Every year in February, the Center for Reform of School Systems has its alumni retreat. During yesterday's portion of this year's retreat, Lisa Dawn-Fisher, Director of the Foundation School Program for the Texas Education Agency gave a Power Point presentation (.pdf) on the 65% Rule that highlighted the direction likely to be taken by the TEA in implementing Governor Perry's Executive Order through its rule-making authority.
Ms. Dawn-Fisher related that the TEA has been directed to use the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) definition of instrution which excludes curriculum development, teacher training, librarians, counseling services, technology, nursing, social services, maintenance, transportation, and construction.
She further stated that the Rule will be phased in over 3 years beginning at 55% in 2006-2007, then 60% in 2007-2008, and finally 65% in 2008-2009. School districts that do not meet the 65% standard will not be penalized if the district's check register is published on the district's website.
The TEA will also propose reporting on the following (most of which are already required): the superintendent's employment contract, a schedule of reimbursements to the superintendent and school board members, a schedule of earnings by the superintendent from consulting or other personal services, and a summary of gifts to officers and board members exceeding $250 in value.
The TEA is also likely to propose an alternative plan that includes nurses, counselors and librarians with a phase in at 60% in 2006-2007, 65% in 2007-2008, and 70% in 2008-2009.
The new TEA rule will require school districts to report many expenditures already reported (i.e., expenditures on maintenance, construction, technology, counseling services, available fund balance) as well as additional reporting on expenditures for lobbying, consulting services, legal services, dues and professional development.
Finally, the TEA will propose this new Rule at the end of February or early March. At that time, there will be a 30 day comment period. I will post the Rule when TEA posts it along with information about where to send/post comments to TEA.
As a concluding thought, transparency and accountability are critical and welcome. The difficult part about the implementation of the Governor's Order lies in the fact that it is based on input data (how are you spending your funds?) rather than student outcome data, which has historically been the State's role in defining accountability standards, and doesn't take into account the vast differences between the 1000+ school districts in Texas. A one size fits all model of transparency and accountability on outcomes is welcome, but on inputs, is unlikely to yield the types of results that are desired.
Joe,
I couldn't agree more with your comment. The new focus on inputs is a significant erosion of local control. It is particularly surprising given that the Standard & Poors study showed no correlation between 65% and student achievement which should be the sole goal of the state's accountability system.
Posted by: Mike Falick | Wednesday, February 15, 2006 at 08:39 AM
Mike do you percieve the move to control input data rather that outputs is as drastic a change as I do?
It appears to me this is a total flip in priorities. The most significant is the movement away from dropouts being of high importance because now the money to use for this priority is being limited.
It could cause leadership to be tagged with the outcome since they are assuming control of the input. I am having a difficult time accepting this reform because it has little or nothing to do with eduation and violates local control.
Posted by: harleyjoe | Wednesday, February 15, 2006 at 08:03 AM