Education Commission of the States

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Capacity, Innovation and Research & Development (CIRD)
Summary of Recommendations
NCLB Reauthorization

To better inform the national debate on No Child Left Behind (NCLB) reauthorization, ECS collected and synthesized recommendations by national organizations to improve the federal law.

ECS' database is organized around 16 issue areas that captured most recommendations. Some organizations did not offer recommendations for all issues, at least according to our analysis. And several recommendations appear more than once since they applied to multiple issue areas.

The summary of all organizations' original recommendations for Capacity, Innovation, and Research & Development (CIRD) are listed in this report. Please see the main page for additional reports and sources for the database.

Highlights
(See Abbreviation Key at end of table)

Organizations that addressed this issue: 10 of 15
BCSA; Comm. NCLB; CCSSO; ECS; Ed Trust; FEA; NASBE; NCSL; NEA; and NGA

Organizations that did not address this issue: 5 of 15
AASA; AFT; NAESP; NASSP; NSBA

Comments
Various reports indicate that state education departments and school districts often feel overwhelmed by their NCLB responsibilities and lack the staff and capacity to respond effectively. Therefore, it is not surprising that more than half the organizations requested additional support for states and districts to assist low-performing schools, especially as the number of schools in need of improvement grows.

Some organizations called for increased federal investment in research and development to improve schools and to identify and disseminate promising practices. And a few groups asked for greater recognition and support of state and local education innovations they believe will strengthen teaching and learning.

Visit ECS' Database on NCLB Reauthorization main page for more information, explanations and access to organizations' original reports. Please note that ECS plans to expand the database as more information becomes available.

Database Last Updated: July 2007

This database was created and compiled by Mary Fulton, ECS policy analyst.
For questions and comments: 303.299.3679 or mfulton@ecs.org

NCLB Reauthorization : American Association of School Administrators (AASA)

Capacity Building, Innovation and Research & Development (CIRD)

CIRD 1 - Summary of Recommendation No recommendations identified for this issue.

Parent and Community Involvement (CPI)

NCLB Reauthorization : American Federation of Teachers (AFT)

Capacity Building, Innovation and Research & Development (CIRD)

CIRD 1 - Summary of Recommendation No recommendations identified for this issue.

Parent and Community Involvement (CPI)

NCLB Reauthorization : Business Coalition for Student Achievement (BCSA)

Capacity Building, Innovation and Research & Development (CIRD)

CIRD 1 - Summary of Recommendation Increase state capacity to assist schools that face AYP sanctions.

CIRD 2 - Summary of Recommendation Support education innovations, such as charter schools, diverse providers and technology integration.

CIRD 3 - Summary of Recommendation Fund R&D on promising ways to improve school and student performance.

Parent and Community Involvement (CPI)

NCLB Reauthorization : Commission on No Child Left Behind (Comm. NCLB)

Capacity Building, Innovation and Research & Development (CIRD)

CIRD 1 - Summary of Recommendation Bolster state and district capacity to help low-performing schools by increasing Title I set aside funds and focusing restructuring on highest-need schools.

CIRD 2 - Summary of Recommendation Double federal research budget and target funds to help schools meet NCLB goals.

Parent and Community Involvement (CPI)

NCLB Reauthorization : Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO)

Capacity Building, Innovation and Research & Development (CIRD)

CIRD 1 - Summary of Recommendation Encourage innovation and improve peer review process to focus on knowledge enhancement and promoting sound education models.

CIRD 2 - Summary of Recommendation Require Secretary to approve innovative models where states can demonstrate sound strategies to raise student achievement and close achievement gaps.

CIRD 3 - Summary of Recommendation Ensure NCLB funding levels reflect increased state roles and responsibilities to improve student achievement and close achievement gaps.

CIRD 4 - Summary of Recommendation Provide additional and ongoing funding for state interventions in underperforming districts and schools, including for assessments and data systems.

Parent and Community Involvement (CPI)

NCLB Reauthorization : Education Commission of the States (ECS)

Capacity Building, Innovation and Research & Development (CIRD)

CIRD 1 - Summary of Recommendation
Build state and district capacity to assist low performing schools.

CIRD 2 - Summary of Recommendation Provide incentives for states to serve as R&D laboratories to broaden and deepen NCLB's impact.

