State Board of Education Gives Final Nod to National Common Core Standards
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Also Approve Commissioner's Choices for Department Leadership Positions
June 17, 2010
The State Board of Education at its June 16 meeting gave a final nod to the national Common Core Standards. The Board also approved the Commissioner's new organizational chart for the Department of Education. In addition, the body also approved all of Commissioner Schundler's choices for Assistant Commissioner and Office level positions June 16.
President’s Report
Nominating Committee Report
The State Board will reorganize in July. The Nominating Committee provided its recommended slate of officers for the 2010-2011 year. These include: for President, Vice President Aponte; for Vice President, Board Member Butcher. A vote will be taken next month by the Board.
Commissioner’s Report
Update on Student Passage of the AHSA
The April administration showed very significant pass rates. The Commissioner believes that this is because of the diligent work of school districts in preparing these students for the assessment. Passage of the exam shows true mastery of language arts and mathematics.
The Department also provided alternative means to show mastery via passage of an alternative assessment (e.g. Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or Accu-placer). In addition, districts could forward a portfolio to the Department for review which could serve as evidence of mastery. A majority of students showed mastery through passage of the AHSA, however.
Approximately 2,200 students will enter the Summer Remedial program and will have an opportunity to take the exam again in August. The Department is not 100 percent confident in the 2,200 number as it may contain duplicates (i.e. students may appear in both the language arts or mathematics populations).
The Commissioner also focused on the need to address at-risk kids needs far earlier so that this does not become a problem in the future. President Hernandez echoed his concerns and wants the Department to listen to what the ELC recommnended as to reconvention of the committee. We need action. Address issues in 8th grade.
Vice President Aponte wants to focus on problem districts. Commissioner says that there were districts that who never addressed needs but there were also districts were kids got great grades but lacked skills.
Board Member Butcher seeks to correlate college entrance with high school proficiency exam to require only one exam. The Department is currently looking at this and has 16 colleges on board based upon requirements put upon the Department by Race to the Top. The Department’s development of alternative passage showings actually fueled development in this area.
Monitoring of School Districts
A full report will be provided next month by the Department.
Items for Consideration
Appointments & Organizational Chart
Reporting: Office of the Commissioner
Stage: Adoption Level
Commissioner’s Recommendation: That the State Board approve the persons so named by the Commissioner for Assistant Commissioner and Director level positions and approve the revised organization chart.
Background The Commissioner presented for the State Board’s approval a new organization structure for the Department. N.J.A.C. 6A:2-2.2 was also modified to accommodate the new structure.
Commissioner Schundler indicated that changes were consistent with the requirements of Race to the Top based upon foci within the application requirements. The organization change will provide New Jersey with additional points.
The new structure also includes the creation of a new division, the Division of Early Childhood Education, under the Deputy Commissioner.
In addition to a number of Commissioners who will be staying on the Commissioner presented, for the Board’s approval, several new Office Directors were presented. These include:
- Eric Taylor who will head the Office of Statute and Regulation
- Chris Emigholtz who will head the Office of Legislative Affairs
- Alan Guenther who will head the Office of Public Information
- Valerie Smith who will head the Office of Interdistrict Choice & Scholarships
- Stephanie Wilson who will continue to head the Amistad Commission
Outcome:
The State Board of Education approved the organization chart and office director placements. One Board Member opposed the slate.
Evaluation of the Performance of School Districts
Reporting: Division of Field Services
Stage: Adoption Level
Commissioner’s Recommendation: That the State Board approve the readoption with amendments of the NJ Quality Single Accountability Continuum regulations at N.J.A.C. 6A:30 pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:7-3 et seq.
Background: Public Law 2005, c.235 and Public Law 2007, c.16 amended N.J.S.A. 18A:7A to establish a new monitoring and evaluation system of public school districts, entitled the New Jersey Quality Single Accountability Continuum (NJQSAC). Public Law 2007, c.16 set forth the procedure for promulgating rules and regulations to implement the new monitoring system for the 36 month period following enactment of the legislation (January 24, 2007). N.J.S.A. 18A:7A-53.1 provides that the Commissioner could, for a period of 12 months following the effective date of the statute, adopt, immediately upon filing with the Office of Administrative Law, rules and regulations deemed necessary to implement the law. All such rules so adopted by the Commissioner expired no later than 12 months following the effective date of the statute, and thereafter had to be amended, adopted or re-adopted during the following 24-month period by the Commissioner in accordance with the provisions of P.L. 1968, c.410, N.J.S.A. 52:14B-1 et seq. All rules and regulations adopted by the Commissioner as described above will expire no later than 36 months following the effective date of P.L. 2007, c.16, and must thereafter be amended, adopted or re-adopted by the State Board.
