Safer than at home?

Safer than at home?--The Tennessean provides lots of inches to push Schools Under Surveillance: Cultures of Control in Public Education by Vanderbilt Professor Torin Monahan. A lot of 'duh' statements in this overview such as:

"Generally speaking," [Monahan] said, "surveillance is not good for preventing crime. It's more useful for catching people after the fact."

But this statement certainly wasn't.

"Schools are some of the safest places you can be," Monahan said. Students are "significantly safer there than on the streets or at home." [Emphasis added]

Add this to the already growing pile of "expert" statements that are being collected to prove that government knows better than parents how to keep children safe and raise them correctly.

Another take on school safety: School Choice Reduces Crime, Increases College-Attendance...: According to Harvard researcher, David Deming:

Seven years after random assignment, lottery winners have been arrested for fewer and less serious crimes, and have spent fewer days incarcerated… The reduction in crime persists through the end of the sample period, several years after enrollment in the preferred school is complete. The effects are concentrated among African-American males whose ex ante characteristics define them as “high risk.”

Maybe we should say YES to choice so we can save that $2.2 million in security costs for curriculum, paying good teachers well or maybe even fixing a roof or two.

The Education Doctor is in

I've virtually bumped into a new education blogger in Nashville. The Education Doctor's inaugural post was on July 15 and since then the 11 posts to date have been informative and thoughtful. This from the About page:

Welcome to my blog devoted to educational issues in Nashville and Tennessee more generally.

Who am I? I’m no insider to educational politics or Metro schools. What I am is a scholar and informed observer of educational news. With talk of more charter schools and mayoral control there’s a lot going on in the schools right now. I will bring a fresh perspective to these discussions. In doing so, I’ll explore what the research tells us about what works in education and bring in data to shed some light on current debates. Hopefully together we can find the prescription for Nashville schools.

The doctor is in.

I've no idea who this anonymous blogger is but I welcome them to the conversation. A couple of snips to pique your interest:

Self Governed Schools: "Third, despite the head of the AFT (Al Shanker) leading the call for charter schools in 1988, teacher unions opposed charter school laws after he stepped down. This was partly due to the intermingling of advocates for autonomy and innovation with anti-union rhetoric blaming union rules for the existing system’s inflexibility. Whether this was deserved or not, it shaped the charter school debate. Unions are now trying to get back into the charter school discussion by opening unionized charter schools. It will be interesting to see how the discussion of Self Governed Schools evolves and whether they in turn provide competition to charter schools."

What's the SCORE?: "The practices highlighted are good ideas. And they may in fact be leading to positive outcomes for the communities that are pursuing them. But it’s not clear these are the most evidence-based practices."

AYP, part 2: "Here’s what we know so far. MNPS has 30 schools on the high priority list. This means that 22% of their schools have failed to meet standards for 2 years in a row. The problem gets worse by grade level as 10% of elementary schools, 20% of middle schools, and 33% of high schools are high priority."

You might want to add The Education Doctor to your RSS feed.

Jones is offended

Rep. Ulysses Jones (D-Memphis) is offended by Rep. Brian Kelsey's (R-Germantown) comments regarding the status of poor children without school choice. Despite being called out of order by the Chair, Jones says his piece. This video starts with Kelsey's brief statement and then Jones is recognized.

Charter bill heads for floor vote

About 2:30 p.m. the House Calendar and Rules Committee voted to place HB2146 on the House's regular calendar for today. Of course, the schedule for the House session says it'll start at 1:00 p.m. According to
Speaker of the House Rep. Kent Williams' (R CCR -Elizabethton) office he just announced the session would start at 3:00 p.m.

Charter Bill still chugging along

The charter bill has just passed in the House Finance Committee. It goes next to the House Calendar and Rules Committee for scheduling for a floor vote.

Rep. Ken Coleman (D-Murfreesboro) needed a definition of 'failing student'. Mr. Bruce Opie of the Department of Education quickly provided one.

Rep. Johnny Shaw (D-Bolivar) wanted clarification on the number of charter schools allowed. Total of 90? 35 in Memphis? 20 in Davidson county? Others wherever there is a need? Sponsor Rep. Beth Harwell-Halteman (R-Nashville) responded "Yes, Sir."

Calendar & Rules will meet as soon as the Finance Committee finishes their brief agenda.

Charter bill still moving

The charter bill smoothly passed through the House Government Operations Committee and is now headed to Finance which is scheduled to meet at 10:30 a.m. today.

It passed without comment. Headed to the House Finance Committee which will meet at 12:30.

Charter bill moves

2009-06-17 @ 08:50 AM This morning the House Education committee reconvened and passed on to the Government Ops committee Rep. Beth Harwell-Halteman's (R-Nashville) charter school bill.

The bill was stripped of previous amendments and then had 4 amendments added. One amendment was offered by Rep. Harwell. Rep. Ulysses Jones (D-Memphis) interrupted to say this was his amendment and was to be offered on the House Floor instead. The amendment was then removed from the bill and will 'travel with the bill' to the House Floor where Jones will move to add his amendment which will require that the at-risk students in failing schools will have priority in attending these charter schools. Then other at-risk students will have to participate in a lottey for any open slots.

The bill with the 4 amendments passes on to Government Ops which is about to meet.

Amendment 1 states that only districts with 14K students or more or LEA's failing AYP 2 consecurtive years and on the State's high priority list are eligible. Districts can opt in after 2/3ds of their BOE's vote to opt in. Charters can run 10 years with a mandatory review at 5 years.

Amendment 2 Caps Charter schools at 90 for the entire state. Maximum of 20 in Davidson County and 35 in Memphis (it pays to have a Memphis heavy Ed Committee, I guess).

