MINUTES OF MEETING
State Board of Education
August 11-12, 2005
The August meeting of the Board of Education was held in the State Board Conference Room, Grimes State Office Building, Des Moines. Board members Gene Vincent, Sally Frudden, Jim Billings, Charlie Edwards, Sister Jude Fitzpatrick, Rosie Hussey (telephonically), Wayne Kobberdahl, Greg McClain, Mary Jean Montgomery and Tara Richards were present. Also present were Department Director Judy Jeffrey and staff members Gail Sullivan, Carol Greta, Jan Friedel, Jeff Berger, Pam Pfitzenmaier, Lee Tack, Kathi Slaughter, Arlie Willems, Susan Fischer, Gary Borlaug, Roger Stirler, Jim Reese, Rita Martens, Dee Gethmann, Karen Blankenship, Tom Andersen, Jim Fliehler, Beverly Bunker and Beverlee Adams. Also in attendance were Representative Wayne Ford, Dean Ryerson, Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools, Troyce Fisher, School Administrators of Iowa, Les Douma, Area Education Agency 4, Bruce Hopkins, Area Education Agency 12, Joe Romano and Robin Madison, legislative staff, Kris Bell, Office of the Governor, Shanell Wagler, Department of Management, Brad Clark, GLBT Youth in Iowa Schools Task Force, Todd Dorman, Lee Newspapers, Michelle Spitzer, Associated Press, Darwin Danielson, Radio Iowa, Lynn Campbell, Des Moines Register, Pat Curtis, WHO Radio, Jon Ericson, Des Moines and Rod Boshart, The Cedar Rapids Gazette.
President Vincent called the meeting to order at 11:05 a.m.
It was moved by Sister Jude Fitzpatrick and seconded by Sally Frudden to approve the agenda as written. Greg McClain felt that all Board members were not properly prepared to vote on the athletic eligibility item. He also said no background information had been provided in the Board notebook and he thought more background information was needed before Board action could be taken on this item.
Vote: Aye: Frudden, Billings, Edwards, Fitzpatrick, Hussey, Kobberdahl, Montgomery and Vincent. Nay: McClain. The motion passed.
Representative Wayne Ford, representing himself, addressed the Board in favor of retaining the athletic eligibility rule as currently written.
Director Judy Jeffrey reported on the following items:
CONSENT AGENDA
The minutes of the May 11-12, 2005 and July 15, 2005 State Board of Education meeting were approved.
Chapter 11, “Unsafe School Choice Option” rules were approved for adoption.
The State Board approved the extension of the conditional approval of Ashford University’s three Master’s Degree programs for one additional year through August 2006 as presented.
Extend Conditional Approval for Educational Leadership Preparation Programs
The State Board approved the extension of the conditional approval for the educational leadership preparation programs at Northwest Missouri State and Viterbo for one additional year as presented.
Carol Greta, legal consultant, reviewed the Chapter 17 rules. She indicated the proposed rule changes implement statutory language passed by the 81st General Assembly in House File 423 and House File 882 and conform to the language of the Open Enrollment Law in Iowa Code section 282.18.
Motion: It was moved by Sally Frudden and seconded by Rosie Hussey to approve the Notice of Intended Action on Chapter 17.
Vote: The motion carried unanimously.
Rules: Chapter 77, “Standards for Teacher Intern Preparation Program,” Rule Amendments
Arlie Willems, Administrative Consultant, Practitioner Preparation, Division of Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education stated that the proposed amendments would provide for the approval process for state accreditation of higher education programs engaged in preparation of teacher interns. She indicated that the proposed amendments implement statutory language as required by 2003 Iowa Acts, chapter 180, section 17 and Iowa Code subsection 272.25(4).
Motion: It was moved by Jim Billings and seconded by Charlie Edwards to approve the Notice of Intended Action for the amendments to Chapter 77.
Vote: The motion carried unanimously.
Administrative Consultant, Arlie Willems, Practitioner Preparation outlined the approval process for the practitioner preparation program review. She reported that Simpson College had met all the standards required and full approval was recommended to the State Board.
Motion: Wayne Kobberdahl moved and Rosie Hussey seconded to approve the Simpson College practitioner preparation programs through the 2010-11 academic year.
Vote: The motion carried unanimously.
The approval process for the practitioner preparation programs for Morningside College was reviewed by Arlie Willems, Administrative Consultant, Practitioner Preparation. The concerns that had been identified by the state review team had been met and the Morningside practitioner preparation programs were recommended for full approval by the State Board.
