emerging issues and opportunities 2016 policy priorities · wins. pursuing victories a large number...

EMERGING ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES2016 POLICY PRIORITIES

-For in-Network use only-

INCREASING EFFORTS

Advocates working on Common Core,

assessments, and teacher evaluation plan to dial-up their implementation

efforts and defense of past wins.

PURSUING VICTORIES

A large number of leaders working on school choice,

charters, pre-K, and school/district governance will be pursuing legislative

victories this year.

ANTICIPATING OPPORTUNITIESFOLLOWING ESSA

EYEING TRANSITIONS

BUILDING BRIDGESFOCUSING ON

IMPLEMENTATION REGULATION

Issue areas where participating

Network members shared their

priorities2016

ADVOCACYHIGHLIGHTS


The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

presents opportunites and challenges for nearly every issue

area.

2016 is a big transition year for the political

landscape. With elec-tions and appointments,

states could see big changes in governors, commissioners, state legislators and state

boards.

School finance and pension reform are budding issues within the Network. A large number of Network groups

will be researching or tracking these issues.

The combination of new federal law and local leader-ship transitions creates an

opportunity to work with diverse partners to build

coalitions and bridge parti-san divides.

ChartersAccountability/Transparency

AssessmentsTeacher Preparation

School FinanceCommon Core

Teacher EvaluationPre-K

School & District GovernanceSchool Choice

Pension Reform

More than any other issues, advocates

working in teacher preparation and

accountability plan to make changes through the regulatory process.

The work doesn’t stop after passing a law.

Implementation remains at the

forefront of most advocates’ agendas.

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WHY THIS SURVEY?-For in-Network use only-

This report provides a quick snapshot of the policy priorities of 48 leading advocacy organiza-tions from 24 states. Hot topics this year include charters, accountability, assessment, and teacher quality. Due to the quick pace of legislative sessions, unanticipated issues can pick up steam or draw unexpected opposition. It’s not uncommon for priorities to shift accordingly once sessions get underway.

NEW THIS YEARSimilar to previous surveys, advocates shared the top issues their organization is prioritizing during the legislative session. New this year, advocates indicated the phase of advancing the issue, providing a more nuanced analysis. Not only will that help advocates find colleagues doing similar work, it enables partner organizations to provide more targeted investments in policy and communications resources for advocates to use.

Each page of this tool tells the following story:

The United States map plots where advocates are planning to actively engage on an issue, giving a birds-eye-view of the state education advocacy landscape.

Bar graphs show the phases advocates said most described their work. This may help partners and funders better target their resources to the particular needs of work on these respective issues.

Percentages compare the organizations actively engaging on issues versus those tracking and not actively working yet, providing another indicator of where policy support is needed.

A list of organizations that reported they are prioritizing these issues, facilitating dialogue between state advocacy groups, national partners, and funders.

Insight and analysis from the PIE Network team, survey results, conversations, and news sources, showing an overview of key places, events, and trends in the Network.

Like many PIE Network resources, this annual survey began at the urging of Network members, who use it to connect with colleagues focused on similar issues. Please also reach out to the PIE Network team to gain more insights about the survey and for introductions to colleagues you don’t yet know.

“IN-NETWORK ONLY” Each page reminds users that this is an “in-Network resource only.” The promise to those contributing information is that the survey would only be shared only with Network members, policy partners, and the Network’s funders. Please respect the compact by not sharing this information with non-Network colleagues.

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11%

REGULATORY

Members engaged on this topic anticipate working in these phases

CHARTERS

LEGISLATIVEAWARENESS IMPLEMENTATION DEFENSERESEARCH

AL A+ Education Partnership StudentsFirstCA StudentsFirst CO Colorado Succeeds Stand for ChildrenCT ConnCANDE Rodel FoundationGA StudentsFirstID Idaho Business for EducationIL Stand for ChildrenMA MBAE Stand for ChildrenMI Education Trust-Midwest MN MinnCANMS Mississippi FirstMO StudentsFirstNV StudentsFirst

OH Fordham - OhioOR Chalkboard ProjectPA StudentsFirstSC StudentsFirstTN StudentsFirstTX TIERWA League of Education Voters Partnership for Learning Stand for Children

National BAEO Families for Excellent Schools StudentsFirst NAPCS

DISCIPLINE AND VIRTUAL CHALLENGESAfter recieving heavy press, both discipline in charters and oversight of online charter schools have become national issues.