Amendment 3 was offered by Rep. Les Winningham (D-Huntsville) on behalf of Rep. Tommie Brown (D-Chattanooga) who was 'delayed'. It requires tracking of these students and reporting of information like funding and movement of students (if I understood Winningham correctly.)

Amendment 4 was again offered by Winningham for Brown (who was still 'delayed) which would 'encourage' systems with charters school to use stimulus funds, "Race to the Top" funds to try other innovative schools such as magnets.

All amendments passed. The bill itself apparently got just one noe vote. Don't know who at this moment.

Commenter Jamie tells us the two no votes were Rep. Judy Barker (D-Union City) and Rep. Joe Pitts (D-Clarksville)

Taxpayers and voters are stakeholders too

From Rep. Mike Turner (D-Nashville) (hat tip AC Kleinheider at Nashville Post)

“I appreciate the [Obama, Alexander, Dean] input, but none of them have kids in public schools.”

A reminder that the public school system requires taxpayer dollars and citizen votes in order to be run. Until it doesn't need our money or our votes...mere voters and taxpayers have as much standing as any anyone in how the system is run. Ditto President Obama, Senator Alexander and Mayor Dean.

Is it unfair for them to bar reasonable educational choices when they've certainly had the opportunity to choose differently for their children? Certainly. But it doesn't bar them from expressing their opinion and working toward improving the system as they see necessary. No member of the legislature was elected by just parents of public school children, or TEA members. They have a responsibility to represent all the voters in their districts. They have a responsibility to put the children's needs ahead of adult politics.

Educational civil rights

Someone's smelling the morning coffee: This from South Carolina:

Today this black Democrat [Sen. Robert Ford] says the new civil-rights struggle is about the quality of instruction in public schools, and that to receive a decent education African-Americans need school choice. He wants the president's help. "We need choice like Obama has. He can send his kids to any school he wants."(WSJ)

And from Tennessee:

Bound by the unit rule, House Democrats killed the [charter schools] bill but Republicans are attempting to resurrect it.

"We have not changed our caucus position. We've asked everyone to hold our positions on that but I don't know if everybody will or not," said [Rep. Mike Turner (D-Nashville) ]. "If somebody breaks, there won't be any horse heads in the bed in the morning. There'll be some teeth gnashing, but there won't be any permanent damage." (Commercial Appeal)

I will, again, encourage the passage of the charter schools bill and would suggest that TEA (Tennessee Education Association) leaders buy dental night guards. Standing in the school house door and keeping children from an educational choice that works because the TEA will lose some members or cannot force charters to be just like the failing public schools they do control is evil. It's not about TEA membership. It's not about paying back campaign markers. It's about the children--remember? Don't make them wait another year to get the education they were promised long ago. They don't have the time to spare. Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. A step forward is better than no movement at all. Seriously consider what you would want if these were your children. Vote for expanding charters.

2009-01-16 legislation filed

It's Friday afternoon of the first week of the 106th Tennessee General Assembly. Already 110 bills have been filed in the House--35 of them by Rep. G. A. Hardaway (D-Memphis) alone. He's also sponsored 3 House resolutions.

And another error for the legislative webmaster--the member links from the single digit districts end in, for example, 01.html from their legislation (which 404's) while the member list has 1.html (which does work).

Constituents should really like the ability to check on all the bills their legislator is sponsoring via that hyperlink on their legislator's page. They may say they're supporting and doing one thing back home but the proof is in the sponsoring.

There's a three week break before any legislation can start moving forward.

Lt. Gov. Ramsay announced his committee assignments yesterday. I'm happy to see Sen. Delores Gresham (R-Somerville) as head of the Senate Education Committee.

We're still waiting to hear from Speaker of the House Rep. Kent Williams (R, for now -Elizabethton) who he's appointed to the various committees. As soon as he announces those we'll know even better what is word his worth, what his idea of a bi-partisan House actually is and whether he's going to allow a Republican majority to mean anything.

*HB 0084 by Rep. Joe Pitts (D-Clarksville)

Highway Signs - As introduced, "Charles 'Chuck' Duncheskie Memorial Parkway," Dover Crossing in City of Clarksville, Montgomery County. -

*HB 0085 by Rep. George Fraley (D-Winchester)

Budget Procedures - As introduced, removes authority to transfer emergency communications funds to close fiscal year ending June 30, 2009. - Amends TCA Section 4-3-1016(d) and Chapter 1203 of the Public Acts of 2008.

*HB 0086 by Rep. John Litz (D-Morristown)

Lottery, Scholarships and Programs - As introduced, broadens eligibility for the HOPE scholarship by removing the requirement that a military parent's home of record or residence is Tennessee if a student qualifies to be classified as an in-state student and meets other specified requirements. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 4, Part 9.

Yes. And we might want to expand that to include missionaries and others who are temporarily living in other nations but maintain Tennessee as their home of record.

*HB 0087 by Rep. John Litz (D-Morristown)

Jails, Local Lock-ups - As introduced, requires that applicants for the position of superintendent of a regional jail authority must submit to same criminal background check conducted in same manner as required for applicants for teacher positions. - Amends TCA Title 8, Chapter 35 and Title 41.

Not sure why the same background check as teachers...but a background check seems reasonable.

*HB 0088 by Rep. John Litz (D-Morristown)

Jails, Local Lock-ups - As introduced, decreases the amount of clear floor space required in adult local detention facilities for both new and existing facilities and for single-occupancy and multiple-occupancy cells. - Amends TCA Title 41, Chapter 4.

