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. Health Information Technology News -- A Message from Dr. Blumenthal on Meaningful Use
2. CMS Updates Hospital Outpatient Department Payment Information for Value-Driven Health Care October 2009 Average Sales Price (ASP) File Is Now Available
3. Nursing Home Five-Star Quality Rating System – October News
4. Version 2.7 of the MREP Software Is Now Available for Download
5. Fistula First Breakthrough Initiative Provides Roadmap to Reach Goal of 66%
6. October Flu Message
7. Extra Help for Beneficiaries Paying for Prescription Drugs
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1. Health Information Technology News -- A Message from Dr. Blumenthal on Meaningful Use
The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) has distributed this message through their communication channels and posted it on their website at the following link: http://healthit.hhs.gov/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=1350&parentname=CommunityPage&parentid=5&mode=2&in_hi_userid=11113&cached=true# .
"Meaningful" Progress Toward Electronic Health Information Exchange
A Message from Dr. David Blumenthal, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
I recently reported on our announcement of State Health Information Technology Grants and grants to establish Health Information Technology Regional Extension Centers, as authorized under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the Recovery Act).
Today I want to discuss the important term “meaningful use” of electronic health records (EHRs) – both as a concept that underlies the movement toward an electronic health care environment and as a practical set of standards that will be issued as a proposed regulation by the end of 2009.
The HITECH Act provisions of the Recovery Act create a truly historic opportunity to transform our health system through unprecedented investments in the development of a nationwide electronic health information system. This system will ultimately help facilitate, inform, measure, and sustain improvements in the quality, efficiency, and safety of health care available to every American. Simply put, health professionals will be able to give better care, and their patients’ experience of care will improve, leading to better health outcomes overall.
As many of you are aware, the HITECH Act provides incentive payments to doctors and hospitals that adopt and meaningfully use health information technology. Eligible physicians, including those in solo or small practices, can receive up to $44,000 over five years under Medicare or $63,750 over six years under Medicaid for being meaningful users of certified electronic health records. Hospitals that become meaningful EHR users could receive up to four years of financial incentive payments under Medicare beginning in 2011, and up to six years of incentive payments under Medicaid beginning in October 2010.
The HITECH Act’s financial incentives demonstrate Congress’ and the Administration’s commitment to help those who want to improve their care delivery, and will serve as a catalyst to accelerate and smooth the path to HIT adoption by more individual providers and organizations. The dollars are tangible evidence of a national determination to bring health care into the 21st century.
The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) is charged with coordinating nationwide efforts to implement and use the most advanced health information technology and the electronic exchange of health information. ONC is working with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), through an open and transparent process, on efforts to officially designate what constitutes “meaningful use.”
ONC has already engaged in a broad range of efforts to support the development of a formal definition of meaningful use. The HITECH Act designated a federal advisory committee, the HIT Policy Committee, with broad representation from major health care constituencies, to provide recommendations to ONC on meaningful use. The HIT Policy Committee has provided two sets of recommendations, informed by input from a variety of stakeholders. ONC and CMS have also conducted a series of listening sessions to solicit feedback from more than 200 representatives of various constituent groups and an open comment period where over 800 public comments were submitted and reviewed. The second set of recommendations on meaningful use was issued at a July 16 HIT Policy Committee meeting and details can be found at healthit.hhs.gov/policycommittee.
CMS is expected to publish a formal definition of meaningful use, for the purposes of receiving the Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments, by December 31, 2009. At that time, the public will be able to comment on the definition, and such comments will be considered in reaching any final definition of the term.
By focusing on “meaningful use,” we recognize that better health care does not come solely from the adoption of technology itself, but through the exchange and use of health information to best inform clinical decisions at the point of care. Meaningful use of EHRs, we anticipate, will also enable providers to reduce the amount of time spent on duplicative paperwork and gain more time to spend with their patients throughout the day. It will lead us toward improvements and sustainability of our health care system that can only be attained with the help of a reliable and secure nationwide electronic health information system.
The concept of meaningful use is simple and inspiring, but we recognize that it becomes significantly more complex at a policy and regulatory level. As a result, we expect that any formal definition of “meaningful use” must include specific activities health care providers need to undertake to qualify for incentives from the federal government.
Ultimately, we believe “meaningful use” should embody the goals of a transformed health system. Meaningful use, in the long-term, is when EHRs are used by health care providers to improve patient care, safety, and quality.
What’s next?
As stated above, the next step in our process is a notice of proposed rulemaking in late 2009 with a public comment period in early 2010. As this process unfolds, we will continue to talk and share experiences about transitioning to EHRs, and to help deepen understanding among physicians and hospitals about the use of EHRs. We will also present programs designed to help smooth the transition process, and identify activities physicians and hospitals can engage in now to promote adoption of EHRs. As efforts advance, we will turn our attention to other necessary supporting programs, some of which you will hear more about in the coming weeks, including defining what constitutes a “certified” EHR, which is one of the requirements to qualify for Medicare and Medicaid incentives.
In the meantime, what can providers do to move toward becoming “meaningful users” – even in the absence of a formal definition? Naturally, while understanding that the final definition will be adopted through a formal rulemaking process, it will be helpful to be as familiar as possible with the discussion of meaningful use criteria to date. (You will find that information posted at healthit.hhs.gov/meaningfuluse.)
Armed with an understanding of the discussion of meaningful use as it unfolds, providers can begin to consider how their own practices or organizations might be reshaped to enhance the efficiency and quality of care through the use of an electronic health record system. Be assured you will not be alone as you seek to adopt an EHR system. Through our recently announced collaborative HITECH grants programs and others to be initiated later this year, we will continue to support providers in moving forward. Additional details about the grants are also available in my previous update and at healthit.hhs.gov/HITECHgrants.
To some providers, particularly small or already stretched physician practices or small, rural hospitals, the path toward meaningful use may still seem arduous. To others, who would just prefer to stick with the “status quo,” it may seem like an unwanted intrusion. We believe that the time has come for coordinated action. The price of inaction – in adverse events, lost patient lives, delayed or improper treatments, unnecessary procedures, excessive costs, and so on – is just too high, and will only get worse.
There is much at stake and much to do. We must relieve the crushing burden of health care costs in this country by improving efficiency, and assuring the highest level of patient care and safety regardless of geography or demographics. By using current technologies in a meaningful way, as well as technology to be developed in the future, we will take great strides toward solving some of the most vexing problems facing our health care system and creating a new platform for innovative solutions to health care.
I look forward to providing periodic updates, and to continued interactions with all the communities that have so much to gain from this profound transformation.
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. CMS Updates Hospital Outpatient Department Payment Information for Value-Driven Health Care October 2009 Average Sales Price (ASP) File Is Now Available
To support the delivery of high-quality, efficient health care and enable consumers to make more informed health care decisions, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is making cost and quality data available to all Americans. As part of this initiative, Medicare posted information in 2007 and 2008 about the payments it made during the previous year for common and elective procedures and services provided by Hospitals, Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs), Hospital Outpatient Departments, and Physicians.
The Hospital information is posted on the Hospital Compare Website where it can be viewed along with hospital quality information. The Hospital compare website may be found at www.medicare.gov.
On August 28, 2009, Medicare posted an update to the Ambulatory Surgery Center data. An update to the Physician payment data was posted on September 25, 2009 and an update to the Hospital Outpatient Department data was posted on October 14, 2009. The information is being displayed in the same format as in previous years, updated with calendar year (CY) 2008 data. The posting updates may be found at: www.cms.hhs.gov/HealthCareConInit/.
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3. Nursing Home Five-Star Quality Rating System – October News
1. The Five-Star provider preview reports will be available beginning Monday, October 12, 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. The helpline will be open beginning Monday, October 12, 2009 for questions and concerns about the July data. Alternatively, providers can write to BetterCare@cms.hhs.gov.
3. Nursing Home Compare will update with October’s Five-Star data on Thursday, October 22, 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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4. Version 2.7 of the MREP Software Is Now Available for Download
Version 2.7 of the Medicare Remit Easy Print (MREP) software is available for download at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/AccesstoDataApplication/02_MedicareRemitEasyPrint.asp on the CMS website. For a description of the changes in this version, see the “What’s New” section of the MREP User Guide – Version 2.7 at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/AccesstoDataApplication/Downloads/EasyPrintUserGuide.pdf.
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5. Fistula First Breakthrough Initiative Provides Roadmap to Reach Goal of 66%
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is pleased to announce that the Fistula First Breakthrough Initiative (FFBI) has released a strategic plan that aims to achieve CMS’ goal that two-thirds (66%) of prevalent hemodialysis patients will use an arteriovenous (AV) fistula as their primary method of vascular access.
The FFBI Strategic Plan focuses on seven strategies and two policy recommendations. The plan was developed by conducting a root-cause analysis that identified the underlying barriers to AV fistula placement and use. A technical expert panel identified potential solutions to address the root causes.
Led by the FFBI Coalition, with support from the End-stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Network Organizations and the Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs) under CMS’ leadership, the Strategic Plan includes the following concepts:
1. Nephrologist as Leader: Encourage and support nephrologists to take a leadership role and be accountable for vascular access management in all hemodialysis patients.
2. Leveraging Partnerships: Partner with organizations to improve AV fistula placement and utilization rates.
3. Hospital Systems: Modify hospital systems to promote AV fistula placement.
4. Patient Self-Management: Promote patient self-management through the stages of Chronic Kidney Disease.
5. Addressing Access Problems: Promote fast-track protocols for rapid identification and referral of vascular access problems, which include failure to mature, revisions of the failing AV fistula, and failure to place an AV fistula.
6. Practitioner Training and Credentialing: Promote training, experience, and credentialing of healthcare professionals in the area of hemodialysis vascular access management.
7. FFBI Change Concepts: Expand and endorse the current Change Concepts for education and promotion throughout the renal, surgical, and interventional communities.
The percentage of prevalent hemodialysis patients in the U.S. with an AV fistula as their primary vascular access was 32.4% (87,344 patients) at the beginning of 2003. By May 2009, this percentage had increased to 52.6% (179,113 patients). As a result, nearly 92,000 additional patients experienced improved adequacy, fewer hospitalizations, fewer infections, and a lowered mortality risk than those with other forms of vascular access. The dramatic change in practice patterns that produced the improvement was due to the targeted efforts of many organizations and individuals, facilitated by the Fistula First Breakthrough Initiative. However, the CMS goal, based upon achievable practice, is a prevalent AV fistula utilization rate of 66%, which means that there are additional opportunities for improvement.
The FFBI Strategic Plan presents recommendations for accountability and organizational, behavioral, and infrastructural changes across healthcare systems which, if implemented, will result in sustainable outcomes improvement.
To read the FFBI Strategic Plan online, please visit http://www.fistulafirst.org on the internet. To learn more about the portfolio of CMS’ ESRD quality projects online visit, http://www.cms.hhs.gov/ESRDQualityImproveInit/ on the CMS website.
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6. October Flu Message
Flu Season is upon us! CMS encourages providers to begin taking advantage of each office visit to encourage your patients with Medicare to get seasonal flu shots. Flu shots are their best defense against combating flu this season. And don’t forget—health care workers also need to protect themselves.
Medicare provides coverage of the flu vaccine without any out-of-pocket costs to the Medicare patient as a part B benefit. No deductible or copayment/coinsurance applies. Note that influenza vaccine is NOT a Part D covered Drug.
For more information about Medicare’s coverage of the seasonal influenza vaccine and its administration, as well as related educational resources for health care professionals, please go to http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/35_PreventiveServices.asp on the CMS website.
For information on Medicare policies related to H1N1 influenza, please go to http://www.cms.hhs.gov/H1N1 on the CMS website. Additional information can also be found in the attached “Weekly H1N1 Influenza Bulletin.”
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7. 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.
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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, October 18, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
US Education Review
ED REVIEW
October 16, 2009
...a bi-weekly update on U.S. Department of Education activities relevant to the Intergovernmental and Corporate community and other stakeholders
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ARRA OUTREACH
On October 6, Secretary Duncan announced the Department’s proposed priorities for grants under the $650 million Investing in Innovation (i3) Fund. The fund -- part of the historic, $5 billion investment in school reform in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) -- will support efforts to start or expand research-based innovative programs that improve student achievement for high-need students. Eligible applicants include school districts and non-profit organizations in partnership with districts or schools. Applicants must address one or more of the core reforms embedded in the ARRA (absolute priority). Applicants might also address other aspects of the President’s education agenda: improving early learning outcomes; supporting college access and success; and better serving the learning needs of students with disabilities, English language learners, and students in rural districts (competitive preference).
Under the proposed priorities, grants would be awarded in three categories:
· Scale-Up Grants. This largest possible grant category (up to $50 million) is focused on programs and practices with the potential to reach hundreds of thousands of students. Applicants must have a strong base of evidence that their program has had a significant effect on improving student achievement.
· Validation Grants. This next grant category (up to $30 million) is focused on programs that have good evidence of their impact and are ready to expand within their own and other communities.
· Development Grants. This final grant category (up to $5 million) is designed to support new and high-potential practices whose impact should be studied further.
All grant recipients will be required to match federal funds with public or private funds and demonstrate how their programs will be sustainable after their federal grants are completed.
The Department is currently collecting public comment on the proposed priorities (through November 9). The plan is to publish a final application in late winter/early spring 2010, accepting proposals in the spring. All the funding must be obligated by September 30, 2010. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/10/10062009a.html. (Note: Among the resources online, there is a recording of a webinar led by Assistant Deputy Secretary for Innovation and Improvement Jim Shelton discussing the proposed priorities.)
Also: The Department recently revised its guidance for recipients of ARRA financial assistance that clarifies and elaborates on the Office of Management and Budget’s Section 1512 reporting guidance. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/section-1512.html.
