Association of Metropolitan School Districts Update
October 7, 2009
New AMSD Member
Please join us in welcoming the newest member of the Association of Metropolitan School Districts – Osseo Public Schools!
Common Core State Standards
The National Governor’s Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers continue to work on developing common core state standards. You can view the first draft and offer comments at the web site listed below:
CCRPI Assessment and Accountability Working Group
As you likely know, the 2009 legislature passed a law creating a task force to develop recommendations for Minnesota’s next generation of high school assessments. The College and Career Readiness Policy Institute Assessment and Accountability Working Group has been meeting since June to develop recommendations. The working group met yesterday and released a first draft of a potential new high school assessment system. The working group co-chairs, Kent Pekel and Dr. Dirk Mattson, emphasized that this was indeed a draft proposal and that they continue to explore other options and gather input. Here is a brief overview of the proposal:
- There would be three assessment options
o state end of course exams in English, Algebra II, Geometry, Biology, and either Chemistry or Physics depending upon which course the student takes
o Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate tests
o The ACT college entrance exam
- Test characteristics would include: items to include both multiple choice and student generated response, test results returned to schools before the end of the year, system would include formative, benchmark and predictive assessments
- There would be three performance levels: College and Career Ready, On Track for Readiness, Off Track for Readiness
- Students hitting a determined cut score on AP, IB or ACT exam would be eligible for a diploma. Students not meeting this option would be required to pass anchor courses to graduate. Anchor assessments would count for a state-determined percent of the final grade – i.e. 30 percent.
This is a brief overview and documents from yesterday’s meeting should be posted soon on the working group’s web site for your review. Here is a link to that web site:
http://www.mnp16.org/working_groups/ccrpi.html
Senate Hearings on Friday
The Senate E-12 Budget and Policy Division is scheduled to meet this Friday at 11:00 a.m. in room 107 of the Capitol. The agenda includes updates on the changes that were made to the charter school law session and the MDE’s Race to the Top application. The Subcommittee on Integration Aid will meet 30 minutes following the full division meeting. The subcommittee will receive an update and overview from MDE staff on the integration revenue program.
Friday, October 9, 2009 - 11:00 AM
E-12 Education Budget and Policy Division
Chair: Sen. LeRoy A. Stumpf
11 a.m. Room 107 Capitol
Agenda:
Charter Schools
Race to the Top funding
Friday, October 9, 2009 - 30 Minutes after full committee adjourns
E-12 Education Budget and Policy Division - Subcommittee on Integration Aid
Chairs: Sen. Terri E. Bonoff and Sen. Lisa A. Fobbe
30 Minutes after full committee adjourns Room 107 Capitol
Agenda:
MDE Presentation - Oversight Process
AMSD Advocacy Workshop
AMSD is sponsoring an advocacy workshop for AMSD board members, interested district staff and parent and community leaders on Tuesday, November 10 from 5:00 – 8:15 in the TIES Building. The workshop will include a presentation from Robbie LaFleur, director of the Legislative Reference Library and Rep. Connie Doepke and Sen. Kathy Saltzman. In addition, several representatives from our member district parent legislative action groups will offer short presentations to share ideas on how to enhance your advocacy efforts. This will be a great way to prepare for the 2010 legislative session as well as the 2010 election. Check out our homepage for a flier with more details.