State funds to target learning gap
Education chief says money will be starting point
By Berny Morson, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published March 9, 2008 at 4:05 p.m.
Updated March 10, 2008 at 1:43 a.m.
Dwight Jones says test data can help focus on needs of students.
State Education Commissioner Dwight Jones soon will get the funding he sought to start closing the learning gap between low-income and middle-class students.
The state spending bill that will emerge from the Joint Budget Committee on March 24 will include more than $2 million to address a problem bemoaned by educators for years. Closing the gap is among Gov. Bill Ritter's priorities.
The money proposed in the budget bill won't end the problem immediately, Jones said.
"It is not enough," he said. "But what I've been saying is, let's partner with some of the districts and schools that have the worst achievement gap - let's prove that what we're proposing, we can actually do.
"Then, I think, that's when we ask for additional support," he said.
The JBC, which drafts the annual budget bill, approved $1.8 million this month to address the achievement gap. The bill also creates five staff positions at an initial cost of $441,000, including one to help school districts work on the achievement gap.
The other four positions will go to experts in teaching math, science, social studies and the arts - areas in which many school superintendents have asked for state help.
The JBC's funding recommendations must survive lengthy debate and votes in the House and Senate.
JBC members have been critical of the state Board of Education over travel and entertainment expenses charged to the state. But that spat did not affect the lawmakers' views on the need to fund an effort to boost student achievement, said Rep. Bernie Buescher, D-Grand Junction, the JBC chairman.
"We have an achievement gap. We know that we have way too many youngsters who are not graduating from high school," Buescher said. "We have too many who are not fully prepared to do college work, and the emphasis that (Jones) is talking about and the governor is talking about, I think the JBC very much supported."
Jones believes teachers can help failing students by using test data to zero in on the areas where they need help.
The education department recently unveiled a new program that allows teachers and principals to do detailed analyses of the annual state achievement tests. But using the system will require training, officials said.
"It's one thing to have the data," Jones said. "But one thing I've learned is, we still have a lot of teachers who are not sure what to do with the data."
The achievement gap occurs in most districts between low-income and middle-class students. It also occurs between black and Hispanic students, on one hand, and Anglo and Asian students on the other.
Jones showed some success in closing that gap in his previous job as head of the Fountain School District in El Paso County. It was part of the reason the state board of education hired him as commissioner last year.
The additional funding is significant for the education department, which has not seen a major raise in decades.
The department has fewer staff members today than during the 1984-85 budget year, according to a JBC staff analysis.
morsonb@RockyMountainNews.com or 303 954-5209
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March 10, 2008
6:01 a.m.
Suggest removal
jane writes:
Longer school days, stricter discipline, better mentoring.
March 10, 2008
9:32 a.m.
Suggest removal
cimsibs writes:
These "people" referred to are children. Of course, they want to learn! The question becomes how "effective & accountable" are the individual teachers, principals & school districts (adults running the school systems) for student learning each year? Many children who are functioning below-grade-level are passed through to the next grade level or school building each and every year. Simply compare the previous year's CSAP percentages of students scoring in the Partially Proficient & Unsatisfactory categories (2004 vs. 2005, 2005 vs. 2006, etc.) for any school district across the state. You will find the percentages are not significantly reduced the following year in the following grade level.
March 10, 2008
4:38 p.m.
Suggest removal
Rookie writes:
Thank you JBC, for supporting the Commissioner's efforts. What he's proposing are incremental steps in a long, focused process. The proposal is that the DOE work with a few districts and figure out what actions lead to real success. In the past, we've seen education reform pass like waves over our K-12 system, leaving parents, students, educators and policymakers bobbing in the wake. These changes are more akin to plotting a course, setting your sails, taking your readings and making adjustments to get to your destination.
Colorado is fortunate to have such a talented, energetic and capable Commissioner. A world class education for all Colorado students? We could have it here.
March 10, 2008
4:47 p.m.
Suggest removal
jane writes:
Really? All children want to learn? My kids have to be strongly encouraged to do their homework - and it's easy for them! Most children would rather play than learn. And as the work gets harder, the not wanting to learn feelings get stronger. Are you honestly saying that apathetic students don't exist? Because if you are, you surely need a reality-check.