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ELEVATING THE TEACHING PROFESSION
Days later (October 9), the Secretary told students from the University of Virginia’s Curry School of Education that they are answering a call that is as important as any career available to them now and in the future. “To make the American dream of equal educational opportunity a reality, we need to recruit, train, learn from, reward, and honor a new generation of talented teachers,” he said. “This call to teaching as a great public mission of our time is very much in keeping with Thomas Jefferson’s own views of education…. I believe [teachers] are absolutely the unsung heroes of our society. There is a reason why so many people remember a favorite teacher, even decades later. A great teacher can change the course of a student’s life. They light a lifelong curiosity, a desire to explore, and a hunger for knowledge. It’s no surprise that studies document that the single biggest influence on student achievement is the quality of the teacher standing in the front of that classroom.” The Obama Administration considers elevating the teaching profession and expanding the pool of talent as critical to closing the achievement gap and promoting the nation’s long-term prosperity. As such, the Secretary will speak with teachers as well as teacher candidates three times this month. Next, on October 20, he will convene a group of teachers from the Washington, D.C., metro area for a virtual town hall meeting on evaluating the teaching profession (see http://www.ed.gov/edtv/). Then, on October 22, he will deliver a speech at Columbia University’s Teachers College on the needs of the country’s colleges of education. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/news/speeches/2009/10/10092009.html.
Also: This week, the Secretary delivered remarks at the Wallace Foundation’s Annual Conference, saluting school principals and emphasizing the importance of quality leadership in promoting education excellence. ______________________________________________________________________
CONVERSATION ON VALUES
In the wake of the fatal beating of a Chicago high school student, Secretary Duncan and Attorney General Eric Holder met with students, parents, city officials, and community leaders and issued a call for a national conversation on values to address youth violence. “Youth violence isn’t a Chicago problem, any more than it is a black problem or a white problem,” the Attorney General stated. “It’s something that affects communities big and small and people of all races and colors. Today is the beginning of what will be a sustained, national effort on behalf of this administration to address youth violence and to make our streets safe for everyone.” The Secretary announced that the Department is working with Chicago Public Schools to award a $500,000 grant to help Fenger High School and the elementary and middle schools that feed into Fenger restore learning environments. Funds for this grant are from a program entitled Project SERV -- School Emergency Response to Violence. (SERV grants have also been awarded to districts in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York this year.) However, “This is not about the money,” the Secretary explained. “Money alone will never solve the problem. It’s about our values. It’s about who we are as a society. And it’s about taking responsibility for our young people to teach them what they need to know to live side-by-side and deal with their differences -- without anger and violence.” FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/10/10072009.html.
Also: Underscoring the nationwide challenge, the Department of Justice released a new survey that found more than one in 10 children 14- to 17-years-old said they had witnessed a shooting in the past year. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/publications/pubabstract.asp?pubi=249751.
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PROMOTING STUDENT WELL-BEING
· Last week, Secretary Duncan, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, and Jay Butler, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) H1N1 Vaccine Task Force, joined students receiving the H1N1 vaccine at a school-based clinic in Dodge Park Elementary School (Landover, Maryland) and issued guidance on setting up a school-based clinic. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/safety/emergencyplan/pandemic/guidance/h1n1-news.pdf.
· This week, Secretary Duncan, his wife Karen, and members of the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team visited D.C. Prep Edgewood elementary and middle school campuses in northeast Washington, D.C., to commemorate National School Lunch Week. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.edgovblogs.org/duncan/2009/10/ready-to-learn%E2%80%94national-school-lunch-week/. (“Fueled and Fit: Ready to Learn” is the Department-led campaign to highlight the research-based connection between proper physical fitness and nutrition and student achievement. The idea is that healthy bodies equal active and creative minds. Department officials will be visiting schools over the next six weeks to highlight the importance of wellness.)
· To celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the Department’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) is highlighting projects and initiatives funded by OSERS’ Office of Special Education Programs, Rehabilitation Services Administration, and National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitative Research. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/deam-2009/.
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NAEP 2009: MATH ASSESSMENT
The Nation’s Report Card: Mathematics 2009 details the achievement of fourth- and eighth-grade students on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), administered by the Department earlier this year. The report compares national results in 2009 with every prior assessment year back to 1990 and state results back to 1992 at grade 4 and 1990 at grade 8. For the first time since the assessment began, fourth-graders showed no overall increase at the national level, although scores were significantly higher in 2009 than 1990. Among eighth-graders, scores were higher when compared to both 1990 and 2007. These nationwide patterns held for most student subgroups, and none of the achievement gaps in either grade narrowed from 2007 to 2009. Further, compared to 2007, scores in four states and the District of Columbia increased in both grades, scores in three states increased in grade 4 only, and scores in 10 states increased in grade 8 only. Scores decreased in four states in grade 4. No states showed declines in grade 8. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://nationsreportcard.gov/math_2009/. (The Secretary’s statement on the report card is available at http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/10/10142009.html.)
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ODDS AND ENDS
· On October 5, Secretary Duncan was interviewed on the Colbert Report. Before the show, he and Stephen Colbert played a game of horse outside the studio. Highlights include bank shots off a wall, an apparent foul by the Secretary, and an long shot Colbert sank from the studio steps. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.edgovblogs.org/duncan/2009/10/secretary-arne-duncan-appears-on-colbert-report/.
· Earlier that day, the Senate confirmed the nominations of Alexa Posny as Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services and Brenda Dann-Messier as Assistant Secretary for Vocational and Adult Education. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/10/10082009.html.
· Yesterday (October 15), the Secretary joined President Obama and three other Cabinet officials for a discussion on rebuilding and recovery in New Orleans. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/president-obama-and-local-residents-discuss-rebuilding-and-recovery-in-new-orleans/.
· The Department recently announced $11.25 million in grants for 29 projects to aid working adults and displaced workers pursuing degrees and credentials in community colleges. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/10/10092009a.html.
· “Postsecondary Institutions and Price of Attendance in the U.S.: Fall 2008, Degrees and Other Awards Conferred: 2007-08, and 12-Month Enrollment: 2007-08,” a series of First Look reports prepared by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), in the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), uses Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System fall 2008 data to examine institutions by a variety of characteristics. For example, during the 2008-09 academic year, in-state undergraduates at public four-year schools paid an average of $6,070 for tuition and fees, while out-of-state undergraduates paid more than twice that amount (an average of $14,378). FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2009165.
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QUOTE TO NOTE
“Our role in Washington is to support education reform by bolstering efforts to set high standards, by encouraging bold approaches to helping struggling schools, and by reducing the dropout rate, closing achievement gaps, and boosting college access. All of this must lead to more students completing college. Exactly how we are going to accomplish all of these ambitious goals is an important federal, state, and local conversation that lies ahead…. I recognize that we have a lot of work to do at both the federal and state level. It won’t be easy. We won’t always agree on the path to take. But we will move forward, working together in our country’s unique federalist experiment.”
-- Secretary of Education Arne Duncan (10/16/09), in remarks to State Board of Education members
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Don’t forget! Assistant Secretary for Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development Carmel Martin and Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education Thelma Melendez are hosting a series of events at the Department’s headquarters (400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C.) where stake-holders can offer input on the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). FOR AN UP-TO-DATE EVENT SCHEDULE AND REGISTRATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/news/events/forum.html. (Note: Stakeholders are also invited to send comments to ESEA.Comments@ed.gov.)
The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching is the highest award a K-12 math or science teacher may receive for outstanding teaching in the U.S. The President officially names up to 108 teachers annually. Awards alternate between elementary and secondary teachers -- with elementary teachers eligible in 2010 -- and are given to teachers from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the outlying territories, and Department of Defense schools. The deadline for 2010 award nominations is May 1, 2010. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.paemst.org/.
Next week, the Department will exhibit at the National Future Farmers of America (FFA) Convention in Indianapolis (October 21-24). If you are attending this event, please stop by the Department’s booth.
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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.
October 16, 2009
...a bi-weekly update on U.S. Department of Education activities relevant to the Intergovernmental and Corporate community and other stakeholders
______________________________________________________________________
ARRA OUTREACH
On October 6, Secretary Duncan announced the Department’s proposed priorities for grants under the $650 million Investing in Innovation (i3) Fund. The fund -- part of the historic, $5 billion investment in school reform in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) -- will support efforts to start or expand research-based innovative programs that improve student achievement for high-need students. Eligible applicants include school districts and non-profit organizations in partnership with districts or schools. Applicants must address one or more of the core reforms embedded in the ARRA (absolute priority). Applicants might also address other aspects of the President’s education agenda: improving early learning outcomes; supporting college access and success; and better serving the learning needs of students with disabilities, English language learners, and students in rural districts (competitive preference).
Under the proposed priorities, grants would be awarded in three categories:
· Scale-Up Grants. This largest possible grant category (up to $50 million) is focused on programs and practices with the potential to reach hundreds of thousands of students. Applicants must have a strong base of evidence that their program has had a significant effect on improving student achievement.
· Validation Grants. This next grant category (up to $30 million) is focused on programs that have good evidence of their impact and are ready to expand within their own and other communities.
· Development Grants. This final grant category (up to $5 million) is designed to support new and high-potential practices whose impact should be studied further.
All grant recipients will be required to match federal funds with public or private funds and demonstrate how their programs will be sustainable after their federal grants are completed.
The Department is currently collecting public comment on the proposed priorities (through November 9). The plan is to publish a final application in late winter/early spring 2010, accepting proposals in the spring. All the funding must be obligated by September 30, 2010. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/10/10062009a.html. (Note: Among the resources online, there is a recording of a webinar led by Assistant Deputy Secretary for Innovation and Improvement Jim Shelton discussing the proposed priorities.)
Also: The Department recently revised its guidance for recipients of ARRA financial assistance that clarifies and elaborates on the Office of Management and Budget’s Section 1512 reporting guidance. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/section-1512.html.
______________________________________________________________________
ELEVATING THE TEACHING PROFESSION
Days later (October 9), the Secretary told students from the University of Virginia’s Curry School of Education that they are answering a call that is as important as any career available to them now and in the future. “To make the American dream of equal educational opportunity a reality, we need to recruit, train, learn from, reward, and honor a new generation of talented teachers,” he said. “This call to teaching as a great public mission of our time is very much in keeping with Thomas Jefferson’s own views of education…. I believe [teachers] are absolutely the unsung heroes of our society. There is a reason why so many people remember a favorite teacher, even decades later. A great teacher can change the course of a student’s life. They light a lifelong curiosity, a desire to explore, and a hunger for knowledge. It’s no surprise that studies document that the single biggest influence on student achievement is the quality of the teacher standing in the front of that classroom.” The Obama Administration considers elevating the teaching profession and expanding the pool of talent as critical to closing the achievement gap and promoting the nation’s long-term prosperity. As such, the Secretary will speak with teachers as well as teacher candidates three times this month. Next, on October 20, he will convene a group of teachers from the Washington, D.C., metro area for a virtual town hall meeting on evaluating the teaching profession (see http://www.ed.gov/edtv/). Then, on October 22, he will deliver a speech at Columbia University’s Teachers College on the needs of the country’s colleges of education. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/news/speeches/2009/10/10092009.html.
Also: This week, the Secretary delivered remarks at the Wallace Foundation’s Annual Conference, saluting school principals and emphasizing the importance of quality leadership in promoting education excellence. ______________________________________________________________________
CONVERSATION ON VALUES
In the wake of the fatal beating of a Chicago high school student, Secretary Duncan and Attorney General Eric Holder met with students, parents, city officials, and community leaders and issued a call for a national conversation on values to address youth violence. “Youth violence isn’t a Chicago problem, any more than it is a black problem or a white problem,” the Attorney General stated. “It’s something that affects communities big and small and people of all races and colors. Today is the beginning of what will be a sustained, national effort on behalf of this administration to address youth violence and to make our streets safe for everyone.” The Secretary announced that the Department is working with Chicago Public Schools to award a $500,000 grant to help Fenger High School and the elementary and middle schools that feed into Fenger restore learning environments. Funds for this grant are from a program entitled Project SERV -- School Emergency Response to Violence. (SERV grants have also been awarded to districts in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York this year.) However, “This is not about the money,” the Secretary explained. “Money alone will never solve the problem. It’s about our values. It’s about who we are as a society. And it’s about taking responsibility for our young people to teach them what they need to know to live side-by-side and deal with their differences -- without anger and violence.” FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/10/10072009.html.
Also: Underscoring the nationwide challenge, the Department of Justice released a new survey that found more than one in 10 children 14- to 17-years-old said they had witnessed a shooting in the past year. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/publications/pubabstract.asp?pubi=249751.
______________________________________________________________________
PROMOTING STUDENT WELL-BEING
· Last week, Secretary Duncan, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, and Jay Butler, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) H1N1 Vaccine Task Force, joined students receiving the H1N1 vaccine at a school-based clinic in Dodge Park Elementary School (Landover, Maryland) and issued guidance on setting up a school-based clinic. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/safety/emergencyplan/pandemic/guidance/h1n1-news.pdf.
· This week, Secretary Duncan, his wife Karen, and members of the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team visited D.C. Prep Edgewood elementary and middle school campuses in northeast Washington, D.C., to commemorate National School Lunch Week. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.edgovblogs.org/duncan/2009/10/ready-to-learn%E2%80%94national-school-lunch-week/. (“Fueled and Fit: Ready to Learn” is the Department-led campaign to highlight the research-based connection between proper physical fitness and nutrition and student achievement. The idea is that healthy bodies equal active and creative minds. Department officials will be visiting schools over the next six weeks to highlight the importance of wellness.)