*HB 0089 by Rep. David Shephard (D-Dickson)

Highway Signs - As introduced, "William Fiser Memorial Bridge," Big Barton's Creek on State Route 48 in Dickson County. -

*HB 0090 by Rep. Ryan Haynes (R-Knoxville)

Private Investigators - As introduced, revises experience requirements for a private investigations company license. - Amends TCA Section 62-26-206.

HB 0091 by Rep. Jim Cobb (R-Spring City) ( SB 0024 by Sen. Ken Yager (R-Harriman) )

Rhea County - As introduced, subject to local approval, repeals the ban on partisan elections for county executive and county legislative body of Rhea County. - Amends Chapter 322 of the Private Acts of 1978.

*HB 0092 by Rep. Jim Cobb (R-Spring City) ( SB 0023 by Sen. Ken Yager (R-Harriman)

School Transportation - As introduced, allows school buses to be used up to 20 years of service, subject to annual safety inspections, by extending permissible, yearly waiver limit for their service life after initial 12 years of service from current three years to eight years. - Amends TCA Section 49-6-2109.

*HB 0093 by Rep. Gary Moore (D-Joelton)

Hospitals and Health Care Facilities - As introduced, requires criminal background checks to be conducted for direct care employees prior to employment. - Amends TCA Section 68-11-256.

*HB 0094 by Rep. Gary Moore (D-Joelton)

Firefighters - As introduced, requires compensation paid to firefighters due to injury or death in the line of duty or course of employment be administered by the commission on firefighting personnel standards and education. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 24 and Title 7, Chapter 51.

It's not unusual for legislators to carry bills for their profession. This bill's sponsor Rep. Moore is a firefighter. Actually his bio lists:

• First Vice President Nashville Fire Fighters Union IAFF Local 140,
• Past President of the Tennessee Professional Fire Fighters Association
• Past President of the Southern Federation of Professional Fire Fighters

*HB 0095 by Rep. Gary Moore (D-Joelton)

Motor Vehicles - As introduced, prohibits operation of bicycles on River Road in Davidson County between U.S. Highway 70 / S.R. 24 and the Cheatham County line. - Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 8.

*HB 0096 by Rep. Gary Moore (D-Joelton)

Taxes, Agricultural and Open Spaces - As introduced, permits an individual's property that does not meet the minimum size requirements for greenbelt classification to be aggregated with contiguous property owned by others who are related to the individual by blood, marriage, or adoption for the purpose of meeting the minimum size requirements. - Amends TCA Title 67, Chapter 5, Part 10.

*HB 0097 by Rep. Gary Moore (D-Joelton)

Health Care - As introduced, requires that newborns be tested for hyperbilirubinemia in addition to other metabolic/genetic defects. - Amends TCA Title 68, Chapter 5, Part 4.

So those newborn tests would include: phenylketonuria, hypothyroidism, galactosemia, and if this bill passes, hyperbilirubinemia.

*HB 0098 by Rep. Gary Moore (D-Joelton)

Drugs - As introduced, requires pharmacies to treat any over-the-counter medication containing chlorpheniramine (also known as chlorphenamine maleate) as an immediate methamphetamine precursor. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17.

*HB 0099 by Rep. Gary Moore (D-Joelton)

Mortgages - As introduced, delays the sale of land to foreclose a loan, mortgage, or deed of trust for a period of time; requires first publication of notice be at least 90 days prior to sale instead of at least 20 days prior to sale. - Amends TCA Section 35-5-101.

*HB 0100 by Rep. Gary Moore (D-Joelton)

Highway Signs - As introduced, "Corporal Jessie William Gammons Memorial Bridge," State Highway 100 in Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County. -

*HB 0101 by Rep. Gerald McCormick (R-Chattanooga)

Teachers, Principals and School Personnel - As introduced, allows children, up to age 24, of retired teachers to receive a 25 percent discount at any state-supported institution of higher learning. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 7.

Little perks like this for teachers are sprinkled throughout the law and more of them regularly appear in new legislation. The next time you're told how underpaid teachers are...keep in mind that not every benefit appears on their paycheck stub. That's not to say they don't earn the extra benefit. I'm just saying they exist.

*HB 0102 by Rep. Gerald McCormick (R-Chattanooga)

Education - As introduced, deletes requirement that extension of contract of director of schools be the first item on the agenda for the meeting at which action on the contract is to be taken. - Amends TCA Section 49-2-203.

*HB 0103 by Rep. Gerald McCormick (R-Chattanooga)

Schools, Private and Charter - As introduced, opens enrollment in charter schools, after enrollment priorities are met, to all students and removes caps on the number of charter schools that may be formed. - Amends TCA Title 49.

Right off the bat a key change here is the difference between the current law:

The prospective student population shall be:

and this bill's proposed wording:

Priority in the prospective student population shall be given to, but
the prospective student population need not be limited to:

A very good start. We need more charter schools. We need to allow more students access to those schools. Unfortunately, still a prohibition against cyber charter schools. That's a pity as they serve a legitimate need for many families. They are also less expensive since brick and mortar facilities aren't required.

*HB 0104 by Rep. Gerald McCormick (R-Chattanooga)

Sewage - As introduced, requires an entity that owns a sanitary sewer to maintain the sanitary sewer and building service and any portion of any lateral or connection located beyond the property line of a customer. - Amends TCA Title 5, Chapter 16; Title 6; Title 7, Chapter 34; Title 7, Chapter 35; Title 9, Chapter 21 and Title 68, Chapter 221.

