EDITOR’S NOTE: The EOC held a full meeting December 10, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. at the Clarion Townhouse Hotel in Columbia. Recommendations to the budget were made at this meeting.
Columbia – South Carolina Education Oversight Committee (EOC) members adopted their budget recommendations for the 2008-09 fiscal year yesterday, including new initiatives to encourage innovation in schools, a focus on reading proficiency, and the preparation and retention of quality teachers.
Committee members made many recommendations that expressly focused on reading, across all grades and content areas. These recommendations respond to stagnant reading scores and documented research that the ability to read proficiently is fundamental to school success. In addition to recommending the consolidation of funds into one line item and the documentation of student achievement in reading, the committee recommended that any lottery funds for schools be targeted on improving reading proficiency. Funds for school libraries are recommended to increase by $1 million.
Mike Brenan, a member of the EOC and President of BB&T of South Carolina, addressed literacy in a luncheon Monday afternoon. “Without a foundation in reading, we simply cannot expect our students to succeed in other subjects and in life,” stated Brenan. “We must strengthen the teaching of reading through the grades and through the content areas. Furthermore, we need to place a greater priority on it outside the classroom and within our homes.”
The committee recommended increasing Education Improvement Act (EIA) funding for programs that reward schools for closing the gap between historically underachieving schools. The EOC has recognized these schools for five schools. The proposal would add a monetary recognition. The committee recommends maintaining existing funding for underperforming schools at $83 million.
The EOC accepted recommendations from Dr. Jim Rex, Superintendent of Education, to amend the system for assisting these schools. Since 2004, 150 schools have persistently had an absolute performance rating of Unsatisfactory or Below Average.
“There is a concern with the inability of the technical assistance program to improve academic achievement in persistently underperforming schools,” stated Harold Stowe, EOC’s Chairman. “Despite investments in these schools, some schools are simply not improving.”
Highlights of the proposal, which now heads to the General Assembly and the Governor for consideration during next year’s legislative session, include:
· National Board Certification Program. The committee deferred recommending any changes in the program until Fiscal Year 2009-10 and recommended an additional $2.5 million for the program.
· Teacher Salaries. Average teacher salaries would continue to be funded at $300 above the Southeaster average which is projected to be $47,004 next year. The current projected South Carolina average teacher salary is $45,722.
· Public School Innovation Schools. An increase of $2.35 million was recommended to fund the second year of a program designed to create and implement innovative approaches to student learning.
· “Innovaluation” Program Pilot. The committee recommended an increase of $1.3 million to create an office of “innovaluation” at the State Department of Education. The pilot program would award funds to schools based on programs that dramatically improve student achievement, as well as the school culture and environment.
· Technical Assistance. To improve academic achievement, a minimum allocation of $250,000 would be given to schools with an absolute rating of Unsatisfactory. Schools. Schools with an absolute rating of Below Average would receive a minimum allocation of $75,000. Based on the 2007 report cards, there would be 446 schools receiving technical assistance.
“Stimulating innovation and recognizing student academic achievement are critical as we face and address the education challenges that we face,” stated Stowe. “We must target our resources effectively to make certain all of South Carolina’s students can achieve successfully at high academic levels.”
The committee’s recommendations included support for improving the high school graduation rate and continue the implementation of the Education Accountability Act (EAA), including:
· Funding to expand programs for adults aged 17 to 21 who did not earn a high school diploma;
· Increased funding for formative assessments and for Career and Technology Education (CATE) Assessments ;
According to Stowe, “The EOC is committed to increase the return on investment in education. The path to success is not identical for every student and we must consider that as we fund programs and initiatives.”
The SC Education Oversight Committee is an independent, non-partisan group made up of 18 educators, business persons, and elected leaders. Created in 1998, the committee is dedicated to reporting facts, measuring change, and promoting progress within South Carolina’s education system.
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