REPORT: State Pre-K Funding for 2015-16 Fiscal Year: National Trends in State Preschool Funding. 50-State Review

REPORT: State Pre-K Funding for 2015-16 Fiscal Year: National Trends in State Preschool Funding. 50-State Review

Emily Parker, Bruce Atchison and Emily Workman
Education Commission of the States

This report highlights significant investments made by both Republican and Democratic policymakers in state-funded pre-k programs for the fourth year in a row. In the 2015-16 budget year, 32 states and the District of Columbia raised funding levels of pre-k programs. This increased support for preschool funding came from both sides of the aisle–22 states with Republican governors and 10 states with Democratic governors, plus the District of Columbia.

In contrast, only five states with Republican governors and three states with Democratic governors decreased their pre-k funding.

Overall, state funding of pre-k programs across the 50 states and the District of Columbia increased by nearly $755 million, or 12 percent over 2014-15. While this progress is promising, there is still work to be done to set children on the path to academic success early in life. Still, less than half of preschool-aged students have access to pre-k programs.

Increasing the number of students in high-quality preschool programs is broadly viewed as a way to set young learners on a path to a secure economic future and stable workforce. This report includes several state examples and an overview of the pre-k programs they have in place. Data tables on total state pre-K funding and state pre-kindergarten funding by program are appended. [Megan Carolan contributed to this publication.]

Download (PDF, 1.13MB)

Education Commission of the States. ECS Distribution Center, 700 Broadway Suite 1200, Denver, CO 80203-3460. Tel: 303-299-3692; Fax: 303-296-8332; e-mail: ecs@ecs.org; Web site: http://www.ecs.org

TENNESSEE | NATIONAL: Sen Lamar Alexander Voices Opinion on Efforts to Roll Back Regulations under ESSA

TENNESSEE | NATIONAL: Sen Lamar Alexander Voices Opinion on Efforts to Roll Back Regulations under ESSA

Lamar Alexander: Fixing education regulation that goes against the law

LAMAR ALEXANDER • Lebanon Democrat

This week, I led a group of 10 senators in introducing a resolution to rescind an Obama administration education regulation that violates the 2015 law I helped write to fix No Child Left Behind.

On Nov. 29, the U.S. Department of Education released its final regulation for implementing the accountability provisions of the Every Student Succeeds Act – and the rule specifically does things or requires states to do things that Congress said in our law fixing No Child Left Behind that the department can’t do. In other words, the department’s regulation specifically violates the law. It’s not a matter of just being within the authority granted by the law. We said to the department, “You can’t tell states exactly what to do about fixing low-performing schools. That’s their decision.” This rule does that. And we said to the department, “You can’t tell states exactly how to rate the public schools in your state,” but this rule does that.

The resolution to rescind the regulation is co-sponsored by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, Tom Cotton, R-Ark., Bill Cassidy, R-La., David Perdue, R-Ga., Roger Wicker, R-Miss., John McCain, R-Ariz., Michael Enzi, R-Wyo., and Pat Roberts, R-Kan.

This is really a question of whether you believe that the U.S. Congress writes the law or whether you believe the U.S. Department of Education writes the law. I believe under Article I of our Constitution, the U.S. Congress writes the law, and when it’s signed by the president, then that’s the law, and the regulations have to stay within it – and that is especially true when Congress has prohibited the department from doing these things the rule does.

And this isn’t a trivial matter. The whole issue around the bill fixing No Child Left Behind was to reverse the trend to a national school board and restore to states, classroom teachers and parents decisions about what to do about their children in public schools.

Teachers, governors, school boards all were fed up with Washington telling them so much about what to do about their children in 100,000 public schools. So this rule, which contravenes the law specifically, goes to the heart of the bill fixing No Child Left Behind, which received 85 votes in the U.S. Senate.

Lamar Alexander represents Tennessee in the U.S. Senate.

WYOMING: Federal School Accountability

WYOMING: Federal School Accountability

The Every Student Succeeds Act

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to create a long-term, stable federal policy that gives states additional flexibility and encourages innovation, while at the same time holding us accountable for results.