LEGAL BATTLES AWAITFuture legal challenges against charters, such as in Washington, may create a need for members to continue defense efforts in the courtroom.

THE CAMPAIGN TRAILRepublican presidential candidates have praised charters where Demo-cratic candidates have shunned them on the campaign trail, giving the topic more national exposure.

ANOTHER BIG YEARCharter legislation is one of the biggest work areas as PIE Network organizations focus on strengthening, expand-ing, and/or creating new charter laws.

61%6% 3% 7% 10% 13%


67%of participating PIE Network organiza-tions are engaging on charters

13%of participating PIE Network organiza-tions are trackingcharters

Defense of past wins

Regulatory

Awareness Building

Research/Pre-planning

Legislative

Program Implementation

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ACCOUNTABILITY / TRANSPARENCY


AL A+ Education PartnershipCA StudentsFirst EdVoiceCO Stand for Children Colorado SucceedsCT CCERDE Rodel FoundationGA StudentsFirst GPEEID Idaho Business for EducationIL Stand for ChildrenKY Prichard CommitteeMI Education Trust MidwestMO StudentsFirstNV StudentsFirst

OH Fordham - Ohio KidsOhioOR Chalkboard ProjectPA StudentsFirstSC StudentsFirstTN StudentsFirst SCORETX Educate Texas TIERWA League of Education Voters Partnership for Learning

National Educators 4 Excellence NAPCS StudentsFirst

READY, SET, GO!Not all states will transition under ESSA equally. Some states, such as Kentucky, have accountability systems on the books from before NCLB, whereas others will start from scratch.

MORE FLEXIBILITYESSA provides states more flexibility to develop their own accountability mea-sures, removing many of the federal require-ments that accompanied NCLB.

NEXT STEPSPIE Network advocates expressed both excite-ment for the opportunity to re-imagine account-ability as well as concerns about potential backsliding on some accountability mea-sures.

THE FUTURE IS BACK TO THE STATESThe climate and future work around accountability systems under ESSA are uncertain as leaders grapple with applying the new law to their states.

3% 24% 24% 10% 21%REGULATORY18%


64%of participating PIE Network organiza-tions are engaging on accountability

27%of participating PIE Network organiza-tions are trackingaccountability


Regulatory

Awareness Building


Legislative


5


HIGH-QUALITY ASSESSMENTS

14%LEGISLATIVE

11%AWARENESS

7%REGULATORY

21%IMPLEMENTATION

43%DEFENSE

4%RESEARCH


AL A+ Education PartnershipCO Stand for Children Colorado SucceedsCT CCER ConnCANDE Rodel FoundationGA GPEEID Idaho Business for EducationIL Stand for ChildrenKY Prichard CommitteeMA Stand for Children MBAEMS Mississippi FirstMI Education Trust-Midwest

MN MinnCANNC BEST NCOH Fordham - Ohio KidsOhioOR Chalkboard ProjectSC StudentsFirstTN SCORETX TIERWA League of Education Voters Partnership for Learning Stand for Children

National Educators 4 Excellence StudentsFirst Stand for Children

Assessment inventories identify how much class time is spent on testing, where they come from, and what they measure.

States, upon completion of assessment reviews, have made recommen-dations on which tests continue, are dropped, or condensed.

States are considering college entrance exams instead of standards-based exams. Colorado has recieved approval from the U.S. Dept of Ed to use the SAT for high school accountability.

How participation is factored into school ratings along with some states’ pursuit of “opt out” legislation, creates questions about how tests will be used to reliably compare schools with different students.

COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMS

“OVERTESTING” INVITES INVENTORIES

RECOMMENDATIONS HOW DO WE COMPARE?

62%of participating PIE Network organiza-tions are engaging on assessments

27%of participating PIE Network organiza-tions are trackingassessments


Regulatory

Awareness Building


Legislative


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REGULATORY28%


TEACHER PREP

LEGISLATIVEAWARENESS IMPLEMENTATIONRESEARCH

AL A+ Education Partnership StudentsFirstCA EdVoiceCO Stand for ChildrenCT CCERDE Rodel FoundationGA StudentsFirst GPEEIL Stand for ChildrenMA MBAE MN MinnCAN E4E - MNNV StudentsFirst Nevada Succeeds

NC BEST - NC OR Chalkboard ProjectPA StudentsFirstSC StudentsFirstTN SCORE StudentsFirstTX Educate Texas Stand for Chilrden TIERWA League of Education Voters Stand for Children


PRACTIONER INPUTA number of Network leaders are working alongside educators to gather input on teacher preparation reform, including in Oregon, Minnesota, and Texas.

CLASSROOM READYSome Network advo-cates will continue pushing for issues including greater diversity in the educator workforce, addressing critical teacher shortag-es, and ensuring a high-quality student teaching experience.

NEW DATAWith the possibility of a new round of rules on Title II of the Higher Education Action, states may have new opportuni-ties to examine data on the outcomes of teacher preparation programs and to hold them more accountable for produc-ing effective teachers.

QUALITY CONTROLMany advocates are working on teacher preparation as a way to address some of the root causes underlying challenges of teacher quality.

25% 5% 25% 17%


62%of participating PIE Network organiza-tions are engaging on teacher prep

24%of participating PIE Network organiza-tions are trackingteacher prep

DEFENSE0%


Regulatory

Awareness Building


Legislative


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SCHOOL FINANCE


AZ Expect More ArizonaCA StudentsFirstCO Stand for ChildrenCT ConnCANDE Rodel FoundationGA GPEE StudentsFirstID Idaho Business for EducationIL Stand for ChildrenMA MBAEMS Mississippi FirstMO StudentsFirstNV StudentsFirst

READY FOR ACTIONLeaders tackling this issue will be in the research or legislative phase of advocacy this year.

FUNDING FOR ALLMany advocates will work to adopt and implement more equita-ble funding formulas to make sure resources reach the students most in need.

IN THE COURTSA number of states will grapple with impacts of Court decisions, includ-ing McClearly v. State in Washington and CCJEF v. Rell in Connecticut.

34% 8% 50% 8%

OH Fordham - Ohio KidsOhioPA StudentsFirstTN StudentsFirst SCORE TX TIERWA League of Education Voters Stand for Children

National Educators 4 Excellence StudentsFirst NAPCS Families for Excellent Schools Stand for Children

0%REGULATORY

0%DEFENSE



58%of participating PIE Network organiza-tions are engaging on school finance

29%of participating PIE Network organiza-tions are trackingschool finance

CONSISTENT GROWTHWork on school finance continues to become a more important item on education advocacy agendas across the country.


Regulatory

Awareness Building


Legislative


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11%

REGULATORY

COMMON CORE

AWARENESS IMPLEMENTATION DEFENSE

AL A+ Education Partnerships StudentsFirstCO Colorado Succeeds Stand for ChildrenCT CCER ConnCANDE Rodel FoundationGA GPEEID Idaho Business for EducationKY Prichard CommitteeMA Stand for Children MBAEMS Mississippi FirstMI Education Trust-Midwest

NC BEST NCOR Chalkboard ProjectTN SCOREWA League of Education Voters Partnership for Learning Stand for Children


A NEW LOOKMost states’ standards reviews and public comment sessions have resulted in small changes to the stan-dards. States such as New Jersey, Florida, and Mississippi have re-branded the stan-dards to clarify the state’s decision to adopt.