Parent and Community Involvement (CPI)

NCLB Reauthorization : Education Trust (Ed Trust)

Capacity Building, Innovation and Research & Development (CIRD)

CIRD 1 - Summary of Recommendation Increase school improvement set-aside to 20% (from 5%) if states match and devote the amount to increase their capacity to assist struggling schools, including contracts with non-profit providers.

Parent and Community Involvement (CPI)

NCLB Reauthorization : Forum on Educational Accountability (FEA)

Capacity Building, Innovation and Research & Development (CIRD)

CIRD 1 - Summary of Recommendation Fund R&D for more effective accountability systems that improve student achievement.

CIRD 2 - Summary of Recommendation Enhance state and local capacity to increase ability of administrators, teachers, families and communities to improve student achievement.

Parent and Community Involvement (CPI)

NCLB Reauthorization : National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP)

Capacity Building, Innovation and Research & Development (CIRD)

CIRD 1 - Summary of Recommendation No recommendations identified for this issue.

Parent and Community Involvement (CPI)

NCLB Reauthorization : National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE)

Capacity Building, Innovation and Research & Development (CIRD)

CIRD 1 - Summary of Recommendation Allow range of interventions, including capacity building, and specific sanctions and rewards under AYP.

CIRD 2 - Summary of Recommendation Support and expand state department capacity to assist low performing schools and districts.

CIRD 3 - Summary of Recommendation Require Education Department to identify and disseminate information on successful schools and those that meet NCLB requirements.

Parent and Community Involvement (CPI)

NCLB Reauthorization : National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP)

Capacity Building, Innovation and Research & Development (CIRD)

CIRD 1 - Summary of Recommendation No recommendations identified for this issue.

Parent and Community Involvement (CPI)

NCLB Reauthorization : National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)

Capacity Building, Innovation and Research & Development (CIRD)

CIRD 1 - Summary of Recommendation Strengthen Education Department's role and investment in collecting diagnostic data and providing scientifically based research to close achievement gaps.

Parent and Community Involvement (CPI)

NCLB Reauthorization : National Education Association (NEA)

Capacity Building, Innovation and Research & Development (CIRD)

CIRD 1 - Summary of Recommendation Assist schools with using money more effectively.

CIRD 2 - Summary of Recommendation Provide funding to assist states/districts with administering assessments and with collecting and interpreting test data.

Parent and Community Involvement (CPI)

NCLB Reauthorization : National Governors Association (NGA)

Capacity Building, Innovation and Research & Development (CIRD)

CIRD 1 - Summary of Recommendation Provide states authority, time and flexibility to assist low performing schools, and provide resources to build state capacity for these efforts.

CIRD 2 - Summary of Recommendation Target Title I funds to schools with highest concentration of low-income students and assist state efforts to close achievement gaps among student subgroups.

CIRD 3 - Summary of Recommendation Encourage students to pursue math and science careers through rigorous curricula, strong educational and research and development systems, and accountability for students and teachers.

CIRD 4 - Summary of Recommendation Support and maintain funding for Innovative Programs under NCLB, which provides flexible funds to help raise student achievement.

Parent and Community Involvement (CPI)

NCLB Reauthorization : National School Boards Association (NSBA)

Capacity Building, Innovation and Research & Development (CIRD)

CIRD 1 - Summary of Recommendation No recommendations identified for this issue.

Parent and Community Involvement (CPI)

Abbreviation Key for Organizations
AASA = American Association of School Administrators
AFT = American Federation of Teachers
BCSA = Business Coalition for Student Achievement
Comm. NCLB = Commission on No Child Left Behind
CCSSO = Council of Chief State School Officers
ECS = Education Commission of the States
Ed Trust = Education Trust
FEA = Forum on Educational Accountability
NAESP = National Association of Elementary School Principals
NASBE = National Association of State Boards of Education
NASSP = National Association of Secondary School Principals
NCSL = National Conference of State Legislatures
NEA = National Education Association
NGA = National Governors Association
NSBA = National School Boards Association

© 2008 by the Education Commission of the States (ECS). All rights reserved. ECS is a nonprofit interstate compact that helps state leaders shape education policy.

To request permission to excerpt part of this publication, either in print or electronically, please fax a request to the attention of the ECS Communications Department, 303.296.8332 or e-mail ecs@ecs.org.

