Discussions and analysis of Governor Schwarzenegger's proposed
budget for education began in earnest in February as release of
President Bush's budget proposal added to the funding concerns
of California schools. I am making the case to education and budget
subcommittees in the Legislature that the Governor's proposal
amounts to flat funding or less for our school districts and that
the $2.3 billion owed under Proposition 98 should be fully restored.
The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst agrees that education funding
in the proposed budget is essentially flat and opposes shifting
the burden of $433 million in State Teachers Retirement System
(STRS) costs from the state to school districts.
The President's budget proposal cuts education funding by 1 percent,
thus eliminating 48 programs at a cost of $578 million to California
schools. I share with the Governor particular concern about the
proposed $130 million federal cut to career technical education.
Overall, the federal budget proposal represents another blow to
schools trying to educate our students to high standards on a
bare bones budget.
I've also continued to express to federal education authorities
our great concern with the current inflexibility of the No Child
Left Behind (NCLB) Act. Last week, the National Conference of
State Legislatures issued a significant report on NCLB, concluding
that more flexibility and funding are needed to make the act workable.
I'm pleased that the report also specifically endorses giving
states flexibility to use a growth model of accountability, such
as California's Academic Performance Index, rather than the "status
bar" approach now required for measuring adequate yearly
progress under NCLB.
I am attempting to set up a meeting with U.S. Secretary of Education
Margaret Spellings to discuss ways to make the Act more workable
and sensible for California's schools while holding true to the
goals of accountability and improved student achievement. Of particular
concern is the federal government's resistance to California's
definition of districts identified for Program Improvement. Should
federal authorities refuse to accept our definition, potentially
hundreds of school districts across the state will be placed in
this category, and the vast majority of schools and districts
will follow within the next couple of years. I continue to maintain
that an accountability system that labels nearly all schools as
failing lacks the credibility essential to accountability itself.
I'm pleased to announce my package of sponsored legislation for
2005, which will support my initiatives on quality preschool,
nutrition and health, high school improvement, and accountability.
Assembly Bill 1032 by Assembly Member David Jones (Preschool
Initiative) will provide Preschool Instructional Support Grants
to state-funded preschool, childcare and development, and family
literacy programs serving preschool age children for professional
training on reading/language arts, and mathematics standards to
classroom teachers and aides.
AB 1246 by Assembly Member Lois Wolk (Preschool Initiative) will
authorize the State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SSPI)
to adopt pre-kindergarten content standards in reading/language
arts, mathematics, history/social science, and science. These
standards will be fully aligned with academic content standards
adopted by the State Board of Education. Regional hearings will
take place for parents and the public to comment on the proposed
standards. Upon adoption of the content standards, the SSPI is authorized to develop curriculum
frameworks for the four core content areas.
AB 1392 by Assembly Member Tom Umberg (Health and Nutrition Initiative)
will change the waiver requirements for free and reduced price
lunches during summer school to ensure that students have reasonable
access and enough time to eat this meal.
Senate Bill 567 by Senator Tom Torlakson (Health and Nutrition) will require
local education agencies participating in federal free and reduced
price lunch programs to develop a local school wellness policy.
This policy should include goals for nutrition and physical activity
that promote student wellness; assurance that nutrition guidelines
meet state and federal requirements; include a measure for determining
the effectiveness of the wellness policy; and be developed by
the school board, school food services professionals, and parents/guardians.
AB 564 by Assembly Member Betty Karnette (High School Initiative)
will authorize the SSPI to develop a matrix that demonstrates which
high school instructional materials meet our state's content standards.
In addition, the SSPI is authorized to assess a fee from publishers
for each textbook/basic instructional materials program that is
submitted to offset the costs of conducting the review.
AB 430 by Assembly Member Pedro Nava (High School Initiative)
will reauthorize the Principal Training program until July 1, 2012,
to provide coaching and mentorship assistance to all site administrators
and provide a report to the Legislature by January 30, 2013.
SB 414 by Senator Elaine Alquist (Professional Development)
will extend the Mathematics and Reading Professional Development
Program until January 1, 2012.
AB 953 by Assemblyman Joe Coto (District Intervention) will make
changes to school and district intervention program time lines,
including the High Priority Schools Grant Program and the District
Intervention and Assistance Team Program enacted by AB 2066.