· To celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the Department’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) is highlighting projects and initiatives funded by OSERS’ Office of Special Education Programs, Rehabilitation Services Administration, and National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitative Research. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/deam-2009/.
______________________________________________________________________
NAEP 2009: MATH ASSESSMENT
The Nation’s Report Card: Mathematics 2009 details the achievement of fourth- and eighth-grade students on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), administered by the Department earlier this year. The report compares national results in 2009 with every prior assessment year back to 1990 and state results back to 1992 at grade 4 and 1990 at grade 8. For the first time since the assessment began, fourth-graders showed no overall increase at the national level, although scores were significantly higher in 2009 than 1990. Among eighth-graders, scores were higher when compared to both 1990 and 2007. These nationwide patterns held for most student subgroups, and none of the achievement gaps in either grade narrowed from 2007 to 2009. Further, compared to 2007, scores in four states and the District of Columbia increased in both grades, scores in three states increased in grade 4 only, and scores in 10 states increased in grade 8 only. Scores decreased in four states in grade 4. No states showed declines in grade 8. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://nationsreportcard.gov/math_2009/. (The Secretary’s statement on the report card is available at http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/10/10142009.html.)
______________________________________________________________________
ODDS AND ENDS
· On October 5, Secretary Duncan was interviewed on the Colbert Report. Before the show, he and Stephen Colbert played a game of horse outside the studio. Highlights include bank shots off a wall, an apparent foul by the Secretary, and an long shot Colbert sank from the studio steps. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.edgovblogs.org/duncan/2009/10/secretary-arne-duncan-appears-on-colbert-report/.
· Earlier that day, the Senate confirmed the nominations of Alexa Posny as Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services and Brenda Dann-Messier as Assistant Secretary for Vocational and Adult Education. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/10/10082009.html.
· Yesterday (October 15), the Secretary joined President Obama and three other Cabinet officials for a discussion on rebuilding and recovery in New Orleans. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/president-obama-and-local-residents-discuss-rebuilding-and-recovery-in-new-orleans/.
· The Department recently announced $11.25 million in grants for 29 projects to aid working adults and displaced workers pursuing degrees and credentials in community colleges. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/10/10092009a.html.
· “Postsecondary Institutions and Price of Attendance in the U.S.: Fall 2008, Degrees and Other Awards Conferred: 2007-08, and 12-Month Enrollment: 2007-08,” a series of First Look reports prepared by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), in the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), uses Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System fall 2008 data to examine institutions by a variety of characteristics. For example, during the 2008-09 academic year, in-state undergraduates at public four-year schools paid an average of $6,070 for tuition and fees, while out-of-state undergraduates paid more than twice that amount (an average of $14,378). FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2009165.
______________________________________________________________________
QUOTE TO NOTE
“Our role in Washington is to support education reform by bolstering efforts to set high standards, by encouraging bold approaches to helping struggling schools, and by reducing the dropout rate, closing achievement gaps, and boosting college access. All of this must lead to more students completing college. Exactly how we are going to accomplish all of these ambitious goals is an important federal, state, and local conversation that lies ahead…. I recognize that we have a lot of work to do at both the federal and state level. It won’t be easy. We won’t always agree on the path to take. But we will move forward, working together in our country’s unique federalist experiment.”
-- Secretary of Education Arne Duncan (10/16/09), in remarks to State Board of Education members
______________________________________________________________________
UPCOMING EVENTS
Don’t forget! Assistant Secretary for Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development Carmel Martin and Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education Thelma Melendez are hosting a series of events at the Department’s headquarters (400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C.) where stake-holders can offer input on the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). FOR AN UP-TO-DATE EVENT SCHEDULE AND REGISTRATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/news/events/forum.html. (Note: Stakeholders are also invited to send comments to ESEA.Comments@ed.gov.)
The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching is the highest award a K-12 math or science teacher may receive for outstanding teaching in the U.S. The President officially names up to 108 teachers annually. Awards alternate between elementary and secondary teachers -- with elementary teachers eligible in 2010 -- and are given to teachers from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the outlying territories, and Department of Defense schools. The deadline for 2010 award nominations is May 1, 2010. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.paemst.org/.
Next week, the Department will exhibit at the National Future Farmers of America (FFA) Convention in Indianapolis (October 21-24). If you are attending this event, please stop by the Department’s booth.
______________________________________________________________________
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, October 16, 2009
US Teacher Education
AACTE Weekly News Briefs | October 13, 2009
. . . delivered to your inbox so you can enjoy up-to-date news on colleges of education, teaching and the classroom, legislation, STEM teacher issues, grants, and upcoming events. Please click on linked headlines for full story.
AACTE ANNOUNCEMENTS
Register for This Week's Dispositions Webinar
Lessons From Practice in Teacher Education: Toward a Professional Consensus Around Dispositions
October 15, 1:30-3:00 p.m. EDT
In this presentation, Erskine Dottin, professor at Florida International University, and Richard Osguthorpe, assistant professor at Boise State University, discuss "Dispositions as Habits of Mind: Making Professional Conduct More Intelligent" and "The Pitfalls of Attending to Dispositions in Teacher Education." In the first part of the session, Dottin provides lessons from a campus classroom in nurturing dispositions through reflective inquiry, a practice that defines dispositions as "habits of mind that render professional conduct more intelligent." In the second part, Osguthorpe discusses the common errors teacher educators and teacher education programs make when trying to define and assess teacher candidate dispositions.
AACTE to Cosponsor Webinar on Sustainability in K-12 Schools
November 5, 3:00-4:00 p.m. EST
AACTE is among the associations joining the U.S. Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development in sponsoring a webinar on an important trend in K-12 schools: education for sustainability. Educators will present case studies and share resources on how they are successfully using sustainability as an integrative theme in diverse elementary, middle, and high schools across the country.
PEDS Data Collection Has Begun
AACTE's 2010 data collection through the Professional Education Data System (PEDS) is under way. The collection will run in two parts, or sessions, to help bring our data up to date and align it with other data reports such as Title II. The first session runs now through January 2010, and the second will run next March through June.
NATIONAL NEWS
Education Secretary Stresses Need for Strong New Teachers
From USA Today
U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan appealed Friday for a new generation of extraordinary teachers, calling education the civil rights cause of our time. In remarks prepared for delivery to prospective teachers at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Duncan said veterans, retirees and professionals seeking a second career must heed the call to teach. Duncan also said the nation cannot rely alone on schools of education to produce the next generation of teachers.
Education Secretary Criticizes Education Colleges
From Inside Higher Ed
In a speech at the University of Virginia on Friday, Education Secretary Arne Duncan called for more Americans to consider teaching careers, and praised the U.Va. students for the rigor and breadth of their programs. But he also suggested that Virginia was the exception that demonstrated problems elsewhere with teacher education programs.
Education Agency Will Offer Grants for Innovative Ideas
From The New York Times
The federal Department of Education sketched out a new nationwide competition on Tuesday under which some 2,700 school districts and nonprofit groups are expected to compete for pieces of a $650 million innovation fund. The department already has the 50 states vying for chunks of a $5.4 billion education improvement fund that it calls Race to the Top; the Investing in Innovation Fund is a separate competition.
Teacher 'Residencies' Get Federal Boost
From Education Week
The recent announcement of $43 million in teacher-preparation grants by the U.S. Department of Education puts the first federal financing behind the burgeoning "residency" model of teacher training. The funding comes as a windfall for supporters of the teacher-residency approach, which stakes training on a yearlong clinical practicum for teacher-candidates. But because of the relative novelty of the model, the new grants' effects on teacher retention and on student achievement will likely be tracked closely.
Study Finds High Rate of Imprisonment Among Dropouts
From The New York Times
On any given day, about one in every 10 young male high school dropouts is in jail or juvenile detention, compared with one in 35 young male high school graduates, according to a new study of the effects of dropping out of school in an America where demand for low-skill workers is plunging. The picture is even bleaker for African-Americans, with nearly one in four young black male dropouts incarcerated or otherwise institutionalized on an average day.
Obama Aims to Boost Funding For Pell Grants by $40 Billion
From The Washington Post
After three years of major increases in federal Pell grants for needy college students, President Obama aims to boost the aid further with $40 billion in funding over the next decade. To fund the increase, Congress would end subsidies to private student loan providers and establish the government as the direct lender for the entire federal student loan market as of July 1.
National Academies' Board on Testing Offers Caution on RTT Rules
From "Inside School Research" (Education Week blog)
The official comment period for the proposed rules for the Race to the Top Fund has closed. But experts from the National Academies are weighing in with a heavy dose of caution for how the U.S. Department of Education is planning to use testing and assessments to measure how student achievement increases in the states that ultimately win the $4 billion in competitive grants from the economic stimulus.
Obama Proclaims October 2009 as National Information Literacy Awareness Month
From the White House
National Information Literacy Awareness Month highlights the need for all Americans to be adept in the skills necessary to effectively navigate the Information Age. In addition to the basic skills of reading, writing, and arithmetic, it is equally important that our students are given the tools required to take advantage of the information available to them. AACTE is a longtime member of the National Forum on Information Literacy, which advocated for the awareness month.
NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY
California OKs School Bill Required by U.S. Law
From The Washington Post
California is removing a legal ban on using the results of student achievement tests to evaluate teachers, under a bill signed into law by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. The bill lifts a barrier that prevented California from applying for $4.5 billion under the federal Race to the Top program.
Ensuring No Teacher Left Behind
From The Washington Post
At Marie Reed Elementary in Washington, DC, math scores on the District's Comprehensive Assessment System standardized test have risen substantially since teachers began practicing "lesson study," a model of professional development for teachers that was developed in Japan. The model is a wholly different approach from the workshop-with-an-outside-expert model that dominates professional development for U.S. teachers.
2 Michigan Teacher Prep Programs at Risk of Flunking
From the Detroit Free Press
In the last three years, ending up near the bottom of the list of Michigan's 31 teacher preparation programs may have simply been a public relations issue. But now there is more on the line for Marygrove College and the University of Detroit Mercy. The Detroit programs, which enroll hundreds of students, face termination if their state issued performance scores don't improve. But the school leaders say there's a simple reason their schools keep ending up at the bottom: students are taking the certification test too soon, leaving them with low pass rates.
R.I. Education Chief Seeks Higher Standards for Prospective Teachers
From The Providence Journal
Rhode Island Education Commissioner Deborah A. Gist, who has made teacher quality the cornerstone of her three-month-old administration, is raising the score that aspiring teachers must achieve on a basic skills test required for admission to all of the state's teacher training programs. Currently, Rhode Island's "cut score" ranks among the lowest in the nation, alongside Mississippi and Guam. Gist wants to raise it to the highest.
An Experiment Takes Off
From Inside Higher Ed
When Karen Symms Gallagher of the University of Southern California ran into fellow education deans last year, many of them were "politely skeptical" about her institution's experiment to take its master's program in teaching online. Could a high-quality MAT program be delivered online—with a for-profit entity, no less? Early results about the program known as MAT@USC have greatly pleased Gallagher and USC.
N.M. Educators Poised to Fight for School Funding
From the Santa Fe New Mexican
Education spending will be a major battleground when the New Mexico Legislature meets for a special session that Gov. Bill Richardson announced Monday will start Oct. 17. While some lawmakers say school cuts are unavoidable as state government tries to cover its latest revenue shortfall, Richardson repeated his stance that education funds are off limits.
Study Reveals Short Tenure for Texas Principals
From the Austin Business Journal
A new study from The University of Texas' College of Education reveals some troubling news about public school leaders in Texas. Only about half of newly hired public school principals are staying on the job at least three years and principals in high-poverty schools are leaving the soonest.
OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS/INFORMATION
U.S. Department of Education Seeks Comment on Regional Labs
Comments Due October 15
The Institute for Education Sciences at the U.S. Department of Education seeks guidance on what kinds of resources and services education stakeholders need from their Regional Education Laboratories. AACTE encourages its members to submit comment by this week's deadline.
U.S. Department of Education Announces Proposed Priorities for Investing in Innovation Fund
The U.S. Department of Education has released the proposed priorities for the Investing in Innovation (i3) Fund. After a 30-day period for open comment, the Department will review comments and revise the priorities. The final application for the competitive grant program will be posted in the late winter 2009/early spring 2010. Grants will be given to LEAs or to partnerships of nonprofit organizations (which include institutions of higher education) and LEAs or school consortia. AACTE encourages its members to review the proposed priorities and to submit comments.
Submit Comments on Draft Common Core State Standards
Deadline: October 21
The National Governors Association and Council of Chief State School Officers convened a state-led effort to develop common core academic standards for college and career readiness. The draft standards in mathematics and English language arts are now available for public review and comment.
Register to View Teacher Education Address by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan
October 22, 11:30 a.m. EDT
Teachers College, Columbia University will host U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan October 22 as he delivers a major policy address on teacher preparation. TC President Susan Fuhrman will introduce Duncan, whose remarks will be followed by audience Q and A. Teachers College will webcast the event at http://www.tc.edu/duncanwebcast/ (free advance registration required).
AERA to Run Undergraduate Training Workshop at 2010 Conference
Application Deadline: December 15
The American Educational Research Association seeks fellowship applications for its Undergraduate Student Education-Research Training Workshop, to be held in conjunction with the AERA Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado, April 30-May 2, 2010. The workshop is designed to build the talent pool of undergraduate students who plan to pursue doctorate degrees in education research or in disciplines and fields that examine education issues.
NAEYC Invites Proposals for National Institute for Early Childhood Professional Development
Submission Deadline: November 1
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) invites presentation proposals for its 19th National Institute for Early Childhood Professional Development, to be held June 6-9, 2010, in Phoenix, Arizona. The institute's theme is Emotional Intelligence: A 21st-Century Skill for Children and Adults.
