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Commissioner Williams announces 2013 accountability system

AUSTIN – Commissioner of Education Michael L. Williams today announced the four components that will be part of the new 2013 state accountability system for school districts, campuses and charters in Texas. The first ratings under this system will be issued by the Texas Education Agency on August 8, 2013.

“I have heard the criticism of the previous accountability system, with its overemphasis on a school’s lowest performing areas and its blind spot to what a district or charter might be doing well,” said Commissioner Williams. “The new system makes use of multiple indicators to provide parents and taxpayers a more detailed overview of the successes, as well as areas of necessary improvement, for each school district, charter and campus.”

The revised system will still use student assessments, but also makes use of additional indicators to provide parents and taxpayers greater detail on the performance of a district or charter and each individual campus throughout the state. The 2013 accountability system will use a performance index framework that considers four areas (including student groups that are part of that index):

• Student Achievement – Represents a snapshot of performance across all subjects, on both general and alternative assessments, at an established performance standard. (All Students)
• Student Progress – Provides an opportunity for diverse campuses to show improvements made independent of overall achievement levels. Growth is evaluated by subject and student group. (All Students; Student Groups by Race/Ethnicity; English Language Learners; Special Education)
• Closing Performance Gaps – Emphasizes advanced academic achievement of the economically disadvantaged student group and the lowest performing race/ethnicity student groups at each campus or district. (All Students; Student Groups by Race/Ethnicity)
• Postsecondary Readiness – Includes measures of high school completion, and beginning in 2014, State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®) performance at the postsecondary readiness standard. This measure emphasizes the importance of students receiving high school diplomas that provide the foundation necessary for success in college, the workforce, job training programs or the military. (All Students; Student Groups by Race/Ethnicity; English Language Learners; Special Education)

District and campuses with students in Grade 9 or above must meet targets on all four indexes. Districts and campuses with students in Grade 8 or lower must meet targets on the first three indexes (excluding Postsecondary Readiness).

Districts, campuses and charters will receive one of three ratings:

• Met Standard – Met accountability targets on all indexes for which they have performance data in 2013
• Met Alternative Standard – Met modified performance index targets for alternative education campuses or districts
• Improvement Required – Did not meet one or more performance index targets

For eligible campuses that achieve the rating of Met Standard, distinction designations in the following areas will also be assigned for outstanding academic achievement in reading/English language arts and mathematics: 

• Top 25 Percent Student Progress
• Academic Achievement in Reading/English language arts
• Academic Achievement in Mathematics

These distinction designations will be based on campus performance in relation to a comparison group of campuses.

“It’s important to note that while the new system bases accountability on a index framework, the state will emphasize the importance of closing achievement gaps and addressing the needs of all students in Texas,” said Commissioner Williams. “Those districts and campuses that are leaders in improving achievement for all its students will be easily identified under this system.”

Because all aspects of the performance index framework cannot be fully implemented at this time, 2013 will be considered a transition year. Accountability advisory groups will reconvene later this year to finalize recommendations for accountability ratings criteria for 2014 and beyond.

In addition, work will continue on the conversion of this new system into an A-F rating system for 2014.

Williams acknowledged various aspects of the state accountability system are currently being discussed by the Texas Legislature. Any changes in bills passed during the legislative session can and will be incorporated into the system.

For a detailed overview of all components of the 2013 state accountability system, visit the Texas Education Agency website athttp://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/perfreport/account/2013/index.html.

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Five Questions/Five Answers : James Lamonica

James Lamonica is running for EPISD School board District 5 which is the Andress High School feeder pattern. He may be reached via email at: jphlamonica@hotmail.com

Here are his Five Answers  to the Five Questions. The Responses are in italics:

Five Questions

Thank you for taking the time to participate in the Five Questions Five Answers for the education blog holtthink.tumblr.com. These questions are designed to give my readers an overview of your thinking, qualifications, and vision for the  school district you are seeking office for.

I will post your responses verbatim, without editorial comment. 

Before we get to the questions, please tell us a little about your background:

Education

I hold a BA in History with a 6-12 teaching certificate from Eastern Illinois.  University.  I also hold a Master’s degree in Educational Administration with a Mid-Management certificate from UTEP.

Occupation

I retired on December 31, 2012 after 30 years in education.  I am currently a stay at home grandpa who helps take care of his granddaughter.  

Connection to the District

All three of my children are successful products of EPISD schools.  Before retirement, I spent 28 years in EPISD.  I worked in all three areas of the District.  I worked with all grade levels from pre-K to 12^th grade. I worked with all academic levels from Special Ed. to GT.  I was a Teacher, Student Activities Manager, Assistant Principal, (in Elementary, Middle, and High School,) and Principal.  You will not find another candidate with the same educational knowledge and experience.  I do not believe that any other candidate can demonstrate the same level of service to EPISD, the Northeast community, and the children of El Paso. 