*HB 0105 by Rep. Gerald McCormick (R-Chattanooga)

Campaigns and Campaign Finance - As introduced, allows corporations to make campaign contributions up to the same limits as individuals, LLCs, or partnerships can contribute. - Amends TCA Title 2, Chapter 10 and Title 2, Chapter 19, Part 1.

*HB 0106 by Rep. Judd Metheny (R-Tullahoma

Safety - As introduced, requires the emergency medical services board to develop standards for the operation and maintenance of emergency vehicles that impose certain mileage restrictions. - Amends TCA Title 68.

*HB 0107 by Rep. Jon Lundberg (R-Bristol)

Motor Vehicles - As introduced, prohibits sending or reading text messages while operating a motor vehicle. - Amends TCA Title 55.

Can we not just incorporate all these other activities under driving while distracted? Or are we going to always have to be one step behind and amend the code AFTER we figure out what took the driver's attention away from the more important task of navigating their one ton (or more) vehicle safely through the state?

*HB 0108 by Rep. Jon Lundberg (R-Bristol)

Alcoholic Beverages - As introduced, permits a wholesale license to be granted in a municipality that has approved the sale of alcoholic beverages instead of being limited to a municipality having a population of more than 100,000. - Amends TCA Section 57-3-203.

*HB 0109 by Rep. Jon Lundberg (R-Bristol)

Criminal Procedure - As introduced, clarifies that a person alleged to have violated a condition of probation can be issued a summons to appear in court on the violation as well as arrested. - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 35, Part 3.

*HB 0110 by Rep. Glen Casada (R-Franklin)

Notary Public - As introduced, requires continuing education and exams for notaries; requires notaries to maintain journal enteries; authorizes notaries to perform electronic notarizations. - Amends TCA Title 8, Chapter 16.

From the Senate:

*SB 0020 by Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsay (R-Blountville)

Highway Signs - As introduced, "SP4 Arthur Wayne Glover Memorial Bridge," S.R. 44 in Sullivan County. -

*SB 0022 by Sen. Rusty Crowe (R-Johnson City)

Motor Vehicles - As introduced, extends application deadline for Appalachian Trail new specialty license plate until June 30, 2010. - Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 4, Part 2.

*SB 0026 by Sen. Eric Stewart (D-Belvidere)

Highway Signs - As introduced, "Jerry Cooper Highway," new four-lane segment of U.S. Highway 70S in Warren County. -

RESOLUTIONS:

HJR 0011 by Rep. Jason Mumpower (R-Bristol)

General Assembly, Joint Conventions - Calls joint convention for Monday, February 9, 2009, for purpose of hearing budget address and transmittal of the budget. -

HJR 0014 by Rep. Gerald McCormick (R-Chattanooga)

Memorials, Sports - Ooltewah Lady Owls -

HJR 0015 by Rep. Jimmy Eldridge (R-Jackson)

Memorials, Professional Achievement - Ron Campbell -

HR 0004 by Rep. Gerald McCormick (R-Chattanooga)

Memorials, Death - Ralph Mohney, Sr. -

SJR 0016 by Sen. Mark Norris (R-Collierville)

General Assembly, Recess & Reconvene - Adjourns 106th general assembly organizational session at close of business in both houses on January 15, 2009, and convenes regular session immediately thereafter; recesses 106th general assembly regular session until February 9, 2009. -

SJR 0017 by Sen. Douglas Henry (D-Nashville)

Memorials, Recognition - Centennial Park, National and Tennessee Registers of Historic Places -

SJR 0018 by Sen. Douglas Henry (D-Nashville)

Memorials, Death - Wallace Rasmussen -

2008-12-27 Roundup

The goal is to actually educate the child:

“Want to save the state money at a time when school budgets are being slashed? Offer more vouchers... .” But wait! Don’t private schools take only the “best” kids from privileged backgrounds ? Not under Florida’s program they don’t. Chattanooga Times-Free Press

Eye-catching quote via Joanne Jacobs:

We’re not prosperous because we’ve invested in higher education, [George] Leef writes.

"The truth is closer to the reverse of that. Only a very affluent country could afford to have a higher-education system that costs so much and produces so little."

Anderson County/Oak Ridge parents: Did you know your child took this survey last spring?

Members of the Anderson County Board of Education heard the results of the county school system's Youth Risk Behavior Survey last week. The Oak Ridger also obtained a copy of the survey results from Oak Ridge school officials on Friday. (snip)

The Centers for Disease Control developed the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System to monitor health-risk behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of death, disability and social problems among young people and adults in the United States. State officials with Tennessee Coordinated School Health administered the voluntary survey to middle-school students for the first time this spring. via The Oak Ridger

Now it's Anderson County's turn to pick a Superintendent of Schools. Stonecipher has announced he's retiring.

Bedford County gets an academic magnet elementary school next fall.

Nashville gets two more charter schools. Actually, one is an expansion of an existing one. Nashville is still very far behind on allowing this public school option for children. Memphis has 9 for a student population of about 110,000 (one for every 12,000+) and Nashville currently has 3 for about 75,000 students (1 for every 25,000). That ratio will fall to 15,000 next year. Here's the Tennessee Charter Schools Association website. UPDATE from TCSA: There are currently 16 charter schools in Tennessee with 10 more approved for the next school year.

Nashville Mayor Karl Dean and I have something in common. We've both been described as ranklers by the Tennessean. He last week and me in 2006. Ranklers get things done. Maybe you don't like WHAT they get done...but they get things done.