AB 1610 by Assembly Member Lois Wolk (Charter Schools) will require
charter schools to include in petitions for charters a plan for
school closure and notification of students in the event of school
closure. It would also specify that a charter school must notify
its charter authorizer of any material modifications.
AB 1662 by Assembly Member Sally Lieber (Special Education), will
conform state law to the new federal Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (IDEA) Reauthorization 2004 provisions. These include
moving from strictly procedural compliance to improved outcomes;
monitoring through the use of data and other processes, transition,
disproportionate identification, and outcomes in reading, math,
and science; improving opportunities for resolution through less
litigious means; more choice for parents, and major changes in
the Individualized Education Plan.
AB 1056 by Assembly Member Judy Chu (Categorical Programs) will state the intent of the Legislature that school districts
provide professional development training to food service workers
in the public school system, as specified.
AB 1642 Assembly Member Simon Salinas (School District Reorganization)
will clarify language regarding conditions for district reorganization
approvals, correct inconsistencies, and allow reorganization elections
by mail.
Williams Case Activity
The State Allocation Board on February 23, 2005, approved $22.8
million in funding pursuant to the Williams Settlement
for schools in Academic Performance Index (API) deciles 1-3 to
conduct an assessment of the condition of the schools' facilities.
Funding is calculated at $10 per student (based on 2003 CBEDS)
with a minimum grant of $7,500. A listing of schools in deciles
1-3 can be found on the CDE Beneficiaries of the Williams Case Web site. For information
on the specific amount provided to each district, contact the
Office of Public School Construction, at 916-445-3160.
Also, in compliance with the Williams settlement, regulation
changes for the uniform complaint procedures will be presented
to the State Board of Education at its March meeting. See Proposed
Rulemaking & Regulations - Laws & Regulations to view the
proposed regulations.
Superintendents' Challenge
The Task Force on Youth & Workplace Wellness and the California
Department of Education are once again sponsoring the Superintendents'
Challenge (Outside Source), an award given to school districts that have adopted
and, in some cases, begun to implement a school nutrition and/or
physical activity policy. In addition to developing
the 2005 Challenge, the planners want to help increase the number
of school districts that will be eligible to apply for the 2006
Challenge. At the same time, a new federal law requires all districts
to have a "Local Wellness Policy," covering specific
nutrition and physical activity issues, by the start of the 2006
school year.
To help school districts prepare for the 2006 Challenge and meet
the new federal law, the Task Force's School Committee is developing
a statewide clearinghouse of training and technical assistance
resources. We are also raising funds specifically to sponsor school
districts that want to participate in training programs, but need
financial support to do so.
Please e-mail Suzanne Flint at suzanne.flint@comcast.net
if your local education agency (LEA) or organization is sponsoring
a workshop that (a) should be listed as part of the Task Force's
clearinghouse and/or (b) could be eligible for our scholarship
program. Please include your name, organization, contact information,
and a brief workshop description (including dates, agenda and
cost).
New Manual on Transition Programs
The California School for the Deaf, Fremont (CSDF) operates, among its many programs, a Career Technology Center for its students. Staff working in this program have recently developed a comprehensive transition manual entitled, "Successful Transition Programs Require...Administrative Support, Curriculum Reform and Comprehensive Career Planning Services." CSDF's model program for high school students is described in this manual and includes valuable administrator and teacher-friendly materials. To receive a copy of this manual, contact Mal Grossinger, Principal of the Career Technology Education program, at mgrossinger@csdf-cde.ca.gov.
Save the Dates
On May 25-27, 2005, the State Title I Technical Assistance Conference will be held at the Anaheim Marriott Convention Center, featuring:
- NCLB Title I Technical Assistance
- Parent Involvement Training Pre-Conference Session
- Neglected or Delinquent Pre-Conference Session
- Title I Academic Achievement Awards Program
For more information regarding the Conference, please contact Howie DeLane at hdelane@cde.ca.gov, Pat Hozack at phozack@cde.ca.gov or Christy Gunsolley at cgunsoll@cde.ca.gov. You may also contact the Title I Policy and Partnerships Office , at 916-319-0854 or by e-mail at aaa@cde.ca.gov. Additional information can be found on the Academic Achievement Awards Web page [http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/sr/aa/index.asp].