Question #1: 

Tell us a little about what you see as the three major issues concerning your school district and what you could do as a school board member to address those issues.

One of my biggest concerns is the lack of leadership and oversight from the Board.  The Board needs to provide clear expectations for the Superintendent, central office, and the campuses.  There must be a mechanism for the Auditor to regularly and directly report to the Board.  When TEA finds problems and calls for the implementation of corrective action plans, the Board has to monitor these plans and ensure that corrective action is being taken.  The lack of progress in corrective action plans in Special Education and Pupil Services could result in further sanctions against the District but we have not heard anything about this from the Board. Board members have to ask more questions.  It is unacceptable that the Board approved $200,000 in additional expenditures on a contract for a fixed amount and did not ask a single question.  $200,000 could provide 8000 hours of individual tutoring.  With that amount, no school would have to cheat.  

Obviously funding is a major issue. There are two major problems with the current funding system.  First, Texas needs to come up with a funding system that is equitable for every student in the state.  The District must continue to support legal challenges on behalf of our students.  Secondly, is the issue of unfunded mandates.  Many of these come from the Federal Government.  In the next few years, the District’s biggest financial problem will be cuts in State and Federal funding while being unable to raise additional income locally.  This will make budgeting increasingly difficult and make it more important than ever that we hold contractors to their contracts.  If I vote to spend your money, I’ll know what it is for, why it is necessary, and how it is going to support a rigorous, quality, education in a safe and comfortable environment.   

The budget process for the District needs a serious review.  Budgets are created based on Improvement Plans but too often these plans are just rolled over from the previous year and then budget amounts are inserted without any specifics on what the money will be used for.  There is no review of whether the money that was spent last year, actually contributed to student success.  Then, as the expenditure deadline for a year approaches, everyone scrambles to spend what is left in their budget and then, send in modifications to their plan to show that what they are spending fits the plan.   This cannot continue.  

 Question #2:

Currently in the Texas Legislative session there are two major legislative movements: Parental Vouchers/ Charter Schools and standardized testing reform. What are your positions on these legislative issues? Do you support allowing more charter schools? Do you support allowing parents to pick any school for their children to attend? Thoughts on high stakes standardized testing? 

 I myself attended private Catholic schools in the Chicago area when I was growing up. It was a struggle for my parents to pay the tuition for 6 of us to go through school but they did and they paid their local property taxes.  If a parent wants a non-public school education then I think they should pay for it without vouchers.  With regard to charter schools, there is no evidence that they educate children any better than the public schools. Until there is such evidence, I would not be in favor of allowing more charter schools.

Standardized testing has simply gotten out of control.   Should we test students to see what progress needs to be made and the areas that need to be improved?  Yes.  Should we be giving 20 tests per year and then when students don’t do well putting them in afternoon or Saturday classes to boost their scores? No!   The key to success is a rigorous, quality education in a safe and comfortable environment with the support of parents and the community.  

Question #3: 

As a school board member, your only employees are the Superintendent and the Internal Auditor. First of all, what type of leader do you think EPISD needs at this time? What type of management do you feel is appropriate for your employee? How do you see yourself overseeing your employee? What role will you take other than simply providing an occasional evaluation of your employee?

 The Board is responsible for hiring, evaluating, and if necessary firing the Superintendent.  The Board also has the authority and responsibility to approve employment contracts and again, if necessary fire or reassign contracted employees.  The Board abdicated that authority under the last Superintendent. I will never vote to do that. 

Board members have the right to ask questions and they can put whatever they want on the agenda.  They can, and I will, be asking people to come before the Board and report on their department and I will hold them accountable for what they do.  

The internal auditor is supposed to answer directly to the Board.  He never has and as of this date, the Board has not established a mechanism for the Auditor to do this.  If I am elected I will insist that the Auditor attend every Board meeting and that an Auditor’s report be included in every agenda.  I will ask the Auditor to tell us what audits are in progress, their status, and anticipated completion date.  Audits will not stay in draft form to avoid their publication.  I will also insist on knowing what State and Federal audits are underway and what the Auditor’s department is doing to assist them.

Question #4: 

We hear the term “Good steward of the public’s funds” in reference to using taxpayer’s money wisely. What qualifies you to be a “good steward” of the budget in your school district?

 Yes, the Board is supposed to be a good steward of the taxpayer’s money.  It is irresponsible to approve expenditures without knowing why.   If I vote to spend your money, I’ll know what it is for, why it is necessary, and how it is going to support a rigorous, quality, education in a safe and comfortable environment.   The budget process for the District needs a serious review.  Budgets are created based on Improvement Plans but too often these plans are just rolled over from the previous year and then budget amounts are inserted without any specifics on what the money will be used for.  There is no review of whether the money that was spent last year, actually contributed to student success.  Then, as the expenditure deadline for a year approaches, everyone scrambles to spend what is left in their budget and then, send in modifications to their plan to show that what they are spending fits the plan.   This cannot continue.  