Motion: It was moved by Charlie Edwards and seconded by Mary Jean Montgomery that the practitioner preparation programs for Morningside College be approved through the 2010-11 academic year.
Vote: The motion carried unanimously.
Sister Jude Fitzpatrick, State Board member, outlined the work of the IBSSS Task Force in the review of the services at the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School. She stated that the IBSSS Task Force recommended that the State Board of Education and the Board of Regents create a Coordinating Council to examine the services provided for visually impaired students statewide. Fitzpatrick provided the recommendations from the Task Force. She indicated the State Board would appoint one member to the Coordinating Council and the Department of Education would appoint a member.
Lee Tack, Administrator, Division of Financial and Information Services and Roger Stirler, Chief, Bureau of Internal Operations were present to discuss this agenda item. Tack stated that state agencies are required by Iowa Code to submit to the Department of Management and Governor’s Office an appropriation request for the following fiscal year by October 1. In 2004 a new approach to budget requests, “Purchasing Results” was implemented. He said this approach requires departments to develop “offers” which are presented to “buying” teams. He discussed the “Purchasing Results” process and talked about the Department offer areas.
Pam Pfitzenmaier, Administrator, Division of Early Childhood, Elementary & Secondary Education introduced Superintendent Dean Ryerson of the Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools. She explained that at the summer 2005 Board retreat, the members had established a priority of early childhood education with access to quality preschools for four-year-olds whose parents wish to have their children participate. The Board had requested to learn more about what other states were doing to reach a similar goal.
Superintendent Dean Ryerson of the Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools indicated that the state of Wisconsin had established early learning standards and delivery options for programs serving four-year-olds. He described the district’s kindergarten program for four-year-olds and discussed the overall economic impact to the Wisconsin K-12 education system due to the statewide expansion of the four-year-old kindergarten program. Ryerson outlined the following priorities of the Wisconsin Governor’s Task Force on Education Excellence:
v Lower rates of grade retention
v Lower rates of special education services
v Lower school dropout rates
v More years of completed education
Superintendent Ryerson explained that the assets of developing a community collaborative for a 4-year-old-kindergarten program was a program that provided equitable services to all 4-year-old children and built on the strengths already existing in the community, including parents, schools, child care, learning centers, preschools, and Head Start. Some of the challenges and issues that faced the program were 1) continued funding; 2) transportation; 3) curriculum and philosophy; 4) union issues; 5) site criteria; and 6) program control. He concluded his presentation by discussing the economic impact of the community collaborative-based 4K approach and the issues of concern to the business community.
State Board members had many comments and questions about the Wisconsin model for providing preschool services and thanked Mr. Ryerson for the expertise he had brought to the Board in his presentation.
Les Douma, Administrator of Area Education Agency 4 presented information on this agenda item. The 2001 Iowa legislature passed legislation allowing Area Education Agencies (AEA) to voluntarily reorganize. He indicated that AEA 4 and AEA 12 were the third set of agencies to undertake this endeavor. He said this proposed plan had been submitted to the Department of Education which included an executive summary and very detailed appendix. The appendix included documented results of the feasibility study, public hearings, assets and liabilities according to the most recent audit of the AEAs, buildings and equipment for each AEA, and entity. All items in the appendix meet the Code specifications for a reorganization study including documentation that there were either no or very few comments at the public hearings. He reported that it was clear through the documentation of the board minutes and public hearings that the stakeholders support the reorganization.
The presentation included a document with the sequence of events that had transpired as part of the process to consider and develop a Voluntary Reorganization Plan for AEA 4 and AEA 12. Douma indicated that a feasibility study had been conducted by Ghan Consulting, Inc. to outline the options for a merger between AEAs 4 and 12.
Administrator Douma stated it is the belief that the Voluntary Reorganization Plan and Appendix satisfy all requirements in Chapter 273 of the Code of Iowa and additional information to show the progress reached in desiring to create a new organization to better meet the needs of schools and children within our area. The proposed AEA would be named Northwest AEA. Therefore, this is a request for State Board approval of the Voluntary Reorganization Plan to be effective July 1, 2006.
Bruce Hopkins, Administrator, Western Hills AEA talked about the Northwest Iowa cooperative and the large media production facility—it includes Northwest Iowa and also the educational service unit in Nebraska. He also said they have set up a graduate center and have the largest staff development program in the state of Iowa. These are all cooperatives efforts. Hopkins felt the governance system in the state of Iowa is strong and all of us can be extremely proud.
