Yecke: new standards increase rigor, reduce schools' paperwork

By KREMENA TODOROVA

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- New state graduation standards in language and math being developed by citizen volunteers are expected to increase academic expectations and rigor.

They should also reduce the time consuming paperwork that goes with the current Profile of Learning, Education Commissioner Cheri Pierson Yecke said during a visit to New Ulm and a public hearing in Mankato Friday.

In her Mankato remarks, she criticized the Profile of Learning, stressing that while Minnesota student scores on national tests compare favorably to those of students in other states, the state graduation standards receive more problematic ratings. Yecke attributed the discrepancy to the dedication of the state's teachers in overcoming the problems posed by the standards.

Yecke stressed that unlike the current system, which spans grade levels when stating student achievement goals, the new draft sets grade-specific objectives. It assigns clear responsibilities to teachers, allowing them to pick up where their predecessors left off the previous year.

While the Profile of Learning relies on "performance packages" developed in St. Paul, the new standards "trust teachers with instructional decisions," Yecke also said. The draft states the goals-- but does not spell out how to get there, giving teachers instructional flexibility.

Yecke emphasized that approval of the new draft would not necessarily do away with what teachers find useful in the current system. Teachers would be able to continue to use elements that work for them, including assessment rubrics.

Yecke, who has been touring the state attending public hearings on the new standards, said that as a result of public input, the committee which developed the draft work on strengthening the skills, or knowledge application, component in the draft. The standards in their current form list content and skills to be mastered by students.

Yecke also said that testing models tied to the new system cannot be put in place until the present system is repealed and the new standards adopted. Testing that tracks student progress from year to year would be considered after the system has been in place and data can be assessed, possibly during the 2005-2006 academic year, said Yecke.

The math and language standards would begin to be implemented next year and fully implemented in 2004-2005. Standards in other subject areas would be phased in during subsequent years.

If adopted, the standards would be effective for students currently in grade 7 and under. Districts would have the choice of which system to use when graduating older students, Yecke said.

Yecke also addressed implementation funding, noting that about $2.5 million in various federal professional development funds would be available for training staff. She noted that districts' training needs appear to vary widely, with some districts already largely doing the things necessary to meet the new standards and others needing larger-scale curriculum realignments.

Yecke also stressed the significant public input that went into developing the new standards. About 800 people answered the call to serve on the committee in the first 24 hours alone, she said. The 80 members selected include 47 current and former public school educators, as well as parents, business leaders and higher education professionals. The committee reviewed successful standards from other states and research by leading national education institutions. Many public comments were submitted online and embedded in the draft.

Legislation repealing the Profile of Learning has been approved by the Republican-dominated House but not by the DFL-led Senate, which has reserved judgement while evaluating alternatives. One alternative, described as an amended Profile of Learning, has been proposed by DFL Senator Steve Kelley.

As part of her New Ulm trip, Yecke visited the Riverbend Area Learning Center and The Journal, before attending a public hearing in Mankato in the evening.