Wallace Foundation Issues Research Synthesis for Education Policy Making
A new Wallace Foundation research synthesis targets policy makers at all levels of education who are developing comprehensive approaches to achieving the Race to the Top reform objectives and other federal strategies to improve public education. Drawing from experience and research in the fields of educational leadership, out-of-school-time learning, and arts education, the report presents evidence-based policies and practices critical to the success of educational reforms at the local, district, and state levels.
Click Here to unsubscribe.
. . . delivered to your inbox so you can enjoy up-to-date news on colleges of education, teaching and the classroom, legislation, STEM teacher issues, grants, and upcoming events. Please click on linked headlines for full story.
AACTE ANNOUNCEMENTS
Register for This Week's Dispositions Webinar
Lessons From Practice in Teacher Education: Toward a Professional Consensus Around Dispositions
October 15, 1:30-3:00 p.m. EDT
In this presentation, Erskine Dottin, professor at Florida International University, and Richard Osguthorpe, assistant professor at Boise State University, discuss "Dispositions as Habits of Mind: Making Professional Conduct More Intelligent" and "The Pitfalls of Attending to Dispositions in Teacher Education." In the first part of the session, Dottin provides lessons from a campus classroom in nurturing dispositions through reflective inquiry, a practice that defines dispositions as "habits of mind that render professional conduct more intelligent." In the second part, Osguthorpe discusses the common errors teacher educators and teacher education programs make when trying to define and assess teacher candidate dispositions.
AACTE to Cosponsor Webinar on Sustainability in K-12 Schools
November 5, 3:00-4:00 p.m. EST
AACTE is among the associations joining the U.S. Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development in sponsoring a webinar on an important trend in K-12 schools: education for sustainability. Educators will present case studies and share resources on how they are successfully using sustainability as an integrative theme in diverse elementary, middle, and high schools across the country.
PEDS Data Collection Has Begun
AACTE's 2010 data collection through the Professional Education Data System (PEDS) is under way. The collection will run in two parts, or sessions, to help bring our data up to date and align it with other data reports such as Title II. The first session runs now through January 2010, and the second will run next March through June.
NATIONAL NEWS
Education Secretary Stresses Need for Strong New Teachers
From USA Today
U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan appealed Friday for a new generation of extraordinary teachers, calling education the civil rights cause of our time. In remarks prepared for delivery to prospective teachers at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Duncan said veterans, retirees and professionals seeking a second career must heed the call to teach. Duncan also said the nation cannot rely alone on schools of education to produce the next generation of teachers.
Education Secretary Criticizes Education Colleges
From Inside Higher Ed
In a speech at the University of Virginia on Friday, Education Secretary Arne Duncan called for more Americans to consider teaching careers, and praised the U.Va. students for the rigor and breadth of their programs. But he also suggested that Virginia was the exception that demonstrated problems elsewhere with teacher education programs.
Education Agency Will Offer Grants for Innovative Ideas
From The New York Times
The federal Department of Education sketched out a new nationwide competition on Tuesday under which some 2,700 school districts and nonprofit groups are expected to compete for pieces of a $650 million innovation fund. The department already has the 50 states vying for chunks of a $5.4 billion education improvement fund that it calls Race to the Top; the Investing in Innovation Fund is a separate competition.
Teacher 'Residencies' Get Federal Boost
From Education Week
The recent announcement of $43 million in teacher-preparation grants by the U.S. Department of Education puts the first federal financing behind the burgeoning "residency" model of teacher training. The funding comes as a windfall for supporters of the teacher-residency approach, which stakes training on a yearlong clinical practicum for teacher-candidates. But because of the relative novelty of the model, the new grants' effects on teacher retention and on student achievement will likely be tracked closely.
Study Finds High Rate of Imprisonment Among Dropouts
From The New York Times
On any given day, about one in every 10 young male high school dropouts is in jail or juvenile detention, compared with one in 35 young male high school graduates, according to a new study of the effects of dropping out of school in an America where demand for low-skill workers is plunging. The picture is even bleaker for African-Americans, with nearly one in four young black male dropouts incarcerated or otherwise institutionalized on an average day.
Obama Aims to Boost Funding For Pell Grants by $40 Billion
From The Washington Post
After three years of major increases in federal Pell grants for needy college students, President Obama aims to boost the aid further with $40 billion in funding over the next decade. To fund the increase, Congress would end subsidies to private student loan providers and establish the government as the direct lender for the entire federal student loan market as of July 1.
National Academies' Board on Testing Offers Caution on RTT Rules
From "Inside School Research" (Education Week blog)
The official comment period for the proposed rules for the Race to the Top Fund has closed. But experts from the National Academies are weighing in with a heavy dose of caution for how the U.S. Department of Education is planning to use testing and assessments to measure how student achievement increases in the states that ultimately win the $4 billion in competitive grants from the economic stimulus.
Obama Proclaims October 2009 as National Information Literacy Awareness Month
From the White House
National Information Literacy Awareness Month highlights the need for all Americans to be adept in the skills necessary to effectively navigate the Information Age. In addition to the basic skills of reading, writing, and arithmetic, it is equally important that our students are given the tools required to take advantage of the information available to them. AACTE is a longtime member of the National Forum on Information Literacy, which advocated for the awareness month.
NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY
California OKs School Bill Required by U.S. Law
From The Washington Post
California is removing a legal ban on using the results of student achievement tests to evaluate teachers, under a bill signed into law by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. The bill lifts a barrier that prevented California from applying for $4.5 billion under the federal Race to the Top program.
Ensuring No Teacher Left Behind
From The Washington Post
At Marie Reed Elementary in Washington, DC, math scores on the District's Comprehensive Assessment System standardized test have risen substantially since teachers began practicing "lesson study," a model of professional development for teachers that was developed in Japan. The model is a wholly different approach from the workshop-with-an-outside-expert model that dominates professional development for U.S. teachers.
2 Michigan Teacher Prep Programs at Risk of Flunking
From the Detroit Free Press
In the last three years, ending up near the bottom of the list of Michigan's 31 teacher preparation programs may have simply been a public relations issue. But now there is more on the line for Marygrove College and the University of Detroit Mercy. The Detroit programs, which enroll hundreds of students, face termination if their state issued performance scores don't improve. But the school leaders say there's a simple reason their schools keep ending up at the bottom: students are taking the certification test too soon, leaving them with low pass rates.
R.I. Education Chief Seeks Higher Standards for Prospective Teachers
From The Providence Journal
Rhode Island Education Commissioner Deborah A. Gist, who has made teacher quality the cornerstone of her three-month-old administration, is raising the score that aspiring teachers must achieve on a basic skills test required for admission to all of the state's teacher training programs. Currently, Rhode Island's "cut score" ranks among the lowest in the nation, alongside Mississippi and Guam. Gist wants to raise it to the highest.
An Experiment Takes Off
From Inside Higher Ed
When Karen Symms Gallagher of the University of Southern California ran into fellow education deans last year, many of them were "politely skeptical" about her institution's experiment to take its master's program in teaching online. Could a high-quality MAT program be delivered online—with a for-profit entity, no less? Early results about the program known as MAT@USC have greatly pleased Gallagher and USC.
N.M. Educators Poised to Fight for School Funding
From the Santa Fe New Mexican
Education spending will be a major battleground when the New Mexico Legislature meets for a special session that Gov. Bill Richardson announced Monday will start Oct. 17. While some lawmakers say school cuts are unavoidable as state government tries to cover its latest revenue shortfall, Richardson repeated his stance that education funds are off limits.
Study Reveals Short Tenure for Texas Principals
From the Austin Business Journal
A new study from The University of Texas' College of Education reveals some troubling news about public school leaders in Texas. Only about half of newly hired public school principals are staying on the job at least three years and principals in high-poverty schools are leaving the soonest.
OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS/INFORMATION
U.S. Department of Education Seeks Comment on Regional Labs
Comments Due October 15
The Institute for Education Sciences at the U.S. Department of Education seeks guidance on what kinds of resources and services education stakeholders need from their Regional Education Laboratories. AACTE encourages its members to submit comment by this week's deadline.
U.S. Department of Education Announces Proposed Priorities for Investing in Innovation Fund
The U.S. Department of Education has released the proposed priorities for the Investing in Innovation (i3) Fund. After a 30-day period for open comment, the Department will review comments and revise the priorities. The final application for the competitive grant program will be posted in the late winter 2009/early spring 2010. Grants will be given to LEAs or to partnerships of nonprofit organizations (which include institutions of higher education) and LEAs or school consortia. AACTE encourages its members to review the proposed priorities and to submit comments.
Submit Comments on Draft Common Core State Standards
Deadline: October 21
The National Governors Association and Council of Chief State School Officers convened a state-led effort to develop common core academic standards for college and career readiness. The draft standards in mathematics and English language arts are now available for public review and comment.
Register to View Teacher Education Address by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan
October 22, 11:30 a.m. EDT
Teachers College, Columbia University will host U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan October 22 as he delivers a major policy address on teacher preparation. TC President Susan Fuhrman will introduce Duncan, whose remarks will be followed by audience Q and A. Teachers College will webcast the event at http://www.tc.edu/duncanwebcast/ (free advance registration required).
AERA to Run Undergraduate Training Workshop at 2010 Conference
Application Deadline: December 15
The American Educational Research Association seeks fellowship applications for its Undergraduate Student Education-Research Training Workshop, to be held in conjunction with the AERA Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado, April 30-May 2, 2010. The workshop is designed to build the talent pool of undergraduate students who plan to pursue doctorate degrees in education research or in disciplines and fields that examine education issues.
NAEYC Invites Proposals for National Institute for Early Childhood Professional Development
Submission Deadline: November 1
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) invites presentation proposals for its 19th National Institute for Early Childhood Professional Development, to be held June 6-9, 2010, in Phoenix, Arizona. The institute's theme is Emotional Intelligence: A 21st-Century Skill for Children and Adults.
Wallace Foundation Issues Research Synthesis for Education Policy Making
A new Wallace Foundation research synthesis targets policy makers at all levels of education who are developing comprehensive approaches to achieving the Race to the Top reform objectives and other federal strategies to improve public education. Drawing from experience and research in the fields of educational leadership, out-of-school-time learning, and arts education, the report presents evidence-based policies and practices critical to the success of educational reforms at the local, district, and state levels.
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Thursday, October 15, 2009
North Dakota Crime Statistics from the Attorney General
News Release - Office of Attorney General
Contact: Liz Brocker (701) 328-2213
_______________________________________________
October 14, 2009
STATEWIDE CRIME STATISTICS RELEASED
BISMARCK – Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem today released North Dakota’s crime statistics for 2008, which show that overall, the state’s crime rate per capita increased by 2.3% from 2007. The report is compiled from information reported by local law enforcement agencies across the state.
“The overall crime rate in North Dakota remains one of the lowest in the nation. That is good news. The state will continue its status as one of the nation’s safest states, and that is further good news,” said Stenehjem. “As the statistics show, however, there are areas of concern. Chief among them is the continuing upward trend in violent crimes, including rape and aggravated assault, which increased significantly in 2008,” he continued.
Crime index offenses increased by 2.5%, with 12,850 offenses reported by local law enforcement, compared to 12,532 reported in 2007. Crime index offenses include the violent crimes of murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, and property crimes such as burglary, theft, shoplifting, and motor vehicle theft. Violent crimes comprise 8.1% of the total index crimes reported in North Dakota, one of the lowest rates in the nation.
• The number of violent crimes reported in 2008 increased by 16.8% from 2007, to 1,035.
• Reports of aggravated assault increased by 23.2% last year, from 599 in 2007 to 738. By definition, aggravated assault involves serious bodily injury to the victim. Since 1999, reports of aggravated assault have increased by 240%.
• The number of forcible rapes increased by almost 10% last year, from 202 in 2007 to 222 in 2008. Forcible rape involves violence or the threat of violence against a female victim.
Four murders occurred in 2008, the lowest since statewide crime reporting started in 1978. In 2007, there were 17 murders. For the first time in thirty years of the Crime Report, none of the victims died as a result of domestic violence. Two of the victims were children, including a newborn infant. Three victims were male.
Property crime accounted for 91.9% of crime index offenses reported. The number of property crimes increased by 1.5 percent in 2008, with 11,815 reported compared to 11,646 in 2007. Juveniles were arrested for 41.2% of the property crimes. Motor vehicle thefts decreased by 2.7% with 854 reported in 2008 compared to 878 in 2007. More than $12 million dollars worth of property was reported stolen in 2008.
The state also tracks and reports drug and alcohol offenses, which are not crime index offenses. The number of arrests for all alcohol related offenses decreased, with 11,407 arrests in 2008 compared to 12,203 in 2007, but still accounts for almost 40% of total arrests in North Dakota. DUI arrests decreased by 4.4% to 5,815 in 2008 compared to 6,085 in 2007, but still accounted for one-fourth (25.2%) of all adults arrested in 2008.
Juveniles accounted for 22.5% of total arrests and 38.3% of crime index offense arrests.
# # #
Read the 2008 Crime Report at: http://www.ag.nd.gov/Reports/BCIReports/CrimeHomicide/Crime08.pdf
Read the 2008 Homicide Report at: http://www.ag.nd.gov/Reports/BCIReports/CrimeHomicide/MURDER08.pdf
Contact: Liz Brocker (701) 328-2213
_______________________________________________
October 14, 2009
STATEWIDE CRIME STATISTICS RELEASED
BISMARCK – Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem today released North Dakota’s crime statistics for 2008, which show that overall, the state’s crime rate per capita increased by 2.3% from 2007. The report is compiled from information reported by local law enforcement agencies across the state.
