NSBA's Letter to the U.S. Senate: April 24, 2007
April 24, 2007
Member
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
RE: America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science (COMPETES) Act of 2007 (S. 761)
Dear Senator:
On behalf of the 95,000 school board members who serve the nation’s 48 million students in our local public school districts, the National School Boards Association (NSBA), would like to express our support for legislation to strengthen American competitiveness and offer our recommendations regarding the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science (COMPETES) Act of 2007.
As you know, education has long been the hallmark of our nation’s economic and democratic success. Continued success requires that our educational system adopt modern methods and new strategies to remain effective and relevant in a 21st century marked by innovation, knowledge, technology, and global competition. Throughout the country, school districts are rising to meet this challenge by integrating new technologies, online learning, and interactive software to enhance student achievement. In addition, more districts are placing greater emphasis on math and science curriculum to respond to market deficiencies, and many have increased their offering of rigorous Advanced Placement (AP) courses.
But Congress can do more to help foster these educational successes. In order to meet the challenges of the 21st century, our nation must make a serious commitment to providing students with the knowledge and technical expertise that the global economy demands. S. 761, the America COMPETES bill, is an important step in this direction. NSBA supports the following key education provisions in the bill designed to help improve instruction and student achievement.
Teacher Quality
NSBA appreciates Congress’ efforts to help local school districts in strengthening teacher quality. Given the critical positive link between teachers and student achievement, NSBA supports language in the bill to increase the supply of knowledgeable math, science, and foreign language teachers through postsecondary programs that allow students to master subject expertise while simultaneously earning a teaching credential. This effort will help local school districts with the recruitment of qualified teachers in targeted subjects, particularly in high-need schools, where shortages of qualified teachers are most acute.
Advanced Placement
NSBA welcomes federal resources to increase AP, pre-AP, and International Baccalaureate (IB) opportunities for students to access rigorous coursework. Research has shown that students who take AP courses are more competitive with their international peers on international assessments, and are more likely to pursue higher education degrees in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM subjects).
Specifically, NSBA supports provisions in the bill, which recognize that school districts will need additional resources to develop and sustain AP curricula, hire qualified staff, expand professional development, supply the necessary instructional materials to offer these courses, and offset the costs of exams to students. In rural or remote areas where qualified teaching staff may be limited and student demand scarce, it may not even be possible to offer these courses on-site, making the ability to provide them online through technology essential.
NSBA cautions against, however, the inclusion of a 200% (100% in high need areas) matching funds requirement, which may discourage school districts from participating in the program. Given the importance of teacher expertise in being able to offer these rigorous courses, it would be counterproductive to impose such a hurdle on local school districts. Instead, NSBA recommends that the Senate consider a reduced matching rate similar to those (20%-50%) used for other education programs contained in the bill.
Math Curriculum
NSBA supports language in the bill to provide additional federal resources to help local school districts implement rigorous mathematics curriculum, particularly in areas that are challenged by a lack of qualified teachers in these subjects and/or are struggling to meet adequate yearly progress (AYP) goals under No Child Left Behind. NSBA appreciates the intention of the bill to work with states and local school districts in a way that is positive and not punitive to improve student achievement and agrees that such a program should not be construed to endorse any particular curriculum.
Foreign Languages
Additionally, NSBA supports efforts to encourage partnerships between local school districts and institutions of higher education to expand foreign language opportunities for students. Exposure to these subjects can have a significant impact on generating student interest in these fields, and will help prepare students to be more competitive in the global marketplace.
While NSBA appreciates a number of the education provisions contained in the America COMPETES bill, it is disappointed that S. 761 does not specifically address two important areas that we believe are critical to the future success of students.
Technology
According to a recent survey of school board members, nearly 90 percent of respondents said that the use of technology in the classroom has increased educational opportunities for students, as evidenced by their students being more engaged in learning, having a stronger ability to communicate, and possessing increased critical thinking skills. When used in conjunction with a high quality standards-based curriculum, e-learning can be a highly effective means for delivering instruction, especially in subjects such as math and science where technology is core to their real world application and simulation. Yet, resources to acquire, integrate, support, and evaluate the usage of technology in the classroom are scarce. Unfortunately, the COMPETES bill does not address this specific need, which is critical if we are to modernize our nation’s teaching and learning and provide students with the most up-to-date skills to be successful in the 21st century economy.
Early Education
The drive for competitiveness also demands that we look at new and innovative ways of improving our education system. Many of our global competitors begin investing in their citizens much earlier in their educational lives – a phenomenon that may give them a competitive advantage in preparing their students for future economic success. Indeed, many of the skills that workers need to be successful in today’s economy—creativity, respect for others’ beliefs, the ability to think critically, to communicate effectively, and to cooperate with others—develop early in a child’s life. In addition, quality early education increases student achievement and can help close the achievement gap, especially between low-income children and their more affluent peers.
While NSBA appreciates mention of pre-kindergarten within the broader context of developing P-16 councils and data systems, we believe that Congress must do more to expand access and increase the quality of pre-k education. If we are serious about producing workers with the skills to engage in and adapt to an ever-changing economy, we must ensure that all students have a strong foundation on which to build.
As the Senate moves forward with its work on America’s global competitiveness, NSBA encourages you to incorporate our technology and early education recommendations into the final legislation. We look forward to working with you to improve competitiveness in America’s schools. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Chrisanne Gayl, Director of Federal Programs, at (703) 838-6763 or cgayl@nsba.org.
Sincerely,
Michael A. Resnick
Associate Executive Director