5/22/18
The U.S. Census Bureau has released its latest comparison of education expenditures among states. The data for FY2016 can be found here. Looking at table 11 of the attached spreadsheet, Florida ranked 44th in revenues and spending at $10,126 in combined federal, state and local sources. US average is $13,814. , The Sunshine State ranked 48th in the level of state funds and 28th in the level of local dollars.
U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos covered a number of topics at a House Education/Workforce Committee meeting this morning as Republican members provided her support while Democrat members were generally critical of her actions and positions to date. One area of focus on several instances was expansion of career/technical education. There was common agreement on all aides to expand career and apprenticeship programs. DeVos noted that she and Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta are working on ways to expand apprenticeships and "learn and earn" programs. DeVos was also supportive of the bipartisan House legislation passed last year to reauthorize the Perkins Career Education Act. The bill remains pending a hearing in the Senate HELP (Health, Education, Labor, Pensions) Committee. DeVos deflected criticism that her office was approving state ESSA plans that did not meet the law nor that she was not doing enough to enforce existing federal civil rights laws. More on today's hearing and the recorded video can be found here. The almost 4-hour hearing can be viewed here.
Last, Below is an email received from US-Ed asking for volunteer districts to apply for an LEA flex program which was authorized by ESSA in 2015. I've including it for your information and review.
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Dear Colleagues,
Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Education (Department) announced a new pilot to afford local educational agencies (LEAs) flexibility to create equitable, student-centered funding systems. The purpose of this pilot is to provide an LEA with the flexibility to combine state, local, and eligible federal funds that it will allocate to schools using a formula that provides additional funding for students from low-income families, English learners, and other disadvantaged students. In exchange for meeting the requirements of the pilot and using a student-centered funding formula, the LEA receives freedom from many of the federal require-ments for the funds included in the system (e.g., tracking time and attendance; creating schoolwide needs assessments and schoolwide plans for operating a schoolwide program under Title I, Part A; spending funds on particular allowable uses).
The Department first accepted applications in March and will accept a second round of applications by July 15, 2018. Please note that the Department recently updated the application, which is available on our website.
To support LEAs interested in applying this summer, the Department is hosting a series of two webinars, each of which will be repeated.
· The first webinars focus on describing how student-centered funding systems function and how to complete the application. These will take place on Wednesday, May 30 from 2 to 3:30 PM Eastern Time and Thursday, May 31 from 12:30 to 2 PM ET.
· The second webinars will go into more detail about the requirements of the pilot, provide plenty of time for Q&A, and address lessons learned during the spring 2018 submission cycle. These will take place on Wednesday, June 20 from 2 to 3:30 PM ET and Thursday, June 21 from 12 to 1:30 PM ET.
The intended audience is LEAstaff, though other interested parties are also welcome. To join a webinar, please select the link for the relevant session. The webinars will be recorded, and the recordings as well as slides will be posted with related resources on our website.
Please share this message as broadly as possible, especially to your LEA contacts.
An LEA applying by July 15, 2018, will be proposing a system that would be implemented in the 2019-2020 school year, which provides time for transition to implementing an approved plan. We are eager to receive applications from interested LEAs who share our enthusiasm about the program, the flexibility it gives local leaders, and its potential impact on equity and transparency in resource allocation. If you have questions about the webinars or the application, please contactWeightedFundingPilot@ed.gov.
Best,
The Communications and Outreach Team
U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos covered a number of topics at a House Education/Workforce Committee meeting this morning as Republican members provided her support while Democrat members were generally critical of her actions and positions to date. One area of focus on several instances was expansion of career/technical education. There was common agreement on all aides to expand career and apprenticeship programs. DeVos noted that she and Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta are working on ways to expand apprenticeships and "learn and earn" programs. DeVos was also supportive of the bipartisan House legislation passed last year to reauthorize the Perkins Career Education Act. The bill remains pending a hearing in the Senate HELP (Health, Education, Labor, Pensions) Committee. DeVos deflected criticism that her office was approving state ESSA plans that did not meet the law nor that she was not doing enough to enforce existing federal civil rights laws. More on today's hearing and the recorded video can be found here. The almost 4-hour hearing can be viewed here.
