Hello Everyone,
Please enjoy the information contained in this edition of Frontier Focus. Please be sure to share it with your members, colleagues, providers and office billing staff. Thank you for your continued efforts to broadcast Medicare information to the providers in Region VIII.
Table of Contents
1. Electronic Health Records and the 21st Century Health Care System
2. Vice President Biden Announces Availability of Nearly $1.2 Billion in Grants to Help Hospitals and Doctors Use Electronic Health Records
3. REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR SUPPLIERS INTERESTED IN COMPETITIVE BIDDING FOR DMEPOS
4. Special Open Door Forum on DMEPOS Competitive Bidding: Learn the Rules to Submit a Bid Successfully!
5. Get Ready for DMEPOS Competitive Bidding!
6. 5010: Taking EDI to the Next Level - Third National Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) Education Call on HIPAA Version 5010
7. CMS Seeks Public Comments on Cardiac Outcomes Measures -- Comments Accepted through August 25, 2009
8. REMINDER: Second National Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) Education Call on HIPAA Version 5010
9. Medicare Demonstrations Show Paying For Quality Health Care Pays Off
10. Nursing Home Five-Star Quality Rating System – August News
11. Pricer Updates for Home Health PPS and Inpatient Psychiatric Facility PPS
12. New from the Medicare Learning Network
13. Extra Help for Beneficiaries Paying for Prescription Drugs
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1. Electronic Health Records and the 21st Century Health Care System
A Message from Dr. David Blumenthal, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
In my role as National Coordinator for Health IT, I have the privilege to be part of a transformative change in health care that will help to extend the benefits of health information technology (HIT) to all Americans. With the passage earlier this year of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, we have the tools to begin a major transformation in American health care made possible through the creation of a secure, interoperable nationwide health information network.
Of course, this system is not an end in itself. Rather, it will enable countless other improvements in the quality and efficiency of health care that will make Americans healthier and their economy stronger.
My personal belief in this transformation is not based on theory or conjecture. As a primary care physician for over 30 years, I spent the first twenty shuffling papers in search of missing studies and frequently hoping, during middle-of-the-night emergencies, that I knew enough about patients’ medical histories to make good decisions. All that changed when I began to have access to patients’ electronic medical records. It made me a much better doctor. I would never go back, and neither would the vast majority of American physicians who have made the leap into the electronic age.
In fact, it would be hard for any health professional today to escape the conclusion that the antiquated, paper-dominated system we now have in place isn’t working well for patients, creates added costs and inefficiencies, and isn’t sustainable. As we look at our nation’s annual health care expenditures of approximately $2.5 trillion, there are many ways our current system fails both patients and providers. It is clear that change is necessary.
But how and why is nationwide electronic health information exchange so critical to achieving such change? Most importantly, because it provides the best opportunity for each patient to receive optimal care. The technology will make patients’ complete medical information securely and reliably available to health care providers where and when it is needed – when clinician and patient are together facing medical decisions that can make a lasting difference.
Better, faster, more reliable and efficient care also ultimately reduces system-wide costs by delivering results that help to avoid expensive or prolonged hospitalization from delayed or ineffective treatment, avert costly and sometimes fatal adverse events and unnecessary procedures, and can help to eliminate the onset of disease by better informed management of each patient’s health.
The goal of assuring an electronic health record for every American is daunting. We at the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) do not pretend otherwise. We know this will be hard for some clinicians and hospitals, and we stand ready to help with resources provided by the Congress and the Administration.
We also recognize that we cannot achieve the benefits of a nationwide health information system unless we can assure all Americans that their personal health information will remain private and secure when this system exists. Putting into place safeguards for the privacy and security of this information, when it is in electronic form, will be an ongoing priority that influences and guides all of our efforts.
In the days, weeks, and months ahead, we will be rolling out a number of pivotal initiatives called for under the HITECH Act. I urge you to join and support us as we lay the foundation for every American to benefit from an electronic health record, as part of a modernized, interconnected, and vastly improved system of care delivery. We at ONC will be making every effort to keep you updated and fully engaged in all the steps of this national journey.
Sincerely,
David Blumenthal, M.D., M.P.P.
National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
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2. Vice President Biden Announces Availability of Nearly $1.2 Billion in Grants to Help Hospitals and Doctors Use Electronic Health Records
For Immediate Release
August 20, 2009
Vice President Biden Announces Availability of Nearly $1.2 Billion in Grants to Help Hospitals and Doctors Use Electronic Health Records
CHICAGO, IL – Vice President Joe Biden today announced the availability of grants worth nearly $1.2 billion to help hospitals and health care providers implement and use electronic health records. The grants will be funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) and will help health care providers qualify for new incentives that will be made available in 2010 to doctors and hospitals that meaningfully use electronic health records.
“With electronic health records, we are making health care safer; we’re making it more efficient; we’re making you healthier; and we’re saving money along the way, ”said Vice President Biden. “These are four necessities we need for healthcare in the 21st-century.”
“Expanding the use of electronic health records is fundamental to reforming our health care system,” said HHS Secretary Sebelius. “Electronic health records can help reduce medical errors, make health care more efficient and improve the quality of medical care for all Americans. These grants will help ensure more doctors and hospitals have the tools they need to use this critical technology.”
The grants made available today include:
Grants totaling $598 million to establish approximately 70 Health Information Technology Regional Extension Centers, which will provide hospitals and clinicians with hands-on technical assistance in the selection, acquisition, implementation, and meaningful use of certified electronic health record systems.
Grants totaling $564 million to States and Qualified State Designated Entities (SDEs) to support the development of mechanisms for information sharing within an emerging nationwide system of networks.
The Extension Center grants will be awarded on a rolling basis, with the first awards being issued in fiscal year 2010. Grants to States will be made in fiscal year 2010. Those interested in applying for these grants may visit http://HealthIT.HHS.gov for more information.
“With these programs, we begin the process of creating a national, private and secure electronic health information system. The grants are designed to help doctors and hospitals acquire electronic health records and use them in meaningful ways to improve the health of patients and reduce waste and inefficiency,” said Dr. David Blumenthal, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. “They will also help states lead the way in creating the infrastructure for health information exchange, which enables information to follow patients within and across communities, wherever the information is needed to help doctors and patients make the best decisions about medical care.”
The Department of Health and Human Services will also provide additional assistance to health care providers through the Health Information Technology Research Center (HITRC). The HITRC will gather relevant information on effective practices from a wide variety of sources across the country and help the Regional Extension Centers collaborate with one another and with relevant stakeholders to identify and share best practices in EHR adoption, effective use, and provider support.
Attached are two fact sheets on the Health Information Technology Extension Program and the State Health Information Exchange Cooperative Agreement Program.
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The activities described in this release are being funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). To track the progress of HHS activities funded through the ARRA, visit www.hhs.gov/recovery. To track all federal funds provided through the ARRA, visit www.recovery.gov.
Note: If you have problems accessing any hyperlink in this message, please copy and paste the URL into your Internet browser.
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3. REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR SUPPLIERS INTERESTED IN COMPETITIVE BIDDING FOR DMEPOS
Registration is now open and available to all suppliers interested in participating in the Round 1 Rebid of the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program. Interested suppliers will submit their bids using an on-line internet application. To help ensure bid security and privacy, suppliers must first register to obtain a user ID and password. Only suppliers that have a user ID and password will be able to use the on-line bidding system; suppliers that do not register will not be able to bid.
If you are a supplier interested in bidding, register now – don’t wait. Designate one Authorized Official (AO) listed on the CMS-855S enrollment form to act as your AO for registration purposes. The AO must register first and must approve other supplier employee requests to register. The AO’s user ID and password will be sent by mail and should be delivered within 10 days after successful registration. After an AO successfully registers, the AO may designate other supplier employees to serve as Backup Authorized Officials (BAO) and/or End Users (EU). BAOs and EUs must also register in order to be able to use the on-line bidding system. The legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number (SSN) of the AO and BAOs must match exactly with what is on file with the National Supplier Clearinghouse in order to register successfully. Legal names, dates of birth, and SSNs of all users must match what is on file with the Social Security Administration.
We strongly urge all AOs to register no later than September 14, 2009 to ensure that BAOs and EUs have time to register before bidding begins. We recommend that BAOs register no later than October 9, 2009 so that they will be able to assist AOs with approving EU registration. Registration will close on November 4, 2009 at 9:00 p.m. EST – no AOs, BAOs, or EUs can register after registration closes.
To register, go to the Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor (CBIC) website at www.dmecompetitivebid.com. Please review the IACS Reference Guide for step-by-step instructions on registration. The CBIC web site also has the following useful tools: a registration checklist; Quick Step guides; and frequently asked questions. All suppliers interested in bidding are urged to sign up for E-mail Updates on the home page of the CBIC website.
We would like to remind all suppliers interested in bidding that we will be holding the first in a series of eight Special Open Door Forum (ODF) bidders’ conferences for the Round 1 Rebid of the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program on August 19, 2009 from 2:00 to 3:00 pm EDT. At this Special ODF, we will provide an overview of what to expect during the bidder education period and provide suppliers with a step-by-step explanation of the registration process. In addition, we will identify common registration issues from the original Round 1 of the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program and discuss refinements to the bidding system. The PowerPoint presentation for the conference, along with information on how to participate, can be found on the CBIC website.
If you have any questions about the registration process, please contact the CBIC Customer Service Center at 1-877-577-5331. For information about the competitive bidding areas and product categories included in the Round 1 Rebid, as well as bidder education materials, please visit the CBIC website at www.dmecompetitivebid.com.
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4. Special Open Door Forum on DMEPOS Competitive Bidding: Learn the Rules to Submit a Bid Successfully!
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Special Open Door Forum:
Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program Bidders’ Conference:
Learn the Rules to Submit a Bid Successfully
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
2:00 pm-3:00 pm Eastern Time
Conference Call Only
Please join us for the second in a series of eight Special Open Door Forum (ODF) bidders’ conferences for the Round 1 Rebid of the Medicare durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) competitive bidding program. At this Special ODF, we will provide an overview of the competitive bidding areas (CBAs), product categories, and important rules to remember when submitting your bid(s). In addition, we will discuss eligibility requirements such as supplier standards, subcontracting, licensure, bonding, and accreditation. We will also provide an overview of special rules for physicians and treating practitioners, skilled nursing facilities, and hospitals.
Reminder: Registration for user IDs and passwords is open. It’s important for suppliers to register early to avoid delays in accessing the online bidding system when bidding opens.
Background:
On August 3, 2009, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service (CMS) issued the bidding timeline for the Round 1 Rebid of the DMEPOS competitive bidding program and initiated a comprehensive bidder education campaign. CMS’ Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor (CBIC) is the focal point for bidder education. Please visit the CBIC's dedicated website, www.dmecompetitivebid.com, for important information, including bidding rules, user guides, frequently asked questions, policy fact sheets, checklists, and bidding information charts. The CBIC toll-free help desk, 1‑877‑577‑5331, is open to help bidders with all of their questions and concerns. All suppliers interested in bidding are urged to sign up for e-mail updates on the home page of the CBIC website.
We look forward to your participation.
Special Open Door Participation Instructions:
Dial: 1-800-837-1935 & Reference Conference ID: 23044340
Note: TTY Communications Relay Services are available for the Hearing Impaired. For TTY services dial 7-1-1 or 1-800-855-2880. A Relay Communications Assistant will help.
An audio recording of this Special Forum will be posted to the Special Open Door Forum website at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/OpenDoorForums/05_ODF_SpecialODF.asp and will be accessible for downloading beginning Friday, September 11, 2009.
For Open Door Forum schedule updates, E-Mailing list subscriptions, and to view Frequently Asked Questions please visit our website at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/opendoorforums/ .
Thank you for your interest in CMS Open Door Forums.
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5. Get Ready for DMEPOS Competitive Bidding!
Four DMEPOS Message Reminders
The Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS)
Competitive Bidding Program Round 1 Rebid is Coming Soon!!
Summer 2009
Ø CMS announces bidding schedule/schedule of education events
Ø CMS begins bidder education campaign
Ø Bidder registration period to obtain user ID and passwords begins
Fall 2009
Ø Bidding begins
If you are a supplier interested in bidding, prepare now – don’t wait!
Ø UPDATE YOUR NSC FILES: DMEPOS supplier standard # 2 requires ALL suppliers to notify the National Supplier Clearinghouse (NSC) of any change to the information provided on the Medicare enrollment application (CMS-855S) within 30 days of the change. DMEPOS suppliers should use the 3/09 version of the CMS-855S and should review and update:
• The list of products and services found in section 2.D;
• The Authorized Official(s) information in sections 6A and 15; and
• The correspondence address in section 2A2 of the CMS-855S.
This is especially important for suppliers who will be involved in the Medicare DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program. These suppliers must ensure the information listed on their supplier files is accurate to enable participation in this program. Information and instructions on how to submit a change of information may be found on the NSC Web site (http://www.palmettogba.com/nsc) and by following this path: Supplier Enrollment/Change of Information/Change of Information Guide.
Ø GET LICENSED: Suppliers submitting a bid for a product category in a competitive bidding area (CBA) must meet all DMEPOS state licensure requirements and other applicable state licensure requirements, if any, for that product category for every state in that CBA. Prior to submitting a bid for a CBA and product category, the supplier must have a copy of the applicable state licenses on file with the NSC. As part of the bid evaluation we will verify with the NSC that the supplier has on file a copy of all applicable required state license(s).
