Lobbyist's Loft
March 2017
NCSPA Legislative Initiatives
The Legislative and Public Policy Agenda was approved by the Executive Board in January 2017, see NCSPA Agenda.
In addition to the Legislative and Public Policy Agenda, NCSPA also approved the following Student Services Resolution with regard to the Department of Public Instruction (DPI), Resolution.
Dr. Mark Johnson, NC Superintendent of Public Instruction, has graciously agreed to meet with representatives of NCSPA on March 6, 2017. At the meeting, it is expected that topics of discussion will include the role of a School Psychologist, the NCSPA Resolution, and a discussion of the NCSPA Legislative and Public Policy Agenda.
In the Legislature
Bills Heard in Committee
Several Education related bills have been introduced in both legislative chambers (see Public Schools First, NC Legislative Updates). Bills that have had committee hearings include; HB6/ SB9Ed Finance Reform Task Force (see Winston-Salem Journal, Arika Herron; Bill would change funding system for schools) and HB 13 Class Size Requirement Changes. HB 13 would modify the maximum average size requirements and individual class size requirements for grades K-3. If these changes are not made, many LEAs will be forced to cut the Arts and PE programs to support class size reductions. Both bills passed the House and were sent to Senate in late February.
Students With Dyslexia and DyscalculiaHB 149
It's back again this year! Last year similar legislation was introduced in the House and Senate but wasn't heard in committee. This year, there appears to be more sponsors, increasing the likelihood of it being heard in committee. The bill would require all children entering kindergarten and those in grades 1-6 who haven't been previously screened, to be screened for dyslexia and dyscalculia. If a child is found to have dyslexia, dyscalculia, or another specific learning disability, the school will need to provide appropriate intervention strategies. Concerns regarding the bill are; (1) it could create conflicts with existing exceptional children's policy and (2) that the testing timeline (entering kindergarten students)is not developmentally appropriate.
The General Assembly vs The State Board of Education (SBOE)
The Joint Appropriations Education Committee met in late February, calling upon the Chair of the State Board, William Cobey, and the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Mark Johnson to present to the committee. The meeting could be described as awkward since the parties are involved in a lawsuit that challenges the post election legislation passed by the General Assembly. The elephant in the room was the basic question, who has authority over the Department of Public Instruction and, more broadly, over all of the state’s schools? (See EdNC, Liz Bell; In education, a question of authority)
Legislation was also introduced that proposes major changes to the way the SBOE is composed HB 133 (see WRAL.com, @ NCCapitol, Kelly Hinchcliffe; Bill proposes major changes to State Board of Education, including electing members)
Budget Timelines
The major task of the new legislative session is to pass a 2-year budget. The Governor will present his budget proposal first (usually by mid-March). The House and Senate alternate as to which chamber will propose their budget first; this year the Senate proposal will be first. The first proposal (Senate) is scheduled to be released and passed early to mid-May. The House budget is scheduled to follow approximately 3 weeks after the Senate passes their version. The two chambers will then negotiate the differences between budgets and send the final budget to the Governor. The Governor could sign the budget, allow it to become law after 30 days with no signature, or veto the budget. If the budget is vetoed, it will be sent back to the legislature for changes or for a veto over ride. In both chambers, Republicans have enough members to over ride a veto without Democrat votes.
Advocacy Groups and the Legislature- Pay for Performance
Raleigh News and Observer, Under the Dome, Lynn Bonner; Michelle Rhee in NC talks about tying teacher pay to student improvement
What's Currently in Court?
Along with the dispute regarding DPI and the SBOE as referred to above, current major cases involve HB2, voting districts, voting rights, Governor's powers, and magistrates. (See Raleigh News and Observer, Under the Dome, Jim Morrell and Michael Gordon;Here’s where NC’s political clashes stand in court)
At the State Board of Education
Mental Health Initiative SBOE Vote Postponed Until April
Complaints from charter schools and the NC School Boards Association have postponed the SBOE March vote on the School Based Mental Health Initiative. They object to the proposed guidelines calling them well meaning but too burdensome and expensive to implement. (See WRAL.com, Kelly Hinchcliffe; State revising proposed mental health policy after outcry from schools)
The SBOE Budget Request
The budget request from the SBOE is split into six categories; one category is Adding more talented members to the team.This request includes $61.8 million for teacher assistants, $33.7 million for assistant principals, $34.8 million for instructional support, $11.5 million for nurses, $1.3 million for child and family support teams, and $0.2 million for Troops to Teachers.
Other NC Mental Health News
The NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is sponsoring Mental Health First Aid Instructor Training Sessions. If you, or someone you know, are interested in becoming an Adult or Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor in North Carolina, please see Become a Mental Health First Aid Instructor. This may be a good opportunity for teachers and others who are in position to help those with mental health concerns. Mental Health First Aid is an evidence-based curriculum that helps the public identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders in youth and adults. Research has shown that those trained in Mental Health First Aid have greater confidence in providing help to others and are more likely to advise people to seek professional help.
On the National Front:ESSA(Every Student Succeeds Act)Regulations and ESEA(Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965)
ESSA Regulations
The new U.S. secretary of education wants to maintain the timeline set by the Obama administration for reviewing state plans despite debates around accountability regulations.
Education Dive, Tara Garcia Matthewson; DeVos tells states to maintain ESSA timelines despite potential changes
Choices in Education Act of 2017
US HR 610 was introduced in January. It has been assigned to the House Committee on Education and the Workplace, chaired by Virginia Foxx of NC. If she is your Representative, please contact her with your opinions. This bill would distribute Federal funds for elementary and secondary education in the form of vouchers for eligible students and repeal a rule relating to nutrition standards in schools.
The bill repeals the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and limits the authority of the Department of Education (ED) such that ED is authorized only to award block grants to qualified states.
The bill establishes an education voucher program, through which each state shall distribute block grant funds among local educational agencies (LEAs) based on the number of eligible children within each LEA's geographical area. From these amounts, each LEA shall: (1) distribute a portion of funds to parents who elect to enroll their child in a private school or to home schooltheir child, and (2) do so in a manner that ensures that such payments will be used for appropriate educational expenses.
To be eligible to receive a block grant, a state must: (1) comply with education voucher program requirements, and (2) make it lawful for parents of an eligible child to elect to enroll their child in any public or private elementary or secondary school in the state or to home-school their child.
Articles of Interest
Raleigh News and Observer, Rob Christensen; the Arnold Schwarzenegger of legislatures
WRAL.com, Kelly Hinchcliffe; Lawmakers offer advice as NC superintendent prepares for statewide listening tour
NC Policy Watch, Billy Ball; New state superintendent may find it hard to keep pledge on school testing
WRAL.com, Kelly Hinchcliffe; Top education leaders leaving as NC superintendent considers staff changes
Washington Post, Emma Brown; New bill offers glimpse of how Washington could use federal funding to expand school vouchers
Raleigh News and Observer, OpEd, Rick Manheim; Fund NC private schools with private funds
New York Times, Kevin Carey; Dismal Voucher Results Surprise Researchers as DeVos Era Begins
Billmoyers.com, Karin Kamp; How the Indivisible Movement is Fueling Resistance to Trump
Caffeinatedrage.com, Stu Eagan;The Dramatis Personae in the Privatization of Public Schools in North Carolina – or Who is Trying to “Reform” Education Through Deformation
Facing South, Alex Kotch;REPORT: North Carolina's 2016 state elections smashed outside spending records
Cheryl Posner-Cahill, Ed.D
North Carolina School Psychology Association Member Lobbyist