Last, Below is an email received from US-Ed asking for volunteer districts to apply for an LEA flex program which was authorized by ESSA in 2015. I've including it for your information and review.
------------------
Dear Colleagues,
Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Education (Department) announced a new pilot to afford local educational agencies (LEAs) flexibility to create equitable, student-centered funding systems. The purpose of this pilot is to provide an LEA with the flexibility to combine state, local, and eligible federal funds that it will allocate to schools using a formula that provides additional funding for students from low-income families, English learners, and other disadvantaged students. In exchange for meeting the requirements of the pilot and using a student-centered funding formula, the LEA receives freedom from many of the federal require-ments for the funds included in the system (e.g., tracking time and attendance; creating schoolwide needs assessments and schoolwide plans for operating a schoolwide program under Title I, Part A; spending funds on particular allowable uses).
The Department first accepted applications in March and will accept a second round of applications by July 15, 2018. Please note that the Department recently updated the application, which is available on our website.
To support LEAs interested in applying this summer, the Department is hosting a series of two webinars, each of which will be repeated.
· The first webinars focus on describing how student-centered funding systems function and how to complete the application. These will take place on Wednesday, May 30 from 2 to 3:30 PM Eastern Time and Thursday, May 31 from 12:30 to 2 PM ET.
· The second webinars will go into more detail about the requirements of the pilot, provide plenty of time for Q&A, and address lessons learned during the spring 2018 submission cycle. These will take place on Wednesday, June 20 from 2 to 3:30 PM ET and Thursday, June 21 from 12 to 1:30 PM ET.
The intended audience is LEAstaff, though other interested parties are also welcome. To join a webinar, please select the link for the relevant session. The webinars will be recorded, and the recordings as well as slides will be posted with related resources on our website.
Please share this message as broadly as possible, especially to your LEA contacts.
An LEA applying by July 15, 2018, will be proposing a system that would be implemented in the 2019-2020 school year, which provides time for transition to implementing an approved plan. We are eager to receive applications from interested LEAs who share our enthusiasm about the program, the flexibility it gives local leaders, and its potential impact on equity and transparency in resource allocation. If you have questions about the webinars or the application, please contactWeightedFundingPilot@ed.gov.
Best,
The Communications and Outreach Team
| copy_of_elsec16_sumtables.xls |
5/16/18
The State Board of Education adopted the proposed changes to Florida's student assessment rule that increase the cut-off scores for ACT and SAT exams used if a high school student takes either after having failed FSA or the Algebra 1 EOC. In case you missed it Monday, the rule is attached and a direct link is available here, as well.
It will take effect with incoming 9th grade students in 2018-2019. Any student currently enrolled in high school will not be affected. Aside from raising the ACT/SAT scores, it also replaces PERT as an Algebra alternative exam with ACT or SAT starting with the freshman class of 2019. Commissioner Pam Stewart made the recommendation following a review required by legislation passed in 2017 that called for updated concordance scores. On behalf of the state's school superintendents' association, Pinellas Supt. Mike Greco endorsed the phase-in saying it will give districts time to prepare for the higher cut scores.
In lieu of PERT, in questioning by members Michael Olenick and Ton Grady, DOE Deputy Commissioner Juan Copa said the alternative of a GED for a high school diploma for those not able to pass either FSA or ACT/SAT remains unchanged. To come up with alternative "pathways," he suggested, would require legislation. Board members also discussed scores being college ready versus a scoring system for students not planning to attend higher education academics.
At the end of discussion, the Board did vote to add, as an option for the Algebra 1 end-of-course (EOC) exam, passage of the PSAT/NMSQT exam with a cut score of 430 on the math portion.
In other business, the Board approved:
Presentations
Consent Items
The almost 4-hour SBE meeting is available at www.thefloridachannel.org under the "video" header at the top of the main page.
It will take effect with incoming 9th grade students in 2018-2019. Any student currently enrolled in high school will not be affected. Aside from raising the ACT/SAT scores, it also replaces PERT as an Algebra alternative exam with ACT or SAT starting with the freshman class of 2019. Commissioner Pam Stewart made the recommendation following a review required by legislation passed in 2017 that called for updated concordance scores. On behalf of the state's school superintendents' association, Pinellas Supt. Mike Greco endorsed the phase-in saying it will give districts time to prepare for the higher cut scores.
