North Dakota Commission on Education Improvement
Commission Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, October 7, 2008, 9:00am
Minot City Auditorium
Commission Chairman, Lieutenant Governor Jack Dalrymple, called a meeting of the North Dakota Commission on Education Improvement to order at 9:06 a.m.
Commission members in attendance included:
Lt. Governor Jack Dalrymple, Chairman
Representative RaeAnn Kelsch, House Education Committee Chair
Senator Tim Flakoll, Senate Education Committee
Representative David Monson, Assistant House Majority Leader
Paul Stremick, Superintendent, Dickinson Public Schools
Mark Lemer, Business Manager, West Fargo Public Schools
Doug Johnson, Executive Director, ND Council of Educational Leaders
Jon Martinson, Executive Director, ND School Boards Association
Senator David O’Connell, Senate Minority Leader
Greg Burns, Executive Director, ND Education Association;
Wayne Sanstead, Superintendent, ND Department of Public Instruction
Jack Maus, Superintendent, Grafton Public Schools
Martin Schock, Superintendent, Elgin/New Leipzig Public Schools
Scott Privratsky, Business Manager, Devils Lake Public Schools
After reviewing the September 3, 2008 meeting minutes of the North Dakota Commission on Education Improvement, Rep. RaeAnn Kelsch moved to accept the minutes and Sen. David O’Connell seconded. The motion was carried.
Lt. Governor Dalrymple opened the meeting with Commission business. November 6, 2008 was agreed upon for the next Commission meeting to be held in Bismarck, at the State Capitol Building in the Roughrider Room.
The Lt. Governor announced that Governor Hoeven has requested the Commission to propose recommendations to continue moving North Dakota’s Pre-K initiative forward and opened the floor for discussion. Rep. Kelsch reported that federal law requires North Dakota to create a state advisory council to coordinate services for young children. The council will be responsible for developing a comprehensive plan for serving North Dakota’s young children, including the provision of state-funded pre-kindergarten education. An initial comprehensive plan must be submitted to the governor and legislative assembly by September 1, 2010. Rep. Kelsch added that $1-2 million may be available to fund pilot projects that would make Pre-K part of the basic education mission. Discussion followed resulting in the Lt. Governor requesting the Pre-K subcommittee and the formula subcommittee to develop two proposals:
- $2 million pilot projects, and
- State supported Pre-K program.
Doug Johnson, professional development subcommittee chair, presented the following recommendations from JoEllen Killion, regarding the addition of student contact days and professional development (PD) days:
- add two (2) student contact days (from 173 to 175 days);
- add one (1) PD day using current requirements (from 2 to 3 days); and,
- add four (4) early dismissal days for PD.
Commission discussion followed. Greg Burns reported that the ND Education Association (NDEA) fully supports this new emphasis on PD, but would like to monitor the PD programs to ensure teachers have more than just input—collaboration is key.
Janet Welk from the Education Standards and Practices Board (ESPB) made a presentation on the proposed mentorship program. The Lt. Governor suggested that for $2 million this would be an efficient use of the state’s money and expressed his appreciation for ESPB’s willingness to take on the mentorship program. Paul Stremick voiced his support for the mentorship program and Commission discussion ensued.
The Lt. Governor raised the need to determine an at-risk factor to support tutoring and counseling. The Commission arrived at a consensus of .05 as an appropriate at-risk factor.
The Lt. Governor requested Jerry Coleman from the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to present on the estimated excess costs for English Language Learners (ELL). Commission discussion following his report concluded that the estimated excess costs for a basic ELL program in rural North Dakota is the most expensive. Mark Lemer commented that he would like the Commission to focus on the most expensive 1%. Further discussion arose directing the formula subcommittee to devise an appropriate multiplier for the formula.
The Lt. Governor reported on the increased use of the capital improvement loan program and commented that he would like to see this program continued. Sen. Flakoll requested that the Commission support the renewal of the deferred maintenance initiative at the $10 million overall and $20,000 per school level. Discussion ensued and there was a consensus in favor.
Lisa Feldner, state CIO, reported on the following three new Information Technology Department (ITD) proposals:
- Fund the Power School project for all K-12 schools across the state;
- Increase bandwidth;
- Create a Longitudinal Data System (LDS).
Johnson reported that the ND Council of Educational Leaders (NDCEL) has passed a resolution to support both LDS and Power School and asserted the importance of these projects for all schools, but advised of the need for additional megabits to accomplish these projects.
Feldner noted the advantage of the common reporting system for school districts that would result if all schools use Power School. She added that the hardest data to gather is PD. Discussion ensued with the general agreement that the Commission is supportive of improving the quality of information.
Stremick, assessments subcommittee chair, reported that the subcommittee is supportive of the LDS and recommends that every school provides formative / interim assessments and that students be required to take a Career Interest Inventory (CII), using either Choices (free) or PLAN ($8.50/student). Stremick added that there would be no opt out provisions or deduct in the formula. Commission discussion followed.
Subcommittee chair, Sen. Tim Flakoll, updated the Commission of the following modifications to the tiered diploma proposal:
- The elimination of a senior year math requirement from all categories with the exception of students seeking a North Dakota merit diploma with academic honors. For this category, math was deemed a priority over the science requirement.
- The addition of 1/2 unit of health and wellness which may qualify to meet the physical education requirement.
- The incorporation of a dual credit option, providing the dual credit class and student performance are at college credit levels.
- The requirement of an electronic course for graduation.
Sen. Flakoll also reported on the subcommittee’s general agreement to award students graduating with an honors diploma with a $1,000 scholarship to any university within the state of North Dakota. Commission discussion followed.
The Lt. Governor brought up the need to strengthen tutoring activity in schools. Discussion arose leading to the general agreement that the Commission should put forth a recommendation for a number of tutors per ADM.
The Commission was in general agreement that up to one third of counseling staff could be career advisors. The Lt. Governor noted the Commission’s need for additional guidance from Career and Technical Education (CTE).
Steve Swiontek was complimentary of the Commission’s work on behalf of North Dakota’s children, particularly the Pre-K education program initiative. He also thanked Sen. Flakoll for the deferred maintenance fund.
After reminding the Commission of the next scheduled meeting on November 6, 2008 in the Roughrider Room at the State Capitol, the Lt. Governor adjourned the meeting at 4:49 p.m.