“The overall crime rate in North Dakota remains one of the lowest in the nation. That is good news. The state will continue its status as one of the nation’s safest states, and that is further good news,” said Stenehjem. “As the statistics show, however, there are areas of concern. Chief among them is the continuing upward trend in violent crimes, including rape and aggravated assault, which increased significantly in 2008,” he continued.
Crime index offenses increased by 2.5%, with 12,850 offenses reported by local law enforcement, compared to 12,532 reported in 2007. Crime index offenses include the violent crimes of murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, and property crimes such as burglary, theft, shoplifting, and motor vehicle theft. Violent crimes comprise 8.1% of the total index crimes reported in North Dakota, one of the lowest rates in the nation.
• The number of violent crimes reported in 2008 increased by 16.8% from 2007, to 1,035.
• Reports of aggravated assault increased by 23.2% last year, from 599 in 2007 to 738. By definition, aggravated assault involves serious bodily injury to the victim. Since 1999, reports of aggravated assault have increased by 240%.
• The number of forcible rapes increased by almost 10% last year, from 202 in 2007 to 222 in 2008. Forcible rape involves violence or the threat of violence against a female victim.
Four murders occurred in 2008, the lowest since statewide crime reporting started in 1978. In 2007, there were 17 murders. For the first time in thirty years of the Crime Report, none of the victims died as a result of domestic violence. Two of the victims were children, including a newborn infant. Three victims were male.
Property crime accounted for 91.9% of crime index offenses reported. The number of property crimes increased by 1.5 percent in 2008, with 11,815 reported compared to 11,646 in 2007. Juveniles were arrested for 41.2% of the property crimes. Motor vehicle thefts decreased by 2.7% with 854 reported in 2008 compared to 878 in 2007. More than $12 million dollars worth of property was reported stolen in 2008.
The state also tracks and reports drug and alcohol offenses, which are not crime index offenses. The number of arrests for all alcohol related offenses decreased, with 11,407 arrests in 2008 compared to 12,203 in 2007, but still accounts for almost 40% of total arrests in North Dakota. DUI arrests decreased by 4.4% to 5,815 in 2008 compared to 6,085 in 2007, but still accounted for one-fourth (25.2%) of all adults arrested in 2008.
Juveniles accounted for 22.5% of total arrests and 38.3% of crime index offense arrests.
# # #
Read the 2008 Crime Report at: http://www.ag.nd.gov/Reports/BCIReports/CrimeHomicide/Crime08.pdf
Read the 2008 Homicide Report at: http://www.ag.nd.gov/Reports/BCIReports/CrimeHomicide/MURDER08.pdf
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
North Dakota PERS
From: -Adm-NDPERS
Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 1:22 PM
Subject: Annual Enrollment Season - 2010 Plan Year
Importance: High
Annual Enrollment Season – 2010 Plan Year
The Annual Enrollment Season will run from Monday, October 19 through Friday, November
6, 2009. Employees will receive an Annual Enrollment Season postcard scheduled to be
mailed the week of October 12th. The NDPERS Annual
Enrollment Season gives employees the opportunity to:
› enroll for coverage in the insurance plans they are not currently enrolled in
› add dependents
› increase coverage levels
› enroll in the NDPERS Flexcomp plan for 2010
The postcard will direct the employee to the NDPERS website to obtain enrollment information regarding the NDPERS Flexcomp, health, life,
dental, vision and long term care insurance plans. Enrollment forms can be accessed
from the NDPERS website or the payroll office.
In addition we have created an Annual Enrollment Employer Guide that contains ALL
information regarding:
› Eligibility
› Enrollment forms
› Rates
› Filing Procedures
› PeopleSoft
› NDPERS FlexComp
› Late Filing policy
The Annual Enrollment Employer Guide is your one-stop shop! Annual Enrollment
Season information will be available on the NDPERS website at www.nd.gov/ndpers
on Monday, October 19, 2009.
North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System
701.328.3900
FAX: 701.328.3920
ndpers@nd.gov
Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 1:22 PM
Subject: Annual Enrollment Season - 2010 Plan Year
Importance: High
Annual Enrollment Season – 2010 Plan Year
The Annual Enrollment Season will run from Monday, October 19 through Friday, November
6, 2009. Employees will receive an Annual Enrollment Season postcard scheduled to be
mailed the week of October 12th. The NDPERS Annual
Enrollment Season gives employees the opportunity to:
› enroll for coverage in the insurance plans they are not currently enrolled in
› add dependents
› increase coverage levels
› enroll in the NDPERS Flexcomp plan for 2010
The postcard will direct the employee to the NDPERS website to obtain enrollment information regarding the NDPERS Flexcomp, health, life,
dental, vision and long term care insurance plans. Enrollment forms can be accessed
from the NDPERS website or the payroll office.
In addition we have created an Annual Enrollment Employer Guide that contains ALL
information regarding:
› Eligibility
› Enrollment forms
› Rates
› Filing Procedures
› PeopleSoft
› NDPERS FlexComp
› Late Filing policy
The Annual Enrollment Employer Guide is your one-stop shop! Annual Enrollment
Season information will be available on the NDPERS website at www.nd.gov/ndpers
on Monday, October 19, 2009.
North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System
701.328.3900
FAX: 701.328.3920
ndpers@nd.gov
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Artfest in Minot, North Dakota
Jon Offutt, Glass Blower at Minot Municipal Auditorium
Artfest 2009 will feature Fargo glassblower, Jon Offutt, a nationally recognized artist, who creates
amazing glassworks. The Taube Museum of Art invites people of all ages to come and join the fun! Artfest will
be held on Friday, October 16 and Saturday, October 17 at the Minot Municipal Auditorium.
Other artist’s include Andrew Knutson, Judy Bell, Linda Olson, 62 Doors Art Gallery and Studios, John Bartunek, Earth Elements, Stillpoint Photography, Obsessed Photographers Group, Jane Kalmbach, Marianne Wyatt, Margaret Lee, Nancy Brown, Paul Horn, Pat Van Hal, Doug Pfliger Pfine & Pfunky cArt, and so many more!
Premiere Night will be held on Friday, October 16th from 7 pm -10 pm. (Must be 21 to attend). This promises to be a fantastic time with art from over 40 regional artists, hors d’oeuvres, complimentary champagne cocktails, and live music by Java Jive Jazz. There will also be a Silent Auction throughout the event. Tickets are $25 for members, $30 for non members, and $35 at the door, which are available at the Taube Museum of Art, Artistry, and Artmain.
On Saturday, October 17th the hours are 9am to 6pm. Admission is $2 with 12 and under free! There is something for everyone. The children will have a great time creating their art inspired by Van Gogh. Adults can watch artist demonstrations, browse for that special artwork, and bid on the silent auction.
This Fundraiser is brought to you by the Taube Museum of Art. Come and Celebrate the Arts at Artfest 2009!
If you have any questions, please contact Nancy Brown, Executive Director, at the Taube Museum of Art, 838-4445.
-END-
Nancy F. Brown
Executive Director, Taube Museum of Art
2 N. Main St., Minot, ND 58703
701-838-4445
Fax: 701-838-6471
www.taubemuseum.org
Nancy F. Brown
Executive Director, Taube Museum of Art
2 N. Main St., Minot, ND 58703
701-838-4445
Fax: 701-838-6471
www.taubemuseum.org
Artfest 2009 will feature Fargo glassblower, Jon Offutt, a nationally recognized artist, who creates
amazing glassworks. The Taube Museum of Art invites people of all ages to come and join the fun! Artfest will
be held on Friday, October 16 and Saturday, October 17 at the Minot Municipal Auditorium.
Other artist’s include Andrew Knutson, Judy Bell, Linda Olson, 62 Doors Art Gallery and Studios, John Bartunek, Earth Elements, Stillpoint Photography, Obsessed Photographers Group, Jane Kalmbach, Marianne Wyatt, Margaret Lee, Nancy Brown, Paul Horn, Pat Van Hal, Doug Pfliger Pfine & Pfunky cArt, and so many more!
Premiere Night will be held on Friday, October 16th from 7 pm -10 pm. (Must be 21 to attend). This promises to be a fantastic time with art from over 40 regional artists, hors d’oeuvres, complimentary champagne cocktails, and live music by Java Jive Jazz. There will also be a Silent Auction throughout the event. Tickets are $25 for members, $30 for non members, and $35 at the door, which are available at the Taube Museum of Art, Artistry, and Artmain.
On Saturday, October 17th the hours are 9am to 6pm. Admission is $2 with 12 and under free! There is something for everyone. The children will have a great time creating their art inspired by Van Gogh. Adults can watch artist demonstrations, browse for that special artwork, and bid on the silent auction.
This Fundraiser is brought to you by the Taube Museum of Art. Come and Celebrate the Arts at Artfest 2009!
If you have any questions, please contact Nancy Brown, Executive Director, at the Taube Museum of Art, 838-4445.
-END-
Nancy F. Brown
Executive Director, Taube Museum of Art
2 N. Main St., Minot, ND 58703
701-838-4445
Fax: 701-838-6471
www.taubemuseum.org
Nancy F. Brown
Executive Director, Taube Museum of Art
2 N. Main St., Minot, ND 58703
701-838-4445
Fax: 701-838-6471
www.taubemuseum.org
Monday, October 12, 2009
North Dakota Legislative Higher Education Committee
NORTH DAKOTA LEGISLATIVE MANAGEMENT
Minutes of the
HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Roughrider Room, State Capitol
Bismarck, North Dakota
Representative Bob Skarphol, Chairman, called
the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
Members present: Representatives Bob
Skarphol, Lois Delmore, Mark A. Dosch, Brenda
Heller, Nancy Johnson, RaeAnn G. Kelsch, Joe
Kroeber, Darrell D. Nottestad, Kenton Onstad, Clark
Williams; Senators John M. Andrist, Tim Flakoll,
Tony S. Grindberg, Dave Nething, Larry J. Robinson
Members absent: Representatives Kathy
Hawken, Dennis Johnson, Bob Martinson, Ken
Svedjan; Senators Ray Holmberg, Karen K.
Krebsbach, Elroy N. Lindaas, David O'Connell, Tom
Seymour
Others present: Jim W. Smith, Director,
Legislative Council
Representatives Merle Boucher and Gary Kreidt,
members of the Legislative Management, were also in
attendance.
See attached appendix for additional persons
present.
It was moved by Senator Robinson, seconded
by Representative Nottestad, and carried on a
voice vote that the minutes of the August 20, 2009,
meeting be approved as distributed.
Chairman Skarphol said the committee is
tentatively scheduled to meet on October 28, 2009,
and December 2, 2009. He said the State Board of
Higher Education will be invited to the October 28,
2009, meeting to discuss higher education policy
issues.
HIGHER EDUCATION STUDY
Chairman Skarphol called on Mr. Bob Wetsch,
Mandan, to provide testimony to the committee
regarding higher education. Mr. Wetsch expressed
concern with the duplication of programs in higher
education as well as the increasing budgets of
institutions. He suggested the committee develop a
policy for the approval of new programs at institutions.
A copy of the testimony presented by Mr. Wetsch is
on file in the Legislative Council office.
The Legislative Council staff presented a
memorandum entitled Summary of 1999-2000 Interim
Higher Education Roundtable Recommendations.
The Legislative Council staff said the 1999-2000
Higher Education Roundtable utilized six task forces
to develop over 90 recommendations in the areas of
economic development connection, education
excellence, flexible and responsive system,
accessible system, funding and rewards, and
sustaining the vision.
Dr. Marsha Krotseng, Vice Chancellor for Strategic
Planning, North Dakota University System, presented
information regarding the implementation status of the
1999-2000 Higher Education Roundtable
recommendations. She presented the following
schedule detailing recommendations that were
assigned to the State Board of Higher Education for
implementation and further review:
Roundtable Recommendation Status/Outcomes
1. Take the leadership in ensuring key steps required for
implementation of the roundtable are taken, specifically to
develop and recommend (to the executive and legislative
branches):
• A long-term plan for the financing of the University
System.
• A resource allocation mechanism.
• Accountability mechanisms--both performance and
fiscal.
The 2008 Accountability Measures Report was created and is
shared annually with legislators and other stakeholders.
The long-term finance plan was developed and implemented
in 2001 and revised in 2006 by the State Board of Higher
Education.
2. Change policies and procedures to empower campus
presidents and grant to the campuses the same
conditions being sought for the University System--
flexibility with accountability.
State Board of Higher Education Policy 305.1 states "The
Board delegates to the president of each institution full
authority and responsibility to administer the affairs of the
institution in accordance with Board policies, plans, budgets,
and standards . . . within budgetary and other limitations
imposed by law or by the Board."
Institution presidents are evaluated annually.
Campus alignment plans and process reports are produced
annually.
Higher Education 2 September 23, 2009
Roundtable Recommendation Status/Outcomes
3. Develop a University System which has intellectual
capacity and programs aligned with the needs of the state.
The 2008 Accountability Measures Report states that:
• Approximately 72 percent of the 2004-05 graduates who
remained in North Dakota in 2006 were employed in
occupations related to their education or training.
• In fiscal year 2008, TrainND served 1,345 businesses and
11,990 employees.
• Research expenditures grew by 19 percent from fiscal
year 2004 ($152.1 million) through fiscal year 2008
($180.5 million).
4. Develop a delivery system capable of making the
capacities of the University System accessible to all of
North Dakota using:
• Learning centers.
• Distance delivery.
• Collaborative delivery.
• Duplicated programs where appropriate.
The 2008 Accountability Measures Report states that in the
fall of 2008, 15,983 students were enrolled in credit courses
through nontraditional delivery methods. Enrollment in
nontraditional delivery methods has increased 88 percent
since the fall of 2004.
