North Dakota Commission on Education Improvement
Commission Meeting Minutes
March 6, 2008
Roughrider Room
The Chairman, Lieutenant Governor Jack Dalrymple, called a meeting of the North Dakota Commission on Education Improvement to order at 9:04am.
Commission members in attendance included Lt. Gov. Jack Dalrymple, Warren Larson, Jack Maus, Martin Schock, Jon Martinson, Mark Lemer, Doug Johnson, Paul Stremick, Sen. Tim Flakoll, Dr. Sen. David O'Connell, Rep. RaeAnn Kelsch and Dakota Draper. Gary Gronberg represented Wayne Sanstead.
After reviewing and amending the December 6th Commission meeting minutes, Sen. David O'Connell moved to accept the minutes as amended minutes, Sen. Tim Flakoll seconded and the motion was carried.
The Lt. Governor welcomed Dr. Allan Odden, Larry Picus and their associate Michael Goetz from Picus and Associates, the educational adequacy consultants that were contracted by the Commission to conduct an evidence based study of North Dakota public elementary and secondary education and funding. Lt. Governor Dalrymple turned the meeting over to Dr. Odden and Larry Picus for their presentation of the first draft report of "Funding Schools Adequately in North Dakota". (Draft attached) Dr. Allan Odden and Larry Picus began their presentation and requested for commission members to ask questions or make comments. The power point presentation topics included the ND finance System today, evidence-based approach, school size models, personnel elements of protypical schools and strategies for struggling students. (PowerPoint attached)
Gary Gronberg brought a memo for the commission from Dr. Wayne Sanstead who could not be at the meeting (Memo attached). Also during the presentation Gary Gronberg commented on North Dakota's achievement. Currently, compared to the average of all other states, ND students do better. Dr. Gronberg suggested that the better comparison would be of ND students to the students in the top ten performing states. He also pointed out that the standards of the state and the NAEP are transparent whereas the ACT is not transparent.
The commission discussed the validity of free and reduced lunches as a measure of "at-risk". Would it be possible to blend actual performance as a measurement? At the elementary level, free and reduced lunches are good measurements; at the secondary level, performance testing is necessary, according to one member.
During the class size discussion Dr. Odden said eighteen students per class might be a better number for North Dakota and that for reading classes in grades K-3, fifteen is a good number.
During the professional development discussion the commission discussed terminology. It was determined that "instructional coach" is a comprehensive term and that "mentor" is currently being used for newer teachers.
Dakota Draper said that mentoring programs are a good start. Doug Johnson said we need to train the trainers. Jack Maus said mentorship programs should be school-based and reading coaches should be used at the beginning of the school year. Gary Gronberg said that more instruction days are needed as well as professional development days. Warren Larson likes the idea of extended days for professional development.
Lt. Governor Dalrymple said the commission needs to distinguish between guidance counselors and career counselors. Lt. Governor Dalrymple also wanted to discuss the definition of gifted students.
During the public discussions Dr. Paul Johnson said at-risk should be determined by a poverty factor rather than test results. Johnson also said that electives should be limited and to add a literacy class or extra math class to help students catch up. He also said that professional development dollars must be flexible. When talking about guidance counselors, Johnson said they need to have social workers and career counselors. Dan Anderson from Ray commented that the formula needs to provide more funding for schools. Janet Edlund from Dakota Prairie school district commented that transportation funding is essential and that vo-tech must be a part of the curriculum. Delwyn Goriger from South Prairie said the MidDakota REA has been cooperative.
The commission discussed the panels. The panels should include: experienced teachers (including specialists, national board certified teachers, teacher of the year, teachers under 30, and special education teachers). It was also discussed that the commission write a letter to the superintendents requesting professional leave and a paid day for the teachers who participate.
Next scheduled meeting is in May, subject to the call of the chair.
Lieutenant Governor Jack Dalrymple adjourned the meeting at 4:05pm.
