Monthly Archives: June 2010

Review of Released Common Core Standards Expected Soon in Washington

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Today State Superintendent Randy Dorn announced that the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) would begin review of the recently released Common Core State Standards during the next month before provisionally adopting the standards.

The Common Core State Standards were released earlier this week by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and the Council of Chief State School Offices.

Washington is one of 48 states along with two territories and the District of Columbia that agreed to consider adopting the English language arts and math common core standards. The adoption of the standards are also a part of Washington’s Race to the Top application.

OSPI is required to deliver a detailed report in January 2011 to the Washington State Legislature including a comparison of Common Core and the current State Learning Standards for reading, writing, and math, and an estimated time-line and costs to the state and districts to implement the standards.

OSPI cannot officially adopt the changes to the state’s learning standards until after the 2011 legislative session. With this in mind, the roll-out plan for the Common Core State Standards will not be implemented in public school classrooms until the 2012-13 school year and will not be fully tested in schools until spring 2015.

Chair of U.S. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Introduced Legislation to Improve Vet Benefits Program

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This week Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, introduced the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2010 (S. 3447)  as a starting point for discussion among Congress, veterans service organizations, and concerned Americans who want to improve the program.

The Act is intended to improve the Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits program by improving educational assistance for veterans who served in the Armed Forces after September 11, 2001 and for other purposes.

Concerns Rise Regarding State Budget

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Doubt is emerging about anticipated federal funds for Washington.

Washington State’s budget was balanced based on four strategies: (1) Reductions to public services and programs, (2) Transfer of funds to the General Fund, (3) Increases in revenues, and (4) Incorporation of approximately $618 million of approved/anticipated additional federal relief to Washington State.

The 2010 supplemental operating budget anticipated $480 million in additional resources based on the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) enhancement being extended by an additional six months through June  2011.

In addition, based on  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reversal of the decision to disallow state savings from Medicare Part D “clawback” payments for prescription drugs, the state expected to receive $87 million in additional federal resources beyond the current level assumed in the state budget.

At the time the state budget was signed into law, Congress was considering legislation that would extend the enhancements beyond the current end date, December 2010. Legislation that both the House and Senate had considered before and passed.

However, today states, including Washington, are running into roadblocks with regard to the anticipated funds in Congress.

Last week the U.S. House of Representatives stripped language for a six-month, $23 billion extension. Washington is seeking approximately $480 million of these funds as part of the four-strategy approach to balancing the state’s most recent shortfall (2010).

Without these funds ($480 million) the dollars in reserves ($450 million) planned as a cushion would be eliminated, leaving the state vulnerable to changes in tax revenues.

Governor Gregoire along with 47 other governors, both Democrat and Republican, have asked for the extension. More than 30 states counted on these dollars in their budgets.

The legislation now moves to the Senate where the bill could be taken as soon as after the Memorial Day week long recess.

Stay tuned…

Common Core State Standards Released

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This week the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) released a set of state-led education standards, the Common Core State Standards.

The standards built on the foundation of standards states have set. The standards were developed on behalf of 48 states, two territories, and the District of Columbia.

The standards are:

  • Aligned with college and work expectations;
  • Clear, understandable and consistent;
  • Include rigorous content and application of knowledge through high-order skills;
  • Build upon strengths and lessons of current state standards;
  • Informed by other top performing countries, so that all students are prepared to succeed in our global economy and society; and
  • Evidence- and research-based.

The release of the standards signals the start of the adoption and implementation process by the states.  In the coming months, each state will follow its own procedures and processes for adoption of the Common Core State Standards.

Candidate Pool Narrows in Washington’s Third U.S. Congressional District

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The Democratic candidate pool for the Office of Washington’s U.S. Representative for the Third District narrowed substantially this week. The Third Congressional District represents The Evergreen State College.

In a press release from the National Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, current Washington State Senator Craig Pridemore (D-Vancouver) cites the long state legislative session as an impediment to fundraising, setting him too far behind.

Three Democratic candidates are still in the running for this congressional seat. They include Denny Heck, Cheryl Crist,  and Maria Rodriguez-Salazar. In addition, four Republican candidates also remain active in the race for this seat. They include David Castillo, David Hendrick, Jaime Herrera, and Jon Russell.

Senator Pridemore issued the following statement with regard to his decision to drop out of the race for the Third Congressional District.

“I want to first of all thank all of the individuals and organizations who supported my campaign. I am so grateful to have earned your trust, and look forward to continued service in the State Senate. I am especially humbled by the endorsements of organizations and friends who have rallied in recent weeks, knowing that we left the session with a steep hill to climb. Thank you.

I regret the need to exit this race, but it is clear to me that the long session placed our campaign at a clear disadvantage. While I wish I had been able to focus on my campaign earlier, I am proud that my focus this winter was where it needed to be: addressing the real issues facing the working families and small businesses of Southwest Washington. I entered politics to excel at public service, not the other way around.

I also want to congratulate and offer my immediate and full endorsement to Denny Heck, who is now in the best position–and is the best candidate–to win the seat in November. Denny is a bright, hard working and authentic SW Washington leader and we need his broad experience working for us in Congress. I encourage my supporters to help him and Senator Patty Murray in their elections this November.”

Legislation Introduced to Extend Perkins Loan Program

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Last week legislation (H.R. 5448) was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to push the statutory deadline for returning the federal share of Perkins Loan collection from October 2012 to October 2013.

The legislation is intended to address confusion about when the Perkins Loan Program is scheduled to end. The re-authorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA) took several years, during which original dates for distribution of loan fund capital and subsequent collections stopped being updated.

In addition, current language in the HEA (Section 466) calls for schools to return their federal share by October 2012 even though the latest re-authorization of the HEA reauthorized the Perkins program through fiscal year 2014 (Section 461).

Finally, the Obama Administration has sent clear signals that it is interested in changing the Perkins Loan Program, though no changes have been made to date.

Sponsored by Rep. Tim Bishop (D-NY) and John Spratt (D-SC) the hope is that, if passed, the  legislation will allow the financial aid community additional time to sort through the future of the Perkins Loan Program.

Passage of Tax Bill May Impact Higher Education

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Last week, the U.S. House passed legislation focused on extending certain taxes. The American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act (H.R. 4213), with a vote of 215 to 204, includes a provision that would extend the above-the-line tax deduction for qualified education expenses for one year (through 2010).

Under the provision, taxpayers who qualify for a greater net reduction in tax liability from current tax credits, the Hope and Lifetime Learning credits, would not qualify for the above-the-line tax deduction for qualified education expenses.

The Act, according to the U.S. House Ways & Means Committee, also includes several other provisions that impact higher education.

  • Supports 350,000 jobs for youth ages 14-24 through summer employment programs.
  • Extends for one-year (through 2010) the provision that encourages businesses to contribute computer equipment and software to elementary, secondary, and post-secondary schools.
  • Expands the current grant program to education institutions to develop, offer and improve education and career training programs for workers eligible for Trade Adjustment Assistance for Communities to also benefit individuals who are eligible for unemployment insurance, who are likely to be eligible for unemployment insurance or who have exhausted their unemployment insurance.

The Act now goes to the Senate where additional amendments will likely be considered.