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[Ohio
Department of Education Letterhead] June 4, 1997 The Honorable Jo Ann Davidson Speaker Dear Speaker Davidson: I appreciated your cooperation last year as you worked with the State Board of Education and the Department to facilitate the adoption of the rigorous new teacher education and licensure standards. Now, I seek your assistance in moving forward the proposed Standards for Ohio Schools, which, when joined with the teacher standards, will further enhance Ohio's performance-driven system of education. These proposed standards contain two essential elements for guaranteeing results-oriented schools: (1) a framework for establishing more rigorous graduation requirements and assessments, and (2) a new school accountability review system. I am pleased to enclose the Rules Edition of the proposed standards which were accepted in principle by the State Board on May 12, 1997. The standards are a single, cohesive set of rules which will guide the education of learners in elementary and secondary schools chartered by the State Board. The standards apply not only to regular education programs, but also to special, gifted, vocational, and early childhood education. I am submitting these standards to you for the necessary legislative changes before the State Board can proceed with the rulemaking process. I have provided sufficient copies for distribution to the members of your caucus. Several other documents are enclosed. A Discussion Guide summarizes the major purposes and components of the proposed standards. A Legal/Legislative Report is included which explains why certain portions of the standards require a change in the provisions of the Revised Code. Attachments to the report further detail the needed revisions to selected education statutes. The final enclosure is a fiscal analysis of the impact of the proposed standards. I respectfully request an expeditious passage of the legislation. In fact, you will note in the Legal/Legislative Report that we ask for exceptions to the rulemaking process under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code so that the standards may be adopted this year. You will recall that the Legislature provided an abbreviated process for the teacher education and licensure rules last year in Sub. S. B. 230 and I request a similar procedure for the school standards. You may know that Paul Marshall, my Executive Assistant for Governmental Relations, and Department staff have presented an overview of the standards to the House and Senate education committees. Given the strong interest in these standards, we understand the House and Senate education committees will want to hold sufficient hearings on the standards to allow all interested parties an opportunity to express their opinions. There are several reasons for the urgency in the adoption of the school standards. First, there is the importance of what these standards represent, not only for increased student achievement and school performance accountability, but also for a uniform school improvement planning framework. This framework: (1) promotes continuous improvement in teaching and learning, (2) strengthens local control and increases accountability to the community, (3) articulates the need for vigorous partnerships between state and local entities to improve learning results, and (4) ensures conditions are right for learning to occur. Second, quick passage of the legislative changes will allow the State Board to proceed with a resolution of intent to adopt these standards. After the standards are presented for public hearing and adopted by the State Board, they will not become effective until they are again submitted to the General Assembly for approval through adoption of a concurrent resolution by both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Thus, the standards will be offered again for consideration by the Legislature. Further, adoption of the standards by the end of 1997 will put in place a framework for increased performance and accountability for schools as the state responds to the recent Ohio Supreme Court school funding decision. At a time when additional dollars are likely to be added for public education, it is critical that the state has also set high expectations for Ohio schools as well as enacted appropriate mechanisms for ensuring a return on that investment. Once the standards are adopted, another cycle of activity between the State Board, the public, and the General Assembly will begin. This activity will be defining and establishing the competencies required for graduation by the standards. With the direction set by the State Board, the Department will engage parents, educators, business representatives, and others in stating what competencies a learner should know and be able to demonstrate before receiving a diploma. Once the competencies are adopted by the State Board, they will be brought to the General Assembly for approval before they are effective. Thus, the establishment of the competencies will be a lengthy process which can begin only after the framework set by the school standards is in place. Again, I respectfully request your cooperation in expeditious passage of the needed legislation. If you have questions, please call me at 466-3304; Gene Harris, Chief Program Officer, at 728-5865; or Paul Marshall, Executive Assistant for Governmental Relations, at 466-3125. [Please do not call the department. The matter is now in the hands of the General Assembly and your calls should be directed to your elected representatives. - DF] Thank you for supporting our efforts to ensure a rigorous performance-based education system for all Ohio learners. Sincerely,
John M. Goff Superintendent of Public Instruction cc: Enclosures |
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