Board member, Sally Frudden, expressed her appreciation for the arduous work of all AEAs in serving their communities. Board members congratulated AEAs 4 and 12 on the work and efficiency of their Voluntary Reorganization Plan.
Director Jeffrey expressed her appreciation of the outstanding cooperation and leadership exhibited in this reorganization proposal.
Motion: It was moved by Mary Jean Montgomery and seconded by Charlie Edwards that the reorganization plan for AEA 4 and 12 be approved.
Vote: The motion carried unanimously.
President Vincent provided a brief State Board history of athletic eligibility discussions. He noted a previous request to bring this subject as an action item to the August Board meeting.
Charlie Edwards handed out a recent history of the athletic eligibility rule to bring all Board members up-to-date on this subject. Edwards reviewed the activities in which he had been involved to improve the state standard for athletic eligibility and the importance of the issue. He felt this standard was embarrassingly low. Edwards said he had crafted a proposed motion for Board consideration.
Greg McClain expressed his concern that all Board members may not be prepared to take action at this meeting since background information had not been provided before the Board meeting.
Jim Billings stated he had not received the proposed “case for change” information sent to the Board from Charlie Edwards at an earlier date.
Charlie Edwards said the Board simply should not condone academic failure and proposed that the Board approve new minimum academic standards for student athletes in Iowa’s high schools.
Motion: It was moved by Charlie Edwards and seconded by Mary Jean Montgomery that the Board approve as a new standard that students be required to pass all courses to be eligible to participate in interscholastic athletic competition to be effective in the fall of 2006.
Mary Jean Montgomery felt that the Board should increase the standard and set the bar higher—such a low minimum was not acceptable and said she would support the suggested change of pass all. She stated the Board had the ability to change the rules to set a higher standard.
Amendment to Motion: Greg McClain moved the original motion include that students show that adequate progress was being made toward this graduation requirement as determined by the member school. The amendment was seconded by Mary Jean Montgomery.
Charlie Edwards and Mary Jean Montgomery accepted the amendment to the motion.
Vote: A roll call vote was required for the amendment to the motion. Ayes: Billings, Edwards, Fitzpatrick, McClain, Montgomery, Hussey, Kobberdahl, Frudden and Vincent. Nays: None Amendment to motion passed.
Further Board discussion stated that some local school districts had raised the minimum standard in their respective districts and that local boards were responsible for all student performance including student athletes.
The question was called for the motion.
Vote: A roll call vote was taken on the motion that the Board approve as a new standard that students be required to pass all courses to be eligible to participate in interscholastic athletic competition and to show that progress was being made toward graduation as determined by the member school.
Ayes: Edwards, Fitzpatrick, McClain and Montgomery. Nays: Billings, Hussey, Kobberdahl, Frudden and Vincent. The motion failed.
President Gene Vincent handed out a statement relative to the athletic eligibility agenda item. Vincent indicated this statement was issued in lieu of his making oral remarks.
Greg McClain expressed concern that President Vincent’s statement was issued on State Board of Education letterhead.
President Gene Vincent asked Vice President Sally Frudden to chair the remainder of the meeting on August 11.
Director Judy Jeffrey, Pam Pfitzenmaier, Administrator, Division of Early Childhood, Elementary & Secondary Education and Rita Martens, Consultant, English Language Arts/Reading were present for review of this agenda item.
Pfitzenmaier reviewed the work plan for the work-in-progress for the activities to support the high school initiatives. She outlined the two basic areas—the first section was awareness activities that were ongoing and are on target for the completion deadline of August, 2005. She emphasized in these high school activities, the Department had State Board of Education support as well as a number of other partners such as AEAs, School Administrators of Iowa, Iowa Association of School Boards, Iowa State Education Association and many other contributors to this plan.
Pfitzenmaier reported that a second High School Summit meeting had been scheduled and the dates were January 23-24, 2005. This event is sponsored by School Administrators of Iowa.
The second section sets out the ongoing activities for supporting high schools. These activities are also supported by many education partners and will help to build ongoing capacity in the school districts.
Director Jeffrey said that in the spring of 2005 she and members of the State Board of Education had conducted 85 high school review visits across the state and met with district superintendents, high school principals and board members from virtually every one of Iowa’s school districts. She indicated the purpose of the visits was to discuss the challenges and barriers to high school improvement as well as the types of technical assistance high schools need to improve. Jeffrey reported that promising practices and ideas had also been collected during the visits.
