P-16 Alignment Jennifer Dounay Education Commission of the States Presentation to Alaska legislators and educators Anchorage, AK October 9, 2008

Education Commission of the States About ECS 50-state education compact est’d 1965 Nonpartisan, nonprofit Serves all state-level education policymakers and their staffs: –Governors –Legislators –State board members –State superintendents –SHEEOs and higher education boards

Education Commission of the States What is P-16? It may include a council It can (and should be) more than a council: –Data systems –Funding mechanisms –Ways of thinking –Public support –Legislation, rulemaking, executive decisionmaking

Education Commission of the States Passing the Buck 4-year institutions 2-year institutions High schools Middle schools Elementary schools Pre-K programs Employers Parents

Education Commission of the States ECS database on P-16/P-20 councils Launched in June 2008 Featured in Ed. Week’s 2008 Diplomas Count 15 indicators Updates ECS historical information on P-16/P-20

Education Commission of the States Who’s lobbying for alignment? According to the ECS P-16 database ( Govs: 11 states Legislatures: 10 states State boards: 2 states Voluntary efforts: 14 states These have changed over time: GA, IL, MD, NV, others

Education Commission of the States Who’s on Board? Governors (8 councils, w/gov rep on 19 councils) Legislators (19 states) Chiefs SHEEOs, 2-/4-year presidents Business and labor (32 states) Others Ideally, early learning reps (18 states)

Education Commission of the States P-16 council just starting point Some councils leverage little change Essential elements to consider: –Actors –Agenda –Appropriation of resources

Education Commission of the States Actors Goldilocks: Not too big, not too small Early learning Legislative Gubernatorial Business community Clarity re: council mission and roles Meet at least quarterly

Education Commission of the States Agenda Not too broad (5 issues or fewer) Specific (not “improving student success”) Something each agency can’t do alone Specific, measurable goals (16 states) Balanced scorecard (Georgia)

Education Commission of the States Georgia’s Balanced Scorecard (

Education Commission of the States Appropriation of resources Financial resources –½ receive leg. $ or have $ built into agency budgets –Some receive private funds (AZ, CO, CA) –Nebraska: Three levels of support from numerous sources –Wyoming: “Sustainability” subcommittee Goal to be funded by gov., fdn. and business support

Education Commission of the States Appropriation of resources (ctd.) Human resources –Min..5 FTE = 21 councils NC: Two-tiered approach –Education Cabinet & “Kitchen Cabinet”

Education Commission of the States