First, thank you for the feedback we have received on this weekly post. If you would like to contribute news about issues in your state, please contact us at montforward@gmail.com.
NYC- After NYC was allocated $300 million for pre-school programs, the Mayor launched a major media blitz. The result? a 36% increase in applications, for a total of 41,600 applications. There are currently 20,400 spaces available in public programs. Hmmm.... "the mixed delivery system" that is included in federal pre-school initiatives, and many state and city plans for pre-school, is the way to fill the need. Private Montessori schools that would like to serve children from the target population (low to moderate income families) can quality for funds for these kids.
OR- QRIS is being field tested in 4 regions covering 8 counties with data collection a part of the field test. Hopefully, we have some Montessori schools participating.
IN- The State Board of Education has adopted new standards in English and Math to replace the Common Core standards recently rejected by the IN Legislature. These new standards are said to be a hybrid of common core + the old IN state standards: IN College and Career Ready Standards.
SC- South Carolina has withdrawn from the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium and will be determining the use of the different assessment tool for 2015.
KS- The Kansas State Supreme Court has directed the state legislature to increase K-12 spending by $129 million. This could end the Early Childhood Education plan proposed by the Governor.
In another action, HB 2506 allows for $10 million in tax credits for corporations that contribute to scholarship funds for low income children to attend private schools.
CA- The Montessori Council of CA is involved in a fantastic action plan to fight SB 837 . Under the leadership of the Executive Director, Pamela Rigg, and other members of the executive committee, they have involved 600 Montessori schools, 400 teachers, and have joined together with other organizations in the state that support a mixed delivery system to allow for parental choice and diversity of pedagogies to impact the legislators' decision on this bill.
CT- Under the leadership of several hard working folks who are members of the Montessori Schools of CT. Advocacy Committee, amendments were added to a bill for creating pre-school programs which will protect private providers, allow for accreditation recognition of other organizations besides NAEYC, and will requie that a "need" study be completed prior to the creation of new public programs in a county. The bill passed but with these amendments, the CT. group, in collaboration with other organization working with young children, made a major impact on how the bill will be implemented.
CO- The Colorado Montessori Association has formed a task force of Montessori educators and parents to examine the impact of state required assessments on Montessori schools and students. Meetings to inform parents have already taken place and this group is looking to interact with implementers and policy makers regarding these assessments.
At the Federal Level:
An update on SB 10 The Success and Opportunity through Quality Charter Schools Act (which we first reported on several weeks ago) is scheduled for a Full Committee Markup in the Education and Workforce Committee of the House on May 8.
Change in Leadership on Capital Hill
Significant changes in the US Senate and House Education Committees could result in some interesting changes in education legislation as the House considers the Child Care Development Block Grant Act, and The Elementary and Secondary Education Act- ESEA (this act includes Title I and is the original name for No Child Left Behind), and The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act- IDEA are up for reauthorizations.
Senator Harkin, a member of Congress for 40 years, Chairman of the Senate Education Committee, and a huge supporter of programs for special needs students, early intervention programs, early childhood education, school meals, and Montessori education will be retiring at the end of this term. The new leader of the committee could be Patty Murray- D-WA, a former teacher, or Lamar Alexander- R-TN, whose leanings are for local rather than federal control of ed. policy.
New members on the House Education Committee include Bradley Bryne- R-AL, Mark Pocan- D-WI and a supporter of pre-K programs, Mark Takano- D- CA, another former teacher and Dave Loebsack D-IN who is a big supporter of rural education. The current leaders of the Education Committee in the House are George Miller- D-CA who is also retiring at the end of this session, and John Kline, R-MN who has reached the limit for terms on the committee but could continue with a waiver.
Pre-School Development Grant- no word yet on the criteria for proposal applications but the Dept. is hoping for release some time this summer. Another round of public comment will follow.
Montessori Forward- C. Lowry
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