Ø GET ACCREDITED: CMS would like to remind DMEPOS suppliers that time is running out to obtain accreditation by the September 30, 2009 deadline or risk having their Medicare Part B billing privileges revoked on October 1, 2009. Accreditation takes an average of 6 months to complete. DMEPOS suppliers should contact a CMS deemed accreditation organization to obtain information about the accreditation process and the application process. Suppliers must be accredited for a product category in order to submit a bid for that product category. CMS cannot contract with suppliers that are not accredited by a CMS-approved accreditation organization.
Further information on the DMEPOS accreditation requirements along with a list of the accreditation organizations and those professionals and other persons exempted from accreditation may be found at the CMS website: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicareProviderSupEnroll/01_Overview.asp .
Ø GET BONDED: CMS would like to remind DMEPOS suppliers that certain suppliers will need to obtain and submit a surety bond by the October 2, 2009 deadline or risk having their Medicare Part B billing privileges revoked. Suppliers subject to the bonding requirement must be bonded in order to bid in the DMEPOS competitive bidding program. A list of sureties from which a bond can be secured is found at the Department of the Treasury’s “List of Certified (Surety Bond) Companies;” the web site is located at:
www.fms.treas.gov/c570/c570_a-z.html.
Visit the CMS website at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/DMEPOSCompetitiveBid/ for the latest information on the DMEPOS competitive bidding program.
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DMEPOS Supplier Accreditation and Surety Bond Requirement Deadlines Coming In October
Suppliers May Choose to Voluntarily Terminate Enrollment If They Do Not Plan To Comply
Medicare suppliers of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS), unless exempt, must be accredited and obtain a surety bond by October 1, 2009 and October 2, 2009, respectively.
If you have made the decision not to obtain accreditation or a surety bond when required, you may want to voluntarily terminate your enrollment in the Medicare program before the implementation dates above. You can voluntary terminate your enrollment with the Medicare program by completing the sections associated with voluntary termination on page 4 of the Medicare enrollment application (CMS-855S). Once complete, you should sign, date and send the completed application to the National Supplier Clearinghouse (NSC). By voluntarily terminating your Medicare enrollment, you will preserve your right to re-enroll in Medicare once you meet the requirements to participate in the Medicare program.
If you do not comply with the accreditation and surety bond requirements and do not submit a voluntary termination, your Medicare billing privileges will be revoked. A revocation will bar you from re-enrolling in Medicare for at least one year after the date of revocation.
Suppliers who do not plan to stay enrolled in Medicare are strongly encouraged to notify their beneficiaries as soon as possible so the beneficiary can find another supplier.
For additional information regarding DMEPOS accreditation or the provisions associated with a surety bond, go to http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicareProviderSupEnroll. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the surety bond requirement can be found on the NSC’s FAQ page at http://www.palmettogba.com/nsc.
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Take Action Now to Prepare for the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics,
and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program!
A Special Edition MLN Matters education article identifying steps suppliers should take in preparation for the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program to ensure successful bidder registration is available at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0915.pdf.
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Also recently released--MM6571 - Program Instructions Designating the Competitive Bidding Areas and Product Categories Included in the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program Round One Rebid in calendar year (CY) 2009. This article identifies the nine metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) as well as product categories in which the DMEPOS competitive bidding round one re-bid will occur in CY 2009 under section 1847 of the Social Security Act. You can view this article at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/MM6571.pdf .
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6. 5010: Taking EDI to the Next Level - Third National Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) Education Call on HIPAA Version 5010
Conference call details:
Date: September 9, 2009
Conference Title: Third National Medicare FFS Education Call on HIPAA Version 5010
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. ET
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will present the third in a series of National Education Conference Calls focused on Medicare’s Fee-for-Service (FFS) implementation of HIPAA Version 5010. The presentation will cover Medicare FFS error handling transactions (TA1, 999, and 277CA), planned use of each transaction and applicable rules and exceptions for the Medicare FFS program. The presentation is geared to billing software programmers or developers that reside within provider organizations. A Question & Answer (Q&A) session will follow the presentation that will give participants an opportunity to ask questions of CMS’ subject matter experts.
In order to receive the call-in information, you must register for the call. It is important to note that if you are planning to sit in with a group, only one person needs to register to receive the call-in data. This registration is solely to reserve a phone line, NOT to allow participation.
Registration will close at 2:00 p.m. ET on September 8, 2009, or when available space has been filled. No exceptions will be made, so please be sure to register prior to this time.
To register for the call participants need to go to:
http://www2.eventsvc.com/palmettogba/090909
Fill in all required data.
Verify your time zone is displayed correctly the drop down box.
Click "Register".
You will be taken to the “Thank you for registering” page and will receive a confirmation email shortly thereafter. Note: Please print and save this page, in the event that your server blocks the confirmation emails. If you do not receive the confirmation email, please check your spam/junk mail filter as it may have been directed there.
A few days prior to the call (not before September 6th), check the Educational Resources page on CMS’ 5010 web page at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/Versions5010andD0/40_Educational_Resources.asp to obtain a copy of the presentation that will be used during the call.
Learn more about 5010, visit CMS’ dedicated page at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/Versions5010andD0/ on the web.
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7. CMS Seeks Public Comments on Cardiac Outcomes Measures -- Comments Accepted through August 25, 2009
Comments Accepted through August 25, 2009
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has contracted with Yale New Haven Health Services Corporation/Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (YNHHSC/CORE) to develop two cardiac outcomes measures based on registry data and designed for potential use in public reporting and pay for reporting of hospital quality.
This email serves as a call for public comment on the two measures currently in development.
In partnership with the American College of Cardiology (ACC), YNHHSC/CORE is developing the following measures:
Complications following Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) implantation. This measure uses data from the ACC National Cardiovascular Disease Registry (NCDR) ICD Registry for risk adjustment and Medicare Part A inpatient and outpatient administrative claims data to assess complications.
Readmission following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI). This measure uses data from the ACC National Cardiovascular Disease Registry (NCDR) CathPCI Registry for risk adjustment and Medicare Part A inpatient and outpatient administrative claims data to assess readmissions.
CMS is requesting stakeholder review and public comment of these measures still under development. All measure comments are welcome, but we are particularly interested in the following areas:
Outcome definitions and time period of assessment
Risk adjustment strategy
Technical Expert Panel (TEP) feedback (report available in the download section)
Comments on the measures must be received by August 25, 2009, 5:00 pm ET and may be general or specific to either measure.
Please use the following link to access the CMS public comment system: https://www.cms.hhs.gov/apps/QMIS/publicComment.asp.
A summary of all the comments received will be posted in the Downloads area below within four weeks after the public comment period closes.
Thank you for your support and participation.
Note: If you have problems accessing any hyperlink in this message, please copy and paste the URL into your Internet browser.
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8. REMINDER: Second National Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) Education Call on HIPAA Version 5010
5010: Taking EDI to the Next Level
Second National Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) Education Call on HIPAA Version 5010
Conference call details:
Date: August 26, 2009
Conference Title: Version 5010: Medicare FFS Error Handling Transactions
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. ET
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) presents the second in a series of national provider training calls on Medicare's Fee-For-Service (FFS) implementation of HIPAA Version 5010. The target audiences for this call are clearinghouses and billing software vendors. The topic for this call is error handling transactions (TA1, 999, and 277CA). The discussion will cover CMS’ planned use of each transaction, including rules and exceptions, for the Medicare FFS program. There will be a Q&A session following the presentation where you will have a chance to ask questions from CMS subject matter experts.
In order to receive the call-in information, you must register for the call. It is important to note that if you are planning to sit in with a group, only one person needs to register to receive the call-in data. This registration is solely to reserve a phone line, NOT to allow participation.
Registration will close at 2:00 p.m. ET on August 25, 2009, or when available space has been filled. No exceptions will be made, so please be sure to register prior to this time.
1. To register for the call participants need to go to:
http://www2.eventsvc.com/palmettogba/082609
2. Fill in all required data.
3. Verify your time zone is displayed correctly the drop down box.
4. Click "Register".
5. You will be taken to the “Thank you for registering” page and will receive a confirmation email shortly thereafter. Note: Please print and save this page, in the event that your server blocks the confirmation emails. If you do not receive the confirmation email, please check your spam/junk mail filter as it may have been directed there.
6. A few days prior to the call (not before August 24th), check the Educational Resources page on CMS’ 5010 web page at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/Versions5010andD0/40_Educational_Resources.asp to obtain a copy of the presentation that will be used during the call.
Learn more about 5010, visit CMS’ dedicated page at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/Versions5010andD0/
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9. Medicare Demonstrations Show Paying For Quality Health Care Pays Off
Demonstrations being conducted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) continue to provide strong evidence that offering financial incentives for improving or delivering high quality care increases quality and can reduce the growth in Medicare expenditures.
CMS recently announced new results from three of these demonstrations, one for large physician practices, one for small and solo physician practices, and one for hospitals. CMS is also announcing the start of three additional value based purchasing demonstrations. “We continue to be encouraged by the progress of our ongoing programs that test value based-purchasing across a variety of health care services,” said Charlene Frizzera, Acting Administrator of CMS; “Building on those efforts, we are pleased to announce the start of our Nursing Home Value-Based Purchasing Demonstration and two gainsharing demonstrations.”
The CMS value-based purchasing (VBP) initiative is designed to tie Medicare payments to performance on quality and efficiency and is part of CMS’ effort to transform Medicare from a passive payer to an active purchaser of higher quality, more efficient health care. New demonstration programs include the Nursing Home Value-Based Purchasing Demonstration, the Medicare Hospital Gainsharing Demonstration, and the Physician Hospital Collaboration Demonstration. These demonstrations will allow physicians to share in the savings generated by the adoption of structural and procedural changes made to improve the quality of inpatient hospital care.
For additional information on value based purchasing demonstrations, visit the demonstrations webpage at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/DemoProjectsEvalRpts/MD/list.asp. To read the entire CMS press release please click here: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/apps/media/press_releases.asp
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10. Nursing Home Five-Star Quality Rating System – August News
1. The Five-Star provider preview reports will be available beginning August 18, 2009. Providers can access the report from the Minimum Data Set (MDS) State Welcome pages available at the State servers for submission of Minimum Data Set data.
Provider Preview access information:
· Visit the MDS State Welcome page available on the State servers where you submit MDS data to review your results.
· To access these reports, select the Certification and Survey Provider Enhanced Reports (CASPER) Reporting link located at the bottom of the login page.
· Once in the CASPER Reporting system,
i. Click on the 'Folders' button and access the Five-Star Report in your 'st LTC facid' folder,
ii. Where st is the 2-digit postal code of the state in which your facility is located, and
iii. Facid is the state assigned facid of your facility.
2. Providers can write to BetterCare@cms.hhs.gov for questions and concerns about the August data. The helpline will reopen in October 2009.
3. Nursing Home Compare will update with August Five-Star data on Thursday, August 27, 2009.
4. Please visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/CertificationandComplianc/13_FSQRS.asp for the latest Five-Star Quality Rating system information.
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11. Pricer Updates for Home Health PPS and Inpatient Psychiatric Facility PPS
Calendar Year (CY) 2009 Home Health PPS (HH PPS) Personal Computer (PC) Pricer Update
The CY 2009 Home Health PPS (HH PPS) PC Pricer needed to revert back to the previous release level. However, the provider data distributed with the HH PPS PC Pricer has been updated as of August 2009. This is available on the web page, http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PCPricer/05_HH.asp, under the Downloads section. If you use the HH PPS PC Pricer, please go to the page above and download the latest version (which is the previous version) of the PC Pricer.
Rate Year (RY) 2010 Inpatient Psychiatric Facility Prospective Payment System (IPF PPS) Personal Computer (PC) Pricers Release -- 08/20/2009
The Inpatient Psychiatric Facility (IPF) PPS PC Pricers for RY 2010 has been made available on the CMS website. If you use the IPF PPS PC Pricer for 2010, please go to the page, http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PCPricer/09_inppsy.asp, under the Downloads section, and download the latest versions of the IPF PPS PC Pricers, posted 08/20/2009.
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12. New from the Medicare Learning Network
The following ICD-10-CM/PCS publications are now available from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Medicare Learning Network:
· ICD-10-CM/PCS Myths & Facts (June 2009), which presents correct information in response to some myths regarding the ICD-10-Clinical Modification/Procedure Coding System, is now available in print format. To place your order, visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNGenInfo/ , scroll down to “Related Links Inside CMS” and select “MLN Product Ordering Page.”
ICD-10-CM-PCS Bookmark (revised August 2009), which provides information about the ICD-10-Clinical Modification/Procedure Coding System including the benefits of adopting the coding system, recommended steps to be taken in order to plan and prepare for implementation of the coding system, and where additional information about the coding system can be found, is now available in downloadable format at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/ICD-10ClinModBookmrk.pdf .
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The Smoking and Tobacco-Use Cessation Counseling Services brochure, which provides information about the smoking and tobacco-use cessation counseling benefit covered under Medicare, and the Bone Mass Measurements brochure, which provides information about the bone mass measurement benefit covered under Medicare, have been newly revised and updated! They are now available on the Medicare Learning Network in a downloadable, printable format at the following addresses:
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/smoking.pdf
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/bone_mass.pdf
Printed hardcopy versions will be available at a later date. For more products related to Medicare-covered preventive services, please visit our preventive services educational products website at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/35_PreventiveServices.asp
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The revised Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System Fact Sheet (August 2009), which provides the elements of the Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System, is now available in downloadable format from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Medicare Learning Network at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/snfprospaymtfctsht.pdf .