5. Collaborate with other participants in collectively moving
the agenda forward.
The roundtable process has convened on nine occasions
since 1999 (most recently in October 2008).
The Department of Public Instruction, Department of Career
and Technical Education, Education Standards and Practices
Board, and State Board of Higher Education meet at least
once annually.
The University System collaborates with the Department of
Commerce and Job Service North Dakota on workforce
issues.
A copy of the information presented by
Dr. Krotseng is on file in the Legislative Council office.
In response to a question from Representative
Skarphol, Dr. Krotseng said the University System is
working to develop a higher education data
warehouse to track students through college and after
graduation. She said the data warehouse will aid in
measuring student progress for use in reviewing the
higher education accountability measures.
In response to a question from Senator Andrist,
Dr. Krotseng said concerns with higher education are
discussed in Higher Education Roundtable task
forces. She said it is important to have open
communication between the Higher Education
Roundtable stakeholders.
In response to a question from Representative
Skarphol, Dr. Krotseng said the University System
recently developed a new strategic plan for higher
education. She said the outcomes from previous
Higher Education Roundtables were used in
developing the plan.
In response to a question from Representative
Skarphol, Dr. Krotseng said it is important to provide
access to educational programs while avoiding
unnecessary duplication. She said the 1999-2000
Higher Education Roundtable recommended allowing
program duplication where appropriate.
In response to a question from Representative
Delmore, Dr. Krotseng said the higher education
accountability measures use a wide range of
measures, including the education attainment of
citizens and the number of students entering college
from high school.
In response to a question from Senator Grindberg,
Dr. Krotseng said a goal of the University System is to
increase the population of the state through
expanding the economy. She said the University
System is also working to increase the education
attainment of North Dakota citizens.
In response to a question from Representative
Nottestad, Dr. Krotseng said the University System
considers the changing demographics of the state
when developing its strategic plans.
In response to a question from Senator Flakoll,
Dr. Krotseng said students that transfer between
University System institutions are considered as
noncompleters when evaluating student success at an
institution.
In response to a question from Representative
Skarphol, Dr. Krotseng said it is important to use
consistent accountability measures to obtain a
historical perspective when evaluating the measures.
Dr. Michel G. Hillman, Vice Chancellor for
Academic and Student Affairs, North Dakota
University System, said the 2008 Accountability
Measures Report includes measures adopted by the
State Board of Higher Education in addition to the
measures adopted by the Legislative Assembly.
In response to a question from Senator Nething,
Dr. Hillman said new accountability measures adopted
by the 2009 Legislative Assembly will be included in
the fall 2010 Accountability Measures Report.
In response to a question from Senator Robinson,
Dr. Hillman said it is important for higher education
accountability measures to provide the information
needed by legislators and other higher education
stakeholders in the state. He said other states may
use accountability measure information for other
purposes, including incentive funding.
Higher Education 3 September 23, 2009
In response to a question from Senator Andrist,
Dr. Hillman said the enrollment of nonresident
students is increasing at institutions. He said the
number of resident students enrolling in programs with
nontraditional delivery methods is also increasing.
In response to a question from Representative
Delmore, Dr. Hillman said he would provide the
committee with information regarding the enrollment
of adult learners, disadvantaged students, and
nonresident students. He said he would also provide
information regarding potential ways to increase the
enrollments of nontraditional and disadvantaged
students.
In response to a question from Representative
Skarphol, Dr. Hillman said nonresident graduates of
the University System are used to meet a portion of
the workforce demands of the state. He said the
North Dakota/Minnesota tuition reciprocity agreement
attracts Minnesota students to North Dakota schools.
In response to a question from Representative
Skarphol, Dr. Krotseng said institutions pursue
funding sources other than state appropriations and
tuition and fees. She said many institutions receive
federal grants.
Mr. William G. Goetz, Chancellor, North Dakota
University System, said private sector partnerships
are a new source of funding for programs, including
infrastructure support. He said private sector
partnerships also result in more opportunities for
students through internships.
In response to a question from Representative
Boucher, Mr. Goetz said the research activity of
institutions enhances the economy in the state and
has a positive effect on tax revenues.
In response to a question from Representative
Skarphol, Dr. Krotseng said funding provided by the
2009 Legislative Assembly for a two-year program
awareness initiative will help address certain
workforce needs of the state. She said the TrainND
program also assists in meeting the workforce needs
of the state.
In response to a question from Senator Nething,
Dr. Krotseng said it is important that effective
communications occur among secondary education,
higher education, and career and technical education.
Representative Skarphol suggested committee
members attend meetings of the State Board of
Higher Education and the State Board of Public
School Education. He said it is important for
legislators to be aware of education-related
discussions of education boards.
In response to a question from Senator Grindberg,
Dr. Hillman said approximately one-half of all
University System students taking classes online are
also taking classes on campus.
In response to a question from Senator Flakoll,
Dr. Hillman said the University System does not set a
goal for the number of classes to be offered online.
He said the goal of the University System is to meet
the needs of the students.
Dr. Hillman said the University System works to
timely address the workforce needs of the state. He
said the length of time to respond to a workforce need
is dependent on the time required for approval of a
new program. He said funding is also a concern with
new programs because campuses may need to
reallocate funding internally to provide the necessary
funding for a new program to address workforce
needs.
In response to a question from Representative
Kelsch, Dr. Hillman said most online students who are
also on-campus students take both the online and oncampus
classes from the same institution.
Senator Grindberg said it is important for
campuses to generate revenue through online
classes. However, he said, the state needs to
consider the cost of an online program that educates
a majority of students living outside the state.
In response to a question from Representative
Skarphol, Dr. Krotseng said the private sector and
University System exchange ideas through the Higher
Education Roundtable.
Chairman Skarphol asked Dr. Krotseng to provide
committee members a copy of the University System
strategic plan prior to the next committee meeting.
Dr. Hillman presented information to the committee
regarding a report prepared by the Delta Cost Project
regarding higher education productivity. He said the
report indicates that North Dakota is excelling in the
areas of technology and career advising. He said the
state is also ranked high in the measure of higher
education productivity. A copy of the information
presented by Dr. Hillman is on file in the Legislative
Council office.
In response to a question from Senator Robinson,
Dr. Hillman said joint meetings between the State
Board of Higher Education, State Board of Public
School Education, State Board for Career and
Technical Education, and Education Standards and
Practices Board are used to align elementary,
secondary, and postsecondary education.
In response to a question from Representative
Kelsch, Dr. Hillman said limited resources prevent the
use of professional career counselors on campuses.
In response to a question from Representative
Nottestad, Dr. Hillman said the University System is
developing education attainment expectations for high
school students who are entering college to reduce
the amount of remedial education needed.
In response to a question from Representative
Kelsch, Dr. Hillman said institution education
programs are teaching state education standards to
students pursuing education careers.
In response to a question from Representative
Delmore, Dr. Hillman said adequate funding is a key
element to the success of higher education.
Representative Skarphol said increased funding
for higher education does not necessarily increase
higher education productivity.
Representative Dosch expressed concern
regarding fault being placed on high schools when
Higher Education 4 September 23, 2009
students need remedial education when entering
college. He said better preparation of teachers may
reduce the number of high school students who need
remedial education when entering college.
Dr. Hillman said a program involving high school
teachers and college professors setting expectations
for students who plan to enter college may be helpful.
Representative Kelsch expressed concern that
requiring a number of standardized tests results in
less instructional time for students.
In response to a question from Senator Nething,
Dr. Hillman said information is published annually
regarding the number of nonresident students that
remain in North Dakota following graduation.
Representative Delmore said elementary and
secondary education officials have developed
completion standards for students. She expressed
concern regarding the lack of admission standards at
higher education institutions.
Senator Flakoll suggested the committee receive
information regarding the number of nonresident
students that graduate from a North Dakota institution
and move to areas that border North Dakota.
The committee recessed for lunch at 12:00 noon
and reconvened at 12:45 p.m.
Ms. Laura Glatt, Vice Chancellor for Administrative
Affairs, North Dakota University System, presented
information regarding a study of tuition waivers
conducted by the University System. She said state
statute dictates that waivers be provided for qualified
members of the National Guard; for dependents of
resident veterans who were killed in action, died of
service-related causes, were prisoners of war, or were
declared missing in action; and for survivors of
firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, or
peace officers who died as a direct result of injuries
received in the performance of official duties. She
said State Board of Higher Education policy provides
waivers for the student member of the State Board of
Higher Education and for benefited University System
employees.
Ms. Glatt presented the following schedule
detailing the number of tuition waivers granted at each
institution as a portion of gross tuition revenue for the
2007-08 academic year:
Institution
2007-08
Tuition Waivers
2007-08 Gross
Tuition Revenue
Waivers as a
Percentage of Revenues
Bismarck State College $126,109 $11,523,500 1.1%
Lake Region State College 226,706 3,763,367 6.0%
Williston State College 99,251 1,642,941 6.0%
University of North Dakota 7,133,400 74,904,970 9.5%
North Dakota State University 11,179,622 62,666,769 17.8%
State College of Science 607,818 6,594,989 9.2%
Dickinson State University 2,889,152 11,274,889 25.6%
Mayville State University 149,204 2,752,193 5.4%
Minot State University 1,275,051 14,330,395 8.9%
Valley City State University 411,554 3,893,587 10.6%
Dakota College at Bottineau 49,147 1,656,172 3.0%
Total $24,147,014 $195,003,772 12.4%
A copy of the information presented by Ms. Glatt is
on file in the Legislative Council office.
In response to a question from Representative
Williams, Ms. Glatt said the increase in value of tuition
waivers between academic years is due in part to
tuition increases.
Representative Delmore suggested the committee
receive information regarding the number of foreign
students enrolled at institutions, including the number
of those students that receive a tuition waiver.
Senator Nething suggested the committee receive
information on the number of students that receive
graduate assistant waivers and foreign student
waivers, including the number of those students that
reside in the state following graduation.
In response to a question from Representative
Dosch, Ms. Glatt said students may receive a full or
partial tuition waiver. She said even though a student
receives a tuition waiver, the student may pay for
auxiliary costs such as room and board.
Mr. Goetz said tuition waivers are important to
students who are graduate assistants. He said tuition
waivers can be viewed in the following ways:
• Tuition waivers can be used to attract more
students. These additional students help pay
for auxiliary costs of an institution.
• Tuition waivers are used to improve academic
programs and student life by increasing
diversity.
• Tuition waivers can improve economic
development by increasing the workforce
through students who remain in state after
graduation.
In response to a question from Senator Robinson,
Ms. Glatt said some institutions offer resident tuition
rates to certain nonresident students. She said those
institutions reflect reduced tuition revenue instead of
increased tuition waivers.
In response to a question from Senator Andrist,
Mr. Goetz said some institutions provide more foreign
student waivers due to the institution having a strong
international student focus.
In response to a question from Representative
Boucher, Mr. Goetz said the use of tuition waivers
affects the enrollment of institutions. He said he
would provide more information at a future meeting
Higher Education 5 September 23, 2009
regarding the economic impact of students to
communities.
In response to a question from Senator Robinson,
Mr. Goetz said foreign students can lead to business
partnerships with other countries.
Ms. Glatt presented information regarding the
continuation of unexpended appropriations from the
2007-09 to 2009-11 biennium. She said campuses
had unexpended general fund and permanent oil tax
trust fund appropriations of $12,439,751 at the end of
the 2007-09 biennium which were continued into the
2009-11 biennium. She said most of the unexpended
funds relate to major capital projects and deferred
maintenance.
Ms. Glatt said the University System office had
unexpended appropriations of $1,680,781 at the end
of the 2007-09 biennium which were continued into
the 2009-11 biennium. She said of the total
unexpended appropriations, $1,564,207 was from the
general fund and $116,574 was from special funds. A
copy of the information presented by Ms. Glatt is on
file in the Legislative Council office.
Ms. Glatt presented information regarding previous
and current higher education financing plans. She
said the current higher education financing plan is
based on funding institutions at the same levels as
peer institutions. She said the current plan has
components for base funding, capital assets funding,
and incentive funding.
Ms. Glatt said the previous higher education
funding method was used from 1970 to 2001 and
provided funding through the use of five separate
formulas. She said funding was allocated to
institutions based on an instructional formula,
instructional support formula, support services
formula, equipment formula, and physical plant
formula. A copy of the information presented by
Ms. Glatt is on file in the Legislative Council office.
In response to a question from Representative
Williams, Mr. Goetz said the State Board of Higher
Education has appointed a task force to review the
current higher education funding plan. He said a
revised funding plan needs to address the high cost of
certain programs, affordability, collaboration, and cost
efficiencies.
Representative Skarphol said the development of
a new higher education funding plan should be a joint
effort between the Legislative Assembly and State
Board of Higher Education.
Ms. Glatt presented information regarding tuition
reciprocity agreements. She said the North
Dakota/Minnesota reciprocity agreement generally
requires students to pay the higher of the two states'
tuition rate.
Ms. Glatt said tuition reciprocity agreements are in
place for professional programs not offered in North
Dakota, including veterinary medicine, dentistry, and
optometry. She said the tuition reciprocity
agreements allow students to attend an out-of-state
institution offering a professional program and pay a
reduced tuition rate. She said tuition reciprocity
agreements also exist through the Western Interstate
Commission on Higher Education (WICHE) and
Midwest Higher Education Compact.
Ms. Glatt presented the following information
regarding campuses offering unique tuition rates:
Lake Region
State College
All nonresident students, except
international students, receive the
resident tuition rate.
Williston State
College
All nonresident students receive the
resident tuition rate.
Minot State
University
All nonresident students receive the
resident tuition rate.
State College of
Science
Nonresident students who reside in a
residence hall and purchase a meal plan
receive the resident tuition rate.
