1. Quality Education Commission Presentation to the House Committee on Education January 26, 2005 Speaking to you today… Ken ThrasherCommission Chair Pat BurkODE Chief Policy Officer Brian ReederStaff to the Commission

2. Oregon’s education goals 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 Quality Education Goals ORS 329.015 ORS 329.015 Academic excellenceAcademic excellence Rigorous academic standardsRigorous academic standards Applied learningApplied learning Lifelong academic skillsLifelong academic skills Quality Education Commission

3. Student Achievement Where Are We Today?

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

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

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

7. The Challenge of the Achievement Gap Quality Education Commission

8. The Challenge of the Achievement Gap

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

10. 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 Integrate data systems for education Pre-K to 20 Develop a common Governance system using the concept of Reciprocal Accountability 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 Develop a Personal Education Plan for each student to determine where services are required Close the achievement gap, lower the dropout rate 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.) 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 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 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 delivery systems around special needs and ESL students, and services that support them Review the transportation system for schools Review the transportation system for schools Review the number of districts (199) Review the number of districts (199) Improve the delivery of teacher training Improve the delivery of teacher training

13. Quality Education Commission Adequacy Need to fund education adequately (Pre-K to 20) 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 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 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.) Support families and students with the services they need (after-school, etc.)

14. The Challenge of Adequate Funding The Challenge of Adequate Funding Quality Education Commission

15. Funding Trends Quality Education Commission

16. Demographic Trends Quality Education Commission Annual Percent Growth in Student Populations 1990-91 to 2002-03 Average Annual Percent Growth All Students1.1% Special Education Students3.0% English as a Second Language Students15.4% Students Eligible for Free Lunch Program5.3%

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

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

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

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