The U.S. Department of Education has reported the results of the most recent administration of the National Assessment of Educational Progress science assessment, a test taken by a national, representative sample consisting of 122,000 8th grade students.  Test scores indicate three levels of achievement: Basic, Proficient, and Advanced.  The test is designed to measure students' knowledge and abilities in the areas of physical science, life science, and earth and space sciences.

The average, across-the-board test score increased from 150 in 2009 (the last year in which the assessment was administered) to 152, in 2011.  While the percentage of students performing at-or-above both the Basic and Proficient levels increased in 2011, there was no significant change in the incidence of students scoring at-or-above the Advanced level.  No state saw lower average test scores in 2011 than in 2009.

The latest iteration of the assessment saw a narrowing of the racial/ethnic gap, with average test score gains for both Black and Hispanic students outpacing that of White students.  On average, Hispanic students' 2011 test scores were 5 points higher than 2009. Black students' scores were 3 points higher, while White students saw a 1 point increase.
 
The report, which can be viewed here (in a 3.3 MB PDF file) notes that while public school students' test scores rose, the "private-public gap persists."  Private school students scored 12 points higher than their public school counterparts in 2011, compared to a 15 point difference in 2009.  According to the report, the reduction in the gap is "not significantly different."  (The report's technical notes indicate the persistence of a degree of sampling bias for private schools, even after attempts to control for such bias through statistical weighting were applied.)

Seventy-seven percent of private school students produced scores at-or-above the Basic level, compared to 64 percent of public school students.  At the Proficient level, 43 percent of private school students scored "at-or-above" compared to 31 percent of public school students, and 3 percent of private school students scored "at-or-above" the "Advanced" level "cut score" compared to 2 percent of public school students.

In 16 states, 2011 test scores were higher, at a statistically significant level, than in 2009.  In California, the average test score increased by 3 points, but the gain was not deemed to be statistically significant.  (State scores do not include private school students.)

Students also scored higher on the recent administration of the assessment across income levels.  However, the gap between students meeting the eligibility requirements for participation in the free and reduced price school lunch program (used as the assessment's indicator of low-income status), and others did not show a significant change.  Such stability may be viewed in a somewhat more favorable light considering that the percentage of low-income 8th grade students increased from 40 percent in 2009, to 45 percent in 2011 (which is not such good news).

While both male and female students evidenced test score gains from 2009 to 2011, a gender gap persists, with male students scoring 5 points higher than females.  The gap did not show a significant change from 2009.

On May 10, the State Board of Education (SBE) took action to approve a "state defined" application intended to secure waivers from certain sections of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (AKA "No Child Left Behind").  Last September, the Obama Administration offered states the option of applying for a "waivers package" that would release states and local school districts from various requirements of the existing law in exchange for a commitment to put in place a series of local reforms. 

California balked at pursuing the federal "package" for a variety of fiscal, political and practical reasons, and has now opted to submit a "state defined" application under the authority granted in Section 9401 of the ESEA.  A draft copy of the state's request can be found on pages 10-17 of the informational package prepared for last Thursday's meeting of the SBE.

California essentially seeks release from the accountability provisions of ESEA/NCLB that designate public schools and districts as being "in need of improvement" and, therefore, subject to various forms of "corrective action."  It had long been assumed that the massive federal education law would have been rewritten (or "reauthorized") many years prior to 2014, which marks the deadline established by the law for achieving 100 percent proficiency in reading and math.  As that date draws ever closer, however, a mounting number of schools and districts have become subject to provisions widely regarded as punitive.
 
It is unclear how the Obama Administration will respond to California's request.  Thirty-six states and the District of Columbia have already submitted waivers requests within the "package" guidelines presented by the U.S. Department of Education.  If California's "outside the box" application is granted, it may create push-back from states that have toed the Administration's line.  Therefore, it is reasonable to expect that California's application will neither be accepted, nor rejected outright, but that the USDE will offer a counter proposal inviting an ensuing process of negotiation.
 
Because it is unclear how the process will unfold, it is difficult to speculate about whether, and to what extent any waivers that may eventually be granted to California will impact private schools.  In addition to releasing public schools and districts from the above-mentioned accountability provisions, both the California request, and the Obama Administration's "package" contain flexibility provisions that provide public school districts with varying degrees of latitude when it comes to shifting money out of various ESEA programs and into Title I.  (The Administration's "package" provides the greatest degree of such flexibility.)  Depending upon the arrangement that is ultimately negotiated (if any), school districts may be able to move federal funds out of programs that are subject to private school equitability provisions, and use the money in ways that skirt such provisions.
 