In the same timeframe that the high school review visits were occurring, community conversations were convened in 12 Iowa communities. The purpose of the conversations was to discuss recommendations from various high school studies and the Iowa Learns Council. Community participants were encouraged to voice their concerns and supports for high school changes.
Dr. Jeffrey addressed the high school review summary information that had been provided by a statewide review team of educators. The report highlights include:
She noted that this document does not attempt to represent final conclusions about high schools or the improvements needed at the local level, or how local communities will implement those improvements. It is considered a status report that would be periodically reviewed and updated—with the expectation of ongoing and continuous improvement
Judy Jeffrey stated she was not asking the Board for decisions at this meeting regarding the policy recommendations. In September further discussion would be held regarding ideas that the Board might want to pursue in response to the policy recommendations listed in the report.
Mary Jean Montgomery felt this was only one part of a large picture and the Board would need to play a strong leadership role in this policy issue given the context of the research and national landscape.
Sally Frudden referenced the book The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman. The Board must think in terms of education as it related to economic development, business, the welfare of this state, and the international landscape.
Sister Jude Fitzpatrick felt the team that put the information together deserved a lot of credit; it had been a tremendous effort to assimilate all of the material into something readable and usable.
Director Jeffrey indicated the Department was seeking the Board’s endorsement of the rigor and relevance document. If agreed, this endorsement would send a strong message from the Board on the definition of rigor and relevance.
Rita Martens, Consultant stated that when you talk about high school reform, rigor, relevance and relationships are always a part of the conversation. School administrators had requested a more complete description of the concepts of “rigor” and “relevance.” This request prompted the development of the document “Improving Rigor and Relevance in the High School Curriculum.” She felt the least understood was rigor in curriculum. There were a variety of discussions about what constitutes academic rigor in coursework.
Martens explained the rigor and relevance framework from the International Center for Leadership in Education.
Martens concluded with an explanation of the action plan and timelines being used for the rigor and relevance work. The document had been reviewed by many different individuals and groups. She indicated that the document was recommended for endorsement by the Board.
Motion: It was moved by Mary Jean Montgomery and seconded by Sister Jude Fitzpatrick to endorse the document “Improving Rigor and Relevance in the High School Curriculum.”
Vote: The motion carried unanimously.
Iowa Community
College Tuition and Fees Report - 2005-06
Academic Year
Janice Friedel, Administrator, Division of Community Colleges and Workforce Preparation introduced Michelle Wendel, Education Program Consultant for presentation of this agenda item.
Wendel said the community college tuition and fees report was prepared each fall. The report includes trends among the 15 community colleges as well as comparisons to the Iowa regents institutions and national comparisons. She shared a powerpoint presentation of the following topics:
Progress Report: “Shaping the Future: A Five-Year Plan for Iowa’s System of Community Colleges
Janice Friedel, Administrator and Tom Andersen, Consultant, Division of Community College and Workforce Preparation, were available to present this agenda item. Friedel explained that FY05 marked the fourth year of implementation of the report. She said that Goal 5 had been added dealing with underrepresented populations and participation of women in nontraditional career programs in FY04. The report outlines new initiatives and activities undertaken during FY05 by the Department of Education, The Iowa Association of Community College Presidents, the Iowa Association of Community College Trustees and community colleges individually and collectively to accomplish the goals and initiatives of the statewide community college strategic plan.
Tom Andersen highlighted community college activity based on Goal 5 of the Community College Strategic Plan. They are as follows:
Andersen also discussed work done with community college mini grants and talked about what attracts diverse students and how to retain them.
Board members were appreciative of this report and the detail it provided to specific initiatives with supporting data for Goal 5.
Carol Greta, legal consultant and administrative law judge presented information on In re Removal of Book from Curriculum, Sara Slagle & Jerry Gahard, Appellants, vs. Pleasant Valley Community School District, Appellee, 23 D.o.E. App. Dec. 188 (Board Policy). The Appellants were seeking reversal of a decision of the Pleasant Valley Community School District Board of Directors made on December 6, 2004 removing the book The Misfits from the approved curriculum for pupils in grades 6 and lower in the District.
Greta said the Board decided that the book was not age appropriate for 6th graders because not all children possess the level of maturity and perspective to process some of the concepts presented in the book.