Helping State Leaders Shape Education Policy

Capacity Building, Innovation and Research & Development (CIRD)
CIRD 1 - Summary of Recommendation	No recommendations identified for this issue.
Parent and Community Involvement (CPI)

Capacity Building, Innovation and Research & Development (CIRD)
CIRD 1 - Summary of Recommendation	Increase state capacity to assist schools that face AYP sanctions.
CIRD 2 - Summary of Recommendation	Support education innovations, such as charter schools, diverse providers and technology integration.
CIRD 3 - Summary of Recommendation	Fund R&D on promising ways to improve school and student performance.
Parent and Community Involvement (CPI)

Capacity Building, Innovation and Research & Development (CIRD)
CIRD 1 - Summary of Recommendation	Bolster state and district capacity to help low-performing schools by increasing Title I set aside funds and focusing restructuring on highest-need schools.
CIRD 2 - Summary of Recommendation	Double federal research budget and target funds to help schools meet NCLB goals.
Parent and Community Involvement (CPI)

Capacity Building, Innovation and Research & Development (CIRD)
CIRD 1 - Summary of Recommendation	Encourage innovation and improve peer review process to focus on knowledge enhancement and promoting sound education models.
CIRD 2 - Summary of Recommendation	Require Secretary to approve innovative models where states can demonstrate sound strategies to raise student achievement and close achievement gaps.
CIRD 3 - Summary of Recommendation	Ensure NCLB funding levels reflect increased state roles and responsibilities to improve student achievement and close achievement gaps.
CIRD 4 - Summary of Recommendation	Provide additional and ongoing funding for state interventions in underperforming districts and schools, including for assessments and data systems.
Parent and Community Involvement (CPI)

Capacity Building, Innovation and Research & Development (CIRD)
CIRD 1 - Summary of Recommendation	Build state and district capacity to assist low performing schools.
CIRD 2 - Summary of Recommendation	Provide incentives for states to serve as R&D laboratories to broaden and deepen NCLB's impact.
Parent and Community Involvement (CPI)

Capacity Building, Innovation and Research & Development (CIRD)
CIRD 1 - Summary of Recommendation	Increase school improvement set-aside to 20% (from 5%) if states match and devote the amount to increase their capacity to assist struggling schools, including contracts with non-profit providers.
Parent and Community Involvement (CPI)

Capacity Building, Innovation and Research & Development (CIRD)
CIRD 1 - Summary of Recommendation	Fund R&D for more effective accountability systems that improve student achievement.
CIRD 2 - Summary of Recommendation	Enhance state and local capacity to increase ability of administrators, teachers, families and communities to improve student achievement.
Parent and Community Involvement (CPI)

Capacity Building, Innovation and Research & Development (CIRD)
CIRD 1 - Summary of Recommendation	Allow range of interventions, including capacity building, and specific sanctions and rewards under AYP.
CIRD 2 - Summary of Recommendation	Support and expand state department capacity to assist low performing schools and districts.
CIRD 3 - Summary of Recommendation	Require Education Department to identify and disseminate information on successful schools and those that meet NCLB requirements.
Parent and Community Involvement (CPI)

Capacity Building, Innovation and Research & Development (CIRD)
CIRD 1 - Summary of Recommendation	Strengthen Education Department's role and investment in collecting diagnostic data and providing scientifically based research to close achievement gaps.
Parent and Community Involvement (CPI)

Capacity Building, Innovation and Research & Development (CIRD)
CIRD 1 - Summary of Recommendation	Assist schools with using money more effectively.
CIRD 2 - Summary of Recommendation	Provide funding to assist states/districts with administering assessments and with collecting and interpreting test data.
Parent and Community Involvement (CPI)

Capacity Building, Innovation and Research & Development (CIRD)
CIRD 1 - Summary of Recommendation	Provide states authority, time and flexibility to assist low performing schools, and provide resources to build state capacity for these efforts.
CIRD 2 - Summary of Recommendation	Target Title I funds to schools with highest concentration of low-income students and assist state efforts to close achievement gaps among student subgroups.
CIRD 3 - Summary of Recommendation	Encourage students to pursue math and science careers through rigorous curricula, strong educational and research and development systems, and accountability for students and teachers.
CIRD 4 - Summary of Recommendation	Support and maintain funding for Innovative Programs under NCLB, which provides flexible funds to help raise student achievement.
Parent and Community Involvement (CPI)