Cool Stuff from the States

Abstract

Colleagues recently referred to me as geek of (smile), and I really don't mind, particularly since it's so accurate. I am a policy wonk. As such, I'm always on the lookout for interesting policy actions by legislatures. Here are some samples from 2009. Some reflect a cool factor; some take existing policies to a greater level of sophistication or effectiveness; and one or two might cause nervousness for those familiar with similar approaches. Don't Give 'Em What They Want! Too often, students who are late to class or truant from school are disciplined by suspending them from the place they were avoiding in the first place. Sending class ditchers to in-school suspension is a step in the right direction, as it holds them accountable for bad decisions while keeping them under school supervision, where some creative staff might even insist that such students perform a service. While it doesn't directly require this particular approach, Virginia H.B. 1794 takes a similar path by prohibiting students from being suspended from school solely because they've been truant or tardy. Helping Parents Be the Best They Can Be Arkansas H.B. 1272 requires each school's parental involvement plan to provide instruction to parents on incorporating developmentally appropriate learning activities at home, accessing and using parent-focused department of education web tools, nutritional meal planning and preparation, and other department-approved strategies or curricula for parental instruction. Districts also must provide training at least annually for volunteers who help with parent instructional programs. H.B. 1272 also requires administrator education programs to include instruction on the importance of parental involvement, successful strategies for encouraging parents to be partners in their child's education, and the relationship between cultural diversity and parental involvement. Significant Means of Sharing South Dakota S.B. 140 gives local boards the authority to realize financial efficiencies and improve academic opportunities by working through local cooperative agreements for the whole-grade sharing of students. For example, a participating district could contract with another district to send all of its students at one or more grade levels to school there. These agreements can be reciprocal or one-way. Strong Early Intervention in K-3 and the Upper Grades Michigan S.B. 1039 allows intermediate school districts to develop and make available early intervention model programs for grades K-3. Such models must include literacy and numeracy supports, sensory motor skill development, behavior supports, instructional consultation for teachers, and a parent/school learning plan. Model schoolwide programs include systems of academic and behavioral support, usually built around making assistance teams available to classroom teachers. Because increasing numbers of students participate in alternative programs, a new administrative rule in Kentucky addresses the quality of in such programs. The rule clearly defines an A5 as an alternative program with no attendance boundaries and serving dropouts returning to an alternative educational environment, potential dropouts, discipline problem students, nontraditional students (e.g., students who have to work during the school day), students needing emotional or psychological treatment, and other at-risk students. It clarifies that school services are for students unlikely to achieve proficiency, transition to the next level of learning successfully, or be able to meet state academic expectations without additional time or differentiated opportunity to learn. Instructional components must include diagnostic assessments, goals, timelines, and outcomes; formative and summative assessments; varied instructional strategies that don't replicate practices proven to be ineffective for students in traditional classrooms; a plan for collaboration and consistent use of interventions among teachers supporting students in core academic classes and those providing supports through extended school services; counseling and academic advising; and regular communication with families. …