheHOUSSEprovisionsincurrentlaw.Ruralschooldistrictshaveaparticularlydifficulttimeattractingandretaininghighlyqualifiedteachersandnearlyallschooldistrictshavedifficultyfindingteachersinsomeareas,particularlyspecialeducation,math,scienceandworldlanguages.29AASA Executive CommitteeProposed Additions- Region 5Eliminatingtheproposedextensionofschooloforigintohighschoolgraduation,andtheproposeddisputeresolutionprocedure.Clarifyingthehighschoolgraduationratecalculationtoinclude:specialeducationstudentsuptoage21basedontheirtransitionplandevelopedaspartoftheirIEPatage16,studentsinalternativehighschoolswhograduatefromhighschooleventhoughitmaytakethemlonger,studentswhoachieveahighschooldiplomathroughanadulteducationclass,andstudentswhohaveserioushealthproblemsorotherissuesthatremovethemfromschoolforextendedperiods.30Thank You-Any questions?31