North Dakota Commission on Education Improvement
Commission Meeting Minutes
June 3, 2008
Fargo Public School District Office
The Chairman, Lieutenant Governor Jack Dalrymple, called a meeting of the North Dakota Commission on Education Improvement to order at 9:02 a.m.
Commission members in attendance included Lt. Gov. Jack Dalrymple, Mark Lemer, Doug Johnson, Paul Stremick, Jack Maus, Martin Schock, Greg Burns, Wayne Sanstead, Jon Martinson, Rep. David Monson, Sen. Tim Flakoll, and Rep. Rae Ann Kelsch.
After reviewing and amending the May 8th Commission meeting minutes (see attached), Sen. Tim Flakoll moved to accept the minutes; Wayne Sanstead seconded and the motion was carried.
The Lt. Governor started the meeting with Commission business. Lt. Governor would like to create a nominating committee to replace the vacancy of Mark Lemer. Although Mark will not be the Commission's official Business Manager, he will stay on the Commission as a technical advisor. The nominating committee includes Lt. Governor, Jack Maus, Doug Johnson, and Paul Stremick. Paul Stremick will become the large school representative.
The Professional Development Sub-committee Chair, Doug Johnson, discussed instructional coaches: expectations and what kind of cost factor to use. The Chair reported that larger school districts have great models and they are reliable. One model is to have one coach for every 500 kids. 180-200 coaches would be needed. That would equate to $10 million/year for instructional coaches or $20 million/biennium. Greg Burns asked about mentoring. Paul Stremick responded with explaining the mentoring process: an administrator nominates a teacher who would be a good mentor. The teacher goes through four-week training. The mentor teacher also attends 3-4 workshops throughout the year. There is also e-mentoring in the smaller school districts, depending on the number of new teachers in a building. Jon Martinson asked about the difference between mentors and instructional coaches. The mentor is a seasoned teacher that is partnered with a new teacher. An instructional coach helps all teachers develop instructional strategies - curriculum and professional development. Rep. Kelsch asked about the accountability of the extra funding for the instructional coaches. Doug Johnson said it would be reported on the MISO3 forms. Rep. Kelsch asked if we should offer mentoring models for school districts. Lt. Governor suggested all teachers may need access to mentors/coaches not just young teachers. Mark Lemer asked about funding. Do we need to scale it for the smaller schools in the factor based formula? Lt. Governor said a comprehensive approach needs to be developed for local needs, yet leave it flexible. ESPB could play an important role in this process. The Professional Development Chair, Doug Johnson, also discussed the issue of added time. He said adding more days to the calendar is not productive. The sub-committee discussed two early dismissals options: 1) Early dismissal days used in four two-hour blocks, 4 times a year (this would require one additional day) or 2) six-hour full days or two-four-hour blocks. The sub-committee also noted quality development models need to be analyzed. There were three differing opinions on the professional development sub-committee: 1) high quality, low impact; 2) local professional development; 3) statewide regional programs. There was discussion on groups needing to get together to decide what teachers want for professional development and whether adding more days will improve student achievement.
The Assessment Sub-Committee Chair, Paul Stremick, reported on state tests. The state test assesses on standards from the previous year. Greg Gallagher said the state is considering adding a 9th grade test. The NWEA MAP test is a formative test. Currently 90% of students are tested by NWEA. The consultants have assumed costs for testing in their analysis. Currently 80% of students take the ACT. 50% of students take the PLAN exam (tests Reading Math, and Science) and Minnesota students take the EXPLORE. Lt. Governor commented that prep work for the workplace and college is similar and there should be an assessment for career readiness. The WorkKeys assessment is available to anyone through Job Service. The Lt. Governor questioned why the sub-committee does not endorse the PLAN test. Kids need to be tested on reading, math and science early on in their school career. Rep. Kelsch asked about end of year assessments. She noted that schools are using tests to make sure students are ready for college to prevent remedial education. Mark Lemer asked if another academic test is necessary for the extra spending or should we train teachers/counselor/parents to use the current tests to their greatest potential. Rep. Monson said we already have too many tests and we should use the ones we already have. Greg Burns pointed out that higher education has a vested interest in offering remedial courses and extending college careers. Rep. Kelsch said that if K-12 uses a test for an exit exam, higher education needs to use that test for an entrance exam. There was discussion about requiring the ACT. What can we use to assess students earlier? Will the Longitudinal Data System help us track student's progress? If large sums of new money are going to be distributed, the legislature will want accountability. Mark Lemer said that schools like the PLAN exam because students understand it's value and it is easy for counselors to explain. It is a point in time snapshot. The NWEA test show progress over time; but schools don't use it as a summative test. There was discussion on needing assessment in 9th or 10th grade that will be a reliable predictor of how a student will do on the ACT. The Lt. Governor stated that the Commission needs to provide answers and not just ask questions. People look to the Commission for answers. Later Rick Buresh, Superintendent of the Fargo Public Schools, explained how they use the NWEA MAP data to predict ACT scores and to counsel students appropriately.
