Education Commission of the States

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National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE)
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 the National Association of State Boards of Education's (NASBE) original recommendations are listed in this report. Please see the main database page for additional reports.

Highlights
Issues addressed: 11 of 16
Adequate Yearly Progress; Assessment, Standards and Curriculum; Capacity Building, Innovation and Research & Development; Consequences and Interventions; Data Systems and Reporting; English Language Learners; Finance; Other Programs; Students with Disabilities; Supplemental Education Services; and Miscellaneous/Overarching.

Issues not addressed: 5 of 16
Early Childhood; High School; Safe Schools; School Leadership; and Teaching Quality.

Areas of emphasis:
Adequate Yearly Progress; Miscellaneous/Overarching; and Finance.

Source:
NASBE’s Guiding Principles for NCLB Reauthorization (November 2006)

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 : National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE)

Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)

AYP 1 - Summary of Recommendation Allow states to use multiple indicators to evaluate student, school and system performance.

AYP 2 - Summary of Recommendation Defer to state assessment and accountability systems, unless federal officials have good cause to do otherwise.

AYP 3 - Summary of Recommendation Hold schools accountable for the performance of all students.

AYP 4 - Summary of Recommendation Base accountability requirements on multiple measures to produce meaningful, valid results.

AYP 5 - Summary of Recommendation Allow all states to use growth models for AYP.

AYP 6 - Summary of Recommendation Allow states to use English proficiency attainment to hold schools/districts accountable for ELL students.

AYP 7 - Summary of Recommendation Allow states to count students with disabilities in AYP who successfully complete their IEPs.

Assessment, Standards and Curriculum (ASC)

ASC 1 - Summary of Recommendation Allow states to use multiple indicators to evaluate student, school and system performance under federal assessment requirements.

ASC 2 - Summary of Recommendation Provide funding for states to comply with testing requirements.

ASC 3 - Summary of Recommendation Defer to state assessment and accountability systems, unless federal officials have good cause to do otherwise.

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.

Consequences and Interventions (CI)

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

CI 2 - Summary of Recommendation Do not enforce NCLB compliance by withholding federal funding for unrelated programs.

Data Systems and Reporting (DSR)

DSR 1 - Summary of Recommendation Require state NCLB assessment results to be reported in easily understood formats and language.

DSR 2 - Summary of Recommendation Limit reporting requirements to financial accountability and efficiency, and to constitutional and statutory requirements.

Early Childhood Education (ECE)

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

English Language Learners (ELL)

ELL 1 - Summary of Recommendation Allow states to use English proficiency attainment to hold schools/districts accountable for ELL students.

ELL 2 - Summary of Recommendation Provide funds to states for educating significant number of low-income immigrant children.

Funding Issues (FI)

FI 1 - Summary of Recommendation Provide funding to comply with testing requirements.

FI 2 - Summary of Recommendation Provide adequate funds for federal education mandates.

FI 3 - Summary of Recommendation Limit reporting requirements to financial accountability and efficiency, and to constitutional and statutory requirements.

FI 4 - Summary of Recommendation Maintain accountability and oversight of state education board federal funds, provide adequate funding for state education departments and direct new funds through state boards.

FI 5 - Summary of Recommendation Provide funds to states for educating significant numbers of low-income immigrant children.

High Schools (HS)

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

Other Programs (OP)

OP 1 - Summary of Recommendation Provide federal funds for school construction and renovation.

Safe Schools (SS)

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

School Leadership (SL)

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

Students with Disabilities (SWD)

SWD 1 - Summary of Recommendation Allow states to count students with disabilities in AYP who successfully complete their IEPs.

Supplemental Education Services (SES)

SES 1 - Summary of Recommendation Allow states to set qualifications for SES provider instructional staff.

Teaching Quality (TQ)

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

Miscellaneous/Overarching (Misc.)

Misc. 1 - Summary of Recommendation NASBE’s guiding principles recommend: flexible assessments, alignment of state and federal accountability systems, use of growth models, teacher quality flexibility for high-need subjects, state capacity investment, and transparency between federal and state officials.

Misc. 2 - Summary of Recommendation Ensure federal requirements for state assessments help motivate student learning and monitor academic progress.

Misc. 3 - Summary of Recommendation
Ensure federal accountability requirements are broadly supported, sustainable and adaptable, and include incentives for high performance.

Misc. 4 - Summary of Recommendation Require transparency and disclosure of NCLB flexibility and waivers granted to states by Education Department.

Misc. 5 - Summary of Recommendation Grant special consideration to small, rural and limited resource schools in meeting NCLB requirements.

Misc. 6 - Summary of Recommendation NASBE Overarching Policy Recommendation
Effective teacher quality policies must include: state education board authority over teacher licensure and certification; pre-service teacher education programs aligned with K-12 standards; rigorous and comprehensive teacher preparation programs; elimination of emergency certification; performance-based approval for teacher education programs; and state-established background check process.

Misc. 7 - Summary of Recommendation NASBE Overarching Policy Recommendation
True high school reform should: focus on literacy, school structure, teacher quality and dropout prevention; eliminate need for remediation; allow students to access online and higher education courses; create high school and postsecondary continuum; and ensure relevant, challenging and integrated curricula.