Iowa Code section 279.8 gives local boards the authority to make rules “for its own government and that of the …pupils… .” Section 301 empowers a local board “to adopt textbooks for the teaching of all branches that are now or may hereafter be authorized to be taught in the public schools.”
Motion: It was moved by Charlie Edwards and seconded by Sister Jude Fitzpatrick to adopt the proposed decision with two modifications: 1) that the State Board’s Resolution regarding Bullying of August 2002 be appended to the final decision to emphasize the responsibility of all school personnel and board members to safeguard our children and, 2) that the final decision include a policy statement from the State Board reminding public school administrators of the importance of the free exchange of ideas within the school walls.
Vote: The motion carried unanimously.
Wayne Kobberdahl reported he had attended the Iowa Association of Community College Trustees meeting held in Waterloo. He, Jim Billings and Rosie Hussey gave a presentation about State Board of Education issues. Kobberdahl indicated he had also attended the National Association of State Boards of Education New Member Orientation meeting in Alexandria, Virginia.
Tara Richards said she had handed out a paper she had written on student State Board membership. Richards indicated she would be attending the NASBE Conference in October. She is the newest student State Board member in the country and has been asked to participate on a panel for the conference.
Jim Billings attended the IACCT meeting in Waterloo and felt they appreciated having State Board of Education members in attendance.
Charlie Edwards – No report
Sister Jude Fitzpatrick – No report
Sally Frudden reported she had attended the Iowa Coalition for Innovation and Growth, an organization initiated by the Iowa Business Council. The business community is becoming a strong partner on priority issues of the State Board. Frudden indicated she had also attended the School Administrators of Iowa Annual Conference at which the Governor had talked about the length of the school year, high school redesign and the preschool initiative.
Superintendent Dean Ryerson, Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools had presented to the Board on the Wisconsin model of the early childhood program. Ms. Frudden and Qwest had sponsored a reception for Board members, business leaders and educators for Mr. Ryerson and she expressed her appreciation of his expertise and passion to the early childhood endeavor.
President Vincent thanked Sally Frudden for hosting this reception.
Greg McClain stated he had participated in the telephonic I-JAG meeting. He reported many successes of the I-JAG program and provided statistics on the graduation rate of I-Jag vs. the national landscape. He also indicated they continue to have funding concerns for the program.
McClain had been interviewed by KWWL Radio in Waterloo on high school athletic eligibility. He also asked what the Board follow-up would be regarding the Governor’s comments on athletic eligibility at the State Board breakfast.
Board members discussed different thoughts on the next steps that may be taken by the Board on athletic eligibility. It was suggested that Charlie Edwards, Gene Vincent and Judy Jeffrey craft a proposal and be certain that Board members would be aware of the recommendation prior to the meeting. President Vincent suggested that all Board members should be engaged individually for their input and keep members apprised of the process as it is being developed. This information would be presented at the September meeting.
Gene Vincent provided information on a proposed budget for State Board purposes. The Board developmental committee comprised of Sally Frudden, Wayne Kobberdahl and Sister Jude Fitzpatrick was asked to develop a policy on the use of the funds.
Vincent also reported the recipient of the Iowa Association of School Boards Ted Davidson award had been selected. The name of the outstanding school board would be released soon.
There was continued discussion of the representation of the use of Board letterhead for personal statements and it was decided that a statement would be included in the revised State Board of Education operating guidelines.
WORK SESSION – Review Technology Advisory Committee Information and Recommendations
The Department of Education, under the direction of the State Board of Education, convened a Technology Advisory Committee to make recommendations about policies that would facilitate the effective implementation of technology in Iowa schools. The committee was composed of representatives from local school districts, area education agencies, community colleges, accredited nonpublic schools, education organizations and the State Board of Education.
Gail Sullivan, Chief of Staff, outlined the work that had been done by the committee. The committee had determined that further information was needed in order to better assist in making policy recommendations concerning educational technology. Sullivan said the Department had surveyed local school districts and the results were being compiled into a final report.
Recommendations from the Technology Advisory Committee were reviewed and some preliminary findings from the technology survey were presented. Board members requested the Department come back to them with recommended changes in the Administrative Rules or Iowa Code. Sullivan shared new legislation, H.F. 739 passed from the 2005 session, dealing with educational technology.
Vice President Sally Frudden declared the meeting adjourned.
______________________ _______________________
Gene Vincent Judy A. Jeffrey, Director and
President Executive Officer
______________________
Sally Frudden
President Pro Tempore