Yesterday the announcement of two bills that were filled in Oklahoma Legislature circled the twitter ranks. One pertained to the "parent trigger" and the other to unfunded or underfunded mandates. The parent trigger bill was supposedly bipartisan by having co-authors David Holt R-OKC and Jabar Shumate D-Tulsa. It calls for parents being able to change a school from public to charter if a school has a D or an F for two consecutive years or two out of three years on its state report card.
I am all for parents having a say and having empowerment. I just don't think this is right way to do it. For starters parents have a right to run for school board election, go to those meetings, join and be active in parent groups, and talking face to face with administration and teachers. They also can volunteer if they have the time. A second problem is moving it to a charter. Why? What makes a charter a guarantee of success? When the A-F report cards were issued by percentage of letter grades public schools outperformed charter schools. Meaning a bigger % of public schools got A's than Charter schools. My next problem is, what happens if no change during charter school. Is there a place for the charter to go back to public if it fails? No, there is not. And why? Because basically this is just another attempt at our Republican controlled representatives to get funds to charter schools. Why because business can make money. They can invest on them and charter schools are quite the investment nation wide. My last problem is the use of A-F. After the recent independent study by a panel of experts shot holes all through the validity and reliability of the test I don't think we should use them for a basis of changing a whole school. If and when the grading system is upgraded it might be used for something but not now, not in its current state. On a side note, why is it a good idea for it to take 50% to completely change a school and its make up but 60% to pass a bond to build building, update infrastructure and add technology, etc..
The second bill was one to create an Unfunded Mandate Relief program. This would require the SDE to make a listing of all mandates. It would then have to list out those that are not funded,0% funding, and those that are underfunded, 75%. If a mandate is unfunded or underfunded then a local school board has the option to opt out if you will of that mandate. Man does that put a lot of pressure on the legislature.
I know where I would put my money if I had to bet which one of these has the best chance to pass. I hope that teachers and parents will be very active and stop this onslaught on public schools that is currently going on. It is desperately needed.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Daily Disappointment and A-F
The Daily Disappointment or Daily Oklahoman whichever you choose released its take on the study of Oklahoma's A-F report cards. No real big surprise on there stance. Ever since one of the editors spouses got the chief of staff job, the Oklahoman has ripped any and all dissenters of Ms. Barresi and took up her points. Not ever pinning one article contradictory to her side or stances. Which is amazing to say the least and does lend to the credibility of the paper in my eyes. I am all for having a stance and standing by it to think you agree with someone all or time or approve of all their actions is insidious.
The Daily Disappointment tried its best this week to make the independent study by a group of experts to look partial. The paper tried to make it look like CCOSA and OSSBA, the organizations that represent administrators and school board members, did the study. They did this to try to make it not credible. The truth of the matter is these fine groups only asked for the report, it was done and researched by a group of experts. It was then given to Robert Linn, who works at the University of Colorado, not really an Oklahoman homer if you ask me. He wrote a not so nice comment section on Appendix A. In fact he said the state would be well advised to scrap the A to F report cards.
The report card, just as the administrators and parent groups said, contains numerous flaws. It goes against state law and federal mandates. It has sections that have no basis on validity or reliability which is the cornerstone of any measurement. It relies on to many things that are not under the control of schools, also mentioned by Mr. Linn and the research group.
The bottom line is the A-F report cards is a tool to try to prove reform is needed. We saw that in the decision on the growth model, also slammed by the research group. That wouldn't be so bad but the reforms this regime wants are corporate reforms. More high stakes testing so companies like Pearson can sell tests, practice tests, and workbooks. It is killing the education of today and the future of tomorrow. You don't get a better society by focusing all attention on two areas. You get a better society by teaching a well rounded education at the younger ages and then having the diverse fields to educate whatever pathway the students may choose. In those pathways you develop critical thinking and creativity. And it doesn't matter what the Daily Disappointment says!!