© 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

Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)
AYP 1 - Summary of Recommendation	Allow states to use multiple indicators to evaluate student, school and system performance.
AYP 2 - Summary of Recommendation	Defer to state assessment and accountability systems, unless federal officials have good cause to do otherwise.
AYP 3 - Summary of Recommendation	Hold schools accountable for the performance of all students.
AYP 4 - Summary of Recommendation	Base accountability requirements on multiple measures to produce meaningful, valid results.
AYP 5 - Summary of Recommendation	Allow all states to use growth models for AYP.
AYP 6 - Summary of Recommendation	Allow states to use English proficiency attainment to hold schools/districts accountable for ELL students.
AYP 7 - Summary of Recommendation	Allow states to count students with disabilities in AYP who successfully complete their IEPs.
Assessment, Standards and Curriculum (ASC)
ASC 1 - Summary of Recommendation	Allow states to use multiple indicators to evaluate student, school and system performance under federal assessment requirements.
ASC 2 - Summary of Recommendation	Provide funding for states to comply with testing requirements.
ASC 3 - Summary of Recommendation	Defer to state assessment and accountability systems, unless federal officials have good cause to do otherwise.
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.
Consequences and Interventions (CI)
CI 1 - Summary of Recommendation	Allow range of interventions, including capacity building, and specific sanctions and rewards under AYP.
CI 2 - Summary of Recommendation	Do not enforce NCLB compliance by withholding federal funding for unrelated programs.
Data Systems and Reporting (DSR)
DSR 1 - Summary of Recommendation	Require state NCLB assessment results to be reported in easily understood formats and language.
DSR 2 - Summary of Recommendation	Limit reporting requirements to financial accountability and efficiency, and to constitutional and statutory requirements.
Early Childhood Education (ECE)
ECE 1 - Summary of Recommendation	No recommendations identified for this issue.
English Language Learners (ELL)
ELL 1 - Summary of Recommendation	Allow states to use English proficiency attainment to hold schools/districts accountable for ELL students.
ELL 2 - Summary of Recommendation	Provide funds to states for educating significant number of low-income immigrant children.
Funding Issues (FI)
FI 1 - Summary of Recommendation	Provide funding to comply with testing requirements.
FI 2 - Summary of Recommendation	Provide adequate funds for federal education mandates.
FI 3 - Summary of Recommendation	Limit reporting requirements to financial accountability and efficiency, and to constitutional and statutory requirements.
FI 4 - Summary of Recommendation	Maintain accountability and oversight of state education board federal funds, provide adequate funding for state education departments and direct new funds through state boards.
FI 5 - Summary of Recommendation	Provide funds to states for educating significant numbers of low-income immigrant children.
High Schools (HS)
HS 1 - Summary of Recommendation	No recommendations identified for this issue.
Other Programs (OP)
OP 1 - Summary of Recommendation	Provide federal funds for school construction and renovation.
Safe Schools (SS)
SS 1 - Summary of Recommendation	No recommendations identified for this issue.
School Leadership (SL)
SL 1 - Summary of Recommendation	No recommendations identified for this issue.
Students with Disabilities (SWD)
SWD 1 - Summary of Recommendation	Allow states to count students with disabilities in AYP who successfully complete their IEPs.
Supplemental Education Services (SES)
SES 1 - Summary of Recommendation	Allow states to set qualifications for SES provider instructional staff.
Teaching Quality (TQ)
TQ 1 - Summary of Recommendation	No recommendations identified for this issue.
Miscellaneous/Overarching (Misc.)
Misc. 1 - Summary of Recommendation	NASBE’s guiding principles recommend: flexible assessments, alignment of state and federal accountability systems, use of growth models, teacher quality flexibility for high-need subjects, state capacity investment, and transparency between federal and state officials.
Misc. 2 - Summary of Recommendation	Ensure federal requirements for state assessments help motivate student learning and monitor academic progress.
Misc. 3 - Summary of Recommendation	Ensure federal accountability requirements are broadly supported, sustainable and adaptable, and include incentives for high performance.
Misc. 4 - Summary of Recommendation	Require transparency and disclosure of NCLB flexibility and waivers granted to states by Education Department.
Misc. 5 - Summary of Recommendation	Grant special consideration to small, rural and limited resource schools in meeting NCLB requirements.
Misc. 6 - Summary of Recommendation	NASBE Overarching Policy Recommendation Effective teacher quality policies must include: state education board authority over teacher licensure and certification; pre-service teacher education programs aligned with K-12 standards; rigorous and comprehensive teacher preparation programs; elimination of emergency certification; performance-based approval for teacher education programs; and state-established background check process.
Misc. 7 - Summary of Recommendation	NASBE Overarching Policy Recommendation True high school reform should: focus on literacy, school structure, teacher quality and dropout prevention; eliminate need for remediation; allow students to access online and higher education courses; create high school and postsecondary continuum; and ensure relevant, challenging and integrated curricula.