District/School Administration Administration
Board in Brief

Thursday, November 21, 1996

This is Board in Brief, issued at the request of Commissioner Bob Antonucci, to bring you up to date on Board of Education developments of interest to the Department staff. The following is a report on the Board meeting held on Monday, November 18, 1996 at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in Malden.

Budget

The Board had a lengthy discussion on its proposed $3 billion FY98 budget for education. Following consideration of a number of amendments, the Board postponed a final vote until the December meeting. There was extensive discussion on Board member Jim Peyser's recommendation to block grant a number of program line-items, and on turning a number of entitlement grants, such as Chapter 636 desegregation funds into competitive grants. Several Board members expressed interest in having an outside evaluation of programs such as Chapter 636 and METCO. The Board expressed approval of Commissioner Antonucci's proposal to increase the level of regional school transportation reimbursement over a three-year period, and also discussed possible approaches to charter school reimbursement.

Early Childhood

Much of the Boardes budget discussion concerned early childhood education. The Board voted to include in its budget request $100 million in FY98 on early childhood education programs. That is an increase from the $51 million recommended by the Commissioner, and would triple the $34 million in the current state budget for early childhood education. Commissioner Antonucci also announced that he has issued contracts for expansion of Community Partnerships for children. Boston will receive $1.8 million, Fall River $346,500 and Self-Help programs in Abington, East Bridgewater and West Bridgewater a total of $228,500, for example, under these new $10 million contracts. An estimated 1,500 children will be served with these new funds, with about 40% of those served in full day/full year programs.

"If we want to get education reform off the dime then we have to spend our money this way," said Chairman Silber, who noted that France and Germany have achieved significant educational gains by devoting attention and resources to early childhood. Chairman Silber said the early years are a critical time in a child's development. The $100 million allocation would enhance the likelihood that most children would arrive at school ready to learn. Commissioner Antonucci told the Board that $100 million "could be absorbed easily across the state because the demand for early childhood education far exceeds the supply of state funds." Board member Jim Peyser said he was concerned by the magnitude of the request. Board members Abigail Thernstrom and Roberta Schaefer asked for data on the success of early childhood programs, and whether they produce gains that last throughout a child's education.

Teacher Test

The Board voted to endorse a recommendation by Commissioner Antonucci to require all applicants for teacher certification as of January 1, 1998 to pass a standardized test in communication and literacy skills and in subject matter knowledge. The Department will select a vendor for the test before October 1, 1997.

Physical Education

The Board voted 5 to 2 to repeal regulations specifying the number of hours public schools have to provide physical education. Left in place was the state law requiring schools to provide all students with physical education. The vote came after six months of public comment and two hearings. Commissioner Antonucci had recommended repeal of the regulations as part of a continuing initiative to review all Board regulations to ensure they are clear, current and essential.

Board members supporting repeal noted their vote in no way disparages physical education or the need for students to be physically fit. Their concern was that districts need flexibility to determine instructional hours for physical education as for other required subjects, particularly once the curriculum frameworks and statewide assessment come on-line. "This is not a vote on whether there should be physical education or not," said student member Alexis Vagianos. "This is a vote on whether we have a time requirement that is not specified for any other subject. The districts know their needs and can make their own time decisions." Chairman Silber and member Edwin Delattre dissented. The Board also voted to repeal regulations on Tractor-Trailer Schools, Nutrition Education/School Food Service and Fiscal Requirements for Grants, and to adopt a streamlined set of regulations on Private Occupational Schools, replacing three current sets of regulations.

Curriculum Frameworks/Assessment

The Board agreed to establish a subcommittee to prepare a revised draft of the history/social science framework for a final vote before the end of the year. The subcommittee consists of Board members James Peyser, Abigail Thernstrom, and Roberta Schaefer. On English Language Arts, the Board agreed to continue discussion at the December 11 meeting. At the December meeting, the Commissioner will also present sample math and science questions from the statewide question tryout to be administered in these two areas in the spring. The Board voted to affirm that a reading test will be administered to all students in grade 3 this spring. The Board also asked the Commissioner to clarify whether, and how, the Board could require a 12th grade test for graduation in addition to the 10th grade assessment currently mandated in the Education Reform Act.

GED

On the recommendation of Chairman Silber at the end of the meeting, the Board voted to administer the GED test to all high school seniors in March or April 1997. The test will be used to help identify academic deficiencies in the public schools, Chairman Silber said. Board member Abigail Thernstrom questioned using a test that may not meet high academic standards for high school curricula. But member Stanley Koplik said that in some cases the GED program is more academically rigorous. Commissioner Antonucci said the Department will research issues of cost, logistics, law and policy and present this information to the Board next month.

Time and Learning

The Board voted to place on the December agenda consideration of whether to amend the Student Learning Time regulations to redefine "core subjects." Board member Edwin Delattre challenged the existing regulations that allow districts to count as core subjects any courses that accomplish the aims of the Common Core of Learning [ HTML | PDF ]. He said the Common Core is too vague, and student learning time should be focused on the core academic subjects specified in state law. Board member Thernstrom countered that school districts will soon be required to prepare students to pass a 10th grade assessment, and this will provide school districts with a powerful incentive to restructure the learning time they provide students.

The Next Board Meeting

The next Board of Education meeting will take place on December 11, 1996 in Worcester, at a location to be announced.