Good news for free speech and voters:

On December 18, the 10th circuit struck down Oklahoma’s ban on out-of-state circulators for initiatives. (snip) There are now four circuits that have invalidated bans on out-of-state circulators (the 6th, 7th, 9th and 10th), and only one circuit, the 8th, that has upheld them. via Ballot Access News

I met Paul Jacob several months back. The thought of these folks being so harassed by the OK Attorney General was scary. For daring to gather signatures on a petition the Oklahoma 3 found themselves at risk of 10 years in jail and $25,000 fines. Here are a few links for background info. Free the OK3, Tennessee's Blue Collar Muse and the Wall Street Journal. Astonishingly, despite his outrageous behavior and defeat in the Circuit court OK AG Drew Edmondson still plans on running for OK Governor. Apparently, he's drinking whatever IL Gov. Blogojovich is drinking.

This crisis will have to go to the end of the line. Quoted in a Tennessean article about the 'need' to improve our roads and its funding system is this comment about persuading taxpayers to part with their finite cash for the road crisis:

"We're not doing a good job of that. We need to be telling it to Lions Clubs, Rotary Clubs, chambers of commerce that there is a transportation crisis coming in Tennessee." State Rep. Bill Harmon (D-Dunlap)

Harmon is identified as "chairman of the state's Transportation Funding Options Study Committee". Well, I'm betting that chairmanship and the 'crisis' will both change in January with a Republican controlled House and Senate.

More legislation from Rep. G. A. Hardaway (D-Memphis) :

*HJR0004 by *Hardaway.

General Assembly, Studies - Establishes a special joint legislative study committee to study issues relating to unsolved civil rights crimes. -

*HJR0005 by *Hardaway.

General Assembly, Studies - Creates special committee to study the impact of slavery and segregation on African Americans in Tennessee. -

*HB0044 by *Hardaway.

Lottery, Scholarships and Programs - As introduced, creates the ASPIRE work study program to provide additional postsecondary financial assistance from net lottery proceeds to students receiving both the Tennessee HOPE scholarship and the ASPIRE award. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 4, Part 9.

Other legislation filed this week:

*SB0004 by *McNally.

Public Health - As introduced, requires the commissioner of health to require children under the age of 24 months enrolled or enrolling in a child care facility to receive the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 50; Title 56, Chapter 7 and Title 71, Chapter 3, Part 5.

*SB0006 by *Tate.

Parks, Natural Areas Preservation - As introduced, prohibits the state, counties, and municipalities from requiring the naming of parks and recreational facilities in dedication only to individuals who are deceased at the time of such naming. - Amends TCA Title 11.

Let's just sell the naming rights to the highest bidder and solve the Bredesen/Goetz/Naifeh budget crisis at the same time. I argued against naming a MNPS building after a living person back in 2006. Until folks are dead we can not be assured that they won't make a wrong turn at some point which will require having to go back and un-name something after an embarrassing incident. If the idea is to honor a life well lived, lets let them finish their life and give their kids a chance to write that tell-all biography first.

*SB0009 by *Black.

Nurses, Nursing - As introduced, certifies medication technicians who can administer certain medications in nursing homes under the supervision of licensed nurses. - Amends TCA Title 63, Chapter 7, Part 1.

And Sen. Henry files his second bill---another resolution to honor someone. Henry's bill and this CMA press release are very similar.

SJR0003 by *Henry.

Memorials, Retirement - Ed Benson -

Fully expected

The City Paper headline tells us: MNPS denies all three charter school applications. That was fully expected. Coulda written that headline months ago.

This is another reason to be thankful they'll be a Republican House and Senate in Tennessee. We can rewrite these charter school laws so that the school boards, which consider these public schools competitors, don't have the authority to approve or deny these applications in such a routine manner. Alan Coverstone (District 9) has the right idea. Let's approve them with provisions. Especially ones with track records of success like Smithson-Craighead and KIPP that want to expand. Typical protectionism. If you can't or won't improve your own job performance, make sure there are no other choices.

And here's the incredible truth that makes one wonder why, when one considers the lack in their own system, the MNPS BOE should have any say in judging a charter school's fitness:

Both Smithson-Craighead and KIPP Academy have met all benchmarks set by federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation, despite serving populations of students considered by many to be high-risk. All of Smithson-Craighead’s students, and 94.3 percent of KIPP Academy’s, are considered economically disadvantaged by state Report Card data. LEAD just completed its first year of operation, so no Report Card data is available.

One more time

Erick Huth, president of the Metro Nashville Education Association, which advocates for local teachers, said charter schools are not the answer to the district's woes and could end up hurting more than helping because they will take tax dollars away from already struggling schools. Per-student funding follows students to the charter schools they attend.

"There's not much a charter school can do that public schools couldn't do," he said. "But some people rally around charter schools because of a belief that public education is evil or awful."

Let's go through this lesson one more time.

First off, money does not equal a good education as MNPS has so clearly demonstrated and every charter school demonstrates.

Secondly, charter schools ARE public schools. Obviously, charter school parents don't believe that public education is evil or awful. It's working well for their students.

"They're making better grades, their scores are up. I see a big difference in my kids." [East Nashville father Scott Gray]

Thirdly, there is, apparently, something those charter schools can do that some public schools can't:

"Publicly funded but independently operated, all three of Nashville's charter schools met state standards and had waiting lists at the beginning of this school year for the first time." Tennessean

The only people standing in the way of more charter schools (and so the education of children) are those who are already running or enabling the ailing public education system--like the MNEA. Let go of the children and let them succeed in the school that suits them best.

Reform News Roundup

From the October 2007 School Reform News whch hit my mailbox yesterday:

NEA Moves Even Further from Mainstream at Annual convention. This headline isn't even news anymore but there is some encouraging information in the article.

"Rank-and-file teachers are becoming increasingly fed up with the far-left policies the NEA adopted...so fed up that some of them are planning to become delegates themselves in order to change the union's makeup."