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13. Extra Help for Beneficiaries Paying for Prescription Drugs
Do You Know Someone Who Is Having Trouble Paying For Prescription Drugs?
Medicare Can Help!
If an individual has limited income and resources, they may qualify for extra help from Medicare. It could be worth over $3,300 in savings on prescription drug costs per year.
Encourage people with Medicare to file for Extra Help online: https://s044a90.ssa.gov/apps6z/i1020/main.html or by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to apply over the phone.
State Health Insurance Information Program (SHIP) offices can assist with the application. Find contact information for a local SHIP Counselor at http://www.medicare.gov/contacts/static/allStateContacts.asp or by calling
1-800-MEDICARE.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lucretia James
Division for Medicare Health Plans Operations
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Region VIII
1600 Broadway, Suite 700
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 844-1568
lucretia.james@cms.hhs.gov
Professor Emeritus -- Dr. Tom Seymour from West Fargo, North Dakota -- Professor, Minot State University, MSU Faculty Regents Award (2015) -- PAST Peer Reviewer (Higher Learning Commission - Chicago); - Author and Presenter Board of Directors, SRT Communications, Inc and Minot City Alderman - Ward 5 (2010-June, 2016) PAST - Editor-in-Chief (North Dakota State Senator (2002-2010) 2017-Cass County Electric Cooperative- Board of Directors
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Education Review from the US Department of Education
ED REVIEW
August 21, 2009
...a bi-weekly update on U.S. Department of Education activities relevant to the Intergovernmental and Corporate community and other stakeholders
______________________________________________________________________
BACK TO SCHOOL
On September 8 -- the first day of school for many children across America -- President Obama will deliver a speech about the importance of persisting and succeeding in school. The Department is encouraging students, parents, and educators to use this opportunity to help students get focused and begin the school year strongly. The speech will be broadcast live, on http://www.whitehouse.gov/, at 1:00 p.m. ET. The Department has also asked a group of its Teaching Ambassador Fellows to develop some suggested classroom activities around the speech to help engage students and stimulate discussion on the importance of education. The suggested activities will be posted on http://www.ed.gov/.
Also, the next “Education News Parents Can Use” broadcast (September 15, 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET) will feature Secretary Duncan in a special town hall meeting, subtitled “America Goes Back to School.” Since May, the Secretary has been traveling throughout the country to engage a broad group of stakeholders -- including parents -- in an open and honest conversation about federal education policy in anticipation of the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act. Already, he has met with hundreds of students, parents, teachers, principals, education support staff, superintendents, professors, higher education administrators, and community leaders during his tour: “Listening and Learning: A Conversation About Education Reform” (see more below). Now, for his latest tour “stop,” the Secretary will engage in a live, interactive discussion via telephone, email, and video. To contribute to the discussion:
· call the show during the live broadcast, at 1-888-493-9382, between 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET;
· email your comments, to Education.TV@ed.gov, by 5:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, September 9; or
· submit original video comments, to http://www.dropio.com/ENPCU/, by Wednesday, September 2.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO www.ed.gov/edtv/.
In addition, on August 10, the Secretary kicked-off Back to School with a lesson from preschoolers about kitchen tools -- old and new -- and how they might be used. Children from the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center, located in the National Museum of American History, showed the Secretary what they have learned about these tools that might have been used in Julia Child’s kitchen, which served as the backdrop. At the museum, the Secretary and newly appointed Senior Advisor on Early Learning Jacqueline Jones also read to three- and four-year-olds. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.edgovblogs.org/duncan/2009/08/secretary-duncans-back-to-school-kickoff/.
Note: The federal government's web portal, USA.gov, has an extensive list of web sites (http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Back_to_School.shtml), with resources for students, parents, and educators. In particular, browse the Census Bureau's annual Back to School feature (http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/013847.html), which highlights customary statistics on students, teachers, and learning, as well as data concerning back to school shopping ($7.6 billion was spent at clothing stores in August 2008), lunchtime (9.9 billion apples were produced in the U.S. in 2008, more than half from the State of Washington), and the rewards of staying in school (with an advanced degree, the average annual earnings of workers 18 and older in 2007 was $80,977; with a bachelor's degree, $57,181; with only a high school diploma, $31,286; and without a diploma, $21,484).
______________________________________________________________________
H1N1 FLU VIRUS
The Departments of Education and Health and Human Services and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have released new guidance for institutions of higher education to plan for and respond to the upcoming flu season. This important information comes on the heels of similar guidance for K-12 schools and businesses and employers. Also, the Department of Education’s own flu web site (http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/safety/emergencyplan/pandemic/) has audio of conference calls with higher education media and higher education stakeholders and communications toolkits for schools, colleges, and universities. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.flu.gov/.
And, in an August 10 letter to Chief State School Officers, Secretary Duncan and Secretary Vilsack discuss assistance and flexibility to schools as they engage in community planning to promote the health of children and families and minimize the loss of school meals in the event a fall or winter recurrence of the H1N1 virus leads to school dismissals. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/policy/elsec/guid/secletter/090810.html.
______________________________________________________________________
ARRA OUTREACH
Yesterday (August 20), Secretary Duncan and Assistant Deputy Secretary for Innovation and Improvement Jim Shelton briefed school district superintendents and non-profit organization leaders on the Department’s $650 million “Investing in Innovation Fund,” also known as the i3 Fund. In his remarks, available via webcast at http://video.webexlivestream.com/events/webx001/31912/, the Secretary highlighted the impact that innovations have had on education, discussed exactly what “innovation” means to the Obama Administration, and explained how the unprecedented i3 Fund will support that vision and identify the innovations driving the next generation of education reforms. In the coming weeks, the Department will be releasing for public comment the criteria for this new grant program. Districts and non-profits will be asked to partner on i3 Fund applications. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.edgovblogs.org/duncan/2009/08/i3-fund-goal-help-school-districts-answer-how-can-we-do-that-here/.
Also this week, Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary Duncan visited Orlando’s Jackson Middle School to spotlight how the ARRA is saving tens of thousands of teaching jobs and providing the resources necessary to prepare students for the 21st century economy. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/08/08192009.html.
Earlier, the Department published a proposal (http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/other/2009-3/081709d.html) in the Federal Register to allow states to reserve more administrative funds under Title I, Part A and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to help defray data collection costs under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), such as those related to administering, monitoring, and reporting on use of ARRA funding. The proposal specifies a maximum additional amount of administrative funds that each state may reserve. The proposal is open for public comment through September 16. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/08/08142009a.html.
______________________________________________________________________
ARTS IN SCHOOLS
On August 18, the NAMM Foundation hosted on behalf of the SupportMusic Coalition a teleconference with Secretary Duncan to discuss his recent letter (http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/08/08182009a.pdf) to school and education community leaders outlining the importance of the arts as a core academic subject in public schools. Over 1.75 million national arts and music education advocates were encouraged -- through a national network of coalitions -- to participate in the call. “At this time, when you are making critical and far-reaching budget and program decisions for the upcoming school year, I write to bring to your attention the importance of the arts as a core academic subject and part of a complete education for all students,” the Secretary stated in the letter. “The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) defines the arts as a core subject, and the arts play a significant role in children’s development and the learning process.” During the call, he reminded listeners that, under the ESEA, states and districts have the flexibility to support the arts through federal Title programs and Department of Education programs. Also, districts can use funds under the ARRA’s State Fiscal Stabilization Fund for the arts, along with other district expenses. And, the Secretary went into detail on the National Center for Education Statistics’ (NCES) next steps for supporting the arts as part of a well-rounded curriculum: (1) conducting a survey to assess the condition of arts education in grades K-12; (2) surveying elementary school teachers, as well as arts and music specialists at the elementary and secondary levels, about their relevant programs and resources; and (3) reporting findings from this comprehensive profile in 2011 -- the first such report since the 1999-2000 school year. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/08/08182009a.html.
Anyone interested in finding out more about the resources available for supporting the arts in schools is encouraged to visit http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oii/programs.html, and more information and links to national, state, and local organizations working together to promote music education -- including the archived teleconference and a transcript -- is at http://www.supportmusic.com/.
______________________________________________________________________
SPECIAL ANALYSIS: INTERNATIONAL ASSESSMENTS
According to “U.S. Performance Across International Assessments of Student Achievement: Special Supplement to ‘The Condition of Education 2009,’” students in a number of countries outperformed their U.S. peers across the board in reading, math, and science on the latest international tests. This report, for the first time, pulls together the evidence from the international tests taken by nearly a million students from 85 nations worldwide. This includes three key exams: the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS), the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), and the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). While the math scores of U.S. students have improved since 1995, there have been no gains in reading and science. Moreover:
· In reading, the average scores of U.S. students are the same or higher than their peers in roughly three-quarters of the other countries that have participated in PIRLS and PISA tests, but the number of countries outperforming the U.S. on PIRLS increased from three in 2001 to seven in 2006, among the 28 nations that participated in both tests.
· In math, results from the 2007 TIMSS test show that U.S. students have improved in fourth- and eighth-grade since the first administration of TIMSS in 1995, but the 2006 PISA results suggest that U.S. 15-year-olds are not as successful in applying math knowledge and skills to real world tasks as their peers in several other developed nations.
· In science, results from the 2007 TIMSS test show that U.S. fourth-graders have fallen behind peers in many countries, even thought their average scores in science have not declined since the first administration of TIMSS in 1995.
“Today’s report is another wake-up call that our students are treading the waters of academic achievement while other countries’ students are swimming faster and farther,” the Secretary said in a statement (http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/08/08182009.html). “The results show that for us to stay competitive and move forward, we have to get our students ready for global competition. That’s why I so strongly support the work of our governors and Chief State School Officers to develop a set of common, internationally benchmarked, college- and career-ready standards that will help put our students’ performance on par with other top-performing countries.” FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/2009/analysis/.
______________________________________________________________________
ODDS AND ENDS
· For Scott Coleman, principal at Mount Vernon Community School in Alexandria, VA, the ARRA is not only about reforming the education system. It is also about investing in future generations. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.edgovblogs.org/duncan/2009/08/scott-coleman-principal/.
· As part of the Administration’s Rural Tour, Secretary Duncan recently joined three Cabinet secretaries in Alaska (Anchorage -- http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/08/08112009.html and Bethel and Hooper Bay -- http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/08/08122009.html) and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack in south central North Carolina (Hamlet -- http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2009/08/0385.xml). FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ruraltour.gov/.
· The fall, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and civil rights leader Al Sharpton will join Secretary Duncan on a tour to underline the Administration’s efforts to reform public education, spur innovation, and discuss challenges facing U.S. school systems. The tour, an outgrowth of their meeting with President Obama last spring, will consist of school visits, key stakeholder meetings, and media briefings. The main goal of the tour is to stimulate conversation and engagement on issues of education reform. The first stop will be Philadelphia, on September 29, followed by New Orleans on November 3 and Baltimore on November 13. More stops, such as a rural site, will be added as the tour progresses. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.edgovblogs.org/duncan/2009/08/sharpton-gingrich-and-duncan-announce-education-tour/.
· The percentage of U.S. high school graduates meeting all four of ACT’s College Readiness Benchmarks increased slightly from 22% in 2008 to 23% in 2009, even as the “pool” of students taking the ACT continued to expand. Based on the actual performance of successful students in college, these readiness benchmarks specify the minimum scores needed on each ACT subject area test to indicate a student is ready to succeed (a 50% chance of earning a “B” or higher or a 75% chance of earning a “C” or higher) in a typical first-year, credit-bearing college class in that subject area. Lack of college readiness is again most evident in the areas of math and science; just 42% of ACT-tested 2009 graduates are ready for college-level algebra, while only 28% are ready for college-level biology. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.act.org/news/data/09/.
______________________________________________________________________
QUOTE TO NOTE
“We are on the cusp of a new era of innovation and entrepreneurship in education that was almost unimaginable a decade ago. But, we still have a long way to go. And the responsibility for speeding that transformation lies not just in school districts but at the doors of the U.S. Department of Education…. The Department has, historically, been an agency that monitored compliance with federal regulations. The Department did not open its Office of Innovation and Improvement until 2002, more than two decades after its founding. Even then the Department’s programs to promote innovation have been modest. I want to fundamentally change the historical relationship. I want the Department to become an engine of innovation, not a compliance machine. I want the Department to provide powerful incentives to states, districts, and non-profits to innovate, but at the same time leave most of the creative thinking and entrepreneurship for achieving our common goals in local hands.”
-- Secretary of Education Arne Duncan (8/20/09), speaking about education innovation
______________________________________________________________________
UPCOMING EVENTS
On a weekly basis, the Secretary's public schedule is posted online at http://www.ed.gov/news/events/calendars/secschedule.html.
On August 24, the Department will hold its next web conference designed to assist grantees and subgrantees in managing ARRA grants. The topic is cash management requirements; representatives from the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund program office will be on the call. Also, archived webcasts, PowerPoint slides, and transcripts for both the July 30 Office of Inspector General “Fraud Prevention in Recovery Act Programs” and the August 10 Department of Education “Guidance and Suggestions for Completing the Recovery Act Section 1512 Quarterly Reports” web conferences are now available. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE TO GO http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/web-conferences.html.