The Daily Disappointment tried its best this week to make the independent study by a group of experts to look partial. The paper tried to make it look like CCOSA and OSSBA, the organizations that represent administrators and school board members, did the study. They did this to try to make it not credible. The truth of the matter is these fine groups only asked for the report, it was done and researched by a group of experts. It was then given to Robert Linn, who works at the University of Colorado, not really an Oklahoman homer if you ask me. He wrote a not so nice comment section on Appendix A. In fact he said the state would be well advised to scrap the A to F report cards.
The report card, just as the administrators and parent groups said, contains numerous flaws. It goes against state law and federal mandates. It has sections that have no basis on validity or reliability which is the cornerstone of any measurement. It relies on to many things that are not under the control of schools, also mentioned by Mr. Linn and the research group.
The bottom line is the A-F report cards is a tool to try to prove reform is needed. We saw that in the decision on the growth model, also slammed by the research group. That wouldn't be so bad but the reforms this regime wants are corporate reforms. More high stakes testing so companies like Pearson can sell tests, practice tests, and workbooks. It is killing the education of today and the future of tomorrow. You don't get a better society by focusing all attention on two areas. You get a better society by teaching a well rounded education at the younger ages and then having the diverse fields to educate whatever pathway the students may choose. In those pathways you develop critical thinking and creativity. And it doesn't matter what the Daily Disappointment says!!
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Listening to the Experts
Recently Oklahoma EducationTruths, a great blog on Oklahoma education news, wrote about Oklahoma Legislators not listening to public education officials. I find this to be very true of a lot, not all, of the legislators I hear from. I hope with the release of the study on A-F that it can change.
If u didn't hear the Oklahoma State School Board Association and CCOSA the state school administrative organization asked for a study of the A-F report cards. The study was done by Research departments from OU and OSU. Well come to find out all the things that the school administrators and parent groups that spoke before the State School Board were true!! This report card is not valid, reliable, or a good tool for judging schools. They even went so far as to say it wasn't "meaningless". As it turns out the real truth is school administrators want accountability. They want to have it make sense and be reliable. Hopefully after this study Oklahoma Legislators will see that the experts in the field know what they are talking about on school issues. Hopefully they will start to listen to these experts and not people whose goals are to follow non experts who only care about privatization and profits.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
If u didn't hear the Oklahoma State School Board Association and CCOSA the state school administrative organization asked for a study of the A-F report cards. The study was done by Research departments from OU and OSU. Well come to find out all the things that the school administrators and parent groups that spoke before the State School Board were true!! This report card is not valid, reliable, or a good tool for judging schools. They even went so far as to say it wasn't "meaningless". As it turns out the real truth is school administrators want accountability. They want to have it make sense and be reliable. Hopefully after this study Oklahoma Legislators will see that the experts in the field know what they are talking about on school issues. Hopefully they will start to listen to these experts and not people whose goals are to follow non experts who only care about privatization and profits.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Monday, January 14, 2013
Funding Issues Need Addressed
As the 2013 Legislative season comes upon us there are many important questions to be answered for education. One of the many things that has been said before the session gets underway is that the legislature will look to prove education is important to this GOP lead group. Many educators have wondered quietly and loudly they don't feel important. Since 2010 when the GOP gained sole control of every state office and gained dominate numbers in each chamber of the legislature education has taken many hits. Some of them are financial and some are through mandates and the extra time and energy they require to address. Numerous issues have been raised about funding though.
The Oklahoma Legislature has passed a lot of mandates the last two years and that has been coupled with a reduction in money per pupil. The legislature has also dwindled some funds that go towards education with proposing state questions to limit ad valorem growth or take money out of the ad valorem intangible equation. When I have talked to Representatives and Senators one thing I hear a lot is that our state is not very big, population wise I assume. So I did a quick internet check and saw that by population we rank 28th.List here That even included D.C. and all territories. So it would make sense to me that we would be somewhere in the neighborhood of 28th in spending right? Well we all know that is not true. Not internet search for that one. We know Oklahoma is in the bottom three historically. The per pupil cuts the last couple years did nothing to change that. So its time for the legislature to show us they really do care. Hopefully they will this legislative season. Here is my wish list.