"Conservative teachers must not 'sit idly back and pay dues,' [Sissy] Jochmann said. "It's unconscionable,' she continued, for state members to do nothing while the NEA continues to 'adopt non-education policies regarding social issues...'

I've always thought Mike Antonnuci's NEA Pyramid was very illustrative of the disconnect between the NEA leadership and the rank-and-file. Good to read that people are trying to reform the old gal. Of course there are options: Professional Educators of Tennessee. (I see they've redone their website. Nice.)

Civic Group Finds Illinois Charter Schools Don't Drain Resources. The first argument out of the mouths of those who don't want this education choice available is that it will drain resources from public schools (actually educating children isn't the highest priority).

"The 112-page assessment focused on three Illinois charter schools outside the Chicago Pulbic School system that had weathered a time of financial hardship for their host districts. During the 2003-04 school year, on which the study focused, the three schools relieved their host district of 1.3 to 3 percent of the district's students while tapping only 0.9 to 2.4 percent of their host districts' operating budget.

and

"We're finding the same is generally true nationwide," [Don] Soifer [Exec. Director of the Lexington Institute] said. "Charter schools do not drain district funding."

Congress May Act to Define Graduation Rate: You had to know this was coming. Our own MNPS has modified its definition of graduation. I don't believe they're the only ones to think of it. Changing the definitions, the tests, the way we report the information are all tried and true tactics of those who want to hide the truth.

"Sadly, dishonest reporting about graduation rates turns out to be widespread," wrote Larry Ozzell in a 2005 Cato Institute policy brief."

Two bills are being introduced that would 'require accurate information regarding dropout and graduation rates.' They only mention one in this article HR2955. Here's a printer friendly version of the bill.

From the Bill:

"Approximately one-third of all high school students in the United States fail to graduate with their peers--about 1,230,000 every year." That's ONE MILLION, two hundred thirty thousand lives handicapped by not getting the education they need EVERY YEAR. I'll never understand the push for Pre-K when more than ONE MILLION of our citizens need help NOW. 4 year olds have some time. These one million students have run out of time.

"About 2,000 of the more than 20,000 high schools in the United States produce nearly half of the Nation's dropouts."

Let's Marshal Plan those 2,000.

"The average gap between State-reported and independently reported graduation rates is approximately 11 percent, and in some States that difference rises to over 25 percent."

For federal legislation it's a pretty easy read. I encourage you to go through it and let your representative know how you'd like them to vote.

And finally we have a Democratically controlled congress and so that means no more choice for those that could really use it.

DC Opportunity Scholarship Program's Future in Question.

"The DC Opportunity Scholarship program has been providing low-income students private school scholarship since 2004 when President George W. Bush signed into law the federal DC School Choice Incentive Act."

And this quote...really, this is what the DC delegate thinks is the ONLY responsible thing to do?

"I think there's very little chance that, when this runs out, it will be renewed," commented Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, who represents the District in Congress. "I have said to [Washington Scholarship Fund] that I think the only responsible thing to do is to prepare the parents to understand that the program is unlikely to be funded, that it was experimental, it was never meant to be permanent."

and

"Del. Norton needs to talk to parents," Walden Ford [Exec. Director, DC Parents for School Choice] said. "Parents with children in the program are thrilled about the new opportunities in private school. They are so happy to have their children in safe and high-quality schools."

This is what she calls doing a good job advocating for her constituents? And she wants a vote in the House. I don't think so. It's not like they're asking for their children to attend Sidwell Friends or St. Albans.

Charter's work--very well

From Business Tennessee of March 2007:

A recent study of Tennessee charter schools conducted by a University of Memphis professor (and principal investigator for the statewide evaluation program) reveals that these public schools operated independently of local school boards and their educational philosophies are working in Tennessee.

Steven M. Ross, director of the Center for Research in Educational Policy at U of M charted the academic progress (among other criteria) of children enrolled in second-year charter schools in Tennessee, comparing their academic data to highly similar individual students attending traditional public schools in Tennessee. The results? According to Ross’ student-to-student comparisons, charter school students and their parents are experiencing a significant, statistically measurable academic advantage over their peers in traditional public schools. The data paints a considerably different picture than national studies overly reliant on mere test score discrepancies between charter students and the general population. (emphasis added)

I've found the University of Memphis' Center for Research in Education Policy (CREP) research page but I'm not exactly sure which of these is the one referred to in this Business Tennessee opinion piece. I've emailed Dr. Ross asking for a copy or the URL.

Business Tennessee goes on to opine:

Arguably, the infusion of more free market options into our state’s educational system would markedly improve the business friendliness of every community in the state. And based on our educational rankings to date, what has Tennessee got to lose?

I whole heartedly agree. I regularly get email from people who, for business reasons, are moving to the area. Tennessee is surrounded by 8 other states and these people frequently have the option of living in other states even if their job is in Tennessee. These people are researching the best education options for their children and tell me that they will decide where to live based, largely, on the education freedom and choices available. Let's give them another good reason to locate in Tennessee.

UPDATE: 3/1/07 2:59 p.m. This from Dr. Ross of CREP:

The study is commissioned for and owned by TN DOE. So, we turn it into them, but aren’t privileged to release copies.

I've left a message for Tn DOE Communications Director Rachel Woods asking how I could obtain a copy.

Education legislation

The state legislature is making some progress toward making information more accessible to mere citizens. They've still got a ways to go before catching up with some other states but I'm thankful for forward progress. I'd like to see the companion bills listed together. I'd also like to see an e-mail subscription service that would automatically e-mail a citizen when a bill is filed (or action is scheduled or taken) that is on their 'watch' list.