Improved Tool for Monitoring Dropout Prevention
One of the greatest tragedies in education is the large number
of students who drop out of our schools every year without graduating
from high school. The Manhattan Institute for Policy Research
recently reported that the national high school graduation rate
has remained alarmingly flat over the last decade, going from
72 percent graduating in 1991 to 71 percent in 2002. The estimated
rate in California for the graduation rate in 2002 places us 38th
among the states with 67 percent. While these numbers may not
be exact, it is clear that far too many students are losing their
opportunity for a high school graduation.
The good news is that California has a collaborative process that
can be a safety net for this large population of students on the
margins of our educational system. Many districts and county offices
are successfully using the school attendance review board (SARB)
process to provide intensive guidance and coordinated community
services to meet the special needs of students with school attendance
or school behavior problems before they drop out. A recent example
of this kind of successful collaboration was demonstrated by Orange
County at its "Plan for Action" conference on January
26.
To strengthen the SARB process, the State SARB, a state advisory
panel, has recommended full implementation of the SARB process
reporting requirement in Education Code Section 48273.
The State SARB believes that the SARB process would be strengthened,
the dropout rate reduced, and the average daily attendance increased
by a more uniform implementation of the requirement that SARBs
report their referrals and outcomes to the county superintendent.
The State SARB has designed a sample form with instructions that
SARBs may use to collect data and comply with Section 48273.
Just as decisions about instruction must be driven by data, so
must decisions about dropout interventions. This law encourages
school districts and counties to evaluate the effectiveness of
their SARB efforts so that the most effective strategies can be
implemented to keep students in school. Since dropout prevention
requires collaboration among agencies at the county level, it
is appropriate that county superintendents receive this information.
Please let your attendance supervisor or other appropriate personnel
know about this improved tool for dropout prevention available
on the School
Attendance Review Boards - Attendance Improvement Web site. If you
or your staff have any questions about this sample document for
dropout prevention or have questions about establishing the SARB
process in your area, please contact David Kopperud, State SARB
chairperson, Counseling and Student Support Office, at 916-327-5930 or by e-mail at dkopperu@cde.ca.gov.
From the Charter School Division
The Charter Schools Division has spent the month of February reading more than 300 grants submitted for the first cycle of the 2004-2007 Public Charter Schools Federal Grant Program. Grant award recipients will be approved at the March State Board of Education (SBE) meeting. The approved grant recipient list will be posted on the CSD Web site following approval by the SBE in March. For more information, contact Marta Reyes, Director, Charter Schools Division, at 916-322-6029 or by e-mail at mareyes@cde.ca.gov.
Satisfaction Survey
The School Facilities Planning Division survey (dated January
24, 2005), has been mailed to California school district superintendents
and county superintendents of schools. It was due back by February
25. We will be analyzing responses to create continuous improvement
in the services the division provides to local educational agencies.
The purpose of the survey is to gauge customer satisfaction with
the division's organization and to assist in the provision of
quality service. We look forward to hearing from customers; adjusting
our processes as appropriate to meet expressed needs; and sharing
the results with interested parties. For more information on the
survey, please contact Kathleen Moore, Director, School Facilities
Planning Division, at 916-445-2144.
From the Nutrition Services Division
Information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture
clarifying the policy and requirements related to the sale and
service of foods of minimal nutritional value on school campuses
is forthcoming from the CDE's Nutrition Services Division. Foods
of minimal nutritional value are defined as food or beverages
that provide less than 5 percent of the Reference Daily Intakes
for eight nutrients per serving. Those eight nutrients are protein,
vitamin A, vitamin C, niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, calcium, and
iron. Examples include sodas, licorice, and certain candies.
This information may be useful in developing your local school
wellness policy, which is to be implemented by June 30, 2006 as
a result of the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of
2004. The Act makes many important improvements and changes in
the Child Nutrition programs aimed at improving program quality
and integrity. As many of you may already know, foods of minimal
nutritional value can contribute to obesity. One of the goals
of the wellness policy is to promote good nutrition and physical
activity throughout the school district, and this may include
eliminating or minimizing the sale or provision of foods low in
nutritional value. For more information on this issue, please
contact Phyllis Bramson-Paul, Director ,Nutrition Services
Division, at 916-445-0850.