  • Limits power of federal government to set education policy for states
  • Increases state flexibility to design accountability systems, interventions and student supports
  • Increases state and local flexibility in the use of federal funds
  • Gives states flexibility to work with local stakeholders to develop educator evaluation and support systems
  • Maintains annual assessments for grades 3-8 and high school
Wyoming Accountability FAQ
U.S. Department of Education FAQ
Wyoming’s Comments on Proposed ESSA Rules
WYOMING: Federal School Accountability

WYOMING: Federal School Accountability

The Every Student Succeeds Act

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to create a long-term, stable federal policy that gives states additional flexibility and encourages innovation, while at the same time holding us accountable for results.

  • Limits power of federal government to set education policy for states
  • Increases state flexibility to design accountability systems, interventions and student supports
  • Increases state and local flexibility in the use of federal funds
  • Gives states flexibility to work with local stakeholders to develop educator evaluation and support systems
  • Maintains annual assessments for grades 3-8 and high school
Wyoming Accountability FAQ
U.S. Department of Education FAQ
Wyoming’s Comments on Proposed ESSA Rules
Federal School Accountability

Federal School Accountability

The Every Student Succeeds Act

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to create a long-term, stable federal policy that gives states additional flexibility and encourages innovation, while at the same time holding us accountable for results.

  • Limits power of federal government to set education policy for states
  • Increases state flexibility to design accountability systems, interventions and student supports
  • Increases state and local flexibility in the use of federal funds
  • Gives states flexibility to work with local stakeholders to develop educator evaluation and support systems
  • Maintains annual assessments for grades 3-8 and high school
Wyoming Accountability FAQ
U.S. Department of Education FAQ
Wyoming’s Comments on Proposed ESSA Rules

 

Public Comment

Statewide Listening Tour

WDE staff traveled across the state to conduct listening sessions this fall

  • Nov. 3: Central Wyoming College, Student Center 103, Riverton
  • Nov. 9: Gillette College, GCMN 120 Presentation Hall, Gillette
  • Dec. 1: Western Wyoming Community College, RSC 3650 A and B Meeting Rooms, Rock Springs
  • CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER – Dec. 7: Northwest College, Fagerberg Bldg. Room 70, Powell
  • Dec. 8: Laramie County Community College, Center for Conferences and Institutes Room 121, Cheyenne

 

Volunteer for ESSA Work Group

ESSA Work Groups will be convened to review rough drafts of the state plan for implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act. Participants will be sent rough drafts as completed by the Internal Design Team. Feedback will be given through online surveys, webinars, and participation in select meetings of the Internal Design Team.

Sign Up Here


 

Summer 2016 Input

Public comment on the ESSA implementation in Wyoming was accepted through an online form through September 1, 2016. Additionally, a series of virtual town hall meetings was held to provide information and gather input on five topics related to ESSA implementation.


 

Transition Details

ESSA allows for an 18-month transition period for states to align their accountability systems to the new requirements. The law will be fully implemented for the 2017-18 school year, but some changes are already being implemented.


 

Overview of No Child Left Behind

Under NCLB, all states were required to make AYP determinations each year for every public school district and school in the state. Schools and districts were required to continually improve their students’ achievement in reading or language arts and mathematics from year-to-year to match a federal mandate that all students achieve at or above grade level by 2014.

Timeline
  • June – Aug 2016: First round of public input
  • July 2016: Internal Design Team convenes
  • Sept 2016: Internal Design Team begins writing state plan
  • Oct – Dec 2016: Second round of public input
  • Nov 2016: Advisory Committee makes recommendations to Select Committee on Statewide Education Accountability
  • Dec 2016: Work Groups convene to review rough draft of state plan
  • Jan – March 2017: Wyoming Legislature Convenes
  • April 2017: Release draft state plan
  • May 2017: 30-Day public review of draft state plan
  • June 2017: 30-Day Governor’s Office review of draft state plan
  • July 2017: Submit state plan
Title I School Improvement and AYP

2016-17 Requirements of Title I Improvement

As part of Wyoming’s transition to the ESSA, the Wyoming Department of Education will not be calculating AYP during the 2016-17 transition year. Schools and districts identified as being in improvement under No Child Left Behind (NCLB) will remain in their current improvement status next year.