MISUNDERSTOODAs advocates work to defend the standards, they’ll likely deal with the persistent belief that Common Core is a form of federal overreach.

THE CAMPAIGN TRAILCommon Core was an issue many thought would be a consistent headline during presi-dential campaigns, but it has barely materialized.

HOLD THE LINEFacing varying levels of public opposition, maintaining the stan-dards remains a priority issue for many states.

13%

SHOW ME THE MONEYESSA maintains states need to have rigourous standards, but no specific federal funding is promised for adopting the Common Core standards.

4% 0% 22% 61%0%RESEARCH



51%of participating PIE Network organiza-tions are engaging on Common Core

20%of participating PIE Network organiza-tions are trackingCommon Core

LEGISLATIVE


Regulatory

Awareness Building


Legislative


9

DEFENSE27%

REGULATORY0%

Phase of the work PIE Network Members anticipate working in 2016 for this issue

TEACHER EVALUATIONS


AL A+ Education Partnership StudentsFirstCA StudentsFirst EdVoiceCO Colorado Succeeds Stand for ChildrenDE Rodel FoundationGA GPEEIL Stand for Children E4E - ChicagoMA Stand for Children MBAE

TEACHER VOICEIn the wake of ESSA, many advocates are seeking to ensure that teachers have a voice in refining existing or designing new systems of school improvement and accountability.

VALIDITYAs states move further along in implementing systems to meausre educator quality, concerns over the validity of those mea-sures - and, in some places, testing at large - may reopen discussions about existing evalua-tion systems.

SO...NOW WHAT?Some states are starting to ask, “Now what?” With a few years of data on educator quality, states seek to use that informa-tion to inform decisions around professional development, career ladders and compensa-tion, and equitable distribution of effective teachers.

EARLY ADOPTERS Network members might keep an eye on some of the early adopters like Delaware, Kentucky, and Tennes-see, where advocates are partners in imple-menting and refining evaluation systems in their states.

10% 0% 27% 36%

MI Education Trust MidwestNC BEST NCOR Chalkboard ProjectTN SCORETX Educate Texas Stand for Children TIER




49%of participating PIE Network organiza-tions are engaging on teacher evaluations

38%of participating PIE Network organiza-tions are trackingteacher evaluations

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Regulatory

Awareness Building


Legislative


DEFENSE

PRE-K


AL A+ Education PartnershipCT CCERDE Rodel FoundationGA GPEEID Idaho Business for EducationKY Prichard CommitteeMA Stand for ChildrenMS Mississippi FirstMN MinnCAN

K-3 READINGSome members are also working on improving K-3 reading, including in Idaho and Minnesota.

ESSA FUNDS PRE-KThe new ESSA provides several opportunities to address pre-K in the year ahead, including a new Preschool Develop-ment Grant program and the ability for charter schools to use federal funds to add pre-K classrooms.

QUALITY ANDQUANTITYStates continue to push for expanding opportuni-ties to pre-K, while at the same time holding the line on the quality of these opportunities.

RANGE OF ISSUESMany advocates will seek to increase pre-K funding, improve the early education work-force, and utilize quality rating systems of providers.

6% 31% 38% 25%

NC BEST NCOH KidsOhioTX Stand for Children TIERWA League of Education Voters Stand for Children

National Stand for Children


DEFENSE0%

REGULATORY0%

36%of participating PIE Network organiza-tions are engaging on pre-K

24%of participating PIE Network organiza-tions are trackingpre-K


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Regulatory

Awareness Building


Legislative


REGULATORY7%

SCHOOL & DISTRICT GOVERNANCE


CO Colorado SucceedsCT CCERDE Rodel FoundationGA StudentsFirstID Idaho Business for EducationIL Stand for ChildrenMA MBAEMO StudentsFirst

SHIFTING WORKMany states who successfully passed legislation for Opportu-nity School Districts and Recovery School Zones shift to the implementa-tion phase of the process.

