Quality Education Commission: Addressing Oregon's Education Goals

1. Quality Education Commission Presentation to the House Committee on Education January 26, 2005 Speaking to you today… Ken Thrasher Commission Chair Pat Burk ODE Chief Policy Officer Brian Reeder Staff to the Commission

2. Quality Education Commission • Oregon’s education goals • “…the best educated citizens in the nation and the world.” • “Access to a Quality Education must be provided for all of Oregon’s youth…” ORS 329.035 • Quality Education Goals • ORS 329.015 • Academic excellence • Rigorous academic standards • Applied learning • Lifelong academic skills

3. Quality Education Commission Student Achievement Where Are We Today?

4. Quality Education Commission Student Achievement Where Are We Today?

5. Quality Education Commission Student Achievement Where Do We Need To Be?

6. Quality Education Commission Student Achievement Where Do We Need To Be?

7. Quality Education Commission The Challenge of the Achievement Gap

8. Quality Education Commission The Challenge of the Achievement Gap

9. Quality Education Commission • The Role of the Commission • Help policymakers understand the relationship between funding and student achievement • Identify key policy issues related to accountability, efficiency, and adequacy • Enhance our understanding of Oregon’s education system as a whole: Pre-K to 20 • Estimate the funding requirements of policy proposals • Help determine what it will take to meet the requirements of No Child Left Behind

10. Quality Education Commission The Commission’s Focus • Accountability and Governance • Efficiency • Adequacy

11. Quality Education Commission Accountability and Governance • Integrate data systems for education Pre-K to 20 • Develop a common Governance system using the concept of Reciprocal Accountability • Develop a Personal Education Plan for each student to determine where services are required • Close the achievement gap, lower the dropout rate • Develop a state economic model measuring the cost of students not meeting standard over the long-term (i.e. social services, corrections, etc.)

12. Quality Education Commission Efficiency • Consolidate ESD’s into 10 from 20 units, combine data systems into the common data system • Restructure healthcare, focus on systems that engage the participant in its management • Review the delivery systems around special needs and ESL students, and services that support them • Review the transportation system for schools • Review the number of districts (199) • Improve the delivery of teacher training

13. Quality Education Commission Adequacy • Need to fund education adequately (Pre-K to 20) • Develop a clear strategy around Pre-K programs to engage 100% in quality age 3-4 programs • Use research-based best practices in the classroom • Support reading initiatives in grades Pre-K to 5 • Measure effectiveness of small learning communities • Review Middle and High school structures • Support families and students with the services they need (after-school, etc.)

14. Quality Education Commission The Challenge of Adequate Funding

15. Quality Education Commission Funding Trends

16. Quality Education Commission Demographic Trends

17. Quality Education Commission Implications of More Funding Cuts • Larger class sizes • Shortened school year in some districts • Cuts in staff: teachers, library/media staff, counselors • Cuts in extra-curricular activities and sports • Reduced programs for students needing extra help • Cuts in teacher professional development • Substitution of educational assistants for licensed teachers • All contribute to diminished student performance

18. Quality Education Commission Examples of How Additional Dollars Can be Effectively Spent* • Provide full-day Kindergarten in all elementary schools $ 93m • Reduce class size to 20 for K-3 $219m • Add 4 days of teacher professionaldevelopment $ 52m • Add staff to reduce middle and high school class sizes $231m • Provide added instructional time for struggling students $142m • Add ESL teachers to help close the achievement gap $ 66m • Increase the number of counselors to assist students $ 47m • Add staff to help teachers improve instruction $122m • * Dollars are on a biennial basis

19. Quality Education Commission Commission Recommendations • Establish a Pre-K to 20 integrated educational data system • Create a Governance and Accountability Task Force to provide recommendations for an effective accountability structure • Provide additional funding targeted at the elementary grades, with emphasis on early reading programs • Focus on Pre-K issues to better understand resource needs • Continue the expansion of high school restructuring programs • Provide targeted staff development to improve the effectiveness of Oregon’s teachers

20. Quality Education Commission • Questions and Discussion • Visit our website at www.ode.state.or.us/sfda/qualityed