The existing NCLB improvement interventions will continue to be implemented for one more year with two exceptions:

  1. Schools and districts are not required to provide public school choice, Supplemental Educational Services (SES), or the related notice to parents beginning with the 2016- 2017 school year. To ensure an orderly transition to the ESSA, Wyoming is developing and implementing a oneyear transition plan to ensure districts provide alternative supports for students eligible for SES and schools with the greatest need.
  2. Schools identified as being in Year 4 Planning for Restructuring will not progress to Year 5 Implementation of Restructuring. The Year 4 restructuring plans are no longer required to be approved this year at the state level by the WDE and then the Wyoming State Board of Education. Instead, the restructuring interventions selected and planned for will be included in the relevant sections of the Wyoming School Comprehensive Plan next year for review and feedback by WDE staff.
Highly Qualified Teacher Requirements

The U.S. Department of Education has clarified the transition from NCLB to ESSA regarding removal of the Highly Qualified Teacher requirements. The Wyoming Department of Education has determined that in order to ensure a smooth transition, the requirement will remain in place through the end of the 2016-17 school year.

The current highly qualified requirements are:

  • All teachers of core academic subjects are required to be highly qualified;
  • All special education teachers of core academic subjects are required to be highly qualified;
  • All paraprofessionals assisting with the instruction of core academic subjects are required to be highly qualified;
  • All districts that are not 100% highly qualified must submit highly qualified teacher plans to the WDE, as wells as keep individual teacher plans on file at the district. All districts that are required to submit plans will continue to receive communications from the WDE;
  • Reporting on the 602/652 will remain the same;
  • PTSB licensure requirements connected to highly qualified will remain the same;
  • Districts may still apply for exception authorizations through PTSB.

Districts will no longer need to comply with NCLB section 1111(h)(6)(B)(ii), which requires a school to notify parents when their child has been assigned to, or has been taught for four or more consecutive weeks by, a teacher who is not highly qualified.

As the transition to ESSA continues, the WDE will convene stakeholders to assist in defining requirements for teachers and districts in order to begin implementation during the 2017-18 school year.

Comprehensive School Improvement Programs

Owing to changes in statute, the Comprehensive School Improvement Plans (CSIP) for the 2016-17 school year are being modified.

Portions relating to Signature Pages, Corrective Action, School Improvement Grants, and Restructuring may be deleted from plans this school year. These requirements were part of No Child Left Behind, which is being replaced by the Every Student Succeeds Act. Additionally, principals who oversee multiple schools can submit one combined plan for all of their schools. When doing so, ensure that the cover page includes all applicable schools that will operate under that particular plan. An updated template will be available on the WDE accreditation web page for schools that wish to start a new plan. No changes were made to the indicators or assurances.

Plans are due December 1, allowing adequate time for school boards to approve all school plans. An email with the submission form will be sent to all principals and superintendents at the beginning of October with further instructions on submitting school plans. Plans must meet the requirements of W.S. §21-2-204(f) in order to be approved. Goals must reflect the current WAEA school performance ratings. Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) is not a component of WAEA, and any plan goals that reflect NWEA will be returned for modification.

Google Docs is the preferred platform for plan creation and modification. All plans must be made publicly available. Plans can be displayed on district websites, or each individual school’s website.

The Every Student Succeeds Act will necessitate significant changes to the CSIPs next year.

Democrats Press Betsy DeVos on Privatization, ESSA, and LGBT Rights

Democrats Press Betsy DeVos on Privatization, ESSA, and LGBT Rights

By Alyson Klein and Andrew Ujifusa

WASHINGTON — Betsy DeVos, Donald Trump’s pick to lead the U.S. Department of Education, sought to use her confirmation hearing to beat back the notion that she would undermine public education as head of the department, as Democrats pressed her on everything from her views on the civil rights of gay and lesbian students, to states’ responsibilities for students in special education, and guns in schools.