In lieu of PERT, in questioning by members Michael Olenick and Ton Grady, DOE Deputy Commissioner Juan Copa said the alternative of a GED for a high school diploma for those not able to pass either FSA or ACT/SAT remains unchanged. To come up with alternative "pathways," he suggested, would require legislation. Board members also discussed scores being college ready versus a scoring system for students not planning to attend higher education academics.
At the end of discussion, the Board did vote to add, as an option for the Algebra 1 end-of-course (EOC) exam, passage of the PSAT/NMSQT exam with a cut score of 430 on the math portion.
In other business, the Board approved:
- Approval of New Rule 6A-10.02413, Civic Literacy Competency (PDF)
- Approval of Amendment to Rule 6A-4.0021, Teacher Certification Examinations (PDF)
- Approval of Amendment to Rule 6A-4.00821, Florida Educational Leadership Examination (PDF)
- Consideration of Applications for Hope Operator Designation (PDF): Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) New Jersey
Presentations
- Status Update of the Turnaround Option Plans for Duval County (PDF)
- Presentation – Duval
Consent Items
- Approval of Amendment to Rule 6A-10.0401, Gold Standard Career Pathways Articulation Agreements (PDF)
- Approval of Amendment to Rule 6A-6.0573, Industry Certification Process (PDF)
- Approval of Amendment to Rule 6A-10.024, Articulation Between and Among Universities, Florida Colleges, and School Districts (PDF)
- Approval of the 2018-2019 Dual Enrollment Course-High School Subject Area Equivalency List (PDF)
- Approval of Requested Deed Modification: 808 West Panhellenic Drive, Gainesville, FL (PDF)
- Approval of Designation of 2016-2017 Academically High-Performing School Districts (PDF)
- Approval of Appointment to the Education Practices Commission (EPC) (PDF)
- Approval of Amendment to Rule 6A-4.01411, Equivalent Credentials for the Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Program (PDF)
- Approval of Amendment to Rule 6M-4.710, School Readiness Program Curricula (PDF)
- Form OEL-SR-7101, “Florida School Readiness Program: Policies and Procedures for Curriculum Approval” (June 2018); (PDF)
- Form OEL-SR-7102, “Florida School Readiness Program: Curriculum Approval Specifications” (June 2018); (PDF)
- Form OEL-SR-7103, “Florida School Readiness Program: Curriculum Committee Member Agreement” (June 2018); (PDF)
- Form OEL-SR-7104, “Florida School Readiness Program: Curriculum Application and Self-Assessment” (June 2018); (PDF)
- Form OEL-SR-7104B, “Florida School Readiness Program: Curriculum Application for Minimal Revisions” (April 2018); (PDF)
- Form OEL-SR-7105, “Florida School Readiness Program: Curriculum Application and Self-Assessment Reconsideration” (June 2018); (PDF)
- Form OEL-SR-7106, “Florida School Readiness Program: Curriculum Evaluation Scoring” (June 2018); (PDF)
- Form OEL-SR-7106B, “Florida School Readiness Program: Curriculum Scoring Summary Report” (June 2018); and (PDF)
- Form OEL-SR-7107, “Florida School Readiness Program: Curriculum Evaluation Reconsideration” (June 2018) (PDF)
- Approval of Amendment to Rule 6M-8.601, Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Provider Kindergarten Readiness Rate (PDF)
The almost 4-hour SBE meeting is available at www.thefloridachannel.org under the "video" header at the top of the main page.
| 1-09422-094223.pdf |
5/14/18
The State Board of Education holds its monthly meeting in Largo Wednesday and headlining the agenda is consideration of proposed changes to Florida's student assessment rule that increase the cut-off scores for ACT and SAT exams used if a high school student takes either after having failed FSA or the Algebra 1 EOC. The rule is attached and a direct link is available here, as well..
