1. Quality Education Commission Presentation to the Senate Committee
on Education
January 17, 2005
Speaking to you today…
Ken Thrasher Commission Chair

2. Quality Education Commission
Oregon’s education goals
“…the best educated citizens in the nation and the world.”
“Access to a Quality Education must be provided for all of Oregon’s youth…” ORS
Quality Education Goals
ORS
Academic excellence
Rigorous academic standards
Applied learning
Lifelong academic skills
Oregon has set high goals for our education system, calling for Oregonians to be the best educated citizens in the nation and the world.
The Quality Education Goals in statute call for:
The best educated students in America, equal to the best in the world
Proficiencies in specific areas
All children will meet their fullest potential
High expectations for K-12 schools
The commission based its work on the Quality Education goals established in statute
Oregonians are receiving a payback on their investment in high standards. Our students are achieving at higher levels than in the past.
But there is more to do. Many of our students are still not meeting the high standards. And a quality education is more than just achieving high test scores. Each student in our schools must have an opportunity to succeed and have access to a full educational experience.

3. Quality Education Commission
Student Achievement
Where Are We Today?

4. Quality Education Commission
Student Achievement
Where Are We Today?

5. Student Achievement Where Do We Need To Be?
Quality Education Commission
Student Achievement
Where Do We Need To Be?

6. Student Achievement Where Do We Need To Be?
Quality Education Commission
Student Achievement
Where Do We Need To Be?

7. The Challenge of the Achievement Gap
Quality Education Commission
The Challenge of the Achievement Gap

8. The Challenge of the Achievement Gap
Quality Education Commission
The Challenge of the Achievement Gap

9. The Role of the Commission
Quality Education Commission
The Role of the Commission
Help policymakers understand the relationship between funding and student achievement
Identify key policy issues related to accountability, efficiency, and adequacy
Enhance our understanding of Oregon’s education system as a whole: Pre-K to 20
Estimate the funding requirements of policy proposals
Help determine what it will take to meet the requirements of No Child Left Behind
The QEM addresses tangible resources required in a school, such as staff and instructional materials. The recommendations are based on education research and best practices.
The model also identifies other factors, which we call Quality Indicators, that contribute to student learning, such as instructional leadership and parent involvement.
The model assumes that schools require both adequate resources and a high level of these quality indicators to achieve high performance levels.

10. The Commission’s Focus
Quality Education Commission
The Commission’s Focus
Accountability and Governance
Efficiency
Adequacy

11. Accountability and Governance
Quality Education Commission
Accountability and Governance
Integrate data systems for education Pre-K to 20
Develop a common Governance system using the concept of Reciprocal Accountability
Develop a Personal Education Plan for each student to determine where services are required
Close the achievement gap, lower the dropout rate
Develop a state economic model measuring the cost of students not meeting standard over the long-term (i.e. social services, corrections, etc.)

12. Efficiency Quality Education Commission
Consolidate ESD’s into 10 from 20 units, combine data systems into the common data system
Restructure healthcare, focus on systems that engage the participant in its management
Review the delivery systems around special needs and ESL students, and services that support them
Review the transportation system for schools
Review the number of districts (199)
Improve the delivery of teacher training

13. Adequacy Quality Education Commission
Need to fund education adequately (Pre-K to 20)
Develop a clear strategy around Pre-K programs to engage 100% in quality age 3-4 programs
Use research-based best practices in the classroom
Support reading initiatives in grades Pre-K to 5
Measure effectiveness of small learning communities
Review Middle and High school structures
Support families and students with the services they need (after-school, etc.)

14. The Challenge of Adequate Funding
Quality Education Commission
The Challenge of Adequate Funding

15. Quality Education Commission
Funding Trends

16. Demographic Trends Quality Education Commission
Annual Percent Growth in Student Populations to
Average
Annual
Percent
Growth
All Students
1.1%
Special Education Students
3.0%
English as a Second Language Students
15.4%
Students Eligible for Free Lunch Program
5.3%

17. Implications of More Funding Cuts
Quality Education Commission
Implications of More Funding Cuts
Larger class sizes
Shortened school year in some districts
Cuts in staff: teachers, library/media staff, counselors
Cuts in extra-curricular activities and sports
Reduced programs for students needing extra help
Cuts in teacher professional development
Substitution of educational assistants for licensed teachers
All contribute to diminished student performance

18. Examples of How Additional Dollars Can be Effectively Spent*
Quality Education Commission
Examples of How Additional Dollars
Can be Effectively Spent*
Provide full-day Kindergarten in all elementary schools $ 93m
Reduce class size to 20 for K-3 $219m
Add 4 days of teacher professional development $ 52m
Add staff to reduce middle and high school class sizes $231m
Provide added instructional time for struggling students $142m
Add ESL teachers to help close the achievement gap $ 66m
Increase the number of counselors to assist students $ 47m
Add staff to help teachers improve instruction $122m
* Dollars are on a biennial basis

19. Commission Recommendations
Quality Education Commission
Commission Recommendations
Establish a Pre-K to 20 integrated educational data system
Create a Governance and Accountability Task Force to provide recommendations for an effective accountability structure
Provide additional funding targeted at the elementary grades, with emphasis on early reading programs
Focus on Pre-K issues to better understand resource needs
Continue the expansion of high school restructuring programs
Provide targeted staff development to improve the effectiveness of Oregon’s teachers

20. Questions and Discussion
Quality Education Commission
Questions and Discussion
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