Education - 8/1/13

With 23 members in attendance, the Education Committee discussed critical policy options to help create an educational system in which all students receive a rich education and complete high school with the skills they need to succeed in college and the workforce.  Specifically they addressed policy and practice targeting early learning and preschool as well as implementation of rigorous academic standards and assessment systems.  Our speakers offered the tools necessary to move state educational systems beyond the traditional setting and create innovative environments so students around the country have the opportunity to graduate ready for success with the ability to reach their full potential.

Dr. Scott Norton, Director of Standards, Assessments and Accountability for the Council of Chief State School Officers, began with a national perspective on education reform and transformation, also shared about what’s currently happening in the west with the Common Core State Standards. The first panel on Preschool Education was moderated by Assemblywoman Marilyn Dondero Loop, Vice Chair of the Education Committee. Jim Squires of the National Institute for Early Education Research offered an overview of preschool/early education and the importance of policy to access and high quality programs. Nan Vendegna, Supervisor of Colorado Preschool Program spoke about access to preschool. Kelli Bohanon, Assistant Director of Partnership and Collaboration at the Washington State Department of Early Learning spoke about high quality preschool programs.

The second panel on Rigorous Academic Standards and Assessment Systems was moderated by Senator Arnie Roblan. Cindy Sharp, Director of Assessment, Program Accountability, and Curriculum of the Nevada Department of Education spoke on the Common Core State Standards transition plan and implementation challenges and opportunities. Michael Gilligan, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives from Achieve spoke about the Next Generation Science Standards.  

A copy of the session presentations are available on the presentations page.

For more information on the Education Committee, please contact CSG West staff member Alma Lopez by phone (916) 553-4423 or email: alopez@csg.org