1. Per Pupil increase to pre-recession levels
2. Reduced funding for virtual students (They don't need same money as brick and mortor students)
3. Full fund mandates of RSA, ACE, & TLE
4. Replace funding lost from removal of Integible property from Ad Valorem
5. Increased funds for transportation. (Which hasn't been raised since 1988 I believe)
6. Increased rate for textbooks. (Currently at $57)
7. Increase to building fund rate (Have you seen what it cost to build these days)
I Know I ask a lot but its time to show Oklahoman's we are serious about public education. Fully fund it first. Provide money for what you will hold schools accountable for during the school year. No need to talk about guns, state boards, or anything else until we fund what needs funded. Our Kids and their future are worth it, lets prove that to them!!
The Oklahoma Legislature has passed a lot of mandates the last two years and that has been coupled with a reduction in money per pupil. The legislature has also dwindled some funds that go towards education with proposing state questions to limit ad valorem growth or take money out of the ad valorem intangible equation. When I have talked to Representatives and Senators one thing I hear a lot is that our state is not very big, population wise I assume. So I did a quick internet check and saw that by population we rank 28th.List here That even included D.C. and all territories. So it would make sense to me that we would be somewhere in the neighborhood of 28th in spending right? Well we all know that is not true. Not internet search for that one. We know Oklahoma is in the bottom three historically. The per pupil cuts the last couple years did nothing to change that. So its time for the legislature to show us they really do care. Hopefully they will this legislative season. Here is my wish list.
1. Per Pupil increase to pre-recession levels
2. Reduced funding for virtual students (They don't need same money as brick and mortor students)
3. Full fund mandates of RSA, ACE, & TLE
4. Replace funding lost from removal of Integible property from Ad Valorem
5. Increased funds for transportation. (Which hasn't been raised since 1988 I believe)
6. Increased rate for textbooks. (Currently at $57)
7. Increase to building fund rate (Have you seen what it cost to build these days)
I Know I ask a lot but its time to show Oklahoman's we are serious about public education. Fully fund it first. Provide money for what you will hold schools accountable for during the school year. No need to talk about guns, state boards, or anything else until we fund what needs funded. Our Kids and their future are worth it, lets prove that to them!!
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
What really matters
Soon after I publish this blog I will head to a funeral. A good friend of mine passed away from cancer over the weekend. Chad Pierce was his name. Chad is probably the single most nicest person I have ever met. I have never heard anyone say one bad thing about Chad and I have never heard anyone say anything bad about Chad. He is the highest form of a human being that God allows us to obtain. Words could never truly express his footprint on the world he lived in while here on earth. As we have told stories and comforted each other we have heard countless stories of people who Chad has meet maybe only once or for a weekend at a convention and came to the funeral home or to see the family because he impacted them that much. Some like that came as far as 250 miles. Chad returned to our hometown and was no question the biggest Madill Wildcat supporter of all time. So much so that the football players wanted to be at the funeral today.
Chad played trombone in high school and received a scholarship to play at East Central University. Chad was not the best member of either band. Chad did was not our valedictorian. Chad did not score a 36 on ACT. Chad did not get an engineering degree or study rocket science. He was however the best at what matters!! Loving others, being a great son, brother, uncle, colleague, and friend. I write all this to say this. All the state rankings that Michelle Rhee, Jeb Bush or any other corporate reformers want to put out or any state letter grade Janet Baressi, Bobby Jindal, or Tony Bennett give out won't ever truly measure the worth of person. Chad is an A+ I don't need a test or a complicated formula to tell me that!!!
RIP Chad Pierce
Madill Class of '93
Chad played trombone in high school and received a scholarship to play at East Central University. Chad was not the best member of either band. Chad did was not our valedictorian. Chad did not score a 36 on ACT. Chad did not get an engineering degree or study rocket science. He was however the best at what matters!! Loving others, being a great son, brother, uncle, colleague, and friend. I write all this to say this. All the state rankings that Michelle Rhee, Jeb Bush or any other corporate reformers want to put out or any state letter grade Janet Baressi, Bobby Jindal, or Tony Bennett give out won't ever truly measure the worth of person. Chad is an A+ I don't need a test or a complicated formula to tell me that!!!