Planning is underway for the Department's tenth annual International Education Week (November 16-20, coinciding with American Education Week). The week supplies schools, colleges and universities, and communities the opportunity to promote and celebrate the benefits of international education worldwide. This year’s theme is “Creating a Vision for a Better Future.” Individuals and institutions are encouraged to join the listserv and submit a report on planned activities. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://iew.state.gov/.
______________________________________________________________________
Please feel free to contact the Office of Communications and Outreach with any questions:
Director, Intergovernmental Affairs -- Stacey Jordan, (202) 401-0026, mailto:Stacey.Jordan@ed.gov
Program Analyst -- Adam Honeysett, (202) 401-3003, mailto:Adam.Honeysett@ed.gov
To be added or removed from distribution, or submit comments (we welcome your feedback!),
contact Adam Honeysett. Or, visit http://www.ed.gov/news/newsletters/edreview/.
This newsletter contains hypertext links to information created and maintained by other public and private organizations. These links are provided for the user’s convenience. The U.S. Department of Education does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this outside information. Furthermore, the inclusion of links is not intended to reflect their importance, nor is it intended to endorse any views expressed, or products or services offered, on these sites, or the organizations sponsoring the sites.
August 21, 2009
...a bi-weekly update on U.S. Department of Education activities relevant to the Intergovernmental and Corporate community and other stakeholders
______________________________________________________________________
BACK TO SCHOOL
On September 8 -- the first day of school for many children across America -- President Obama will deliver a speech about the importance of persisting and succeeding in school. The Department is encouraging students, parents, and educators to use this opportunity to help students get focused and begin the school year strongly. The speech will be broadcast live, on http://www.whitehouse.gov/, at 1:00 p.m. ET. The Department has also asked a group of its Teaching Ambassador Fellows to develop some suggested classroom activities around the speech to help engage students and stimulate discussion on the importance of education. The suggested activities will be posted on http://www.ed.gov/.
Also, the next “Education News Parents Can Use” broadcast (September 15, 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET) will feature Secretary Duncan in a special town hall meeting, subtitled “America Goes Back to School.” Since May, the Secretary has been traveling throughout the country to engage a broad group of stakeholders -- including parents -- in an open and honest conversation about federal education policy in anticipation of the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act. Already, he has met with hundreds of students, parents, teachers, principals, education support staff, superintendents, professors, higher education administrators, and community leaders during his tour: “Listening and Learning: A Conversation About Education Reform” (see more below). Now, for his latest tour “stop,” the Secretary will engage in a live, interactive discussion via telephone, email, and video. To contribute to the discussion:
· call the show during the live broadcast, at 1-888-493-9382, between 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET;
· email your comments, to Education.TV@ed.gov, by 5:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, September 9; or
· submit original video comments, to http://www.dropio.com/ENPCU/, by Wednesday, September 2.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO www.ed.gov/edtv/.
In addition, on August 10, the Secretary kicked-off Back to School with a lesson from preschoolers about kitchen tools -- old and new -- and how they might be used. Children from the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center, located in the National Museum of American History, showed the Secretary what they have learned about these tools that might have been used in Julia Child’s kitchen, which served as the backdrop. At the museum, the Secretary and newly appointed Senior Advisor on Early Learning Jacqueline Jones also read to three- and four-year-olds. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.edgovblogs.org/duncan/2009/08/secretary-duncans-back-to-school-kickoff/.
Note: The federal government's web portal, USA.gov, has an extensive list of web sites (http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Back_to_School.shtml), with resources for students, parents, and educators. In particular, browse the Census Bureau's annual Back to School feature (http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/013847.html), which highlights customary statistics on students, teachers, and learning, as well as data concerning back to school shopping ($7.6 billion was spent at clothing stores in August 2008), lunchtime (9.9 billion apples were produced in the U.S. in 2008, more than half from the State of Washington), and the rewards of staying in school (with an advanced degree, the average annual earnings of workers 18 and older in 2007 was $80,977; with a bachelor's degree, $57,181; with only a high school diploma, $31,286; and without a diploma, $21,484).
______________________________________________________________________
H1N1 FLU VIRUS
The Departments of Education and Health and Human Services and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have released new guidance for institutions of higher education to plan for and respond to the upcoming flu season. This important information comes on the heels of similar guidance for K-12 schools and businesses and employers. Also, the Department of Education’s own flu web site (http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/safety/emergencyplan/pandemic/) has audio of conference calls with higher education media and higher education stakeholders and communications toolkits for schools, colleges, and universities. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.flu.gov/.
And, in an August 10 letter to Chief State School Officers, Secretary Duncan and Secretary Vilsack discuss assistance and flexibility to schools as they engage in community planning to promote the health of children and families and minimize the loss of school meals in the event a fall or winter recurrence of the H1N1 virus leads to school dismissals. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/policy/elsec/guid/secletter/090810.html.
______________________________________________________________________
ARRA OUTREACH
Yesterday (August 20), Secretary Duncan and Assistant Deputy Secretary for Innovation and Improvement Jim Shelton briefed school district superintendents and non-profit organization leaders on the Department’s $650 million “Investing in Innovation Fund,” also known as the i3 Fund. In his remarks, available via webcast at http://video.webexlivestream.com/events/webx001/31912/, the Secretary highlighted the impact that innovations have had on education, discussed exactly what “innovation” means to the Obama Administration, and explained how the unprecedented i3 Fund will support that vision and identify the innovations driving the next generation of education reforms. In the coming weeks, the Department will be releasing for public comment the criteria for this new grant program. Districts and non-profits will be asked to partner on i3 Fund applications. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.edgovblogs.org/duncan/2009/08/i3-fund-goal-help-school-districts-answer-how-can-we-do-that-here/.
Also this week, Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary Duncan visited Orlando’s Jackson Middle School to spotlight how the ARRA is saving tens of thousands of teaching jobs and providing the resources necessary to prepare students for the 21st century economy. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/08/08192009.html.
Earlier, the Department published a proposal (http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/other/2009-3/081709d.html) in the Federal Register to allow states to reserve more administrative funds under Title I, Part A and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to help defray data collection costs under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), such as those related to administering, monitoring, and reporting on use of ARRA funding. The proposal specifies a maximum additional amount of administrative funds that each state may reserve. The proposal is open for public comment through September 16. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/08/08142009a.html.
______________________________________________________________________
ARTS IN SCHOOLS
On August 18, the NAMM Foundation hosted on behalf of the SupportMusic Coalition a teleconference with Secretary Duncan to discuss his recent letter (http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/08/08182009a.pdf) to school and education community leaders outlining the importance of the arts as a core academic subject in public schools. Over 1.75 million national arts and music education advocates were encouraged -- through a national network of coalitions -- to participate in the call. “At this time, when you are making critical and far-reaching budget and program decisions for the upcoming school year, I write to bring to your attention the importance of the arts as a core academic subject and part of a complete education for all students,” the Secretary stated in the letter. “The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) defines the arts as a core subject, and the arts play a significant role in children’s development and the learning process.” During the call, he reminded listeners that, under the ESEA, states and districts have the flexibility to support the arts through federal Title programs and Department of Education programs. Also, districts can use funds under the ARRA’s State Fiscal Stabilization Fund for the arts, along with other district expenses. And, the Secretary went into detail on the National Center for Education Statistics’ (NCES) next steps for supporting the arts as part of a well-rounded curriculum: (1) conducting a survey to assess the condition of arts education in grades K-12; (2) surveying elementary school teachers, as well as arts and music specialists at the elementary and secondary levels, about their relevant programs and resources; and (3) reporting findings from this comprehensive profile in 2011 -- the first such report since the 1999-2000 school year. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/08/08182009a.html.
Anyone interested in finding out more about the resources available for supporting the arts in schools is encouraged to visit http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oii/programs.html, and more information and links to national, state, and local organizations working together to promote music education -- including the archived teleconference and a transcript -- is at http://www.supportmusic.com/.
______________________________________________________________________
SPECIAL ANALYSIS: INTERNATIONAL ASSESSMENTS
According to “U.S. Performance Across International Assessments of Student Achievement: Special Supplement to ‘The Condition of Education 2009,’” students in a number of countries outperformed their U.S. peers across the board in reading, math, and science on the latest international tests. This report, for the first time, pulls together the evidence from the international tests taken by nearly a million students from 85 nations worldwide. This includes three key exams: the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS), the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), and the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). While the math scores of U.S. students have improved since 1995, there have been no gains in reading and science. Moreover:
· In reading, the average scores of U.S. students are the same or higher than their peers in roughly three-quarters of the other countries that have participated in PIRLS and PISA tests, but the number of countries outperforming the U.S. on PIRLS increased from three in 2001 to seven in 2006, among the 28 nations that participated in both tests.
· In math, results from the 2007 TIMSS test show that U.S. students have improved in fourth- and eighth-grade since the first administration of TIMSS in 1995, but the 2006 PISA results suggest that U.S. 15-year-olds are not as successful in applying math knowledge and skills to real world tasks as their peers in several other developed nations.
· In science, results from the 2007 TIMSS test show that U.S. fourth-graders have fallen behind peers in many countries, even thought their average scores in science have not declined since the first administration of TIMSS in 1995.
“Today’s report is another wake-up call that our students are treading the waters of academic achievement while other countries’ students are swimming faster and farther,” the Secretary said in a statement (http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/08/08182009.html). “The results show that for us to stay competitive and move forward, we have to get our students ready for global competition. That’s why I so strongly support the work of our governors and Chief State School Officers to develop a set of common, internationally benchmarked, college- and career-ready standards that will help put our students’ performance on par with other top-performing countries.” FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/2009/analysis/.
______________________________________________________________________
ODDS AND ENDS
· For Scott Coleman, principal at Mount Vernon Community School in Alexandria, VA, the ARRA is not only about reforming the education system. It is also about investing in future generations. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.edgovblogs.org/duncan/2009/08/scott-coleman-principal/.
· As part of the Administration’s Rural Tour, Secretary Duncan recently joined three Cabinet secretaries in Alaska (Anchorage -- http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/08/08112009.html and Bethel and Hooper Bay -- http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/08/08122009.html) and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack in south central North Carolina (Hamlet -- http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2009/08/0385.xml). FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ruraltour.gov/.
· The fall, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and civil rights leader Al Sharpton will join Secretary Duncan on a tour to underline the Administration’s efforts to reform public education, spur innovation, and discuss challenges facing U.S. school systems. The tour, an outgrowth of their meeting with President Obama last spring, will consist of school visits, key stakeholder meetings, and media briefings. The main goal of the tour is to stimulate conversation and engagement on issues of education reform. The first stop will be Philadelphia, on September 29, followed by New Orleans on November 3 and Baltimore on November 13. More stops, such as a rural site, will be added as the tour progresses. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.edgovblogs.org/duncan/2009/08/sharpton-gingrich-and-duncan-announce-education-tour/.
· The percentage of U.S. high school graduates meeting all four of ACT’s College Readiness Benchmarks increased slightly from 22% in 2008 to 23% in 2009, even as the “pool” of students taking the ACT continued to expand. Based on the actual performance of successful students in college, these readiness benchmarks specify the minimum scores needed on each ACT subject area test to indicate a student is ready to succeed (a 50% chance of earning a “B” or higher or a 75% chance of earning a “C” or higher) in a typical first-year, credit-bearing college class in that subject area. Lack of college readiness is again most evident in the areas of math and science; just 42% of ACT-tested 2009 graduates are ready for college-level algebra, while only 28% are ready for college-level biology. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.act.org/news/data/09/.
______________________________________________________________________
QUOTE TO NOTE
“We are on the cusp of a new era of innovation and entrepreneurship in education that was almost unimaginable a decade ago. But, we still have a long way to go. And the responsibility for speeding that transformation lies not just in school districts but at the doors of the U.S. Department of Education…. The Department has, historically, been an agency that monitored compliance with federal regulations. The Department did not open its Office of Innovation and Improvement until 2002, more than two decades after its founding. Even then the Department’s programs to promote innovation have been modest. I want to fundamentally change the historical relationship. I want the Department to become an engine of innovation, not a compliance machine. I want the Department to provide powerful incentives to states, districts, and non-profits to innovate, but at the same time leave most of the creative thinking and entrepreneurship for achieving our common goals in local hands.”
-- Secretary of Education Arne Duncan (8/20/09), speaking about education innovation
______________________________________________________________________
UPCOMING EVENTS
On a weekly basis, the Secretary's public schedule is posted online at http://www.ed.gov/news/events/calendars/secschedule.html.
On August 24, the Department will hold its next web conference designed to assist grantees and subgrantees in managing ARRA grants. The topic is cash management requirements; representatives from the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund program office will be on the call. Also, archived webcasts, PowerPoint slides, and transcripts for both the July 30 Office of Inspector General “Fraud Prevention in Recovery Act Programs” and the August 10 Department of Education “Guidance and Suggestions for Completing the Recovery Act Section 1512 Quarterly Reports” web conferences are now available. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE TO GO http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/web-conferences.html.
Planning is underway for the Department's tenth annual International Education Week (November 16-20, coinciding with American Education Week). The week supplies schools, colleges and universities, and communities the opportunity to promote and celebrate the benefits of international education worldwide. This year’s theme is “Creating a Vision for a Better Future.” Individuals and institutions are encouraged to join the listserv and submit a report on planned activities. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://iew.state.gov/.
