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<p>Quarterly Meeting with OSPI and NWERA Board Members: All board members were present as well as Executive Director, Jody McCrain at a meeting with Alan Burke and Jessica Vavrus. Randy Dorn sat in on the last 30 minute of the meeting. Topics of discussion: 1)<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Ed u Jobs—Money available to districts form federal government. Alan expected most districts to bank this money for a reserve. Many districts are facing a 6-10% cut to non-basic education budget. This includes k-3 enhancement program, levy equalization, and full-day Kindergarten. Although there are surprisingly some districts with money saved to purchase materials especially in Math, many are looking at another deficit in the 2011-2013 biennium. It does help that the new levy rules increase the lid from 24 to 28%, but this will not meet the needs to keep teachers and non-basic programs functioning. 2)<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>In the up-coming election, the passage of 1098 will help schools. If the Tim Eyman initiative passes, it will be very difficult for the schools to operate. 3)<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Subject Reviews—Development and upcoming adoption of the common core standards means that LA standards are up for review. Currently the plan is for a 2011 revision. There is no information regarding the possibility of a materials review to accompany the rewriting of the standards. This is determined by the legislature through the funding provided. The Common core Standards (CCS) must be adopted in full; however, states can add up to 15% more standards, if they choose, but the state is required to develop the assessments for the additions. Washington has considered maintaining a separate writing program, but at this time, there are more questions than answers. We do know that there will be new or at least up-dated LA standards as the common core becomes more solidified. The math standards are remaining intact for now. OSPI has hired an independent auditor to cross check the WA math standards with the Common Core to see how they align. At present, it seems as if there is close alignment. If there are changes, it seems it will be in scope and sequence of what is taught at what grade more than a change in the standards. At present, 35 states have tentatively approved the standards and 40 are expected to have approved by the end of the year. A point has been made that these are not national standards—they are common core and each state has the prerogative to make changes to match their individual needs. Major point to emphasize for schools. Some districts may be holding back making purchasing decisions for math and/or LA material, waiting for the common core standards to take effect. It could be up to 4 years before federal money to purchase materials might be available. We cannot afford kids to go without materials for 4 years. If a district is planning on waiting, we can let them know from Dr Alan Burke—we, as a state, cannot let four years pass without materials for our students while we wait to see what might happen. Math standards, in particular, seem to already be closely aligned with the CCS, and waiting several years to buy new materials will not benefit anyone. 4)<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Washington has won a grant of $150M to develop assessments for common core standards (CCS). There will be summative assessments as well as formative assessments for teachers to use in the classroom. The goal is to align to CCS and reduce the cost of assessment from $43 per student to $23 per student. End of course exams begin with Algebra and Geometry in 2011. Students who completed Algebra in 2010 will be required to take an End of course exam in Geometry as well as an end of course make up test for Algebra the end of the 2011 school year. Passing both of these exams will be necessary to meet the new graduation requirement. This is in place as a part of the revised Math standards. If this will be part of the assessment for CCS is still unknown. There is some discussion of Proficiency Exams or end of course exams to be used as high school exit exams with the new assessments. Again, because students are going to be tested in end of course exams from grades 7-12 this school year based on the current standards, waiting to purchase new materials until the adoption of CCS is not an acceptable option. 5)<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Partnership with OSPI—finally we talked about strengthening our partnership with OSPI. We asked to have the NWERA website linked to the OSPI website. Because we are now a non-profit entity, it is possible for our website to be a link on the OSPI site. I am working with Jessica currently to shepherd the process through the bureaucracy. We also requested that Alan and Jessica and others emphasize to conference partners the importance of attendance in the exhibit area and working with NWERA to make a win/win for all involved. Also, the benefits a district has if it creates a relationship with a representative before purchasing materials. I suspect this topic will remain on the agenda for several meetings. RTTT up-date—there is very little chance for money even if there is a round three application. The lack of charter schools and districts unwilling to tie teacher evaluation to test scores moves WA state out of the running for RTTT money. There is still a commitment for quality education and a plan to reform education. As always the question is how to fund it. Stay tuned. Jody</p>
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