The following Commission Members were in attendance:
Madelyn Adams, Matt Arthur, Robert Avossa, Greg Beadles, Brad Bryant, Brooks Coleman, Tom Dickson, Kent Edwards, Terry England, Tina Fernandez, Mike Glanton, Barbara Hampton, Tyler Harper, Hannah Heck, Jack Hill, Kyle Holley, Bonnie Holliday, Amy Jacobs, Audrey King, Chuck Knapp, Chairman; Cynthia Kuhlman, Fran Millar, Nels Peterson, Hunter Pierson, Freddie, Powell-Sims, Noris Price, Elizabeth Rhodes, Will Schofield, Lindsey Tippins, Anthony Townsend, Alvin Wilbanks and Dick Yarbrough.
The following Commission Members attended via conference call:
Mike Dudgeon and Pam Williams
The Meeting was called to order by Dr. Chuck Knapp, Chairman.
Welcome from Dr. Chuck Knapp, Chairman
Dr. Knapp welcomed Members to the 2nd Commission meeting. He also welcomed Tina Fernandez, who was not present during the last Commission meeting.
Approval of Minutes from February 5, 2015 Meeting
The Minutes of the February 5, 2015 Education Reform Commission meeting were disseminated prior to the meeting and no corrections or changes were requested. A Motion was made to approve the Minutes as presented. It was Moved and unanimously approved.
Logistics / Date, Time, and location of the next meeting
Dr. Susan Andrews gave comments related to logistics for the next meeting in Tifton, GA at the UGA Conference Center. Members are asked to sign-up if they will need hotel accommodations. Dr. Andrews will attempt to secure a block of rooms for those members.
Future meeting dates, times and locations can be found on the Governor’s website.
We are currently working on an electronic site for comments in between meetings.
Dr. Knapp indicated we are working to establish an email address for the public to use to send comments.
A public comment period has been established for anyone desiring to make a public comment. Individuals are allowed to sign up for comments via a comment sheet that will be distributed.
Governor’s Education Reform Efforts in Legislature by Erin Hames
Erin Hames reported on the proposed constitutional amendment to create the Opportunity School District to assist chronically failing schools in the State.
Six percent of schools in the State have fallen into the category of failing based on test scores.
If the resolution gets through the General Assembly, it will be on the ballot in the November election and 139 failing schools would be eligible, if passed.
The district will consist of no more than 20 schools in a year. Once a school comes into the Opportunity School District, the school will stay in the district for a minimum of five years and a maximum of 10 years.
The district will look at the progress of individual schools and concentrate on low performing schools.
The district will look at qualified partners, community engagement and community input; community buy-in and community support is key.
The leader of the Opportunity School District will report to the Governor.
Funding will be handled by examining state, local and federal dollars.
We have to look at what other states are doing. Last week, the Governor led a delegation to Louisiana.
The state must do something to assist these failing schools. Some of the comments received from faith-based organizations is that parents should not have to send their children to failing schools.
Questions:
1) What comments have you had against the proposal?
Some believe these are issues of poverty. Poverty is not an excuse. Gwinnet County is not on this list. The belief is that all children can learn.
Some say this is an issue of funding. We do not believe this is an issue of funding. Most of the schools on the list currently spend more than the state average per pupil. There are a number of channels that schools can receive money (i.e. Title I).
2) What is a common denominator of failing?
The average graduation rate, the average reading level, achievement and growth.
Comment: Clayton County has the highest unemployment rate in GA, yet there is a school in the district that is doing very well. It’s not about poverty.
Comment: Some people see this as a state coming in and taking over a school.
Report of Progress by each Sub-Committee
Funding Sub-Committee by Dr. Knapp
The funding committee met on February 5, 2015 and will be meeting this afternoon.
We are meeting on a rigorous schedule to get a recommendation to the Commission in order to get this to the Governor by August 1st. That will require an ambitious schedules, particularly when the General Assembly adjourns. The Funding Sub-Committee will have eight more meetings. We will report back at Commission meetings. The meeting schedules will be posted on the website.