______________________________________________________________________
Please feel free to contact the Office of Communications and Outreach with any questions:
Director, Intergovernmental Affairs -- Stacey Jordan, (202) 401-0026, mailto:Stacey.Jordan@ed.gov
Program Analyst -- Adam Honeysett, (202) 401-3003, mailto:Adam.Honeysett@ed.gov
To be added or removed from distribution, or submit comments (we welcome your feedback!),
contact Adam Honeysett. Or, visit http://www.ed.gov/news/newsletters/edreview/.
This newsletter contains hypertext links to information created and maintained by other public and private organizations. These links are provided for the user’s convenience. The U.S. Department of Education does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this outside information. Furthermore, the inclusion of links is not intended to reflect their importance, nor is it intended to endorse any views expressed, or products or services offered, on these sites, or the organizations sponsoring the sites.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Connecting Student Cell Phones to Education
Toys to Tools: Connecting Student Cell Phones to Education
Liz Kolb / International Society for Technology in Education / 2008 / ISBN 978-1-56484-247-3 / 240 pp. / $ 24.45 (Member)
Many, if not most, educators view cell phones as the enemy. Author Liz Kolb sees them as powerful technology in the hands of students. Acknowledging the current reality—that many schools ban student cell phone use in the classroom—Kolb discusses a host of innovative and highly interesting uses for the technology that do not require using the phones in the classroom. She also addresses the issues that have caused the bans and provides guidelines for overcoming the problems.
Ignoring, or worse, demonizing a technology that students willingly and actively use in every other aspect of their lives is not a winning educational strategy. Tapping into the ubiquitous power of modern communications technology and merging it with the flexibility and excitement of the Interactive Web (Web 2.0), Kolb provides a vision in which engaged students use the tools of their choice to enhance learning both inside and outside of the classroom. Mini lessons and powerful resources throughout the book are easily adaptable and appropriate for almost any grade level.
General Table Of Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1 > Cell Phones as Learning Tools
Chapter 2 > Concerns with Cell Phones in the Classroom
Chapter 3 > Conferencing, and Mobile Notes
Chapter 4 > Cell Phones as Cameras and Camcorders
Chapter 5 > Developing Classroom Projects for Cell Phones
Chapter 6 > Cell Phones as Research and Organizational Tools
Chapter 7 > Cell Phones as Management Tools
Chapter 8 > Cell Phones in Preschool and Lower Elementary Learning
Chapter 9 > The Future of Cell Phones in Schools
Chapter 10> More Web 2.0 Resources for Cell Phones
References
National Educational Technology Standards for Students (NETS)
Index
Credits
Detailed Table Of Contents Available At
[http://www.iste.org/source/orders/isteFileDisplay.cfm?product_code=TOYTUL&type=1]
Chapter Excerpts
Introduction; Chapter 1: Cell Phones as Learning Tools, Chapter 2: Concerns with Cell Phones in the Classroom. (PDF, 23 pages)
[http://www.iste.org/source/orders/isteFileDisplay.cfm?product_code=TOYTUL&type=3]
Associated Webinar
[http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/ProfessionalDevelopment/WebinarSeries/20082009Webinars/From_Toy_to_Tool.htm]
From Toy to Tool: Cell Phones in Learning > A Conversation About Integrating Student Cell Phones Into Classroom Curricula / Liz Klob Blog
[http://www.cellphonesinlearning.com/]
Cell Phones in Learning With Liz and Jeff (blogtalkradio)
[http://www.blogtalkradio.com/elikeren]
Source
[http://www.iste.org/source/Orders/isteProductDetail.cfm?product_code=TOYTUL]
Amazon
[http://www.amazon.com/Toys-Tools-Connecting-Student-Education/dp/1564842479/]
Posted by Gerry at 12:05 PM
Labels: ToBeTagged
0 comments:
Liz Kolb / International Society for Technology in Education / 2008 / ISBN 978-1-56484-247-3 / 240 pp. / $ 24.45 (Member)
Many, if not most, educators view cell phones as the enemy. Author Liz Kolb sees them as powerful technology in the hands of students. Acknowledging the current reality—that many schools ban student cell phone use in the classroom—Kolb discusses a host of innovative and highly interesting uses for the technology that do not require using the phones in the classroom. She also addresses the issues that have caused the bans and provides guidelines for overcoming the problems.
Ignoring, or worse, demonizing a technology that students willingly and actively use in every other aspect of their lives is not a winning educational strategy. Tapping into the ubiquitous power of modern communications technology and merging it with the flexibility and excitement of the Interactive Web (Web 2.0), Kolb provides a vision in which engaged students use the tools of their choice to enhance learning both inside and outside of the classroom. Mini lessons and powerful resources throughout the book are easily adaptable and appropriate for almost any grade level.
General Table Of Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1 > Cell Phones as Learning Tools
Chapter 2 > Concerns with Cell Phones in the Classroom
Chapter 3 > Conferencing, and Mobile Notes
Chapter 4 > Cell Phones as Cameras and Camcorders
Chapter 5 > Developing Classroom Projects for Cell Phones
Chapter 6 > Cell Phones as Research and Organizational Tools
Chapter 7 > Cell Phones as Management Tools
Chapter 8 > Cell Phones in Preschool and Lower Elementary Learning
Chapter 9 > The Future of Cell Phones in Schools
Chapter 10> More Web 2.0 Resources for Cell Phones
References
National Educational Technology Standards for Students (NETS)
Index
Credits
Detailed Table Of Contents Available At
[http://www.iste.org/source/orders/isteFileDisplay.cfm?product_code=TOYTUL&type=1]
Chapter Excerpts
Introduction; Chapter 1: Cell Phones as Learning Tools, Chapter 2: Concerns with Cell Phones in the Classroom. (PDF, 23 pages)
[http://www.iste.org/source/orders/isteFileDisplay.cfm?product_code=TOYTUL&type=3]
Associated Webinar
[http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/ProfessionalDevelopment/WebinarSeries/20082009Webinars/From_Toy_to_Tool.htm]
From Toy to Tool: Cell Phones in Learning > A Conversation About Integrating Student Cell Phones Into Classroom Curricula / Liz Klob Blog
[http://www.cellphonesinlearning.com/]
Cell Phones in Learning With Liz and Jeff (blogtalkradio)
[http://www.blogtalkradio.com/elikeren]
Source
[http://www.iste.org/source/Orders/isteProductDetail.cfm?product_code=TOYTUL]
Amazon
[http://www.amazon.com/Toys-Tools-Connecting-Student-Education/dp/1564842479/]
Posted by Gerry at 12:05 PM
Labels: ToBeTagged
0 comments:
North Dakota Attorney General and the NAWS Agreement
BISMARCK – Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has filed a motion in a federal court in Washington, D.C., seeking dismissal of lawsuits filed by the Province of Manitoba and the State of Missouri to stop the Northwest Area Water Supply Project (NAWS).
NAWS is a collaborative project between North Dakota and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation that will address water quality and water quantity issues in north central North Dakota. The project will pipe water from Lake Sakakawea to Minot and to a number of cities and rural areas north of Minot. About 80,000 residents will be served by the project when it is fully operational.
The Province of Manitoba sued in 2002 to stop the project and the State of Missouri filed suit earlier this year.
“Manitoba is concerned about invasive species,” stated Stenehjem. “About half of the pipeline from Lake Sakakawea to Minot is in the Hudson Bay Basin and Manitoba is worried that any leaks in that segment could result in transferring non-native biota to the Hudson Bay Basin.” Full treatment of the water will occur at Minot’s water treatment plant.
Prior to construction on NAWS the Bureau of Reclamation analyzed the project’s environmental consequences and in 2001 issued a formal Environmental Assessment. That analysis concluded that chemically treating the water with chloramine before it crossed the continental divide coupled with pipeline design safeguards would protect Manitoba’s interests. Manitoba, however, disagreed and filed suit against the Bureau.
Stenehjem stated: “To protect North Dakota interests, after Manitoba filed suit against the Bureau I immediately filed a motion with the court asking that North Dakota be allowed to intervene and participate as a full party. The Court granted our motion and we’ve been involved ever since.”
In 2005 the Court issued a ruling in which it found inadequacies in the Bureau’s environmental review, and ordered a more extensive review.
“After that ruling Manitoba tried to get construction completely shut down but we persuaded the Court not to do that,” Stenehjem stated. Construction on NAWS has continued throughout the litigation. Stenehjem added: “After the judge’s initial ruling we secured rulings in 2006 and 2008 that allowed construction to proceed.”
Last January the Bureau, in response to the Court’s request for additional environmental analysis, completed a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the project. The Bureau’s additional analysis resulted in adding new safeguards. The project will now include ultraviolet disinfection along with chloramine to treat Lake Sakakawea water before it crosses the continental divide.
According to the EIS, this added level of treatment and other protective features—such as isolation vaults along the pipeline and sophisticated pipeline monitoring—significantly reduce any risk that the project might pose to Manitoba’s environment.
“Manitoba disagrees and is now challenging the EIS,” Stenehjem stated. “But,” he added, “I’m confident that this additional treatment level for the water will put to rest whatever misgivings the judge may have with the project.”
The State of Missouri’s claim is that the project will remove water from the system, which will result in less water flowing down to that state. Like Manitoba, Missouri asserts that the Bureau’s environmental analysis is inadequate. Stenehjem stated: “The amount of water that NAWS will remove from Lake Sakakawea is so small that it would be impossible to measure it at Lake Sakakawea or at any point below the lake. The project won’t have any effect at all on our sister state down river.”
Missouri sued not only the Bureau of Reclamation but expanded the suit by also naming the Corps of Engineers as a defendant. Missouri alleges that the Corps controls Lake Sakakawea and that it should have also prepared an environmental analysis of NAWS. North Dakota successfully intervened in Missouri’s suit to defend against it.
Stenehjem stated: “Besides being an eleventh hour, woefully untimely suit, Missouri’s arguments have little merit. This has always been a Bureau of Reclamation project and never a Corps project. NAWS has been expressly authorized by Congress more than once and Congress has not given the Corps any role in it.” Stenehjem added: “Not even the Corps of Engineers believes that NAWS is a Corps project requiring that it conduct an environmental analysis.”
On the day North Dakota filed its motion to dismiss the two lawsuits the Bureau of Reclamation and the Corps of Engineers filed similar motions. Manitoba and Missouri have until September 28 to respond to the motions.
Attorney General Stenehjem expects a ruling from the Court by late this year or early next year.
# # #
NAWS is a collaborative project between North Dakota and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation that will address water quality and water quantity issues in north central North Dakota. The project will pipe water from Lake Sakakawea to Minot and to a number of cities and rural areas north of Minot. About 80,000 residents will be served by the project when it is fully operational.
The Province of Manitoba sued in 2002 to stop the project and the State of Missouri filed suit earlier this year.
“Manitoba is concerned about invasive species,” stated Stenehjem. “About half of the pipeline from Lake Sakakawea to Minot is in the Hudson Bay Basin and Manitoba is worried that any leaks in that segment could result in transferring non-native biota to the Hudson Bay Basin.” Full treatment of the water will occur at Minot’s water treatment plant.
Prior to construction on NAWS the Bureau of Reclamation analyzed the project’s environmental consequences and in 2001 issued a formal Environmental Assessment. That analysis concluded that chemically treating the water with chloramine before it crossed the continental divide coupled with pipeline design safeguards would protect Manitoba’s interests. Manitoba, however, disagreed and filed suit against the Bureau.
Stenehjem stated: “To protect North Dakota interests, after Manitoba filed suit against the Bureau I immediately filed a motion with the court asking that North Dakota be allowed to intervene and participate as a full party. The Court granted our motion and we’ve been involved ever since.”
In 2005 the Court issued a ruling in which it found inadequacies in the Bureau’s environmental review, and ordered a more extensive review.
“After that ruling Manitoba tried to get construction completely shut down but we persuaded the Court not to do that,” Stenehjem stated. Construction on NAWS has continued throughout the litigation. Stenehjem added: “After the judge’s initial ruling we secured rulings in 2006 and 2008 that allowed construction to proceed.”
Last January the Bureau, in response to the Court’s request for additional environmental analysis, completed a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the project. The Bureau’s additional analysis resulted in adding new safeguards. The project will now include ultraviolet disinfection along with chloramine to treat Lake Sakakawea water before it crosses the continental divide.
According to the EIS, this added level of treatment and other protective features—such as isolation vaults along the pipeline and sophisticated pipeline monitoring—significantly reduce any risk that the project might pose to Manitoba’s environment.
“Manitoba disagrees and is now challenging the EIS,” Stenehjem stated. “But,” he added, “I’m confident that this additional treatment level for the water will put to rest whatever misgivings the judge may have with the project.”
The State of Missouri’s claim is that the project will remove water from the system, which will result in less water flowing down to that state. Like Manitoba, Missouri asserts that the Bureau’s environmental analysis is inadequate. Stenehjem stated: “The amount of water that NAWS will remove from Lake Sakakawea is so small that it would be impossible to measure it at Lake Sakakawea or at any point below the lake. The project won’t have any effect at all on our sister state down river.”
Missouri sued not only the Bureau of Reclamation but expanded the suit by also naming the Corps of Engineers as a defendant. Missouri alleges that the Corps controls Lake Sakakawea and that it should have also prepared an environmental analysis of NAWS. North Dakota successfully intervened in Missouri’s suit to defend against it.
Stenehjem stated: “Besides being an eleventh hour, woefully untimely suit, Missouri’s arguments have little merit. This has always been a Bureau of Reclamation project and never a Corps project. NAWS has been expressly authorized by Congress more than once and Congress has not given the Corps any role in it.” Stenehjem added: “Not even the Corps of Engineers believes that NAWS is a Corps project requiring that it conduct an environmental analysis.”