RIP Chad Pierce
Madill Class of '93
Monday, January 7, 2013
Have It Your Way Dude: WE NEED ACCOUNTABILITY!!!!
Have It Your Way Dude: WE NEED ACCOUNTABILITY!!!!: We hear a lot from corporate reformers that there must be accountability. That is there argument for high stakes testing. Well I am sorry bu...
WE NEED ACCOUNTABILITY!!!!
We hear a lot from corporate reformers that there must be accountability. That is there argument for high stakes testing. Well I am sorry but I just don't buy that it is the only method of accountability. So lets look at how accountability works without testing.
First off the main issue should be financial accountability. The tax payers should know that the money they are giving is being spent properly. I don't anyone can argue with that measure. Currently schools send in reports and claims to the State Department of Education. They know our personnel, how there paid, and out of what accounts. They track administrative costs. If a district spends over the 8% allotment they have to go before the state school board and explain themselves. The board can waive penalty or enforce it. So financial accountability is there and handled. That is a really good thing.
So that brings us to academic accountability. For years accountability was held at the local level. Where it should rightfully be held. We have a legislature that sets how many credit hours a student had to have to graduate high school. They also set how many and what classes those had to come from. It was a minimum that almost all schools exceeded. The State department has the ability to check online that students are in those proper classes and has the ability to check to make sure the right classes are being offered. Any all laws or regulations passed by our legislature or SDE is checked for compliance. We have state and regional accreditation officers. Yet another form of accountability. Once a student finishes school the local school board signs off saying this group of students has meet those requirements and can graduate. Another form of accountability. An elected one. If you hear our SDE talk that is really important point, especially when it comes to their disagreements with their appointed board.
As you can see there is plenty of accountability of schools. That is not truly what corporate reformers care about, that is just how sell their products. Which we buy at an 18.2 million dollar clip. Which will raise significantly next year. So please stop the accountability nonsense. We have it and have it abundantly.
First off the main issue should be financial accountability. The tax payers should know that the money they are giving is being spent properly. I don't anyone can argue with that measure. Currently schools send in reports and claims to the State Department of Education. They know our personnel, how there paid, and out of what accounts. They track administrative costs. If a district spends over the 8% allotment they have to go before the state school board and explain themselves. The board can waive penalty or enforce it. So financial accountability is there and handled. That is a really good thing.
So that brings us to academic accountability. For years accountability was held at the local level. Where it should rightfully be held. We have a legislature that sets how many credit hours a student had to have to graduate high school. They also set how many and what classes those had to come from. It was a minimum that almost all schools exceeded. The State department has the ability to check online that students are in those proper classes and has the ability to check to make sure the right classes are being offered. Any all laws or regulations passed by our legislature or SDE is checked for compliance. We have state and regional accreditation officers. Yet another form of accountability. Once a student finishes school the local school board signs off saying this group of students has meet those requirements and can graduate. Another form of accountability. An elected one. If you hear our SDE talk that is really important point, especially when it comes to their disagreements with their appointed board.
As you can see there is plenty of accountability of schools. That is not truly what corporate reformers care about, that is just how sell their products. Which we buy at an 18.2 million dollar clip. Which will raise significantly next year. So please stop the accountability nonsense. We have it and have it abundantly.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Out with the Old in with the New
Well the old blog is going to under go some changes. I had originally decided to blog about my fitness and health adventures. While that is important to me as over the last two years or so I have lost around 30 pounds and went from someone who never exercised to running and doing sprint triathlons, something else has come up. The current trends in education have taken a front seat for me, that doesn't mean I'm putting the weight back on, just that I feel strongly about education. So this blog is changing to an educational blog. My thoughts and opinions, and those of colleagues and friends, will now dominate the blog. I may have a post or two to brag about a new run or adventure but mostly the important topic of education.
I would love for you to follow, share, and comment as we discuss the future of education.
I would love for you to follow, share, and comment as we discuss the future of education.
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