1-3-12
We wanted to let you know about some potential changes to MSIP 5. We are currently in the midst of a 30-day comment period on DESE's federal No Child Left Behind waiver application (ends Jan. 5, 2012). If DESE applies for the waiver, they will submit the application using the MSIP5 standards, and if the waiver is approved, MSIP 5 will be implemented at the end of 2011-12, not 2013 as originally approved by the State Board.
You can read a blog post from MSTA's Executive Director, Kent King, here.
You can listen to a podcast with Becky Odneal, owner of Education Link, on MSTA's concerns with the application here.
9-30-11
Today's update includes three downloadable documents. First, you can read the latest assessment plan here. The August proposed rule can be downloaded here and DESE's recommendations to the State Board can be downloaded here. In addition, you can listen to MSTA's most recent podcast with Becky Odneal concerning MSIP5 here.
5-12-11
Added a video link to MSBA's MSIP 5 update featuring Margie Vandeven, Assistant Commissioner, DESE Office of Quality Schools and Becky Odneal, Education Link.
5-4-11
Added link for Missouri School Counselor Association with several documents including resolution language, a comment letter and a letter to the State Board of Education.
4-20-11
BREAKING: DESE tries to shut down MSIP5.com
Legal counsel with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education contacted
the Secretary of State to shut down www.MSIP5.com, MSTA has learned. The
Secretary of State refused to comply with the request.
The latest version of the Missouri School Improvement Program, or MSIP
5, sets accreditation and performance standards for Missouri schools.
Commissioner of Education Dr. Chris Nicastro declined to meet with
educator organizations before pushing the document through the State
Board of Education in March. MSTA and other education organizations have
opposed both the content in MSIP 5 and the lack of educator input in
its approval.
MSTA created MSIP5.com to provide information, news and discussion of
the proposal. The site lists options for submitting comments to the
department during the comment period, which began April 15. MSIP5.com
also has a list of concerns that educators have expressed with the
proposed rules, and how the proposal could hurt students and schools.
“Apparently, Commissioner Nicastro and the department do not like it
when information is gathered that opposes what they are trying to
accomplish,” states MSTA Executive Director, Kent King. “If the
department really wanted to hear from the public, including teachers,
about MSIP 5, they would not have tried to get the site taken down.”
4-20-11
Here are the links to two news stories concerning MSIP 5 and rescinding the proposal to allow for more time to discuss and make possible changes. You can see Columbia's KOMU news story here. You can read the St. Louis Beacon story here
4-15-11 UPDATE
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING THE MSIP 5 PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
Regardless of the Commissioner's memo issued today, which indicated that the
rule may be withdrawn next week, comments still need to be submitted during
the public comment period!
The Secretary of State's Office, Administrative Rules Division, has
confirmed that State Board action to withdraw the MSIP 5 rule, will not go
into effect until AFTER the 30 day comment period ends. Those concerned
with aspects of MSIP 5 should still make their comments public record in
accordance with suggestions included in the MSIP 5 analysis here.
4-15-11 2:46 pm
We have added a forum to allow discussion for those following MSIP 5. You can find the link above. In addition, we have added a link for the Missouri Association for Career and Technical Education along with a letter expressing concerns and a call to action.
4-15-11
Commissioner to Recommend Rescinding MSIP 5 Proposal
Missouri’s education commissioner wants to rescind the revised version of the Missouri School Improvement Program after facing opposition from the state’s education associations.
Commissioner of Education Chris Nicastro announced late Thursday evening that she would recommend that the State Board of Education take action to withdraw the proposed changes to the program known as MSIP 5. Under the commissioner’s new plan, acceptance of the document would be postponed until August.
Education groups, including MSTA, have expressed concerns about the proposal since before its acceptance by the State Board. Nicastrodeclined to meet with representatives of education organizations, includingMSTA, before the State Board approved the program in March.
“Of course we are pleased that Commissioner Nicastro has finally decided to listen to teachers on this important issue,” said MSTA Executive Director, Kent King. “We remain very disappointed that she refused for so long to engage with teachers and other stakeholders. Missouri students deserve better.”
MSIP determines accreditation and performance standards for Missouri schools. The document addresses academic achievement, subgroup achievement,college readiness, and attendance and graduation rates. The proposal leaves out subjects such as music, physical education, library staff and counselors, which contribute to a well-rounded education. The document was also pushed through without input from educators.
The State Board of Education approved MSIP 5 at its meeting in March, without a chance for the public to comment on the proposal. A public comment period on the proposal was to start April 15.
In the announcing the move to pull the proposal, the commissioner admitted that involvement of stakeholders in the development of the proposal was lacking. If the State Board agrees with Nicastro’s recommendations, the department will convene a MSIP 5 Advisory Committee, and charge the committee with making recommendations by August 1. The committee would also be charged with considering revised resource and process standards in any new version of MSIP 5.
4-14-11
UPDATE: Several individuals have asked for a link to the Powerpoint presentation presented Monday, April 11. The presentation has been turned into a .PDF and can be downloaded from the "MSIP 5 Analysis" link above.
In addition, MSTA has updated their information concerning the comment period for MSIP 5. Click the MSTA link to the left to learn where to submit comments and get some suggestions on what to include in the formal comments. Finally, you can also read more concerns by clicking on the MSTA link.
MASA has updated their website with more information to help their members prepare for the MSIP 5 comment period. You can read their update here.
4-13-11
Today's additions include the original MSIP5 draft from June of 2009. You can download the document here. Look for a comparison between MSIP4, the first version of MSIP 5 and the new proposed version of MSIP 5 to be posted to the website soon.
We have also included a letter from the Roundtable asking the State Board of Education and Dr. Nicastro to withdraw the proposed MSIP 5 standards. The Roundtable is a coalition made up of several education groups including, the Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals, Missouri Association of School Administrators, Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals, Missouri PTA, Missouri Federation of Teachers, Missouri National Education Association, Missouri School Boards' Association and Missouri State Teachers Association. You can find a link to the letter here.