On the day North Dakota filed its motion to dismiss the two lawsuits the Bureau of Reclamation and the Corps of Engineers filed similar motions. Manitoba and Missouri have until September 28 to respond to the motions.
Attorney General Stenehjem expects a ruling from the Court by late this year or early next year.
# # #
Thursday, August 20, 2009
New Book About Minot State University for Sale
NEW BOOK CELEBRATES MINOT STATE UNIVERSITY
“Minot State University,” a new book written by local author Mark Timbrook, boasts more than 200 vintage images that commemorate Minot State University’s contribution to Minot and the region during its early years. It provides an illustrated overview of life on the early State Normal School at Minot campus and takes the reader through its first days, its transition to the State Teachers College at Minot, World War I, the Great Depression and through the World War II years.
“That movement for a state normal school at Minot emerged during a challenging time for the community and the state of North Dakota. Despite economic woes, legislative resistance, regional competition, a tornado striking the construction site, and injunction that ended in the state supreme court and construction delays, the ‘believers’ in a Minot-based institution struggled on and eventually achieved their objective — a normal school on North Hill in Minot,” Timbrook said. “This perseverance against seemingly undefeatable odds speaks volumes of their grit, determination and vision.”
In 1913, the State Normal School at Minot opened its temporary residence at the newly constructed Minot Armory with 11 faculty and 55 students. Site selection, reductions in funding, construction problems, litigation and a tornado had delayed the opening of campus facilities. In 1914, the partially completed campus opened for classes. Hard economic times deferred further construction until 1924, when the normal school received collegiate status and became the State Teacher’s College at Minot.
Minot State University, an institution located in the beautiful Mouse River Valley on North Dakota’s drift prairie, is inextricably linked to the landscape, community, region and state of which it is a part. “Minot State University” honors the institution’s origin and dynamic evolution through World War II and serves as a centennial tribute to faculty, staff, administrators and students who created this premier institution on the northern Great Plains.
The book includes never-before-published photographs depicting behind-the-scene operations of the early campus through the events of World War II. It illustrates examples of classroom activities, theater, annual celebrations, sports, student clubs and dormitory life.
“The story of Minot State University is an integral part of Minot and North Dakota. I hope the book instills institutional and community pride. I hope it brings back good memories and strengthens the bonds between the past and present,” Timbrook said . “Lastly, I hope it creates a sense of wonder. The souls who preceded us have left a unique legacy; one we should be proud of.”
Timbrook, the technology support specialist in Minot State’s Office of Instructional Technology, an adjunct history instructor and a past president of the Ward County Historical Society, is also the author of the recently released books “Inculpatory Evidence” and “The Last Hurrah: An Account of the Mouse River Valley, Bone Town, Little Chicago, and the Magic City.” Retired from the United States Air Force, he holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Minot State University and a master’s degree in history from Norwich University Vermont College, Northfield.
The book will officially be for sale on Aug. 24. The Dr. N.M. Lillehaugen History Scholarship fund will receive all royalties from the sale of this book. To order your copy, contact Timbrook at 858-3832 or mark.timbrook@minotstateu.edu or stop by Memorial 122.
-end-
Reminder: Check the campus calendar on the MSU home page for additional events at http://www.minotstateu.edu/.
“Minot State University,” a new book written by local author Mark Timbrook, boasts more than 200 vintage images that commemorate Minot State University’s contribution to Minot and the region during its early years. It provides an illustrated overview of life on the early State Normal School at Minot campus and takes the reader through its first days, its transition to the State Teachers College at Minot, World War I, the Great Depression and through the World War II years.
“That movement for a state normal school at Minot emerged during a challenging time for the community and the state of North Dakota. Despite economic woes, legislative resistance, regional competition, a tornado striking the construction site, and injunction that ended in the state supreme court and construction delays, the ‘believers’ in a Minot-based institution struggled on and eventually achieved their objective — a normal school on North Hill in Minot,” Timbrook said. “This perseverance against seemingly undefeatable odds speaks volumes of their grit, determination and vision.”
In 1913, the State Normal School at Minot opened its temporary residence at the newly constructed Minot Armory with 11 faculty and 55 students. Site selection, reductions in funding, construction problems, litigation and a tornado had delayed the opening of campus facilities. In 1914, the partially completed campus opened for classes. Hard economic times deferred further construction until 1924, when the normal school received collegiate status and became the State Teacher’s College at Minot.
Minot State University, an institution located in the beautiful Mouse River Valley on North Dakota’s drift prairie, is inextricably linked to the landscape, community, region and state of which it is a part. “Minot State University” honors the institution’s origin and dynamic evolution through World War II and serves as a centennial tribute to faculty, staff, administrators and students who created this premier institution on the northern Great Plains.
The book includes never-before-published photographs depicting behind-the-scene operations of the early campus through the events of World War II. It illustrates examples of classroom activities, theater, annual celebrations, sports, student clubs and dormitory life.
“The story of Minot State University is an integral part of Minot and North Dakota. I hope the book instills institutional and community pride. I hope it brings back good memories and strengthens the bonds between the past and present,” Timbrook said . “Lastly, I hope it creates a sense of wonder. The souls who preceded us have left a unique legacy; one we should be proud of.”
Timbrook, the technology support specialist in Minot State’s Office of Instructional Technology, an adjunct history instructor and a past president of the Ward County Historical Society, is also the author of the recently released books “Inculpatory Evidence” and “The Last Hurrah: An Account of the Mouse River Valley, Bone Town, Little Chicago, and the Magic City.” Retired from the United States Air Force, he holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Minot State University and a master’s degree in history from Norwich University Vermont College, Northfield.
The book will officially be for sale on Aug. 24. The Dr. N.M. Lillehaugen History Scholarship fund will receive all royalties from the sale of this book. To order your copy, contact Timbrook at 858-3832 or mark.timbrook@minotstateu.edu or stop by Memorial 122.
-end-
Reminder: Check the campus calendar on the MSU home page for additional events at http://www.minotstateu.edu/.
North Dakota Yourth Council Legislation
1
ND Youth Council
Criteria for Member Selection
SB 1463 ---(NDCC Chapter 54-07)---Council Creation
The North Dakota Youth Council consists of: 16 individuals who fit the following criteria by the time of appointment:
o Be 17-24 years old
o Be residents of North Dakota
o Include representation from:
Diverse social, economic, and ethnic groups
Rural and urban areas
Each of the areas designated by the governor’s executive order 1978-12 (October 5, 1978)* 1 representative appointed by the majority leader 1 representative appointed by the minority leader 1 Senator appointed by the majority leader 1 Senator appointed by the minority leader The Lieutenant Governor, who shall serve as chairman
*Area’s from executive order 1978-12:
Region 1- Williston
McKenzie, Williams, Divide
Region 2- Minot
Burke, Bottineau, Mountrail, McHenry, Pierce, Renville, Ward
Region 3- Devils Lake
Benson, Cavalier, Eddy, Ramsey, Rolette, Towner
Region 4- Grand Forks
Grand Forks, Nelson, Pembina, Walsh
Region 5- Fargo
Cass, Richland, Sargent, Ransom, Steele, Traill
2
Region 6- Jamestown
Barnes, Dickey, Foster, Griggs, LaMoure, Logan, McIntosh, Stutsman, Wells
Region 7- Bismarck
Burleigh, Emmons, Grant, Kidder, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Oliver, Sheridan, Sioux
Region 8- Dickinson
Adams, Billings, Bowman, Dunn, Golden Valley, Hettinger, Slope, Stark
Member Selection (not specifically outlined in SB 1463):
Members recommended for consideration should be: Strong Leaders Active in their communities In good academic standing Passionate about making a difference in North Dakota Able to effectively communicate ideas and issues
Members should be prepared to be challenged, and will be responsible for traveling to 2 meetings per year (paid for by the Youth Council). Subcommittee meetings will take place during the year and members will be asked to use technology such as IVN or webcams to correspond with each other. Members should be enthusiastic about researching and communicating issues that affect young people in North Dakota such as: education, wellness/health care, employment opportunities, and quality of life issues such as recreation and entertainment. The youth council will compile a report of their findings to present to legislative management by September 1, 2010
ND Youth Council
Criteria for Member Selection
SB 1463 ---(NDCC Chapter 54-07)---Council Creation
The North Dakota Youth Council consists of: 16 individuals who fit the following criteria by the time of appointment:
o Be 17-24 years old
o Be residents of North Dakota
o Include representation from:
Diverse social, economic, and ethnic groups
Rural and urban areas
Each of the areas designated by the governor’s executive order 1978-12 (October 5, 1978)* 1 representative appointed by the majority leader 1 representative appointed by the minority leader 1 Senator appointed by the majority leader 1 Senator appointed by the minority leader The Lieutenant Governor, who shall serve as chairman
*Area’s from executive order 1978-12:
Region 1- Williston
McKenzie, Williams, Divide
Region 2- Minot
Burke, Bottineau, Mountrail, McHenry, Pierce, Renville, Ward
Region 3- Devils Lake
Benson, Cavalier, Eddy, Ramsey, Rolette, Towner
Region 4- Grand Forks
Grand Forks, Nelson, Pembina, Walsh
Region 5- Fargo
Cass, Richland, Sargent, Ransom, Steele, Traill
2
Region 6- Jamestown
Barnes, Dickey, Foster, Griggs, LaMoure, Logan, McIntosh, Stutsman, Wells
Region 7- Bismarck
Burleigh, Emmons, Grant, Kidder, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Oliver, Sheridan, Sioux
Region 8- Dickinson
Adams, Billings, Bowman, Dunn, Golden Valley, Hettinger, Slope, Stark
Member Selection (not specifically outlined in SB 1463):
Members recommended for consideration should be: Strong Leaders Active in their communities In good academic standing Passionate about making a difference in North Dakota Able to effectively communicate ideas and issues
Members should be prepared to be challenged, and will be responsible for traveling to 2 meetings per year (paid for by the Youth Council). Subcommittee meetings will take place during the year and members will be asked to use technology such as IVN or webcams to correspond with each other. Members should be enthusiastic about researching and communicating issues that affect young people in North Dakota such as: education, wellness/health care, employment opportunities, and quality of life issues such as recreation and entertainment. The youth council will compile a report of their findings to present to legislative management by September 1, 2010
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Minutes for North Dakota Legislative Workforce Committee in Bismarck
NORTH DAKOTA LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
Minutes of the
WORKFORCE COMMITTEE
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Roughrider Room, State Capitol
Bismarck, North Dakota
Senator Tony S. Grindberg, Chairman, called the
meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
Members present: Senators Tony S. Grindberg,
Tim Flakoll, Karen K. Krebsbach, Dave Nething,
Larry J. Robinson, Mac Schneider, Tom Seymour,
Ryan M. Taylor; Representatives Donald L. Clark,
Eliot Glassheim, Nancy Johnson, Lee Kaldor, Lisa
Meier, Corey Mock, Lee Myxter, Michael R. Nathe,
Ken Svedjan, Clark Williams
Member absent: Senator Ray Holmberg
Others present: See Appendix A
Chairman Grindberg welcomed committee
members and called on committee counsel to review
the Supplementary Rules of Operation and Procedure
of the North Dakota Legislative Management.
TECHNOLOGY STUDIES
Chairman Grindberg distributed a document
(Appendix B) prepared by the State Science and
Technology Institute which addresses technologybased
economic development.
Chairman Grindberg called on committee counsel
to present two background memorandums entitled
Technology-Based Entrepreneurship and Economic
Development Best Practices - Background
Memorandum and Certified Technology Parks Study -
Background Memorandum.
Chairman Grindberg called on Mr. Robert E.
Olson, Regional Director, Economic Development
Administration, United States Department of
Commerce, Denver, Colorado, to make a presentation
regarding research and technology best practices. He
made a computer presentation and distributed a
printed copy of the presentation (Appendix C). He
reviewed the role of the Economic Development
Administration as it relates to support for technologybased
economic development, reviewed trends in
technology-based development, and reviewed
examples of best practices being implemented by
other states.
In response to a question from Representative
Glassheim, Mr. Olson said in looking at North
Dakota's unique strengths North Dakota has a very
healthy, diverse economy, which tends to strengthen
the economic development dynamic. He said this is a
great time for North Dakota to take initiatives because
due to North Dakota's relative economic development
health, North Dakota may be able to leap ahead of
other states that are having budgetary problems.
In response to a question from Representative
Kaldor, Mr. Olson said one step universities can take
to help with research and technology is to make sure
they continue to provide technical assistance outside
their walls. He said it is important for institutions of
higher education to work with the private sector and to
encourage their staffs to act in entrepreneurial ways.
In response to a question from Representative
Nathe, Mr. Olson said it may not be necessary to take
legislative or policy actions in order to attract federal
research in the state; however, it may be helpful to
look across the federal research realm to see where
there are expanding opportunities, to consider what
has worked well for other states, and to consider the
unique assets of North Dakota.
In response to a question from Senator Nething,
Mr. Olson said he is not familiar with the United States
Department of Energy's Experimental Program to
Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR).
In response to Senator Nething's question,
Mr. Mark Hoffmann, University of North Dakota, stated
EPSCoR funding is typically used for infrastructure
improvement for research and development.
Chairman Grindberg said it might be helpful to
have a presentation regarding the EPSCoR program
at a future meeting.
