Unfunded mandate?
Jun 10th, 2009 by David Anderson
In spite of the fact that the DSTP was a state mandate, at least the state paid for the actual test. A new assessment would likely save the state money, but in spite of cutting the contribution to the local schools, the Department of Education seems to want school contributions. The districts at least control local funding. The Charter Schools, which already get far less from the state, would be in a tight position. The state should pay for the testing. The local districts have to allocate for the preparation, curriculum mapping, and training. They already spent money mandated on the DSTP to map curriculum. The local schools shouldn’t spend money on a new test, too. At least the good news is that the proposed testing is miles better than the DSTP, if the schools get stuck with part of the bill at least it would be worth something.
As we prepare for the FY 2009-2010 statewide budget, the DOE must look
to the proposed legislation for a new statewide assessment. Based on
the feedback that we have received from constituents around the state,
there is energy and excitement around a new online assessment that will
include immediate results reporting. In order to ensure that we
implement statewide in all public schools, we will be asking all
districts/schools to contribute to the implementation costs.
The school districts made it clear they would volunteer to pay some of the implementation costs out of their budgets (probably mostly with funds from the Title I stimulus). They see this as badly needed and don’t want the current budget situation to prevent this new system from moving forward. Many of the districts are already paying for formative assessments like the NWEA MAP test, so this new assessment would free up those funds to be used on some of the implementation costs you mentioned.
A big question is if charter schools can be compelled to help pay for this. Unlike the districts, they didn’t volunteer to help (and to my knowledge they were not asked yet either). I am doubtful that the state can compel schools to pay for the assessment system out of existing budgets, but they may be able to hold back some of the additional stimulus funds that would otherwise be going to schools.
And now, since my niece who I have Guardianship of starts at Academy of Dover Charter this August, I have more issues to keep up on
David, did you set up the computers there? I was impressed with the Kindergarten setup
Thank you! I am really excited about the coming school year. I am pleased that those passing test scores are up 2 and 1/2 times what they were two years ago when the new board took over. We have an new Math and New reading curriculum. It is truly heading to be an amazing institution. My son goes their as well. You will love your decision. Please be sure to contact me.
As for the stimulus money, I would be in favor of that being used.
But David, what happens when stimulus money is gone and districts have not allocated for needs of testing. Also, careful about so quickly dismissing 1 test for another. Students will have issues with computers and may have difficulty transitioning from such a writing based test to a multiple choice only test. Whatever gains made in writing… will be forfeited in assessment. I am not suggesting to stay with DSTP … but remember balance in decision making. It was the district chiefs who wanted the straight 6 day testing… not DOE. Implementation of any test (of any policy) is best reflected and refined… substituting a new policy avoids valuable reflection and opportunity to refine. Perhaps the new positions that are being created that trace assessment/achievement could have been completed by current admin?
I thought everyone at the school was enthusiastic when I went there during one of the open houses. I’m still a big believer in the parent’s involvement being a bigger factor in learning than any school. In our house, although Giah will watch some TV, she spends a lot of her time reading (or at least pretending to
) magazines and books because that’s what she sees me do. Although the civil libertarian in me doesn’t necessarily agree with uniforms for school, the broke parent in me does 
Don’t have to worry about stuff matching or not (when I get stuck checking on what she is wearing that day for pre-school)
In elementary school, clothing style is not a real identity issue anyway. The parents tend to have the most influence on the clothes anyway until about 5th grade so the clothing doesn’t express the child’s pov anyway.
I like what it teaches. It teaches that school is something special. You get dressed for school–work. Then you relax for play–recreation. It helps to turn on the get to work switch. It is like Mr. Rogers putting his sweater and tennis shoes on when it was make believe time. Learning is about mind set.
You may not be aware (comment 4) that DOE has been testing other tests. I think we found a winner and now that the DSTP contract is up, we need to go for it. I really like the new test because it will give us instant feedback throughout the year to help student achievement and it will save us money.