The Formula Sub-committee Chair, Mark Lemer, said right now the language in SB2200 says we need to compensate the most severe 1% of all special education students, even if it doesn't fit the threshold. We need to set the bar appropriately, and it makes sense to target the most severe 1%. They would be the most costly in the state. Thus far the demand for contract student reimbursement is below projections and we need to make adjustments in the multiplier for future years. There is no provision for the use of the excess funds, but Jerry Coleman will investigate whether it can be considered part of Foundation Aid.
In discussing expanded support for summer school, it was pointed out that the law only refers to remedial education for reading and mathematics at the elementary level. Summer school should be expanded to include remedial science and social studies at the middle school level. Rep. Kelsch asked if students would be assessed at the end of the course to determine if the student is failing. The response was that remediation is not just for students who fail but also for students who score low on a test.
For tutoring the sub-committee needs to come up with a factor that generates funding where it is needed. Discussion: What is the target per school? How do districts show they provided those services? How can you assure quality tutoring? Rep. Monson asked who was going to do the tutoring - existing staff, certified teachers. Sen. Flakoll asked if it would be possible to use the REAs. There are three levels of tutors: 1) tutors help with problems with particular concept or content area - immediate tutoring; 2) tutors help with struggling students in all content areas for a specific period of time; 3) tutors help with content area three times a week for extended periods. The most successful tutoring is immediate.
The Curriculum Sub-Committee Chair, Sen. Flakoll, asked Brian Walters and Sharon Miller to talk about the impact of students on economic development. Walters and Miller said that companies pick a location based on talent. It is critical to make sure our next generation has the right skill sets. Economic development policy is economic policy and education policy combined. The foundation of education from their perspective is to provide as much rigor as possible. Companies look for soft skills and there is more emphasis on communication and presentation. The 3rd year of math and science is critical to the future of our kids.
Sen. Flakoll presented a modified version of Indiana's Core 40: "ND Achieve" - current working title (see attached). There are four diploma options: ND Achieve Diploma, ND Achieve with Technical Honors, ND Achieve with Academic Honors, and ND General High School Diploma. Everyone gets a diploma - only the diploma says what a student received, no one else knows. Doug Johnson said that 75% of students are meeting the Math and Science requirements and 25% of students are not taking these credits. Jack Maus said that a majority of students will meet the highest of these requirements. Rep. Kelsch asked how many foreign language classes students need to take and is Spanish even a language requirement? There needs to be more discussion on curriculum among the sub-committee. When that is done, the sub-committee needs to start showing it to a wider audience and ask for responses. DPI would be a good place to start. ND Achieve would start with the freshmen in the Fall of 2009 and the first graduating class would be 2013. Jon Martinson had three concerns: 1) needs to be streamlined a bit; 2) advisors would need the document to know how to advise; 3) it needs to be simplified.
Behavioral counseling was discussed by the Commission. Cost is directly related to the number of students. Greg Burns asked if we should combine behavioral and career advisors. Mark Lemer said schools need counseling funding. Lt. Governor handed out a sheet defining career facilitators, advisors and school counselors (see attached). Mark Lemer said with regard to counselor and career facilitators we just need to allow a certain ratio, and authorize a certain percentage of the total counseling staff to be career facilitators. He also said that school counselors can do the job of career facilitators, but career facilitators can not do the job of counselors. The problem: Competition for time for counselors, because they have to choose between behavioral and career counseling. Martin Shock asked if we differentiate between K-12, K-6, and 7-12. Mark Lemer said the Commission should look closer at what Picus recommends.
Wayne Kutzer said that career advisors are a must. The career advisors would report to the principal, but would work as part of the counselor team. There is a need for a systemic plan for counselors. Online training is available for career development facilitators; the training is 120 hours. The Commission also needs to recognize nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants as another category of students support staff. Rep. Kelsch said that some school districts are partnering with Health Districts.
Transportation was also discussed by the Commission. Smaller schools are worried about transportation issues. Costs have skyrocketed - fuel and maintenance.
Dan Huffman shared the Fargo School District's vision and strategic plan (see attached). They are encouraging instructional coaches, mentoring, and professional learning communities. As far as professional development, Huffman asked the Commission to allow school districts flexibility for implementation of a professional development model.
Rick Buresh shared what the Fargo public schools were doing with coaching and mentoring models. He discussed the NWEA assessment. Buresh also liked the new diploma model; it adds challenge and rigor. He suggested to the Commission to avoid using the word "track" because of the negative connotation it took on many years ago.
Laura Carley shared her thoughts regarding a number of issues.
Meg Spielman-Peldo shared her report on why art matters.
Joe, a Science teacher, asked the Commission to not substitute a science requirement for a health education requirement.
The next scheduled meeting is July 7th in Devils Lake. The meeting will be held in the library at Devils Lake High School.
Lt. Governor Jack Dalrymple adjourned the meeting at 4:25pm.