“If confirmed, I will be a strong advocate for great public schools,” DeVos said. “But, if a school is troubled, or unsafe, or not a good fit for a child—perhaps they have a special need that is going unmet—we should support a parent’s right to enroll their child in a high-quality alternative.” She also noted that her mother, Elsa Prince, was a public school teacher.

But those assurances didn’t seem to quell the anxieties of Democrats on the committee, including Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the ranking member. “I have major concerns with how you have spent your career and fortune fighting to privatize public education and gut investments in public schools,” she said.

In the early stages of a tense hearing that lasted three and a half hours, Murray asked DeVos if she would be willing to commit not to “cut a penny from public education” or use her perch at the department to privatize public schools. DeVos said she would seek to give parents and children the best educational options possible, which Murray essentially took as a no.

DeVos didn’t delve into the specifics on many of the big questions on the table, like whether she would rein in the department’s office of civil rights, or how she would handle key details of the federal student lending program. And at times she seemed unclear on key policy details, including during a pair of exchanges with Democratic senators on whether federal special education laws should apply to all schools. (More here.)…

Read the full story here. May require an Education Week subscription.

 

Tricky Balance in Shifting From ESSA Blueprint to K-12 Reality

Tricky Balance in Shifting From ESSA Blueprint to K-12 Reality

By 
(Originally published December 30, 2016)

One year ago, President Barack Obama and longtime education leaders in Congress burst through years of deadlock to pass the Every Student Succeeds Act, the first update to the nation’s main K-12 law in over a decade.

Now the law remains a work in progress, as states, districts, and a shifting cast of federal officials work furiously to prepare for its full rollout this fall.

ESSA’s architects said the law struck a careful compromise. On the one side, it moved away from what they saw as the worst aspects of the No Child Left Behind Act—the previous version of the landmark Elementary and Secondary Education Act—including what many deemed an overemphasis on standardized tests and a too-heavy federal footprint. At the same time, it kept key safeguards for historically overlooked groups of students…

Read the full article here. May require an Education Week subscription.

School Celebrations!

School Celebrations!

Dear Superintendents,

This was a week of education celebrations in Wyoming.  It was a pleasure to attend several of the events.

Congratulations to the Blue Ribbon Schools:

  • Southside Elementary School in Worland
  • Fort Caspar Academy in Casper
  • Wilson Elementary School in Wilson

Also, Lingle-Fort Laramie Elementary School cut the ribbon to open their new school.

Finally, the prevention and safety app, Safe2Tell, rolled out in Casper (pilot district). The app replaces the WeTip program and will be available in all schools within six months.

State Superintendent Jillian Balow addresses a gym full of elementary students and staff at Fort Caspar Academy.

Ft. Caspar Academy celebrates earning the Blue Ribbon award

JAC Chairman Harshman and OHS Director Guy Cameron discuss the hard work and collaboration in passing and implementing Safe2Tell in Wyoming

JAC Chairman Harshman and OHS Director Guy Cameron discuss the hard work and collaboration in passing and implementing Safe2Tell in Wyoming

State Superintendent Jillian Balow cuts the ribbon on the new Lingle-Ft. Laramie Elementary School with their school principle, district superintendent, and other officials in front of the school as students watch.

Ribbon cutting at the new Lingle-Ft. Laramie Elementary School

ESSA ROUNDTABLE

Thank you for the great attendance at the ESSA Roundtable held in Casper. Recall that Wyoming was one of several states to host a listening session attended by the US Department of Education. The topic was implementation of the new law in our state. We were very pleased with the content, depth, and variety of questions and comments. The meeting was streamed and will be available on our website shortly. The Powerpoint will also be available. A new set of listening sessions begins next week. The meetings will primarily be held at community colleges. This is one more opportunity to provide input on how ESSA should be implemented at the local level. All are invited to attend these listening sessions. The WDE will reach out to personally invite higher education, business and industry, and local government officials. Thank you, in advance, for helping spread the word.  Here is a link to the dates and the media release.

NAEP SCORES were released this week. To see how Wyoming and the nation did, follow this link.

