ASBA Blog

April State Board of Education Meeting Summary

by admin@asba | Jul 9, 2020

President’s Report:

2017 priorities – periodic review of the new a-f accountability system, focus on literacy efforts, work to modify current ELL model, focus on issues for students like poverty, and seeking out avenues to enhance compensation for teachers.
President Ballantyne appointed Karol Schmidt to serve on the West Ed Board on behalf of the State Board.
Representative Jill Norgaard, District 18, gave an update on the dyslexia handbook legislation that she ran this session.

Superintendent’s Report:

2017 Milken Educator for Arizona – Timothy Thomas, Principal at Rogers Ranch School in Laveen Elementary School District 2.
Counselor of the Year – Tracey Pressley, Lake Havasu High School
Superintendent Douglas also mentioned that ADE will be resubmitting the ESSA plan under the new template that includes the A-F accountability but stated that is the only portion of the plan that will be updated.

Board Member Reports

Consent Agenda

Unanimously approved the revised Structured English Immersion (SEI) curricular framework for SEI endorsements.
Unanimously approved the capital transportation adjustments for the purchase of transportation vehicles pursuant to A.R.S. §15-963
Unanimously approved the extension of the Arizona Carl D. Perkins State Plan and Funding for fiscal year 2018
Unanimously approved the following special education educator preparation programs leading to Arizona educator certification:

Pima Community College, Post Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program, Mild to Moderate
University of Phoenix, Alternative Pathway, Mild to Moderate

Unanimously approved the following elementary education educator preparation programs leading to Arizona educator certification:

University of Phoenix, Master of Arts in Education, Elementary Education
Scottsdale Community College, Scottsdale Teacher Education Partnership (STEP), Elementary Education

Unanimously approved the following secondary education educator preparation programs leading to Arizona educator certification:

Approved, with Member Carter and Member Baker abstaining, the additional monies for Teacher Compensation for the fiscal year 2017-2018
Unanimously approved Arizona Department of Education (ADE) to enter into an agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to receive and expend a National Farm to School Network grant from the TIDE Center.
Unanimously approved the school district applications for the Arizona On-Line Instruction Program, pursuant to A.R.S. § 15-808:

Unanimously accepted the resignation of M. Diane Bruening from the Special Education Advisory Panel.

Call to the Public

Over 18 individuals addressed the Board in connection to item 4b, the A-F ad hoc committee recommendations.

General Session

SBE staff presented information on current legislation moving through the process that would impact the Board including SB 1042 and SB 1036 that would require additional rulemaking.
Approved on a 7-2 vote, the new A-F School Accountability Plan K-8 and 9-12 for 2016-2017. Superintendent Douglas and Member Taylor voted no.

ADE staff presented ESSA Long-Term Goals and Measures of Interim Progress for future discussions.

ADE discussed the rulemaking procedures for Board rules R7-2-300 and R7-2-302 regarding the minimum course of study for common schools and high schools that will begin shortly.
Unanimously approved the motion to begin rulemaking procedures for the proposed Board rule R7-2-318 regarding the K-3 Reading Program. In response to SB 1131.

The next regular board meeting will be May 22, 2017.