February 20, 2013
Dear Representative:
Thank you for your service on the House Education Committee. As the next meeting quickly approaches, we appreciate this opportunity to share our thoughts regarding HB 327, entitled “Flexibility and Accountability Act for Student Achievement,” and we respectfully request your consideration of several proposed amendments outlined below.
At PAGE, we know that declining state revenues and appropriations have challenged the state to fulfill its long-standing role as fiscal partner with local school systems. We are also aware of the legislature’s efforts to maximize financial effectiveness and efficiency by granting flexibility to local systems. We admire the legislature’s intention to incentivize innovation with the goal of improved student achievement, a goal we whole-heartedly share.
In our reading of the legislation, HB 327 significantly expands flexibility to those systems requesting it and qualifying for it based upon a rating on the Career and College Readiness Performance Index (CCRPI). A considerable and unprecedented amount of authority would be placed in the hands of those local boards and school leaders who acquire such status. We cannot know at this time what sections of Title 20 would be waived nor how such waivers would impact our schools. However, we do not have to venture very far from the Capitol to find examples of badly managed and led school systems. A board which becomes dysfunctional can do a tremendous amount of damage. Would such a board wreak havoc for three years during the life of their waiver?
Schools which rank highly on the CCRPI have earned that distinction due to the hard work of all stakeholders and due to the structure provided by Title 20. Removing that framework seems an ironic and potentially hazardous reward for high-scoring systems. A review of Georgia public education, from 1949’s Minimum Foundation Program for Education (MFPE), to 1974’s Adequate Program for Education in Georgia (APEG), up to the Quality Basic Education (QBE) program in the mid-1980’s, makes a very strong case for the need for statewide standards in the education of our students. These standards were all put in place for a reason, that reason being that all too many local boards, for any variety of reasons, did not, could not, or would not assure a quality education for the children entrusted to them.
While we have seen some local school systems effectively utilize waivers of Title 20 mandates and State Board Rules, particularly in the case of high-performing charter school systems, we are concerned about extending this power too quickly and broadly. We are concerned that, even with oversight from the State Board of Education, some local school systems may rush to waive standards relating to class size, teachers salaries and certification, expenditure controls, and other important quality controls. We fear that local boards of education facing considerable financial hardships may be tempted to make waiver decisions based on reasons other than targeted and demonstrable student achievement goals.
With this concern in mind, we respectfully ask you to consider adding the following safeguards to HB 327:
- A requirement that Category 1, 2 and 3 school systems first provide notice to, and solicit feedback from, parents, educators, and community stakeholders before requesting waivers from the State Board of Education.
- A tightening of reporting requirements that demonstrate that such waivers positively affect student achievement, with frequent reporting to the local community and State Board of Education.
Finally, we must note that the founding and growth of PAGE are related to Georgia’s rejection of the unionistic attitudes, behaviors and practices that frequently accompany collective bargaining in education. Because we have had strong and effective state laws and State Board Rules governing public education, there has been no need to address these issues individually in 180 school systems. We are concerned, as you must be as well, that weakening this strong state system could make local schools vulnerable to those who may perceive an opportunity to negotiate employment conditions at the local level.
We do understand the demands of these difficult economic times on both the legislature and on local school systems. It is important that we act prudently and wisely in the moment, but also for the long term integrity of our state system of public schools. In the introduction of the 1974 APEG report, the authors spoke of this integrity:
“All of the issues presented in this report are building blocks for a quality program of education; if any piece is removed, the whole structure will be weakened. Whether we are talking about a supportive service, the instructional program, or financial foundations, each issue is an interlocking piece of the total picture of an adequate program of education in Georgia.”
On behalf of the 84,000 members of the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) we sincerely thank you for this opportunity to provide input on HB 327, and we look forward to partnering with you to prepare Georgia students for a prosperous future.
Sincerely,
Dr. Allene Magill
PAGE Executive Director
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