Outcome: The State Board of Education approved the resolution.
School District Operations
Reporting: Division of Field Services
Stage: Adoption Level
Commissioner’s Recommendation:
The Board encourage the Governor to continue in effect N.J.A.C. 6A:32, School District Operations from September 6, 2010 until the effective date of adoption.
Background: N.J.A.C. 6A:32, School District Operations, establishes requirements for school districts and district boards of education regarding the daily operations of their schools. The provision is scheduled to expire on September 6, 2010. If the regulations expire prior to the effective date of the readopted regulations, the State will have no regulations in place after September 6, 2010. The resolution will hold regulation over until comprehensive review is completed
Outcome: The State Board of Education approved the resolution requesting the Governor Christie continue in effect N.J.A.C. 6A:32, School District Operations from September 6, 2010 until the effective date of the adoption.
Common Core Standards
Reporting: Division of Educational Standards & Programs
Stage: Adoption Level
Commissioner’s Recommendation: The Board adopt the new common core standards as developed and approved by the Common Core Standards Initiative. The resolution seeks to require school district curricula to be aligned with the standards in mathematics and language arts and literacy in history/social studies, science and technical subjects
Background: The Common Core State Standards Initiative is a state-led effort coordinated by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). The standards were developed in collaboration with teachers, school administrators, and experts, to provide a clear and consistent framework to prepare our children for college and the workforce. The standards define the knowledge and skills students should have within their K-12 education careers so that they will graduate high school able to succeed in entry-level, credit-bearing academic college courses and in workforce training programs.
Outcome: The Board approved the core curriculum content standards.
State Special Education Advisory Council
Reporting: Division of Student Services
Stage: Adoption Level
Commissioner’s Recommendation: That the State Board approve the reappointment of four members to the Special Education Advisory Council.
Background:
N.J.S.A. 18A:46-2 requires that the Commissioner biannually appoint an advisory council for special education with the approval of the State Board. The Department recommended the reappointment of four (4) individuals.
Outcome: The Board approved the reappointments to the Special Education Advisory Council. Those reappointed included:
- Michael Nevin III
- Kathy Roberson
- Blanche Stetler
- Philip Gartlan
Regulatory Equivalency & Waiver
Reporting: Office of Chief of Staff
Stage: Proposal Level
Commissioner’s Recommendation: That the State Board approve the readoption of the Regulatory Equivalency and Waiver regulations at N.J.A.C. 6A:5, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:4-15.
Background:The provision provides procedural rules for local districts to seek regulatory flexibility. The provision allows for districts to seek waiver of everything but certification. Two amendments are proposed in sections N.J.A.C. 6A:5-1.4(a)1 and N.J.A.C. 6A:5-1.5(a)1. The amendment to N.J.A.C. 6A:5-1.4(a)1 seeks to allow school districts to achieve the broader purpose and intent of the relevant code through an equivalent means. The amendment to N.J.A.C. 6A:5-1.5(a)1 requires school districts to identify the specific subject matter of the waiver.
Outcome: Some additional changes were made to section N.J.A.C. 6A:5-1.4(a)1 to require districts to provide input to the Department as to how and why they are seeking a waiver. The matter will now move to adoption level. Public testimony will be held next month.
Work Session
Petitions for Rule-making
North Hanover
North Hanover sought a certification change to allow for a K-5 certification to be modified to a K-6 certification. The code was changed to K-5 from K-8 in 2005. The district is a K-6 school and sought flexibility for faculty teaching in the 6th grade. Without this flexibility the District would be forced to hire a number of subject matter teachers for 6th grade only. Approximately 62 districts are similarly situated. The State Board objected to the change as it would adversely affect the students. No further action was required.
ACLU / Public Advocate N.J.S.A. 18A:6-27 requires schools to provide voter registration information to students. The American Civil Liberties Union sought a rule change to create a verification process within the Department as to whether this is in fact taking place. The Board did not see the need for this. No further action was required.
Role of State Board
The Board and Commissioner differed on their interpretation of the Board’s responsibility. The Commissioner saw the Board solely as operationalizing legislative policy once enacted as law. The Commissioner made clear that he perceived the Board as part of the Executive branch. Several State Board members clarified that they perceived the Board as a policy maker. They hope to assume this role collaboratively with the Governor and Commissioner going forward.