CAPSO has weighed in on the discussion in the form of a letter submitted as part of the "public comment" process in advance of the SBE's May 9-10 meeting.  In addition to the letter, CAPSO expressed its concerns to both California Department of Education Deputy Superintendent Lupita Cortez Alcala, and CDE Federal Policies Liaison Cathy McBride at a May 10 meeting of the California Private School Advisory Committee. 

As the waivers application process unfolds, CAPSO will continue to partner with the Private School Advisory Committee, whose chairperson, Miriam Prum-Hess, recently testified before the SBE.  Our commitment is to uphold the principle that funds generated by private school students should accrue to the benefit of private school students. Together, we will press the state to remind local school districts that neither private school equitability provisions, nor consultation requirements may not be waived.

Stay tuned!

Updated Consultation Letter from CDE

The California Department of Education has issued an updated letter, reminding public school officials of their obligation to facilitate the participation of private school students and teachers in applicable federal programs funded by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.  The letter, dated April 24, 2012, and signed by Deputy Superintendent Lupita Cortez Alcalá, was mailed to all county and public school district superintendents, charter school administrators, categorical program directors, and district business officers.

The correspondence notes that: "Section 9501(c)(3) of ESEA requires the local educational agency (LEA) to consult with private nonprofit school officials in a 'timely and meaningful' fashion. Private nonprofit school participation requirements cannot be satisfied simply by inviting private nonprofit schools to participate in programs and/or activities designed for public school students, teachers, or other education personnel." 

Private school officials are strongly encouraged to read the letter, which can be viewed, here.


Teacher Retirement Trend Reversal?

The Education Intelligence Agency Communique reports that, "the number of California public school teachers who retired in 2011 declined for the first time in five years, and by a hefty 10 percent."  Moreover, teachers appear to be retiring later, with the median age of retirement increasing from 61.2 in 2001 to 61.9 in 2011.  However, the cohort of teachers that retired in 2011, "had fewer median years of service (25.5) than any previous group of retirees in the last 10 years."

A pared-down crop of retirees with fewer average years of service comes as welcome news to the California State Teachers' Retirement System (CalSTRS).  According to the Communique, pension payments made to retired California public school teachers have ballooned from under $4 billion in 2001 to more than $10.2 billion last year. Unfunded public employee pension benefits in California have been estimated to exceed half-a-trillion dollars. 
 
The EIA notes that "the average working California public school teacher earned $64,069 in 2011. The average payout to a teacher who retired in 2011 was $49,056."  Given that attempts to reform the pension system do not appear to be politically viable, the only alternative would seem to consist of raising additional revenue.  If you think the preceding numbers have no impact on California's private schools, the November ballot and its proposed tax increases might induce you to think again.


Read the CAPE Outlook

The May, 2012, edition of the CAPE Outlook newsletter contains an article detailing the "Philadelphia Great Schools Compact," a public-private alliance "aimed at replacing 50,000 slots in poor performing schools with high-performing alternatives by 2016-17."  The Compact, which was launched late last year, and which enjoys the support of Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter, Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Ronald Tomalis, and Philadelphia public schools chief education officer, Dr. Lori Shorr, can now count the Roman Catholic Archdiocese among its signers.  A product of Catholic education, himself, Mayor Nutter commented on the inclusion of private schools in the Compact: "The more options our children have, the more options our parents have, the more we can deliver high quality education for all young people, and that makes this city a better place to live, work, and raise our families."  The full article provides additional information about the arrangement and a link to the text of the Compact.

The May edition of the Outlook also contains a cover article addressing Louisiana's dramatic expansion of its school choice programs, a description of, and link to an interesting essay penned by CAPE board member Professor Charles L. Glenn, titled, "Disestablishing Our Secular Schools," and more. 

