GEORGIA STATE BOARD WAIVES CLASS SIZE REQUIREMENT — The Georgia State Board of Education waived the class-size cap for districts for the fourth consecutive year. The ruling was based on anticipated student population growth alongside a $1 billion shortfall for districts, resulting in fewer teaching and personnel positions. Additionally, district officials are permitted to use class-size averages and instructional hours rather than number of days as strategies to save money and comply with state education law. The average allowance lets schools and districts tabulate how many total students are in a class at a particular grade level or subject, then compute the average number of students per room or section overall. The legal limits on the number of students in a particular class vary by grade level and subject matter. Kindergarten classes may have only 18 students, but some classes in the middle grades, such as foreign language, are permitted to have 33 students per class. The waiver is in effect through the end of the next school year. Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (2/16/12)

OHIO STATE BOARD GOES PAPERLESS; BOARD ISSUED IPADS — Members of the Ohio State Board of Education each received and were trained on how to use the iPad 2 after the panel voted to go paperless by April. The initiative is projected to save approximately $25,000 in printing and paper costs since the board materials will be distributed electronically through a state Education Department-created application. The iPads, which cost the state more than $9,000, must be returned to the department once board members complete their service. In addition to the cost savings, board members hope their transition away from paper will provide an example for districts exploring additional technology platforms and policies within schools. Sources: stateimpact.npr.org (2/10/12), communication with Ohio Department of Education (2/23/12)

MISSOURI BOARD BACKS BILL ON INTERVENTIONS IN TROUBLED DISTRICTS — In the wake of the Kansas City and St. Louis school districts losing accreditation in recent years, the Missouri State Board of Education gave its support to a bill that would give the board more flexibility to intervene in districts that lose accreditation. The state board administers the system by which local districts are classified, but state law restricts it from intervening in failing districts. Standing law allows districts two years to take corrective action that results in improved academic achievement. Only after these two years pass without significant improvement does the district lose its standing and the state board becomes authorized to step in. The bill in the state Senate would enable the state board to react in a timelier manner, if necessary, based on a district’s needs. “It is critical that the law be changed to authorize the State Board to act in a more responsive and timely manner in carrying out its duties,” said state board President Peter F. Herschend. Source: Missouri Department of Education press release (2/21/12)

IDAHO STATE BOARD CHANGES ONLINE COURSE REQUIREMENT —The Idaho State Board of Education amended a rule adopted earlier this year that requires students to take two online learning courses as a prerequisite for high school graduation. Under the change, instead of having to take at least one asynchronous class to meet the state requirements, students (starting with this fall’s freshman class) would be able to take two synchronous or blended classes. Synchronous classes are those in which a student and teacher are online at the same time, while a blended class calls for at least half of the course content to be delivered electronically. An asynchronous learning environment is one in which students move at their own pace with at least 80 percent of the content delivered through the use of technology. The change must be approved by the state legislature, which will vote on it early next year. Sources: Associated Press (2/16/12), Idaho State Board of Education press release (2/16/12)

HAWAII STATE BOARD APPROVES PERFORMANCE-BASED EVALUATIONS —The state board of education in Hawaii approved rules that mandate the use of new evaluations for teachers and principals based on student performance. The policy calls for assessments that account for student performance and academic growth that are then applied to salary, tenure, and retention decisions. The evaluation system, which must be in place by July 1, 2014, also needs approval by the state teachers’ union to resolve a long-standing contract dispute that has placed the state’s continued receipt of federal Race to the Top monies in jeopardy. Source: Associated Press (2/22/12)

MISSISSIPPI STATE BOARD CONSIDERING OVERHAUL OF ACCREDITATION SYSTEM — The Mississippi State Board of Education is considering a number of changes to accreditation of districts in the state. Some of the changes being considered include prohibiting districts that lose accreditation from participating in competitive extra-curricular activities such as sports, allowing parents to send their student to another district if accreditation is lost, and creating only two levels of accreditation. Currently, a district’s accreditation may first be downgraded to “advised for noncompliance,” then to probation status, and finally accreditation is potentially withdrawn. Depending on actions taken to resolve problems ranging from academic, leadership, or safety issues that are identified, districts can move between the various designations. However, no district has lost its accreditation. The new system would have districts be accredited or on probation, and districts would have a specified time to fix the problems before losing accreditation. Additionally, state officials would have the option of bypassing the probation period if there is an imminent risk to students or staff. Once the board votes on the reform possibilities, the measures will go to public comment with a final vote expected in the coming months. Source: Clarion-Ledger (2/16/12)