It would take effect with incoming 9th grade students in 2018-2019. Any student currently enrolled in high school will not be affected. Aside from raising the ACT/SAT scores, it also replaces PERT as an Algebra alternative exam with ACT or SAT. PERT would be discarded, again for students entering high school in 2018-2019.
Commissioner Pam Stewart is making the recommendation following a review required by legislation passed in 2017 that called for updated concordance scores.
Other action items includes:
Consent Items
The remainder of Wednesday's agenda and back-up can be accessed here. The SBE meeting begins at 9am and will be webcast at www.thefloridachannel.org.
It would take effect with incoming 9th grade students in 2018-2019. Any student currently enrolled in high school will not be affected. Aside from raising the ACT/SAT scores, it also replaces PERT as an Algebra alternative exam with ACT or SAT. PERT would be discarded, again for students entering high school in 2018-2019.
Commissioner Pam Stewart is making the recommendation following a review required by legislation passed in 2017 that called for updated concordance scores.
Other action items includes:
- Approval of New Rule 6A-10.02413, Civic Literacy Competency (PDF)
- Approval of Amendment to Rule 6A-1.09422, Statewide, Standardized Assessment Program Requirements and Repeal of Rule 6A-1.094223, Comparative and Concordant Scores for the Statewide Assessment Program (PDF)
- Approval of Amendment to Rule 6A-4.0021, Teacher Certification Examinations (PDF)
- Approval of Amendment to Rule 6A-4.00821, Florida Educational Leadership Examination (PDF)
- Consideration of Applications for Hope Operator Designation (PDF)
- Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) New Jersey
- Status Update of the Turnaround Option Plans for Duval County (PDF)
- Presentation – Duval
Consent Items
- Approval of Amendment to Rule 6A-10.0401, Gold Standard Career Pathways Articulation Agreements (PDF)
- Approval of Amendment to Rule 6A-6.0573, Industry Certification Process (PDF)
- Approval of Amendment to Rule 6A-10.024, Articulation Between and Among Universities, Florida Colleges, and School Districts (PDF)
- Approval of the 2018-2019 Dual Enrollment Course-High School Subject Area Equivalency List (PDF)
- Approval of Requested Deed Modification: 808 West Panhellenic Drive, Gainesville, FL (PDF)
- Approval of Designation of 2016-2017 Academically High-Performing School Districts (PDF)
- Approval of Appointment to the Education Practices Commission (EPC) (PDF)
- Approval of Amendment to Rule 6A-4.01411, Equivalent Credentials for the Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Program (PDF)
- Approval of Amendment to Rule 6M-4.710, School Readiness Program Curricula (PDF)
- Form OEL-SR-7101, “Florida School Readiness Program: Policies and Procedures for Curriculum Approval” (June 2018); (PDF)
- Form OEL-SR-7102, “Florida School Readiness Program: Curriculum Approval Specifications” (June 2018); (PDF)
- Form OEL-SR-7103, “Florida School Readiness Program: Curriculum Committee Member Agreement” (June 2018); (PDF)
- Form OEL-SR-7104, “Florida School Readiness Program: Curriculum Application and Self-Assessment” (June 2018); (PDF)
- Form OEL-SR-7104B, “Florida School Readiness Program: Curriculum Application for Minimal Revisions” (April 2018); (PDF)
- Form OEL-SR-7105, “Florida School Readiness Program: Curriculum Application and Self-Assessment Reconsideration” (June 2018); (PDF)
- Form OEL-SR-7106, “Florida School Readiness Program: Curriculum Evaluation Scoring” (June 2018); (PDF)
- Form OEL-SR-7106B, “Florida School Readiness Program: Curriculum Scoring Summary Report” (June 2018); and (PDF)
- Form OEL-SR-7107, “Florida School Readiness Program: Curriculum Evaluation Reconsideration” (June 2018) (PDF)
- Approval of Amendment to Rule 6M-8.601, Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Provider Kindergarten Readiness Rate (PDF)
The remainder of Wednesday's agenda and back-up can be accessed here. The SBE meeting begins at 9am and will be webcast at www.thefloridachannel.org.
| 1-09422-094223.pdf |
5/4/18
| dps-wkly-2018-74.pdf |