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Legislative Update A Communication for Parents and Education Supporters in SEE Districts |
March 6, 2009 |
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If this is your first Legislative Update from SEE - Welcome!
Brad Lundell, Executive Director for SEE, writes a blog on almost a daily basis. For up-to-date detailed information about what is happening at the capitol visit Brad's Blog. | |
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If this communication was forwarded to you, sign up to receive it directly by clicking on the box below: | |
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Testing and Assessments
SF405 has been proposed as an immediate fix to avoid having a large percentage of students who otherwise meet all graduation requirements but did not pass the GRAD test to use an alternate path to get their diploma. The Senate Education Committee continues to look into a long-range plan for the testing and assessment of Minnesota students.
The number of tests Minnesota students take and the cost to administer these tests has risen dramatically over the last decade. Studies have shown that summative assessments such as the MCA-II only provide information and do not impact student achievement or provide immediate feedback for teachers. The Federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) act requires states to test children using a specified method and the MCAs do meet NCLB testing requirements.
Formative and adaptive tests such as NWEA/MAP/RTI that can be part of the instructional process to inform both teachers and students about student proficiency have not been allowed at the federal level to satisfy the NCLB requirements. Recently, some states have received waivers to use formative and adaptive tests for NCLB. Thus, this is a good time to explore a long-term comprehensive plan on the best way to assess students to get the most benefits while reducing cost and frequency of testing. For more information, see the Statewide Assessments presentation from the Minnesota Department of Education which includes the history of testing, the costs associated with the testing and the departments proposals for a future assessment system.
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Mandate Reduction
The House Mandate Reduction Working Group finished their work with the HF920 - Mandate reduction bill which was heard in the House K-12 Policy Committee on Thursday. Representative Tom Tillberry added this amendment to the bill that removed or amended an additional 10 mandates.
The working group included an amendement to the Safe School Levy even though it was not in the original list of 24 mandates it reviewed. The Safe School Levy has language that requires districts to maintain previous year spending levels in certain support services including counselors, nurses, and psychologists. Districts do value the fine professionals in these areas. However, our school districts could find themselves in the situation where a counselor or nurse at the top of the pay scale retires. The district could hire a competent replacement at the entry level pay scale. With the dollars that remain between the salary of the retiring staff member and the new staff member, the district can hire/retain another professional. In these trouble times, the districts might want to use these precious resources to prevent a cut to a staff position in reading, writing, math or technology rather than add additional staffing to the areas covered in the Safe School Levy.
HF920 amends the Safe School Levy to require districts to maintain previous year staffing levels rather than dollar levels. Although helpful, SEE would have preferred that the mandate was eliminated to maintain local control and let school districts decide how to provide the best overall educational experience in their district. |
| The Budget Deficit
The updated February forecast was released this week. One media source reported that the budget deficit in Minnesota dropped from $4.8 billion to $4.57 billion - a very misleading comment. The current budget deficit is $4.57 billion because the state factored in about $1.8 billion dollars of federal stimulus. The actual deficit grew in Minnesota by $1.6 billion. The recession continues to deepen and tough decisions will still have to be made. |
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What You Can Do
- Attend Parents United's 7th Annual Parent Leadership Summit on Monday March 16 from 8:30 - 3:30. This is an excellent opportunity for parents and education supporter to network with others from across the state and meet with their legislators in the afternoon. If you would like to attend and need help setting up appointments with your legislators, just contact me and I can help. The morning program includes for the first time in one parent-accessible venue, three reports with huge implications for education in Minnesota:
- The Lost Decade, Katherine Blauvelt, Minnesota Budget Project
- Kitchen Table Budget Principles, Jermaine Toney, Organizing Apprenticeship Project
- Smart Investments in Minnesota Students, Angie Eilers, Growth and Justice.
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If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Working together, we can make a difference.
Deb Griffiths
Director of Communications and Community Outreach
Schools for Equity in Education
612-309-0089
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Upcoming Scheduled Education Committee Meetings
These committee meetings were current when published but schedules are very fluid at the legislature. If you plan on visiting a committee meeting, verify the agenda by clicking on the links below.
In the Senate . . .
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
E-12 Education Budget and Policy Division Chair: Sen. LeRoy A. Stumpf 8:30 a.m. Room 112 Capitol Agenda:
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
E-12 Education Budget and Policy Division Chair: Sen. LeRoy A. Stumpf 8:30 a.m. Room 112 Capitol Agenda: S.F. 11 Saxhaug Online learning providers requirements modification. S.F. 33 Olseen Type III school bus drivers qualifications modifications. S.F. 358 Dahle Resolution to not reauthorize the No Child Left Behind Act.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
E-12 Education Budget and Policy Division Chair: Sen. LeRoy A. Stumpf 8:30 a.m. Room 112 Capitol Agenda: S.F. 314 Skogen Education finance operating referendum revocation voter signature requirement modification. S.F. 851 Saltzman Minnesota reading corps program establishment and appropriation. S.F. 913 Bakk Greenhouse gas emissions reduction; land use planning, development, incorporations and minimum acreage standards restrictions; redevelopment grant program bond issue and appropriations.
In the House . . .
K-12 Education Finance Upcoming Meetings
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Committee Deadlines
Deadlines Set: It may seem like minutae, but the legislative deadlines often play a huge role in how the business of the legislature unfolds, especially near the end of session. This year, with the major budget challenges facing the state, the deadlines will likely take on even greater importance.
The deadlines are as follows:
First Deadline--Friday, March 27: Last day for policy committees to act favorably on bills in the house of origin (in English, last day for Senate policy committees to act on Senate Files and House policy committees to act on House Files).
Second Deadline--Tuesday, April 7: Last day for policy committees in either body to act favorably on bills or companions of bills that met the first deadline in the other house (in English, House policy committee may act upon HF XX if SF YY met the first deadline in the Senate).
Third Deadline--Thursday, April 16: Last day for House and Senate budget divisions to act favorably on omnibus education funding bills (This is the one the education community watches most closely, as Senator Stumpf and Representative Greiling will have to have the omnibus K-12 bills out of their divisions no later than this day).
Fourth Deadline--Wednesday, April 22: Last day for Senate Finance Committee and House Ways and Means Committee to act favorably on an omnibus appropriations and tax bills.
Fifth Deadline--Thursday, May 7: Conference committee reports on omnibus appropriations and tax bills must be reported to the floor. This is new for this year and will give the Legislature nine working days to pass their major funding and tax bills and send them to the Governor for signature or veto. | |
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