Chairman Grindberg called on Mr. Delore
Zimmerman, Red River Valley Research Corridor,
Grand Forks, for comments regarding the status of the
Red River Valley Research Corridor. He distributed a
brochure entitled 2010 Red River Valley Research
Corridor - A Plan to Build a More Vibrant Technology-
Based Economy For the Region, copies of which are
on file in the Legislative Council office.
Mr. Zimmerman reviewed the Red River Valley
Research Corridor's priority goals for 2010:
1. Expand federal funding for research, training,
and manufacturing contracts;
2. Attract venture capital from outside the region;
3. Create new jobs by building homegrown hightech
companies and technologies in the
region;
4. Commercialize intellectual property developed
in the corridor;
5. Facilitate vigorous networking of researchers,
business, entrepreneurs, advanced service
providers, and investors; and
6. Create regional connections to the corridor
within and outside of the state.
Workforce 2 July 29, 2009
In response to a question from Senator Schneider
regarding steps the state could take to address North
Dakota's lack of venture capital, Mr. Zimmerman said
tax credits for angel capital would be helpful. He said
venture capital is a unique beast, and it is likely that in
North Dakota it would be most helpful to focus on
investment capital.
Chairman Grindberg called on Mr. Paul Lucy,
Director, Division of Economic Development and
Finance, Department of Commerce, for comments
regarding the two technology studies. He said during
times of recession there is typically increased
entrepreneurialism. He said if North Dakota
experiences an increase in entrepreneurialism the
state will be in a favorable position to do well and
capitalize.
Mr. Lucy said one of the primary priorities for the
state should be leveraging assets of higher education
as they relate to technology and entrepreneurial
development. He said one thing that could help the
state is aggressive marketing of North Dakota's
capabilities and programs.
Mr. Lucy said programs existing in North Dakota
that will help further technology and entrepreneurial
development include Innovate ND, North Dakota
Ambassadors Program, Experience North Dakota,
investment tax credits, programs to link
entrepreneurial and existing enterprises, assistance in
identifying markets that might exist for entrepreneurs,
and Bank of North Dakota programs.
Mr. Lucy said upcoming programs that may assist
technology and entrepreneurial development include
using North Dakota Development Fund money for
entrepreneurial centers, technology-based
entrepreneurial development, upgrading the
Innovate ND program, and progressively promoting
entrepreneurship programs.
Mr. Lucy said two of the most important elements
in assisting entrepreneurship are:
1. Supporting incubators that can provide broad
levels of support; and
2. Providing upfront capital such as investment
tax credits for angel investment, seed capital
investment, and agricultural business
investment.
In response to a question from Senator Flakoll,
Mr. Lucy said the Department of Commerce has
recognized there are some industries that are
experiencing a lack of new graduates to fill workforce
needs, whereas others have not been hindered by the
number of graduates. For example, he said, in some
areas of the aerospace sector new graduate needs
are being met whereas in other areas of the
aerospace sector there are needs for increasing
graduate rates. He said at this point and time the
Department of Commerce has been more focused on
what the North Dakota institutions of higher education
can offer versus focusing on areas of shortage.
In response to a question from Senator Seymour,
Mr. Lucy said that one definition of technology-based
entrepreneurship is business opportunity that uses
new technology or innovations or new uses for
technology.
Senator Grindberg said at a future meeting the
committee will plan on receiving a formal list of the
Department of Commerce programs which includes
an evaluation of these programs and also addresses
whether there may be gaps in some programs.
Chairman Grindberg called on Ms. Jolynne
Tschetter, Department of Commerce, for comments
regarding the committee's two technology studies.
She said her work at the Department of Commerce
includes working with interested parties to link higher
education with economic development. She said she
seeks to build long-term relationships that link higher
education with businesses, including research
relationships, consulting relationships, and
relationships resulting in or resulting from centers of
excellence.
Ms. Tschetter said gaps in education can in part be
addressed by educating students as to career
opportunities.
Chairman Grindberg called on Mr. Justin Dever,
Department of Commerce, for comments regarding
the committee's two technology studies. His
testimony focused on the centers of excellence
economic development program, Innovate ND, and
the new technology-based entrepreneurial grant
program. He provided a program overview
(Appendix D) of the North Dakota centers of
excellence program and written testimony
(Appendix E).
Chairman Grindberg called on Ms. Elaine J.
Fremling, Chairman, North Dakota Economic
Development Foundation, for comments regarding the
committee's study of the foundation's effectiveness.
She provided written material (Appendix F).
Senator Grindberg said he participated in the
interim study that resulted in the formation of the
Department of Commerce. He said in the late 1990s
the trend seemed to be privatization of economic
development; therefore, the decision was made to
create a department of commerce that had a private
partnership through the foundation. He said one of
the goals in establishing a foundation was to help
during transitions from one executive administration to
the next.
In response to a question from Representative
Glassheim, Ms. Fremling said although the foundation
membership does not specifically require Native
American representation, one of the new members
coming on the foundation is Native American. She
said since its inception, the foundation has raised
approximately $260,000 from private partners.
Chairman Grindberg called on Mr. Gaylon Baker,
Economic Development Association of North Dakota,
for comments regarding the committee's
two technology studies. He said the Economic
Development Association of North Dakota represents
local developers, who are the final delivery system for
economic development programs and policies
Workforce 3 July 29, 2009
established by the Legislative Assembly and the North
Dakota University System.
Mr. Baker said that as local economic development
relates to technology-based companies, if a company
is not technology-based, the company will be in
trouble due to its inability to survive. Additionally, at
the local level economic developers are active in
making new businesses mentors with the hopes of
helping new entrepreneurs.
In response to a question from Senator Seymour,
Mr. Baker said that as an economic developer if he
becomes aware of a gap within his community, he will
pursue the filling of that gap. He said in the Dickinson
area he is lucky that there is a diverse economy;
however, he is working to improve the biotechnology
sector.
WORKFORCE STUDIES
Chairman Grindberg called on committee counsel
to review a memorandum entitled Workforce Studies -
Background Memorandum.
Representative Glassheim said that at a future
meeting it would be helpful to review which of the
2007-08 interim consultant recommendations have
been met or addressed through legislation.
Chairman Grindberg called on Mr. Larry Anderson,
Department of Commerce, for comments regarding
the committee's two workforce studies. He distributed
written testimony (Appendix G) from Mr. Jim Hirsch,
Director, Division of Workforce Development,
Department of Commerce. He said Mr. Hirsch's
testimony addresses a report on the North Dakota
talent initiative and the federal and state budget
alignment in support of the talent initiative.
Additionally, Mr. Anderson distributed the
registration material (Appendix H) for the 2009
Governor's Workforce Summit, which will be held
October 8-9, 2009, in Fargo, North Dakota. He
extended an invitation to all Workforce Committee
members to attend this meeting. He said the
registration fee will be waived for the committee
members.
In response to a question from Senator Robinson
regarding a list of "hot jobs" received from the
Department of Commerce during the legislative
session and the appearance that these "hot jobs" are
not consistent with the open job listings from Job
Service North Dakota, Mr. Anderson said the
Department of Commerce and Job Service North
Dakota have become aware of this concern and the
issue is being addressed to better synchronize these
two lists of job opportunities.
In response to a question from Senator Schneider,
Mr. Anderson said in 2007 the legislative
appropriation for Operation Intern was $600,000,
which was designed to fund 200 internships. He said
of these 200 internships approximately 25 percent
were in technology-based industries. He said the
appropriation for the 2009-11 biennium has been
increased to $900,000, which is intended to fund
300 internships.
Chairman Grindberg called on Mr. William G.
Goetz, Chancellor, North Dakota University System,
for review of legislation impacting the North Dakota
University System as that legislation relates to
workforce and economic development.
Mr. Goetz reviewed the following Higher Education
Roundtable cornerstones:
1. Economic development connection;
2. Education excellence;
3. Flexible and responsive system;
4. Accessible system;
5. Funding and rewards; and
6. Sustaining the vision.
Mr. Goetz said the first cornerstone of economic
development connection recognizes that technology
plays a major role in education.
Mr. Goetz said during the 2009 legislative session,
strides were made in addressing the issue of
affordability of education. He said of particular
interest the North Dakota University System will be
working on marketing the two-year community
colleges. Additionally, he said, there is ongoing
activity with the centers of excellence program.
In response to a question from Senator Schneider
regarding whether there has been an increase in the
retention of graduates from institutions of higher
education in North Dakota, Mr. Goetz said the state is
realizing continued increases in the number of North
Dakota higher education graduates retained following
graduation. He said this retention includes non-North
Dakota residents as well as international students.
However, he said, there are areas in which the state
could improve, including retention activities and
improved funding of technical education.
Chairman Grindberg called on Mr. Baker for
comments regarding the committee's two workforce
studies. He said local economic developers are active
in growing communities and in a growing workforce.
He said the workforce needs in the state vary by
community.
Mr. Baker said it is his belief that the state is better
at retaining students from two-year institutions than it
is at retaining students from four-year institutions.
In response to a question from Senator Grindberg
regarding a recent Moody's report indicating North
Dakota may lag behind other states as these other
states come out of the recession, Mr. Baker said
although it is not unreasonable to believe that "when
you don't hit the floor hard, you don't bounce as high,"
he did recognize 2010 looks to be a great year for
North Dakota.
Chairman Grindberg called on Mr. Joe Becker, Tax
Department, for comments regarding the committee's
two workforce studies. He said the Tax Commissioner
was unable to attend the committee meeting;
however, he is very interested in the committee's
activities, and members of the Tax Department are
available to assist the committee as it pursues its
interim studies.
Workforce 4 July 29, 2009
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
AND INTERIM PLANNING
Senator Nething said he has concerns regarding
workforce issues relating to the public sector.
Specifically, he said, upcoming retirements in the
public sector will result in an experience gap. He said
there may be benefits in retaining some of our public
sector retiring workers; however, this may require
some increased flexibility to deal with issues such as
retirement benefits and health benefits. Additionally,
he said, it may be beneficial to increase the use of
interns in public sector fields such as physical
science, information technology, and engineering.
Senator Robinson said he agrees with Senator
Nething. Additionally, he said, he would support the
idea of the committee meeting in each of the
quadrants of the state and he supports the idea of
holding a joint meeting with the Higher Education
Committee and Education Committee.
Senator Grindberg recognized there are workforce
needs relating to the public sector; however, it is also
important to recognize the Employee Benefits
Programs Committee has been charged with the
receipt of a report from Human Resource
Management Services on the outcome of its study
and evaluation of steps the state could take to recruit
and retain state employees in state government
employment as the state employees reach retirement.
Representative Meier said that as the committee
pursues its workforce studies, it should consider the
specific workforce needs relating to the health care
sector, especially in the rural areas in the state.
Representative Svedjan said he recently came
across material from the National Conference of State
Legislatures regarding student internships. He said
there may be federal money appropriated to the
United States Department of Agriculture which may be
available for student internships. He said if possible
he would encourage the state to use this funding
source for student internships. He said if this federal
money is available, the question may arise whether at
the state level this program would be better managed
by the North Dakota Department of Commerce or by
some other state entity.
Senator Schneider said a recent Council of State
Government's publication reported states such as
Ohio have been leveraging economic development
with the economic development activities of
neighboring states. He said North Dakota may be
able to benefit from a program like this.
Senator Nething said he supports the idea of the
committee attending the Governor's Workforce
Summit.
Chairman Grindberg said it may be possible to
schedule the next meeting to coincide with the
Governor's Workforce Summit. The next meeting is
tentatively scheduled for October 7, 2009, in
Wahpeton. He said he will seek Legislative Council
approval for committee member reimbursement for
expenses as well as per diem for attending the
two-day Governor's Workforce Summit in Fargo. He
said the third committee date will tentatively be set for
December 1, 2009, in Bismarck.
No further business remaining, Chairman
Grindberg adjourned the meeting at 2:20 p.m.
___________________________________________
Jennifer S. N. Clark
Committee Counsel
ATTACH:8
Minutes of the
WORKFORCE COMMITTEE
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Roughrider Room, State Capitol
Bismarck, North Dakota
Senator Tony S. Grindberg, Chairman, called the
meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
Members present: Senators Tony S. Grindberg,
Tim Flakoll, Karen K. Krebsbach, Dave Nething,
Larry J. Robinson, Mac Schneider, Tom Seymour,
Ryan M. Taylor; Representatives Donald L. Clark,
Eliot Glassheim, Nancy Johnson, Lee Kaldor, Lisa
Meier, Corey Mock, Lee Myxter, Michael R. Nathe,
Ken Svedjan, Clark Williams
Member absent: Senator Ray Holmberg
Others present: See Appendix A
Chairman Grindberg welcomed committee
members and called on committee counsel to review
the Supplementary Rules of Operation and Procedure
of the North Dakota Legislative Management.
TECHNOLOGY STUDIES
Chairman Grindberg distributed a document
(Appendix B) prepared by the State Science and
Technology Institute which addresses technologybased
economic development.
Chairman Grindberg called on committee counsel
to present two background memorandums entitled
Technology-Based Entrepreneurship and Economic
Development Best Practices - Background
Memorandum and Certified Technology Parks Study -
Background Memorandum.
Chairman Grindberg called on Mr. Robert E.
Olson, Regional Director, Economic Development
Administration, United States Department of
Commerce, Denver, Colorado, to make a presentation
regarding research and technology best practices. He
made a computer presentation and distributed a
printed copy of the presentation (Appendix C). He
reviewed the role of the Economic Development
Administration as it relates to support for technologybased
economic development, reviewed trends in
technology-based development, and reviewed
examples of best practices being implemented by
other states.
