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About the Educational Conference Board

The Educational Conference Board is composed of statewide organizations whose interests are wholly educational and whose advocacy efforts encompass a broad range of education issues. Current member organizations include:

• Conference of Big 5 School Districts
• National Education Association - New York
• New York State Association of School Business Officials
• New York State Congress of Parents and Teachers
• New York State Council of School Superintendents
• New York State School Boards Association
• New York State United Teachers
• School Administrators Association of New York State

The primary purpose of the Educational Conference Board is to advocate for public schools in New York State. To this end, the Board shall:

Make recommendations concerning public schools to the Commissioner of Education, the Board of Regents, the Governor, the Legislature, and other appropriate agencies serving the needs of public schools in New York State.

Study the proposed legislation with a view to advising the membership of its organizations about the bearing of such proposed legislation on the welfare of the public schools, and the best means of promoting or opposing the same most effectively

First Annual ECB Policy Conference: Investment and Accountability for Student Success

The primary purpose of an ECB policy conference is to provide a forum for parent, teacher, principal, superintendent, and school board leaders from across the state to convee to focus on key policy issues, including Measuring Student Progress and School Finance.

Measuring Student Progress

Under NCLB, how we measure student achievement and how schools are identified as "failing" is of great concern to all involved with public education. Yet not everyone clearly understands the current system of identifying high and/or low performing schools and the measuring of adequate yearly progress. Some have suggested that a "value- added" model would be a better approach.

Ira Schwartz, Senior Coordinator of Policy and Administration, New York State Education Department, was asked to help attendees to gain a greater understanding of measuring school success and determining adequate yearly progress in terms of New York State's accountability plan.

Dr. William Sanders, Manager, Value-Added Assessment and Research, SAS Institute who is credited with developing the "value-added" model, was asked to provide attendees with an overview of the model and describe how this approach represents an effective alternative to the AYP approach.

At the conclusion of the two presentations, attendees were divided into five smaller mixed role groups to discuss and explore issues surrounding the measurement of student performance and how it related to accountability. The groups were asked to discuss the ramifications and advocacy strategies for their organizations and the education communities they represent.

Representatives from the League of Women Voters provided important assistance, including:

• Preparing a list of the key points made by each presenter
• Providing trained facilitators to work with each of the small groups
• Preparing written summaries of the small group discussions
• Assisting in the preparation of this document

School Finances

Court rulings in the CFE lawsuit are demanding that state leaders ensure that schools have the resources needed to provide every student the opportunity for a sound basic education. More dollars for education means more accountability and oversight of public school district operations.

Michael Rebell, Executive Director, Campaign for Fiscal Equity was asked to update attendees on the report of the "Special Masters" issued just a few days prior to the conference, and to provide his analysis and views about moving forward toward an ultimate resolution.

Mark Pattison, Deputy Comptroller for Local Government Services and Economic Development, Office of the State Comptroller, was asked to address the efforts of the state comptroller to help make school districts more accountable through audit committees, internal auditors, and tighter procurement policies.

At the conclusion of the two presentations, attendees participated in five smaller mixed role groups to discuss and explore issues surrounding school finance and fiscal accountability. The groups were to discuss the ramifications and advocacy strategies for their organizations and the education communities they represent.

Participation

A total of 152 participants were registered for the policy conference. Of this total, 125 were from ECB member organizations, 17 were with other groups and organizations, and 10 were from the Legislature, the office of the state comptroller and SED. A complete listing of all registrants, including the speakers, is included in the appendices of this report.