ESSA Implementation Timeline

ESSA Implementation Timeline

The roundtable discussion with the United States Department of Education is next week in Casper. This is an important opportunity for Wyoming and I encourage you to attend and bring parents, board members, educators, community partners, and even students to the event.  Here is a link to the press release with additional information.

Planning for the implementation of ESSA in Wyoming continues to move forward on several fronts. Namely, the WDE is actively soliciting and receiving meaningful input from a variety of stakeholders. Almost every day, new information is added to the ESSA link on our website.  Here is a timeline of historical and upcoming milestones:

  • June – Aug 2016: First round of public input
  • July 2016: Internal Design Team convenes
  • Sept 2016: Internal Design Team begins writing state plan
  • Oct – Dec 2016: Second round of public input
  • Nov 2016: Advisory Committee makes recommendations to Select Committee on Statewide Education Accountability
  • Dec 2016: Work Groups convene to review rough draft of state plan
  • Volunteer to be on Work Group
  • Jan – March 2017: Wyoming Legislature Convenes
  • April 2017: Release draft state plan
  • May 2017: 30-Day public review of draft state plan
  • June 2017: 30-Day Governor’s Office review of draft state plan
  • July 2017: Submit state plan

Another round of listening tours begins in November. Here is a link to additional information about dates and locations. 

EVERY KID VOTES

Recently, Secretary of State Ed Murray held the first Wyoming Youth Voter Summit–only a small percentage of eligible voters aged 18-24 actually vote. During this event, several Wyoming leaders learned about the Every Kid Votes campaign. This is a fast-approaching opportunity for our K-8 students to “cast their votes” for the upcoming election. “Election Day” is November 1. The Responsibility Foundation will host a training webinar for Wyoming next Wednesday, October 26, at 10:00 AM. If you are interested in this opportunity for any of your schools, please have a facilitator or administrator reach out to the Responsibility Foundation:

Marc Liebman marc@responsibilityfoundation.org

Bart Skalla bart@responsibilityfoundation.org

Here is a statement from Governor Mead on the topic:

I encourage all Wyoming schools and students to participate in the “Every Kid Votes” mock election on November 1. We all have an obligation to study the issues and the candidates, and every American should vote. “Every Kid Votes” offers an opportunity for our school children to learn about civic responsibility and the precious right to vote. 

President Ronald Reagan said, “The right to vote is the crown jewel of American liberties and we will not see its luster diminished.” Its luster is brightest when every person participates fully in the democratic process.  I support this effort to help our kids learn more about that process. 

Wyoming Department of Education Seeks More Public Input on the Every Student Succeeds Act

Wyoming Department of Education Seeks More Public Input on the Every Student Succeeds Act

CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) is offering multiple ways for the public to give more input on the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). A statewide listening tour and an online survey have been launched to continue stakeholder engagement on the implementation of ESSA in Wyoming.

“This really is an effort to continue the stakeholder engagement we began this summer with the virtual town halls,” said State Superintendent Jillian Balow. “We know that in order to build the best plan for Wyoming, we must hear from the people in our state about what they want from their public education system.”

The listening tour kicks off with a Community Roundtable at Community Roundtable at Casper College on October 26 with officials from the U.S. Department of Education. It will continue with WDE staff holding listening sessions in five locations:

  • Nov. 3: Central Wyoming College, Student Center 103, Riverton
  • Nov. 9: Gillette College, GCMN 120 Presentation Hall, Gillette
  • Dec. 1: Western Wyoming Community College, RSC 3650 A and B Meeting Rooms, Rock Springs
  • Dec. 7: Northwest College, Fagerberg Bldg. Room 70, Powell
  • Dec. 8: Laramie County Community College, Center for Conferences and Institutes Room 121, Cheyenne
  • All listening sessions are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

The online survey is available at edu.wyoming.gov/essa through December 31, 2016 to gather further input, as is a link to volunteer to be on an ESSA Work Group, and information on the transition timeline and public input gathered so far.

– END –

Media Contact:
Kari Eakins, Communications Director
kari.eakins@wyo.gov
307-777-2053