In response to a question from Representative
Glassheim, Mr. Olson said in looking at North
Dakota's unique strengths North Dakota has a very
healthy, diverse economy, which tends to strengthen
the economic development dynamic. He said this is a
great time for North Dakota to take initiatives because
due to North Dakota's relative economic development
health, North Dakota may be able to leap ahead of
other states that are having budgetary problems.
In response to a question from Representative
Kaldor, Mr. Olson said one step universities can take
to help with research and technology is to make sure
they continue to provide technical assistance outside
their walls. He said it is important for institutions of
higher education to work with the private sector and to
encourage their staffs to act in entrepreneurial ways.
In response to a question from Representative
Nathe, Mr. Olson said it may not be necessary to take
legislative or policy actions in order to attract federal
research in the state; however, it may be helpful to
look across the federal research realm to see where
there are expanding opportunities, to consider what
has worked well for other states, and to consider the
unique assets of North Dakota.
In response to a question from Senator Nething,
Mr. Olson said he is not familiar with the United States
Department of Energy's Experimental Program to
Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR).
In response to Senator Nething's question,
Mr. Mark Hoffmann, University of North Dakota, stated
EPSCoR funding is typically used for infrastructure
improvement for research and development.
Chairman Grindberg said it might be helpful to
have a presentation regarding the EPSCoR program
at a future meeting.
Chairman Grindberg called on Mr. Delore
Zimmerman, Red River Valley Research Corridor,
Grand Forks, for comments regarding the status of the
Red River Valley Research Corridor. He distributed a
brochure entitled 2010 Red River Valley Research
Corridor - A Plan to Build a More Vibrant Technology-
Based Economy For the Region, copies of which are
on file in the Legislative Council office.
Mr. Zimmerman reviewed the Red River Valley
Research Corridor's priority goals for 2010:
1. Expand federal funding for research, training,
and manufacturing contracts;
2. Attract venture capital from outside the region;
3. Create new jobs by building homegrown hightech
companies and technologies in the
region;
4. Commercialize intellectual property developed
in the corridor;
5. Facilitate vigorous networking of researchers,
business, entrepreneurs, advanced service
providers, and investors; and
6. Create regional connections to the corridor
within and outside of the state.
Workforce 2 July 29, 2009
In response to a question from Senator Schneider
regarding steps the state could take to address North
Dakota's lack of venture capital, Mr. Zimmerman said
tax credits for angel capital would be helpful. He said
venture capital is a unique beast, and it is likely that in
North Dakota it would be most helpful to focus on
investment capital.
Chairman Grindberg called on Mr. Paul Lucy,
Director, Division of Economic Development and
Finance, Department of Commerce, for comments
regarding the two technology studies. He said during
times of recession there is typically increased
entrepreneurialism. He said if North Dakota
experiences an increase in entrepreneurialism the
state will be in a favorable position to do well and
capitalize.
Mr. Lucy said one of the primary priorities for the
state should be leveraging assets of higher education
as they relate to technology and entrepreneurial
development. He said one thing that could help the
state is aggressive marketing of North Dakota's
capabilities and programs.
Mr. Lucy said programs existing in North Dakota
that will help further technology and entrepreneurial
development include Innovate ND, North Dakota
Ambassadors Program, Experience North Dakota,
investment tax credits, programs to link
entrepreneurial and existing enterprises, assistance in
identifying markets that might exist for entrepreneurs,
and Bank of North Dakota programs.
Mr. Lucy said upcoming programs that may assist
technology and entrepreneurial development include
using North Dakota Development Fund money for
entrepreneurial centers, technology-based
entrepreneurial development, upgrading the
Innovate ND program, and progressively promoting
entrepreneurship programs.
Mr. Lucy said two of the most important elements
in assisting entrepreneurship are:
1. Supporting incubators that can provide broad
levels of support; and
2. Providing upfront capital such as investment
tax credits for angel investment, seed capital
investment, and agricultural business
investment.
In response to a question from Senator Flakoll,
Mr. Lucy said the Department of Commerce has
recognized there are some industries that are
experiencing a lack of new graduates to fill workforce
needs, whereas others have not been hindered by the
number of graduates. For example, he said, in some
areas of the aerospace sector new graduate needs
are being met whereas in other areas of the
aerospace sector there are needs for increasing
graduate rates. He said at this point and time the
Department of Commerce has been more focused on
what the North Dakota institutions of higher education
can offer versus focusing on areas of shortage.
In response to a question from Senator Seymour,
Mr. Lucy said that one definition of technology-based
entrepreneurship is business opportunity that uses
new technology or innovations or new uses for
technology.
Senator Grindberg said at a future meeting the
committee will plan on receiving a formal list of the
Department of Commerce programs which includes
an evaluation of these programs and also addresses
whether there may be gaps in some programs.
Chairman Grindberg called on Ms. Jolynne
Tschetter, Department of Commerce, for comments
regarding the committee's two technology studies.
She said her work at the Department of Commerce
includes working with interested parties to link higher
education with economic development. She said she
seeks to build long-term relationships that link higher
education with businesses, including research
relationships, consulting relationships, and
relationships resulting in or resulting from centers of
excellence.
Ms. Tschetter said gaps in education can in part be
addressed by educating students as to career
opportunities.
Chairman Grindberg called on Mr. Justin Dever,
Department of Commerce, for comments regarding
the committee's two technology studies. His
testimony focused on the centers of excellence
economic development program, Innovate ND, and
the new technology-based entrepreneurial grant
program. He provided a program overview
(Appendix D) of the North Dakota centers of
excellence program and written testimony
(Appendix E).
Chairman Grindberg called on Ms. Elaine J.
Fremling, Chairman, North Dakota Economic
Development Foundation, for comments regarding the
committee's study of the foundation's effectiveness.
She provided written material (Appendix F).
Senator Grindberg said he participated in the
interim study that resulted in the formation of the
Department of Commerce. He said in the late 1990s
the trend seemed to be privatization of economic
development; therefore, the decision was made to
create a department of commerce that had a private
partnership through the foundation. He said one of
the goals in establishing a foundation was to help
during transitions from one executive administration to
the next.
In response to a question from Representative
Glassheim, Ms. Fremling said although the foundation
membership does not specifically require Native
American representation, one of the new members
coming on the foundation is Native American. She
said since its inception, the foundation has raised
approximately $260,000 from private partners.
Chairman Grindberg called on Mr. Gaylon Baker,
Economic Development Association of North Dakota,
for comments regarding the committee's
two technology studies. He said the Economic
Development Association of North Dakota represents
local developers, who are the final delivery system for
economic development programs and policies
Workforce 3 July 29, 2009
established by the Legislative Assembly and the North
Dakota University System.
Mr. Baker said that as local economic development
relates to technology-based companies, if a company
is not technology-based, the company will be in
trouble due to its inability to survive. Additionally, at
the local level economic developers are active in
making new businesses mentors with the hopes of
helping new entrepreneurs.
In response to a question from Senator Seymour,
Mr. Baker said that as an economic developer if he
becomes aware of a gap within his community, he will
pursue the filling of that gap. He said in the Dickinson
area he is lucky that there is a diverse economy;
however, he is working to improve the biotechnology
sector.
WORKFORCE STUDIES
Chairman Grindberg called on committee counsel
to review a memorandum entitled Workforce Studies -
Background Memorandum.
Representative Glassheim said that at a future
meeting it would be helpful to review which of the
2007-08 interim consultant recommendations have
been met or addressed through legislation.
Chairman Grindberg called on Mr. Larry Anderson,
Department of Commerce, for comments regarding
the committee's two workforce studies. He distributed
written testimony (Appendix G) from Mr. Jim Hirsch,
Director, Division of Workforce Development,
Department of Commerce. He said Mr. Hirsch's
testimony addresses a report on the North Dakota
talent initiative and the federal and state budget
alignment in support of the talent initiative.
Additionally, Mr. Anderson distributed the
registration material (Appendix H) for the 2009
Governor's Workforce Summit, which will be held
October 8-9, 2009, in Fargo, North Dakota. He
extended an invitation to all Workforce Committee
members to attend this meeting. He said the
registration fee will be waived for the committee
members.
In response to a question from Senator Robinson
regarding a list of "hot jobs" received from the
Department of Commerce during the legislative
session and the appearance that these "hot jobs" are
not consistent with the open job listings from Job
Service North Dakota, Mr. Anderson said the
Department of Commerce and Job Service North
Dakota have become aware of this concern and the
issue is being addressed to better synchronize these
two lists of job opportunities.
In response to a question from Senator Schneider,
Mr. Anderson said in 2007 the legislative
appropriation for Operation Intern was $600,000,
which was designed to fund 200 internships. He said
of these 200 internships approximately 25 percent
were in technology-based industries. He said the
appropriation for the 2009-11 biennium has been
increased to $900,000, which is intended to fund
300 internships.
Chairman Grindberg called on Mr. William G.
Goetz, Chancellor, North Dakota University System,
for review of legislation impacting the North Dakota
University System as that legislation relates to
workforce and economic development.
Mr. Goetz reviewed the following Higher Education
Roundtable cornerstones:
1. Economic development connection;
2. Education excellence;
3. Flexible and responsive system;
4. Accessible system;
5. Funding and rewards; and
6. Sustaining the vision.
Mr. Goetz said the first cornerstone of economic
development connection recognizes that technology
plays a major role in education.
Mr. Goetz said during the 2009 legislative session,
strides were made in addressing the issue of
affordability of education. He said of particular
interest the North Dakota University System will be
working on marketing the two-year community
colleges. Additionally, he said, there is ongoing
activity with the centers of excellence program.
In response to a question from Senator Schneider
regarding whether there has been an increase in the
retention of graduates from institutions of higher
education in North Dakota, Mr. Goetz said the state is
realizing continued increases in the number of North
Dakota higher education graduates retained following
graduation. He said this retention includes non-North
Dakota residents as well as international students.
However, he said, there are areas in which the state
could improve, including retention activities and
improved funding of technical education.
Chairman Grindberg called on Mr. Baker for
comments regarding the committee's two workforce
studies. He said local economic developers are active
in growing communities and in a growing workforce.
He said the workforce needs in the state vary by
community.
Mr. Baker said it is his belief that the state is better
at retaining students from two-year institutions than it
is at retaining students from four-year institutions.
In response to a question from Senator Grindberg
regarding a recent Moody's report indicating North
Dakota may lag behind other states as these other
states come out of the recession, Mr. Baker said
although it is not unreasonable to believe that "when
you don't hit the floor hard, you don't bounce as high,"
he did recognize 2010 looks to be a great year for
North Dakota.
Chairman Grindberg called on Mr. Joe Becker, Tax
Department, for comments regarding the committee's
two workforce studies. He said the Tax Commissioner
was unable to attend the committee meeting;
however, he is very interested in the committee's
activities, and members of the Tax Department are
available to assist the committee as it pursues its
interim studies.
Workforce 4 July 29, 2009
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
AND INTERIM PLANNING
Senator Nething said he has concerns regarding
workforce issues relating to the public sector.
Specifically, he said, upcoming retirements in the
public sector will result in an experience gap. He said
there may be benefits in retaining some of our public
sector retiring workers; however, this may require
some increased flexibility to deal with issues such as
retirement benefits and health benefits. Additionally,
he said, it may be beneficial to increase the use of
interns in public sector fields such as physical
science, information technology, and engineering.
Senator Robinson said he agrees with Senator
Nething. Additionally, he said, he would support the
idea of the committee meeting in each of the
quadrants of the state and he supports the idea of
holding a joint meeting with the Higher Education
Committee and Education Committee.
Senator Grindberg recognized there are workforce
needs relating to the public sector; however, it is also
important to recognize the Employee Benefits
Programs Committee has been charged with the
receipt of a report from Human Resource
Management Services on the outcome of its study
and evaluation of steps the state could take to recruit
and retain state employees in state government
employment as the state employees reach retirement.
Representative Meier said that as the committee
pursues its workforce studies, it should consider the
specific workforce needs relating to the health care
sector, especially in the rural areas in the state.
Representative Svedjan said he recently came
across material from the National Conference of State
Legislatures regarding student internships. He said
there may be federal money appropriated to the
United States Department of Agriculture which may be
available for student internships. He said if possible
he would encourage the state to use this funding
source for student internships. He said if this federal
money is available, the question may arise whether at
the state level this program would be better managed
by the North Dakota Department of Commerce or by
some other state entity.
Senator Schneider said a recent Council of State
Government's publication reported states such as
Ohio have been leveraging economic development
with the economic development activities of
neighboring states. He said North Dakota may be
able to benefit from a program like this.
Senator Nething said he supports the idea of the
committee attending the Governor's Workforce
Summit.
Chairman Grindberg said it may be possible to
schedule the next meeting to coincide with the
Governor's Workforce Summit. The next meeting is
tentatively scheduled for October 7, 2009, in
Wahpeton. He said he will seek Legislative Council
approval for committee member reimbursement for
expenses as well as per diem for attending the
two-day Governor's Workforce Summit in Fargo. He
said the third committee date will tentatively be set for
December 1, 2009, in Bismarck.
No further business remaining, Chairman
Grindberg adjourned the meeting at 2:20 p.m.
___________________________________________
Jennifer S. N. Clark
Committee Counsel
ATTACH:8
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