For our purposes here bills filled that touch on education issues can be scanned from this web page. It sure beats the heck out of reading through the summaries of some 1500 bills filed each of the last several years. This format will make it much easier for moms and dads to scan and discover where they may want to impact the system. The more eyes that look at these and discuss the back stories and connections the better off we'll all be. So when you've got a few minutes and a warm cup of your favorite beverage scroll through these. Also be mindful that the summaries may not be completely accurate and you may want to actually review the legislation.

Scanning this page it looks like BEP is going to be a hot topic and this bill from Rep. Mike Turner (D- Nashville) catches my eye:

*HB0052 by *Turner M.

Education - Deletes provisions for value added testing and performance education. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 1.

The Abstract summarizes *HB0052 as introduced.

I consider Value Added information essential to knowing how well public education is doing. Tennessee had a healthy jump on the NCLB requirements because we had value added already up and running. What we need is access to more of the Value Added information, specifically teacher scores, not less. And this from a man who wanted homeschoolers to be tested.

And elected superintendents of schools, a perennial favorite is back again:

*SB0589 by *Burks. (HB0661 by *Hill, *Ford.)

Education - Permits election of director of schools and outlines specifications. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 2, Part 3 and Section 49-2-203.

HB0948 by *Winningham. (*SB0578 by *Burks.)

Local Education Agency - Permits election of director of schools and outlines qualifications. - Amends TCA Section 49-2-203 and Title 49, Chapter 2, Part 3.

This is a curious one:

*SB0198 by *Harper.

Local Education Agency - Authorizes legislative body of Davidson County to appoint a certified teacher as a non-voting member of the Davidson County school board. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 2, Part 2.

It's not like Jayme Merrit, MNEA President, hasn't already put the school board on notice that she wants three minutes to speak at every BOE meeting, or that there haven't been enough 'former' educators on the Board already. If the Metro Council wants to appoint someone to be their eyes and ears at the BOE they are free to do so outside of the state legislation. And what's the purpose of making sure it's a certified teacher?

And I'm wondering why partnering with the local police department is insufficient:

*SB1451 by *Tate.

Education - Requires department of education to study allowing LEAs to create school district police departments. - Amends TCA Title 49.

And here the LEA gets to skim money off the top of a charter school's budget:

*SB1447 by *Tate.

Local Education Agency - Authorizes the LEA to retain, as an administrative fee, 5 percent of the state and local education funds that otherwise would be allocated to a charter school for processing information required by the state department of education with respect to such school, including reporting student enrollment data, teacher certification data, insurance and retirement data, and budgetary information. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 13, Part 1.

and more on charters:

*SB1865 by *Johnson.

Schools, Private and Charter - Removes the prohibitions on converting a cyber-based school to a public charter school and on creating a cyber-based public charter school. - Amends TCA Section 49-13-106.

This has to happen. We're very far behind this education innovation in other states. I know that one homeschooling organization is going to be afraid that this will 'lure' homeschoolers back to public education and is concerned that parents may not understand that their children will be 'public schoolers' and not homeschoolers but we need to focus on the needs of children. It's past time for Tennessee to offer this. They are certainly cheaper to operate than a brick and mortar school and provide some alternatives that can benefit many families and their children. This could be a legitimate alternative for some of our students expelled as a result of zero tolerance for starters.

Republican Education Priorities

I've pulled these from the TeamGOP blog entry listing the Tennessee Republican Caucus priorities for this session and included my comments.

Education First Act

The House Republican Caucus is proposing the Education First Act, which would require that the General Assembly pass the education budget first, before considering other budgetary items. Prioritizing education spending would help the education system get the funding it deserves and avoid the reallocation of those funds to other programs.

Yes! It's an annoying joke that Tennessee is 1st in roads and 49th in schools. If this is a priority--prove it. Deal with this before you fulfill promises to the road builder lobby, the tobacco lobby, the liquor lobby...

Lottery Reserves

Another piece of Caucus legislation moves to use some of the excess proceeds from the lottery to fund capital improvements for K-12 schools. As of July 2006, Tennessee had $323.4 million in its Lottery Reserve Account. The constitutional amendment that authorized the lottery allowed for excess proceeds to be used to fund capital outlay projects for K-12 facilities. The bill will propose to take lottery funds in excess of $250 million and distribute them statewide on a per-pupil basis, with a 50 percent local match required.

OK, I have problems with the term 'surplus'. There is surplus because legislators manipulate the amount of money they give in scholarships in order to create this 'surplus'. It's not that it would all go unused otherwise.

I would encourage legitimate capital improvements over pre-K. No money for redoing the quad. Classrooms, HVAC, mold eradication, ADA compliance, clean water and security measure are all legitimate, in my opinion.

Basic Education Program Funding Formula

The Basic Education Program is the funding formula the state uses to determine the funds necessary for each school system to provide a basic level of education for its students. The level of funding includes an amount the state should pay and an amount that local governments should pay for education. This year, it is estimated it will cost the state an extra $90 million to fully fund the formula for K-12 schools as it is because of expected growth. Lawmakers have discussed the possibility of proposing legislation this year that would alter the formula. For example, it has been suggested that the program should send extra money to schools in anticipation of growth, instead of waiting until the growth occurs within the school system.

I like the anticipation of growth suggestion. I would like to see some mechanism for ensuring that if the growth didn't occur (these sorts of numbers are notoriously difficult to nail down) then the money will be deducted from the next year's funding.