 Question #5: 

As a blog about education technology, I couldn’t go without at least having one questions about that topic. How would you address the concern of many in our area of a digital divide where some students have an advantage of having digital devices and internet connection at home, and others do not? Do you think this gives some students a distinct advantage over others?  What are your feelings on “Bring Your Own Technology” initiatives, where students and employees are allowed to bring their own devices like iPads or iPhones for use in classes?

Back in the late 1980’s there was a short lived Science Fiction TV show that took place in the future.  In that future people were not materially poor, they were information poor.  Twenty-five years later, you’re asking me about how to deal with students who are information poor.  There is no easy answer.  We must provide access and opportunities for students and even families to level the playing field.  “Bring your technology” initiatives would expand the opportunities of students who have or can borrow devices.  The central question of this issue however, do we open up District internet service to everyone so they can use their own devices?  This is something that needs serious study and should be looked into.  

Thanks for your time. 

Allowing Your Garden to Die

Cultivate the Garden or Watch it Die: Thoughts on Charter Schools in Texas

“A garden requires patient labor and attention. Plants do not grow merely to satisfy ambitions or to fulfill good intentions. They thrive because someone expended effort on them.” —Liberty Hyde Bailey

If you have a garden in your backyard, you know that in order for the flowers to grow, for the tomatoes to ripen, for the roses to bloom, you must pay constant attention. Weed here, water there, fertilize this, prune that. The more you water, the more you fertilize, the stronger and taller your plants will grow. Prune the rose bushes wisely and in a timely manner, and you will be rewarded with an abundance of flowers. 

If you ignore the garden, or just pay a little less attention to it than it needs and the garden will wither. Forget to water for just one week during the summer, one short week, and you will be left with wilted, withered plants that may or may not be savable. Lack of attention can lead to a dead garden.

Every gardener knows that tending the garden requires lots of time, lots of patience, and lots of work. Attention equals success. 

If a garden has a problem, like an insect infestation or a lack of some type of nutrient, a good gardener tries to find out the type of insect infesting the plants or what nutrient is lacking, and then goes out and gets treatment, be it an insecticide or some kind of special fertilizer. Yellow leaves? Better get iron. Aphids? Sevin® dust works great. 

I was thinking about gardens when I look at the latest attempts by the some in the TExas Legislature to expand the charter schools in the state. Now don’t get me wrong, I like experimenting to make education better. I consider the charter school movement an educational experiment. In the Texas Legislature, Sen Patrick, head of the powerful Education Committee yesterday filed his charter school legislation bill. 

According to the Austin American Statesmen: 

Patrick’s sweeping legislation, filed Monday, would lift restrictions on the expansion of charter schools, which are privately managed schools that receive public dollars. State law currently caps the number of charter operators at 215.

It would also create a new entity to authorize and oversee charter schools, responsibilities now split between the State Board of Education and the Texas Education Agency.

So what this legislation does is this: Allows for more public funds to be spent on private or for profit schools, such as Kipp Academies. Last legislative session, the legislature cut funding for public education by $5,400,000,000, which will probably NOT be reinstated this legislative session because of the rabid anti-tax fervor that has been allowed to fester by the governor. Essentially, the gardeners stopped tending the old  garden and now they are deciding to actually start growing another garden. 

Instead of making the first garden the best garden it can be, the gardeners appear to be deciding that the best way to fix the first garden is simply to start growing another garden, taking some water, fertilizer and care away from the first and putting it into the second. Instead of allowing the old garden to have more water and fertilizer, the gardener takes them away and puts them in a new place.

That makes complete sense doesn’t it? If one garden is suffering, simply start another. The problem is, the gardeners expect the first garden to have the same number of flowers and vegetables and be just as productive as before. I don’t think these folks make very good gardeners.

It does not make any kind of sense at all unless the gardener wants the original garden to die in the first place.

Addendum: 

Since this was posted, the Dallas Morning News posted an article about how Texas per student spending has now dropped to 49th out of 51 places in the US, even lower than traditional education powerhouses Mississippi and New Mexico. 

“Texas schools are spending $8,400 per student in the current school year, well under the national average of $11,455 and low enough to put the state 49^th in a ranking of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Only Arizona and Nevada spend less on their students.

Preliminary NEA figures released Friday show that per pupil spending in the state has now decreased $1,046 from the 2010-11 school year, when Texas ranked 41^st among the states and D.C. with an average expenditure of $9,446. The precipitous drop in the rankings follows the Legislature’s decision in 2011 to cut funding for public schools by $5.4 billion in the current two-year budget to offset a revenue shortfall.”

Read the article here