November 18, 2005
California Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Comments on
Federal Plan to Allow Growth Model to Measure NCLB Progress
SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today issued the following statement:
"I am glad to see the federal government's recognition of the validity of a growth model to measure improved student achievement. This long-anticipated change is critical in preserving the integrity and mission of NCLB. I see today's announcement as a positive response to the conversations I have had with the federal government over the last several years on the need to allow states the option of using a growth model.
"While we are looking forward to receiving more specific information about the criteria the federal government will apply, California will attempt to take advantage of this new and welcome flexibility.
"However, it is critical that the federal government allow states to use a growth model that considers the net improvement of individual districts and schools, like the Academic Performance Index, which is more congruent with high-academic standards and rigorous definitions of student proficiency than the status model currently mandated by NCLB. Just like the primary goal of NCLB, California's accountability system was designed to change the culture of California schools by closing the achievement gap and improving student achievement for all students.
"I have been working with California Secretary for Education Alan Bersin and representatives from the U.S. Department of Education on ways to meld California's system of high standards and accountability with the federal NCLB requirements. We will continue work together in light of today's announcement to determine how to take advantage of this new flexibility in the best interest for California."
California has been using a growth model of accountability, the Academic Performance Index, since 1999.
Since taking office in 2003, O'Connell has been working to convince the federal government to allow more flexibility on the option for states to use a growth model to measure improved student achievement. In March 2004, O'Connell was joined by a bipartisan group of his counterparts from 15 states to urge then-U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige to allow states with strong accountability systems greater flexibility under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. (For more information, please go to Fight for Changes to the NCLB Act.)
# # # #
Attachment
Secretary Spellings Announces Growth Model Pilot, Addresses Chief State School Officers' Annual Policy Forum in Richmond [http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2005/11/11182005.html] (Outside Source)