National Policy Summit Videos 

 

The American Federation for Children and Alliance for School Choice have been good enough to provide links to full videos of the keynote addresses presented at their recent National Policy Summit.  Just click on the links appearing below:

 

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal 

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie 

Newark Mayor Cory Booker 

Commentator Juan Williams 

Also available for viewing:

 

Breakthrough Victories for Children
Tribute to John Walton 

 

 

Maurice Sendak, 1928 - 2012

Maurice Sendak, nationally acclaimed children's book author and illustrator who later became a designer of theatrical sets, passed away last week at the age of 83.  Perhaps best known for his groundbreaking 1963 picture book, Where the Wild Things Are, which earned him the American Library Association's Caldecott Medal, Mr. Sendak was regarded as both brilliant and controversial.  Largely self-taught, he produced a variety of picture books that broke the bonds of convention, moving children's stories out of the realm of the safe and predictable, and into a world of uncertainty, both threatening and exhilarating.
In addition to the Caldecott Medal, 22 of his works have been named New York Times' best illustrated books of the year, and President Bill Clinton awarded him the National Medal of the Arts in 1996.  An obituary published in the New York Times notes that Mr. Sendak once received the following letter from a young reader: 


National Public Radio's Fresh Air broadcast provides excerpts from four interviews recorded with Mr. Sendak over the years, here.

Why, you might ask, am I writing about Romania?  Unfortunately, the answer will soon become evident. 

A couple of weeks ago, Romania's government collapsed in the aftermath of a parliamentary vote of no confidence.  At issue was the adoption of additional austerity measures designed to reduce the current year's budget deficit to 1.9 percent of Romania's gross domestic product.  By way of comparison, the U.S. deficit, as a percentage of GDP, was 8.5 percent in 2011.  The Dutch government recently rebounded from a government crisis similar to that of Romania's after its parliament agreed on a plan to trim that nation's deficit from its current 4.6 percent of GDP to the 3 percent limit established by the European Union.

What makes Romania's predicament noteworthy is that it has already initiated a series of tough austerity measures that have shown positive results.  Public sector jobs have been slashed by 14.8 percent since 2008, and remaining civil servants have had their wages frozen.  Such stringent belt tightening led to significant declines in Romania's budget deficits, which fell from 11.6 percent of GDP in 2008, to 7.3 percent in 2009, and 4.2 percent last year.  Swallowing the unpleasant medicine has also helped to produce a turnaround in economic growth.  Last year, Romania's economy grew at a 2.5 percent clip.  By contrast, the U.S. economy is currently growing at a rate of 2.2 percent.

Why, then, is Romania facing additional austerity measures?  The answer is grounded in the fact that foreign banks account for more than 80 percent of the nation's banking system.  To protect itself from sudden capital flight, Romania secured a $6.6 billion credit line from the International Monetary Fund and the European Union.  Now, the IMF is pressuring for the enactment of additional austerity measures.

Which brings us - yes, inevitably - to California.  The Golden State currently ranks 34th in GDP growth among the fifty states, meaning that California's economy is recovering at a considerably slower rate than Romania's.  While Romania's current 7.1 percent unemployment rate remains troublesome, it's nearly four percentage points lower than California's 10.9 percent figure.  Romania's population is about 44 percent that of California's, but California's estimated total debt (a figure in excess of $600 billion) is roughly ten times that of Romania's.
 
The truly scary comparison is this: Romania has already effected some rather draconian austerity policies, yet still faces the almost certain prospect of additional measures that are sure to result in considerable and widespread hardship, while California continues to pretend that there's some pain-free path out of our predicament.

Accustomed as we have become to budget impasses and flirtations with insolvency, this summer could well bring unprecedented political high theater to Sacramento.  Admittedly, it will take some doing to surpass last year's antics, when State Controller John Chiang cut off legislators' salaries for failing to pass a balanced budget prior to the June 15 deadline.  (A Superior Court Judge invalidated Mr. Chiang's action.)  This year, however, the "balanced" budget presented by Governor Brown is predicated upon the presumed passage of a series of revenue enhancing measures to be placed before voters in November.  To further complicate matters, the Legislature's chief budget analyst has opined that even should the Governor's package win approval, revenue will fall billions of dollars short of projections.

If the Governor's proposals should fail to win approval in November, what then?  According to Mr. Brown, massive cuts to education and social services will ensue.  Now that the projected budget deficit for the coming year has ballooned from the originally projected figure of $9.2 billion to a staggering $16 billion, it's difficult to imagine how Sacramento will be able to avoid additional austerity measures. 

Ron Reynolds

The next edition of the CAPSO Midweek E-Mailer will be published on June 6, 2012.