EdBuild has constructed a model that allows in real time to look at what happens when we apply certain weights. We can pop things in the model. Of course, we will have to tailor the model for Georgia. Hopefully we can bring the model in for Commission meetings in the future.
Today we will be discussing equalization and local 5 mil. At later meetings, we will discuss indirect costs, charter school funding, special needs and how they are weighted; dual enrollment, move on when ready, a hold harmless provision. We will also hear a report from the Teacher committee on ways to retain teachers.
That’s why we will need eight meetings to get through all of this. One downsize of the model is that people may look at it and say “my district is losing money!” but we will be looking at it from a state-wide perspective.
Comment: There’s a level of complexity to FTE funding; this appears to be a real opportunity
Early Childhood Education Sub-Committee by Amy Jacobs
The Early Childhood Education Sub-Committee’s 1st meeting was Friday, February 27, 2015. We had a great turnout. We will structure the committee to add stakeholders, childcare providers, advocacy organizations and budget offices.
The meeting started with an introduction activity as members introduced themselves by identifying a rose (something positive), a bud (something promising) or a thorn (a challenge) about early childhood.
Some positives or promising aspects were: a strong pre-K, quality rated and teacher preparedness. Some challenges are teacher compensation and child care subsidy programs.
The State data system overview consisted of Pre-K history, structure and benchmark.
The meeting ended with a Quality Rated overview. Some of the points discussed were the goals of Quality Rated and the national standards perspective.
The next meeting will focus on Pre-K funding.
Question: How many children that want to be in a pre-K program cannot because of capacity?
Answer: There are currently 4,700 on the waitlist.
Expanding School Choice by Nels Peterson
The Expanding School Choice Sub-Committee met last Friday, February 27, 2015.
The meeting started with a reminder of the Governor’s charge to expand choice available to Georgia families.
The focus of the meeting was to set a philosophical framework and options sets to drive them.
Establish a baseline: Where are we? What is working? What is not?
Receive public comment from advocacy groups, parents and teachers
Agreed on one key principle; focus our work on using resources effectively.
There are many people that do not have the choice to select certain schools.
For 80% of parents, the choice is public schools.
Move on When Ready by Matt Arthur
The Move on When Ready Sub-Committee met and the GAEL executive board had a listening session.
Expounded on the focus and definition of Move on When Ready.
Discussed competency-based programs during their last meeting.
Discussed challenges to move from a typical one size system.
Discussed better way for 9-12 to move.
Sixty three percent of students do not have a degree.
Comment: There is inter connectivity of the five sub-committees.
Comment: Focus on the needs of the students.
Comment: Focus on post-secondary education and jobs for students.
Teacher Recruitment, Retention, Compensation by Pam Williams
The Teacher Recruitment, Retention and Compensation Sub-Committee met February 23, 2015.
One of major topics during the meeting: How do we retain quality teachers?
The meeting opened with ideas from the sub-committee members.
There will be several meetings with teacher groups and we will follow-up with input from these teacher meetings.
Fulton County and Marietta City Schools have innovative strategies with regards to teacher recruitment; we will meet with these districts.
The next meeting is March 9, 2015. An additional meeting will take place in South Georgia on March 24, 2015.
Comment from Senator Millar: We dropped a bill in the Senate about teacher retirement. Please spread the word that nothing has been decided at this point.
Comment: Recruitment will be tied to teacher compensation
Comment: Fulton County Schools are studying the idea of tuition for masters degree for teachers
Comment: The perception in the community is that there is lack of teacher involvement in this process. Please get the word out that teachers are involved in this process.
Comment: The GaDOE folks have been invited to these meetings; let’s make sure they are involved.
Additional Comments
Make sure superintendents are invited to your meetings.
Consider having meetings in the evenings or give teachers permission to leave school early (around 3:30 pm) to attend an afternoon meetings.
Public Comment
No one signed up for public comment
Meeting Adjourned