CORRECTED STORY: KENTUCKY PLAN FOR STUDENT HEALTH INCLUDES OPTIONAL BMI REPORTING — The Kentucky State Board of Education revised the state’s student health policy to include a place for body mass index (BMI) reporting on reports by personal physicians sent to schools. These forms become part of students’ cumulative health records and are not public documents. The data on BMI percentile will not be reported at the individual level, but instead will be reported in the aggregate at the request of public health officials to assist them in analyzing health data statewide. The regulation must proceed through the legislative committee review process before becoming final. Source: communication with Kentucky Department of Education (2/10/12)

UTAH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SUPPLIES BILL AWAITS GOVERNOR’S SIGNATURE —Utah lawmakers approved a bill that allows elementary schools and teachers to request specific supplies from their students’ parents for the school year. According to the state’s constitution, elementary education has to be free of any fees, and this has been interpreted to mean that teachers can only suggest students bring in supplies, and that they cannot be very specific in the items requested. The new bill was drafted to clarify this situation and allow teachers to provide a more specific supply list to students. However, according to the bill, it is optional for parents to provide any of the supplies requested. If parents choose not to provide any of the requested supplies, the school will still be responsible for providing them to students. Proponents of the legislation hope it helps reduce the out-of-pocket expenses for teachers and keeps more money in the classroom for instruction. Source: Salt Lake Tribune (2/21/12)

FUND-RAISING CAMPAIGN SAVES NORTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR’S SCHOOL FOR 2012 — State education officials announced the Governor’s School program for gifted students would continue this summer after the school’s foundation raised more than $700,000. The legislature eliminated state support for the school, which is the nation’s oldest residential program for high-achieving students from all backgrounds. After that, the State Board of Education established a task force to identify a specific proposal to operate some form of Governor’s School during the summer of 2012, and the school’s foundation launched its massive fund-raising campaign. Over 1,800 of the school’s alumni as well as other foundations contributed money. Still, “we realize this is for this summer only and we hope the General Assembly will reconsider and provide the funds for the Governor’s School,” state school board chairman Bill Harrison said. Those connected with the school hope the strong show of support will help lawmakers see the value of the school. “Surveys have shown us that Governor’s School alumni are likely to go to college, graduate, remain in North Carolina and pursue a career in which they are able to help their communities,” State Superintendent June Atkinson said. Sources: North Carolina Department of Public Instruction News Release (2/20/12), North Carolina Governor’s School Foundation, WRAL.com (2/3/12)

FEDERAL UPDATE: Second Round Waiver Deadline is Feb. 28 — States have until Feb. 28 to apply for the second round of waivers from provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act. Twenty-eight states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico are expected to apply for the second round.  The U.S. Education Department also set the application deadline for the third round of waivers for Sept. 6. States must implement college-and-career-readiness standards, differentiated accountability systems, and teacher evaluation systems based on student performance. In return, states to not have to comply with federal annual yearly progress (AYP) requirements and will have more program and funding flexibility. States not applying for waivers may apply for one-year waivers to freeze their annual measurable objectives at current school year levels for all applicable subgroups under federal AYP requirements. In return for the one-year freeze, states have to meet certain conditions, including the implementation of college-and-career-readiness standards and the commitment to apply for the other type of waiver. More information about the Department’s waiver plan and process can be found at http://www.ed.gov/esea/flexibility. Sources: U.S. Department of Education, EdWeek.org (2/15/12)

HOUSE COMMITTEE HOLDS HEARING ON TEACHER QUALITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY BILLS — The House Education and Workforce Committee led by Chairman John Kline from Minnesota and Ranking Member George Miller from California held a February 16 hearing on recently introduced teacher quality and accountability bills: the Student Success Act (HR3989) and Encouraging Innovation and Effective Teachers Act (HR3990). Hearing witnesses included Bob Schaffer, chair of the Colorado State Board of Education and Idaho state chief Tom Luna. Both bills provide more flexibility to states to improve their low-performing schools and implement their accountability systems. The bills eliminate federal annual yearly progress requirements and highly qualified teacher provisions. States would have to implement teacher evaluation systems based in part on student performance and other multiple measures. The bills would also increase parental and community engagement. Hearing proceedings and the bills can be found at http://1.usa.gov/AjzRUq. Source: U.S. House Education and Workforce Committee (2/22/12)