Pre-K Program

The administration has discussed expanding the Pre-K program by $25 million a year. The administration is also asking that the legislature remove the restrictions that limit enrollment to lower income or at-risk students. School districts are expected to ask for an additional 200 classrooms this year, and if the restrictions are removed, the education commissioner expects an additional 147 classrooms will be requested to accommodate interested students. The 200 classrooms would cost $20.2 million and the 347 classrooms would cost $33.3 million.

I remain unconvinced that Pre-K's impact lasts beyond the elementary years. Many people see this as free glorified daycare but for the sake of what they've been told are 'at risk' children they'll fork over the tax money. They won't be happy to see this expanded to everyone.

Charter Schools

Charter schools are authorized under legislation passed in 2002 and there have numerous complaints about the current process and procedures. Some fear that the schools, which can only teach students who previously attended failing schools, rely too much on the failure of those schools. Further, when the failing schools begin to perform at the standard, charter schools lose their enrollment.

Reforming the process of funding for charter schools may be on the agenda this year. As it stands now, a public charter school may apply to the local board of education to create a new school, or a sponsor may apply to the local board of education to convert an existing public school into a public charter school if 60 percent of the school’s teachers or parents of the school’s children sign a petition supporting said conversion.

Yes, our charter legislation was conveniently written to nearly ensure the failure of the charter schools. (See we told you they weren't needed.) We need some boundaries for these school boards who find it all to easy to deny these applications and we need a legitimate appeal process. They should not be limited to students from failing schools (failing students is better) but thrown open to the public at large. (Have we not learned anything from the recent magnet school lottery applications in Metro Nashville. Parents WANT other choices.) If the school's or student's AYP continues as the criteria for enrolling their improvement should not mean the child is returned to their zoned school. The system had their chance. No take backs. Regular public schools ought to be held to the same standards.

And let's remember, these are still PUBLIC schools. These are still PUBLIC school students. If a system says their budget will get hit--that's misinformation at best and a panic inducing lie at worst. Their enrollment is smaller and so their budget ought to be smaller.

UPDATE Saturday 1/27/07: Rep. Stacy Campfield says this isn't really a Republican Priority list but a list of what is likely to be discussed in this General Assembly. Read his explanation here.

More NO votes for charters

The Metro Nashville Public Schools Board of Education denied three more charter school applications. Maybe Mr. Kane of LEAD Academy is surprised--I'm not. Considering how the law and approval committees are stacked against charter schools it's nigh on to a miracle that any actually get approved.

From today's City Paper:

Board member Gracie Porter represented the board of education on the charter committee and said the process of examining charter school applications must be handled with caution.

“I can say that in any situation, you want to take all precaution in looking at everything, charter schools or regular schools,” Porter said. “You want to make sure that all guidelines are followed in making sure a quality education is delivered to all children.”

"In any situation..." If only that were so. If only the BOE actually held the Superintendent and the regular public schools to as much scrutiny and accountability as they do charters. These people see charters as direct competition to their system and power. They see the money that will go to these schools as belonging to them and their system. And yet, state law allows these people to decide who they'll be competing against (think Kroger having veto power over Publix). They can't have rogue educators out there with the freedom to create schools that actually work (KIPP Academy) . That might actually make the rest of the system look bad and endanger jobs and power. "Whatever it takes" doesn't go that far.

And what happened to Garcia's plan to turn Maplewood into a charter school? Did that die when the ink on his contract dried?

"Pawns" is right

Bob Krumm's comments on the ridiculous reach for children by Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools Superintendent Pedro Garcia are must read. He points out this is far from over.

Luckily for the 17 children threatened with upheaval, the State Board of Education reported that the reclassification of the zoned schools has “no retroactive effect” on the children already enrolled at KIPP.

That report breaks the impasse . . . for now. Left unreported is whether or not those 17 children will be allowed to return to KIPP next year. Given MNPS’ already expressed desire to remove children from their current school mid-year, I’m not hopeful that they will not also try to fight reenrollment next summer.

Read the rest at his blog and then check around and see if you can help in his campaign for the 21st District seat (West Nashville) for the Tennessee Senate. If we're ever to do a better job at educating these children we need men like Bob in the state legislature who not only understand the issues but are willing to correct the problem.

The first obstacle is structural. Tennessee law creates a system too risky for many charter schools to even consider establishment here. Because children are often permitted to attend a charter school only if their zoned school is deemed failing, the year-to-year continuance of a charter school is always in doubt. Current law, therefore, discourages charter schools from investing in our children’s future because there is no assurance that there will be any children in their future

Update of BOE meeting 8/22/06

The MNPS board secretary confirmed that the wording for GP3.10 which passed 9-0 on the consent agenda was the same one discussed at the last BOE meeting and pulled by me for a specific vote. At that time the board voted to remove it all together and now this board has reinstated it without discussion.

"Facilitating timely and efficient communications with the administration and constituents by offering to each Board member the use of a district provided laptop or a residential fax line with fax machine.”

She also provided me with the committee appointments made by Chair Pam Garrett

Charter Schools Committee –
Connie Williams [ Executive Director of PENCIL Foundation] and
Sydney Rodgers [Chamber of Commerce Alignment Nashville]

CGCS [Council of Great City Schools] Convention –
George Thompson, honorary chair [long time BOE member and new chairman of CGCS]
Kathy Nevill, acting chair [former BOE member and vice-chair]
and George [Thompson] announced that
Dr. Garcia [Director of MNPS] would be co-chair

Committee to Evaluate the Director [Dr. Garcia] –
Ed Kindall, chair
Marsha Warden
Pam Garrett [currently BOE chair]
Steve Glover [new board member covering Kathy Nevill's old seat]