13% 0% 53% 27%

NV Nevada SucceedsNC BEST NCPA StudentsFirstSC StudentsFirstTN SCORETX TIER

National Families for Excellent Schools


DEFENSE 0%

33%of participating PIE Network organiza-tions are engaging on school/ district governance

27%of participating PIE Network organiza-tions are trackingschool/ district governance

TURNAROUNDESSA requires states to identify their lowest performing schools, defined as the bottom 5% based on the state’s accountability system. What states decide to do with those schools is largely left up to them.

WITHIN THE SCHOOLSome advocacy groups provide training and development for leaders within the school, such as principals and superintendents.



Regulatory

Awareness Building


Legislative


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SCHOOL CHOICE


CA EdVoiceDE Rodel FoundationGA StudentsFirstIL Stand for ChildrenMA Stand for ChildrenMO StudentsFirstOH Fordham - Ohio

PA StudentsFirstTN StudentsFirstTX TIER

National BAEO StudentsFirst

SCHOOL CHOICE TAKES MANY FORMSState are working on tax credit scholarships, vouchers, Education Savings Accounts, and individual tax credits, among other forms of school choice.

IMPLEMENTATION Advocates from Massa-chusetts and Illinois will begin implementation of choice options.

ESA GOES TO COURTSupporters of Education Savings Accounts will be paying close attention to Nevada, where litigation over the nation’s first universal ESA law ensues.

17% 8% 58% 17% 0%REGULATORY

0%Members engaged on this topic anticipate working in these phases


27%of participating PIE Network organiza-tions are engaging on school choice

33%of participating PIE Network organiza-tions are trackingschool choice

13


Regulatory

Awareness Building


Legislative


DEFENSE0%

PENSION REFORM

4%

LEGISLATIVEAWARENESSRESEARCH

IL Stand for Children

National Stand for Children

ISSUE TO WATCHPension reform is an issue to watch; few groups plan to actively engage on the issue, but almost half of respondents noted they were tracking it.

MAYBE NEXT YEAR?With an election year looming, very few state legislatures are willing to pick up controversial legislation such as pension reform.

LOOK OVER HEREStates interested in the topic will be paying attention to Illinois and Pennsylvania, where pension reform battles have attracted wide media attention.

of participating PIE Network organiza-tions are engaging on pension reform

0% 0% 100% 0% 0%REGULATORY IMPLEMENTATION


40%of participating PIE Network organiza-tions are trackingpension reform



Regulatory

Awareness Building


Legislative


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THANK YOU TO PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS


A+ Education PartnershipBusiness for Educational Success and Transforma-tion North Carolina (BEST-NC)Black Alliance for Educational Options (BAEO)Chalkboard ProjectColorado SucceedsConnCANConnecticut Council for Education Reform (CCER)Education Trust MidwestEducate TexasEducators 4 ExcellenceEducators 4 Excellence - MinnesotaEducators 4 Excellence - ChicagoEdVoiceExpect More ArizonaFamilies for Excellent SchoolsGeorgia Partnership for Excellence in Education (GPEE)Idaho Business for EducationKidsOhioLeague of Education VotersMassachusetts Business Alliance for Education (MBAE)MinnCAN

Mississippi FirstNational Alliance for Public Charter Schools (NAPCS)Nevada SucceedsPartnership for LearningPrichard Committee for Academic ExcellenceRodel Foundation of DelawareState Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE)Stand for Children Stand for Children - ColoradoStand for Children - IllinoisStand for Children - MassachusettsStand for Children - WashingtonStand for Children - DallasStudentsFirst StudentsFirst GeorgiaStudentsFirst AlabamaStudentsFirst CaliforniaStudentsFirst PennsylvaniaStudentsFirst MissouriStudentsFirst NevadaStudentsFirst South Carolina StudentsFirst TennesseeTexas Institute for Education Reform (TIER)Thomas B. Fordham Institute - Ohio

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emerging issues and opportunities 2016 policy priorities · wins. pursuing victories a large number...

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