Dakota College
at Bottineau
Nonresident students from the Canadian
provinces of Manitoba and
Saskatchewan receive the resident
tuition rate.
A copy of the information presented by Ms. Glatt is
on file in the Legislative Council office.
In response to a question from Representative
Nottestad, Ms. Glatt said the University of North
Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences
accepts students through the WICHE student
exchange program.
Dr. Hillman presented information regarding the
enrollment at higher education institutions. He said
enrollment reports are modified to account for
students that take classes using multiple delivery
methods or take classes at more than one institution.
Dr. Hillman presented the following schedule
detailing enrollment at each higher education
institution for the 2007-08 academic year:
University System 2007-08
Headcount Enrollment Summary
Degree Credit1 Non-Degree Credit2 Non-Credit3 Total
Bismarck State College 4,122 557 9,035 13,714
Dickinson State University 2,631 0 259 2,890
Lake Region State College 2,499 38 1,712 4,249
Mayville State University 916 43 0 959
Minot State University 3,808 2 311 4,121
Dakota College at Bottineau 740 67 8 815
State College of Science 2,599 489 993 4,081
North Dakota State University 12,702 950 132 13,784
University of North Dakota 13,294 129 2,763 16,186
Valley City State University 1,079 11 0 1,090
Higher Education 6 September 23, 2009
Degree Credit1 Non-Degree Credit2 Non-Credit3 Total
Williston State College 941 42 2,816 3,799
Total 45,331 2,328 18,029 65,688
Less: Students taking classes at more
than one institution
1,744 0 57 1,801
Total University System enrollment 43,587 2,328 17,972 63,887
1All instructional activities that can be applied toward college degree or credit-based remedial courses taken by degreeseeking
students.
2Credit courses taken through continuing education for personal development, such as workshops or seminars, that do not
typically apply toward a degree.
3Instructional activities, such as workforce training, that do not apply toward a degree.
A copy of the information presented by Dr. Hillman
is on file in the Legislative Council office.
Senator Robinson suggested the committee
receive information regarding the number of students
enrolled in remedial education classes for the past
10 years.
Senator Grindberg suggested the committee
receive information regarding the number of resident
and nonresident students taking distance education
classes.
In response to a question from Representative
Delmore, Dr. Hillman said the University System
headcount enrollment report counts any student that
is taking degree credit classes.
Ms. Tamara Barber, Associate Vice President for
Finance and Operations, Bismarck State College,
presented information regarding online education
programs. She said online classes generate
additional revenue that is used to supplement state
appropriations and tuition revenue.
Ms. Barber said the average cost for providing a
class credit online is $183 compared to $275 for a
traditional delivery method. She said the average
tuition rate charged to students is $199 per credit for
online classes and $114 per credit for traditional
delivery methods. A copy of the information provided
by Ms. Barber is on file in the Legislative Council
office.
In response to a question from Representative
Delmore, Ms. Barber said many energy program
students take classes entirely online. She said
examinations for online classes generally require a
proctor in an effort to maintain the integrity of the
class.
Dr. Hillman said there is no significant difference in
the completion rates of students taking online classes
compared to classes on campus.
Mr. Goetz said many institutions are pursuing
grants made available through funding provided by
the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of
2009. He said he would provide the committee with
updates at future meetings regarding the status of the
grant applications.
Representative Skarphol said he attended the
most recent meeting of the State Board of Higher
Education in Grand Forks. He said the board took
action regarding the cost increases relating to the
presidents' house projects at the University of North
Dakota and North Dakota State University. He said
the State Board of Higher Education is reviewing the
issues and will determine the appropriate action. He
said approval for the increased costs of the projects
still needs to be granted by the Budget Section.
Mr. Goetz presented the committee with a
preliminary schedule of the estimated construction
costs of the presidents' house projects at the
University of North Dakota and North Dakota State
University. He said the institutions are still
determining the final costs of the projects and a State
Board of Higher Education committee will be
reviewing the projects in detail.
Mr. Goetz expressed concern regarding the use of
institutional funding for the presidents' house projects.
He said State Board of Higher Education policy was
not followed by the institutions and reporting was not
done properly. A copy of the information presented by
Mr. Goetz is on file in the Legislative Council office.
Senator Andrist suggested that the University of
North Dakota and North Dakota State University be
held accountable for failing to follow policies and
procedures.
It was moved by Senator Robinson, seconded
by Representative Kelsch, and carried on a voice
vote that the meeting be adjourned subject to the
call of the chair.
Chairman Skarphol adjourned the meeting at
3:45 p.m.
___________________________________________
Brady A. Larson
Fiscal Analyst
___________________________________________
Allen H. Knudson
Legislative Budget Analyst and Auditor
ATTACH:1
Minutes of the
HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Roughrider Room, State Capitol
Bismarck, North Dakota
Representative Bob Skarphol, Chairman, called
the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
Members present: Representatives Bob
Skarphol, Lois Delmore, Mark A. Dosch, Brenda
Heller, Nancy Johnson, RaeAnn G. Kelsch, Joe
Kroeber, Darrell D. Nottestad, Kenton Onstad, Clark
Williams; Senators John M. Andrist, Tim Flakoll,
Tony S. Grindberg, Dave Nething, Larry J. Robinson
Members absent: Representatives Kathy
Hawken, Dennis Johnson, Bob Martinson, Ken
Svedjan; Senators Ray Holmberg, Karen K.
Krebsbach, Elroy N. Lindaas, David O'Connell, Tom
Seymour
Others present: Jim W. Smith, Director,
Legislative Council
Representatives Merle Boucher and Gary Kreidt,
members of the Legislative Management, were also in
attendance.
See attached appendix for additional persons
present.
It was moved by Senator Robinson, seconded
by Representative Nottestad, and carried on a
voice vote that the minutes of the August 20, 2009,
meeting be approved as distributed.
Chairman Skarphol said the committee is
tentatively scheduled to meet on October 28, 2009,
and December 2, 2009. He said the State Board of
Higher Education will be invited to the October 28,
2009, meeting to discuss higher education policy
issues.
HIGHER EDUCATION STUDY
Chairman Skarphol called on Mr. Bob Wetsch,
Mandan, to provide testimony to the committee
regarding higher education. Mr. Wetsch expressed
concern with the duplication of programs in higher
education as well as the increasing budgets of
institutions. He suggested the committee develop a
policy for the approval of new programs at institutions.
A copy of the testimony presented by Mr. Wetsch is
on file in the Legislative Council office.
The Legislative Council staff presented a
memorandum entitled Summary of 1999-2000 Interim
Higher Education Roundtable Recommendations.
The Legislative Council staff said the 1999-2000
Higher Education Roundtable utilized six task forces
to develop over 90 recommendations in the areas of
economic development connection, education
excellence, flexible and responsive system,
accessible system, funding and rewards, and
sustaining the vision.
Dr. Marsha Krotseng, Vice Chancellor for Strategic
Planning, North Dakota University System, presented
information regarding the implementation status of the
1999-2000 Higher Education Roundtable
recommendations. She presented the following
schedule detailing recommendations that were
assigned to the State Board of Higher Education for
implementation and further review:
Roundtable Recommendation Status/Outcomes
1. Take the leadership in ensuring key steps required for
implementation of the roundtable are taken, specifically to
develop and recommend (to the executive and legislative
branches):
• A long-term plan for the financing of the University
System.
• A resource allocation mechanism.
• Accountability mechanisms--both performance and
fiscal.
The 2008 Accountability Measures Report was created and is
shared annually with legislators and other stakeholders.
The long-term finance plan was developed and implemented
in 2001 and revised in 2006 by the State Board of Higher
Education.
2. Change policies and procedures to empower campus
presidents and grant to the campuses the same
conditions being sought for the University System--
flexibility with accountability.
State Board of Higher Education Policy 305.1 states "The
Board delegates to the president of each institution full
authority and responsibility to administer the affairs of the
institution in accordance with Board policies, plans, budgets,
and standards . . . within budgetary and other limitations
imposed by law or by the Board."
Institution presidents are evaluated annually.
Campus alignment plans and process reports are produced
annually.
Higher Education 2 September 23, 2009
Roundtable Recommendation Status/Outcomes
3. Develop a University System which has intellectual
capacity and programs aligned with the needs of the state.
The 2008 Accountability Measures Report states that:
• Approximately 72 percent of the 2004-05 graduates who
remained in North Dakota in 2006 were employed in
occupations related to their education or training.
• In fiscal year 2008, TrainND served 1,345 businesses and
11,990 employees.
• Research expenditures grew by 19 percent from fiscal
year 2004 ($152.1 million) through fiscal year 2008
($180.5 million).
4. Develop a delivery system capable of making the
capacities of the University System accessible to all of
North Dakota using:
• Learning centers.
• Distance delivery.
• Collaborative delivery.
• Duplicated programs where appropriate.
The 2008 Accountability Measures Report states that in the
fall of 2008, 15,983 students were enrolled in credit courses
through nontraditional delivery methods. Enrollment in
nontraditional delivery methods has increased 88 percent
since the fall of 2004.
5. Collaborate with other participants in collectively moving
the agenda forward.
The roundtable process has convened on nine occasions
since 1999 (most recently in October 2008).
The Department of Public Instruction, Department of Career
and Technical Education, Education Standards and Practices
Board, and State Board of Higher Education meet at least
once annually.
The University System collaborates with the Department of
Commerce and Job Service North Dakota on workforce
issues.
A copy of the information presented by
Dr. Krotseng is on file in the Legislative Council office.
In response to a question from Representative
Skarphol, Dr. Krotseng said the University System is
working to develop a higher education data
warehouse to track students through college and after
graduation. She said the data warehouse will aid in
measuring student progress for use in reviewing the
higher education accountability measures.
In response to a question from Senator Andrist,
Dr. Krotseng said concerns with higher education are
discussed in Higher Education Roundtable task
forces. She said it is important to have open
communication between the Higher Education
Roundtable stakeholders.
In response to a question from Representative
Skarphol, Dr. Krotseng said the University System
recently developed a new strategic plan for higher
education. She said the outcomes from previous
Higher Education Roundtables were used in
developing the plan.
In response to a question from Representative
Skarphol, Dr. Krotseng said it is important to provide
access to educational programs while avoiding
unnecessary duplication. She said the 1999-2000
Higher Education Roundtable recommended allowing
program duplication where appropriate.
In response to a question from Representative
Delmore, Dr. Krotseng said the higher education
accountability measures use a wide range of
measures, including the education attainment of
citizens and the number of students entering college
from high school.
In response to a question from Senator Grindberg,
Dr. Krotseng said a goal of the University System is to
increase the population of the state through
expanding the economy. She said the University
System is also working to increase the education
attainment of North Dakota citizens.
In response to a question from Representative
Nottestad, Dr. Krotseng said the University System
considers the changing demographics of the state
when developing its strategic plans.
In response to a question from Senator Flakoll,
Dr. Krotseng said students that transfer between
University System institutions are considered as
noncompleters when evaluating student success at an
institution.
In response to a question from Representative
Skarphol, Dr. Krotseng said it is important to use
consistent accountability measures to obtain a
historical perspective when evaluating the measures.
Dr. Michel G. Hillman, Vice Chancellor for
Academic and Student Affairs, North Dakota
University System, said the 2008 Accountability
Measures Report includes measures adopted by the
State Board of Higher Education in addition to the
measures adopted by the Legislative Assembly.
In response to a question from Senator Nething,
Dr. Hillman said new accountability measures adopted
by the 2009 Legislative Assembly will be included in
the fall 2010 Accountability Measures Report.
In response to a question from Senator Robinson,
Dr. Hillman said it is important for higher education
accountability measures to provide the information
needed by legislators and other higher education
stakeholders in the state. He said other states may
use accountability measure information for other
purposes, including incentive funding.
Higher Education 3 September 23, 2009
In response to a question from Senator Andrist,
Dr. Hillman said the enrollment of nonresident
students is increasing at institutions. He said the
number of resident students enrolling in programs with
nontraditional delivery methods is also increasing.
In response to a question from Representative
Delmore, Dr. Hillman said he would provide the
committee with information regarding the enrollment
of adult learners, disadvantaged students, and
nonresident students. He said he would also provide
information regarding potential ways to increase the
enrollments of nontraditional and disadvantaged
students.
In response to a question from Representative
Skarphol, Dr. Hillman said nonresident graduates of
the University System are used to meet a portion of
the workforce demands of the state. He said the
North Dakota/Minnesota tuition reciprocity agreement
attracts Minnesota students to North Dakota schools.
In response to a question from Representative
Skarphol, Dr. Krotseng said institutions pursue
funding sources other than state appropriations and
tuition and fees. She said many institutions receive
federal grants.
Mr. William G. Goetz, Chancellor, North Dakota
University System, said private sector partnerships
are a new source of funding for programs, including
infrastructure support. He said private sector
partnerships also result in more opportunities for
students through internships.
In response to a question from Representative
Boucher, Mr. Goetz said the research activity of
institutions enhances the economy in the state and
has a positive effect on tax revenues.
In response to a question from Representative
Skarphol, Dr. Krotseng said funding provided by the
2009 Legislative Assembly for a two-year program
awareness initiative will help address certain
workforce needs of the state. She said the TrainND
program also assists in meeting the workforce needs
of the state.
In response to a question from Senator Nething,
Dr. Krotseng said it is important that effective
communications occur among secondary education,
higher education, and career and technical education.
Representative Skarphol suggested committee
members attend meetings of the State Board of
Higher Education and the State Board of Public
School Education. He said it is important for
legislators to be aware of education-related
discussions of education boards.
In response to a question from Senator Grindberg,
Dr. Hillman said approximately one-half of all
University System students taking classes online are
also taking classes on campus.
