Commissioner's Newsletter
December 12, 2006
| Update on High School Assessment | Report About Students with Severe Disabilities |
Dear School Administrator:
Following are a few important items we wanted to share with you before your district’s winter break.
UPDATE ON HIGH SCHOOL ASSESSMENT
A news story was circulating across the state last week which suggested to some that the State Board of Education had made a decision regarding changes in high school assessment requirements. This is incorrect; no decisions have been made.
The board asked the Department staff to prepare an analysis of the pros and cons of three possible types of high school assessment: the MAP tests as we know them today; a mandatory college-entry exam (such as the ACT) for all students; and state-developed, end-of-course exams for designated courses. This analysis will evaluate the relative strengths and weaknesses of each type of assessment in meeting a set of predetermined board-approved criteria.
We will present this analysis to the State Board of Education in January and continue our discussion of possible changes in high school assessment policies.
REPORT ABOUT STUDENTS WITH SEVERE DISABILITIES
There also have been news reports in the past week or two about a study of services for students with severe disabilities in Missouri. This study has attracted interest because some feared that it was conducted in order to justify closing the State Schools for Severely Handicapped. As you know, the State Schools are operated by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. There are 36 schools located across the state, serving approximately 1,000 children (ages 5-21) this year. Another 800 students with severe disabilities are served by special school districts or by local school districts and special education cooperatives.
Last year, Governor Blunt appointed the State Government Review Commission. One of the recommendations of that panel called for us to conduct a study of “best practices” for serving students with severe disabilities. In response, we hired a private firm to collect information from other states about their policies and practices in this area and to survey Missouri parents, teachers and administrators in the State Schools and local districts about issues regarding services for this population. The final report of this study was released November 30; it is available on the Department’s Web site.
There has been no proposal, by anybody, to close the State Schools for Severely Handicapped. Most stakeholders in this survey believe the State Schools do a good job of serving this unique population. Parents of students in the State Schools generally express higher levels of satisfaction about their children’s education than parents whose severely disabled children are served by local school districts.
We will use the results of this study as we continue to seek ways to improve the quality and efficiency of services for children with severe disabilities, both within the State Schools program and in other settings.
IMPORTANT: NEW “E-RATE” PROGRAM REQUIREMENT
Each year MOREnet files an application to obtain the E-rate discount on Internet connections of districts participating in the Technology Network Program (TNP). About this time each year, MOREnet also sends a Letter of Agency (LOA) and Form 479 to participating districts for them to complete and return. This year new requirements stipulate that the LOA must be printed on the member organization’s letterhead. If your district takes part in the TNP, you must return the LOA information on your school district’s official letterhead along with the Form 479.
Rather than sending the packet of forms to districts, as in the past, MOREnet has developed a Web page to assist in this process. Here is the site: www.more.net/services/e-rate/loa.html. The LOA language is available for districts to download, print on district letterhead, sign, and return to MOREnet via mail or fax. The Form 479 also is available for districts to complete and return to MOREnet.
Please contact Rebecca Miller, MOREnet’s E-rate program manager, if you have any questions. Ms. Miller can be reached at 573-884-2146 or millerrj@more.net.
In August and September, we asked school districts to hurriedly gather and submit information to us regarding the experience and qualifications of about 16,500 veteran Missouri educators who, at the time, did not meet the federal definition of being “highly qualified.” For some school districts, gathering this information was not an inconsequential task.
We had to submit a revised “highly qualified teacher plan” to federal officials by November 1 or risk financial penalties.
While we have not received formal approval of our entire revised plan, we were recently notified that the updated data we submitted had been approved by federal officials. This was a big hurdle, and we are confident that final approval of our overall plan is forthcoming.
We want to thank you and your colleagues for helping us collect the information necessary for Missouri to satisfy this provision of No Child Left Behind.
December is rapidly moving toward a new year. I know the cold and wet weather has presented you with issues and challenges, but I hope you made it through without major problems and undue stress.
As we approach Christmas, I am excited about spending some time with my family; and I suspect you are looking forward to that special time with your family as well.
My life has changed significantly since early October, and I want to give you a brief report. I have now completed radiation and the first round of chemotherapy. These treatments are designed to prevent or, at least, delay a return of the cancerous brain tumor.
Fortunately, the treatments have not made me ill. I have worked in the office most days after the first two weeks following surgery. I am extremely pleased with the work of our staff during my absence, but I am also happy that I have been here to influence several decisions.
My wife, Sandy, has been a great help through this time; and we look forward to moving ahead in the future.
Many of you have sent cards and notes, most of which included a commitment to keep me in your prayers. Thank you for that. We are hopeful that God will postpone the return of the cancer.
Have a wonderful holiday season and continue to focus on the education of children in 2007.
Sincerely,
D. Kent King