In response to a question from Senator Flakoll,
Dr. Hillman said the University System does not set a
goal for the number of classes to be offered online.
He said the goal of the University System is to meet
the needs of the students.
Dr. Hillman said the University System works to
timely address the workforce needs of the state. He
said the length of time to respond to a workforce need
is dependent on the time required for approval of a
new program. He said funding is also a concern with
new programs because campuses may need to
reallocate funding internally to provide the necessary
funding for a new program to address workforce
needs.
In response to a question from Representative
Kelsch, Dr. Hillman said most online students who are
also on-campus students take both the online and oncampus
classes from the same institution.
Senator Grindberg said it is important for
campuses to generate revenue through online
classes. However, he said, the state needs to
consider the cost of an online program that educates
a majority of students living outside the state.
In response to a question from Representative
Skarphol, Dr. Krotseng said the private sector and
University System exchange ideas through the Higher
Education Roundtable.
Chairman Skarphol asked Dr. Krotseng to provide
committee members a copy of the University System
strategic plan prior to the next committee meeting.
Dr. Hillman presented information to the committee
regarding a report prepared by the Delta Cost Project
regarding higher education productivity. He said the
report indicates that North Dakota is excelling in the
areas of technology and career advising. He said the
state is also ranked high in the measure of higher
education productivity. A copy of the information
presented by Dr. Hillman is on file in the Legislative
Council office.
In response to a question from Senator Robinson,
Dr. Hillman said joint meetings between the State
Board of Higher Education, State Board of Public
School Education, State Board for Career and
Technical Education, and Education Standards and
Practices Board are used to align elementary,
secondary, and postsecondary education.
In response to a question from Representative
Kelsch, Dr. Hillman said limited resources prevent the
use of professional career counselors on campuses.
In response to a question from Representative
Nottestad, Dr. Hillman said the University System is
developing education attainment expectations for high
school students who are entering college to reduce
the amount of remedial education needed.
In response to a question from Representative
Kelsch, Dr. Hillman said institution education
programs are teaching state education standards to
students pursuing education careers.
In response to a question from Representative
Delmore, Dr. Hillman said adequate funding is a key
element to the success of higher education.
Representative Skarphol said increased funding
for higher education does not necessarily increase
higher education productivity.
Representative Dosch expressed concern
regarding fault being placed on high schools when
Higher Education 4 September 23, 2009
students need remedial education when entering
college. He said better preparation of teachers may
reduce the number of high school students who need
remedial education when entering college.
Dr. Hillman said a program involving high school
teachers and college professors setting expectations
for students who plan to enter college may be helpful.
Representative Kelsch expressed concern that
requiring a number of standardized tests results in
less instructional time for students.
In response to a question from Senator Nething,
Dr. Hillman said information is published annually
regarding the number of nonresident students that
remain in North Dakota following graduation.
Representative Delmore said elementary and
secondary education officials have developed
completion standards for students. She expressed
concern regarding the lack of admission standards at
higher education institutions.
Senator Flakoll suggested the committee receive
information regarding the number of nonresident
students that graduate from a North Dakota institution
and move to areas that border North Dakota.
The committee recessed for lunch at 12:00 noon
and reconvened at 12:45 p.m.
Ms. Laura Glatt, Vice Chancellor for Administrative
Affairs, North Dakota University System, presented
information regarding a study of tuition waivers
conducted by the University System. She said state
statute dictates that waivers be provided for qualified
members of the National Guard; for dependents of
resident veterans who were killed in action, died of
service-related causes, were prisoners of war, or were
declared missing in action; and for survivors of
firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, or
peace officers who died as a direct result of injuries
received in the performance of official duties. She
said State Board of Higher Education policy provides
waivers for the student member of the State Board of
Higher Education and for benefited University System
employees.
Ms. Glatt presented the following schedule
detailing the number of tuition waivers granted at each
institution as a portion of gross tuition revenue for the
2007-08 academic year:
Institution
2007-08
Tuition Waivers
2007-08 Gross
Tuition Revenue
Waivers as a
Percentage of Revenues
Bismarck State College $126,109 $11,523,500 1.1%
Lake Region State College 226,706 3,763,367 6.0%
Williston State College 99,251 1,642,941 6.0%
University of North Dakota 7,133,400 74,904,970 9.5%
North Dakota State University 11,179,622 62,666,769 17.8%
State College of Science 607,818 6,594,989 9.2%
Dickinson State University 2,889,152 11,274,889 25.6%
Mayville State University 149,204 2,752,193 5.4%
Minot State University 1,275,051 14,330,395 8.9%
Valley City State University 411,554 3,893,587 10.6%
Dakota College at Bottineau 49,147 1,656,172 3.0%
Total $24,147,014 $195,003,772 12.4%
A copy of the information presented by Ms. Glatt is
on file in the Legislative Council office.
In response to a question from Representative
Williams, Ms. Glatt said the increase in value of tuition
waivers between academic years is due in part to
tuition increases.
Representative Delmore suggested the committee
receive information regarding the number of foreign
students enrolled at institutions, including the number
of those students that receive a tuition waiver.
Senator Nething suggested the committee receive
information on the number of students that receive
graduate assistant waivers and foreign student
waivers, including the number of those students that
reside in the state following graduation.
In response to a question from Representative
Dosch, Ms. Glatt said students may receive a full or
partial tuition waiver. She said even though a student
receives a tuition waiver, the student may pay for
auxiliary costs such as room and board.
Mr. Goetz said tuition waivers are important to
students who are graduate assistants. He said tuition
waivers can be viewed in the following ways:
• Tuition waivers can be used to attract more
students. These additional students help pay
for auxiliary costs of an institution.
• Tuition waivers are used to improve academic
programs and student life by increasing
diversity.
• Tuition waivers can improve economic
development by increasing the workforce
through students who remain in state after
graduation.
In response to a question from Senator Robinson,
Ms. Glatt said some institutions offer resident tuition
rates to certain nonresident students. She said those
institutions reflect reduced tuition revenue instead of
increased tuition waivers.
In response to a question from Senator Andrist,
Mr. Goetz said some institutions provide more foreign
student waivers due to the institution having a strong
international student focus.
In response to a question from Representative
Boucher, Mr. Goetz said the use of tuition waivers
affects the enrollment of institutions. He said he
would provide more information at a future meeting
Higher Education 5 September 23, 2009
regarding the economic impact of students to
communities.
In response to a question from Senator Robinson,
Mr. Goetz said foreign students can lead to business
partnerships with other countries.
Ms. Glatt presented information regarding the
continuation of unexpended appropriations from the
2007-09 to 2009-11 biennium. She said campuses
had unexpended general fund and permanent oil tax
trust fund appropriations of $12,439,751 at the end of
the 2007-09 biennium which were continued into the
2009-11 biennium. She said most of the unexpended
funds relate to major capital projects and deferred
maintenance.
Ms. Glatt said the University System office had
unexpended appropriations of $1,680,781 at the end
of the 2007-09 biennium which were continued into
the 2009-11 biennium. She said of the total
unexpended appropriations, $1,564,207 was from the
general fund and $116,574 was from special funds. A
copy of the information presented by Ms. Glatt is on
file in the Legislative Council office.
Ms. Glatt presented information regarding previous
and current higher education financing plans. She
said the current higher education financing plan is
based on funding institutions at the same levels as
peer institutions. She said the current plan has
components for base funding, capital assets funding,
and incentive funding.
Ms. Glatt said the previous higher education
funding method was used from 1970 to 2001 and
provided funding through the use of five separate
formulas. She said funding was allocated to
institutions based on an instructional formula,
instructional support formula, support services
formula, equipment formula, and physical plant
formula. A copy of the information presented by
Ms. Glatt is on file in the Legislative Council office.
In response to a question from Representative
Williams, Mr. Goetz said the State Board of Higher
Education has appointed a task force to review the
current higher education funding plan. He said a
revised funding plan needs to address the high cost of
certain programs, affordability, collaboration, and cost
efficiencies.
Representative Skarphol said the development of
a new higher education funding plan should be a joint
effort between the Legislative Assembly and State
Board of Higher Education.
Ms. Glatt presented information regarding tuition
reciprocity agreements. She said the North
Dakota/Minnesota reciprocity agreement generally
requires students to pay the higher of the two states'
tuition rate.
Ms. Glatt said tuition reciprocity agreements are in
place for professional programs not offered in North
Dakota, including veterinary medicine, dentistry, and
optometry. She said the tuition reciprocity
agreements allow students to attend an out-of-state
institution offering a professional program and pay a
reduced tuition rate. She said tuition reciprocity
agreements also exist through the Western Interstate
Commission on Higher Education (WICHE) and
Midwest Higher Education Compact.
Ms. Glatt presented the following information
regarding campuses offering unique tuition rates:
Lake Region
State College
All nonresident students, except
international students, receive the
resident tuition rate.
Williston State
College
All nonresident students receive the
resident tuition rate.
Minot State
University
All nonresident students receive the
resident tuition rate.
State College of
Science
Nonresident students who reside in a
residence hall and purchase a meal plan
receive the resident tuition rate.
Dakota College
at Bottineau
Nonresident students from the Canadian
provinces of Manitoba and
Saskatchewan receive the resident
tuition rate.
A copy of the information presented by Ms. Glatt is
on file in the Legislative Council office.
In response to a question from Representative
Nottestad, Ms. Glatt said the University of North
Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences
accepts students through the WICHE student
exchange program.
Dr. Hillman presented information regarding the
enrollment at higher education institutions. He said
enrollment reports are modified to account for
students that take classes using multiple delivery
methods or take classes at more than one institution.
Dr. Hillman presented the following schedule
detailing enrollment at each higher education
institution for the 2007-08 academic year:
University System 2007-08
Headcount Enrollment Summary
Degree Credit1 Non-Degree Credit2 Non-Credit3 Total
Bismarck State College 4,122 557 9,035 13,714
Dickinson State University 2,631 0 259 2,890
Lake Region State College 2,499 38 1,712 4,249
Mayville State University 916 43 0 959
Minot State University 3,808 2 311 4,121
Dakota College at Bottineau 740 67 8 815
State College of Science 2,599 489 993 4,081
North Dakota State University 12,702 950 132 13,784
University of North Dakota 13,294 129 2,763 16,186
Valley City State University 1,079 11 0 1,090
Higher Education 6 September 23, 2009
Degree Credit1 Non-Degree Credit2 Non-Credit3 Total
Williston State College 941 42 2,816 3,799
Total 45,331 2,328 18,029 65,688
Less: Students taking classes at more
than one institution
1,744 0 57 1,801
Total University System enrollment 43,587 2,328 17,972 63,887
1All instructional activities that can be applied toward college degree or credit-based remedial courses taken by degreeseeking
students.
2Credit courses taken through continuing education for personal development, such as workshops or seminars, that do not
typically apply toward a degree.
3Instructional activities, such as workforce training, that do not apply toward a degree.
A copy of the information presented by Dr. Hillman
is on file in the Legislative Council office.
Senator Robinson suggested the committee
receive information regarding the number of students
enrolled in remedial education classes for the past
10 years.
Senator Grindberg suggested the committee
receive information regarding the number of resident
and nonresident students taking distance education
classes.
In response to a question from Representative
Delmore, Dr. Hillman said the University System
headcount enrollment report counts any student that
is taking degree credit classes.
Ms. Tamara Barber, Associate Vice President for
Finance and Operations, Bismarck State College,
presented information regarding online education
programs. She said online classes generate
additional revenue that is used to supplement state
appropriations and tuition revenue.
Ms. Barber said the average cost for providing a
class credit online is $183 compared to $275 for a
traditional delivery method. She said the average
tuition rate charged to students is $199 per credit for
online classes and $114 per credit for traditional
delivery methods. A copy of the information provided
by Ms. Barber is on file in the Legislative Council
office.
In response to a question from Representative
Delmore, Ms. Barber said many energy program
students take classes entirely online. She said
examinations for online classes generally require a
proctor in an effort to maintain the integrity of the
class.
Dr. Hillman said there is no significant difference in
the completion rates of students taking online classes
compared to classes on campus.
Mr. Goetz said many institutions are pursuing
grants made available through funding provided by
the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of
2009. He said he would provide the committee with
updates at future meetings regarding the status of the
grant applications.
Representative Skarphol said he attended the
most recent meeting of the State Board of Higher
Education in Grand Forks. He said the board took
action regarding the cost increases relating to the
presidents' house projects at the University of North
Dakota and North Dakota State University. He said
the State Board of Higher Education is reviewing the
issues and will determine the appropriate action. He
said approval for the increased costs of the projects
still needs to be granted by the Budget Section.
Mr. Goetz presented the committee with a
preliminary schedule of the estimated construction
costs of the presidents' house projects at the
University of North Dakota and North Dakota State
University. He said the institutions are still
determining the final costs of the projects and a State
Board of Higher Education committee will be
reviewing the projects in detail.
Mr. Goetz expressed concern regarding the use of
institutional funding for the presidents' house projects.
He said State Board of Higher Education policy was
not followed by the institutions and reporting was not
done properly. A copy of the information presented by
Mr. Goetz is on file in the Legislative Council office.
Senator Andrist suggested that the University of
North Dakota and North Dakota State University be
held accountable for failing to follow policies and
procedures.
It was moved by Senator Robinson, seconded
by Representative Kelsch, and carried on a voice
vote that the meeting be adjourned subject to the
call of the chair.
Chairman Skarphol adjourned the meeting at
3:45 p.m.
___________________________________________
Brady A. Larson
Fiscal Analyst
___________________________________________
Allen H. Knudson
Legislative Budget Analyst and Auditor
ATTACH:1
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