by Kent Hunsaker, Executive Director

Accountability.

It’s at the core of the school funding conversation in Salem. 

As they consider the present and future of K-12 funding, legislators regularly pose such accountability-laden questions as:

• How do we know that every possible dollar has been going into the classroom, in support of teaching and learning?
  
  
• Can you please demonstrate that: 1) the 2007-09 School Improvement Fund is being spent as directed, and 2) student performance is being positively impacted through the use of the SIF?
  
  
• If we invest even more in K-12 education in 2009, what kind of results can we expect for our investment?

Our ability to answer these kinds of questions is the key to a successful 2009 legislative session.

That’s why COSA is again joining forces with our education partners – including OEA, OSBA, OSEA, ODE, Oregon PTA, Stand for Children, OAESD, OASBO, Chalkboard and the Oregon School Funding Defense Foundation – and a variety of other partners – including the governor’s office, a handful of state senators and representatives, the secretary of state’s office and the Oregon Business Association – to form the Accountability Roundtable.  Together, we’re taking a comprehensive look at accountability, with the goal of having a substantial and broadly-supported accountability proposal ready prior to the next legislative session.

At the first meeting of the Roundtable last week, we:

• Summarized the myriad of accountability mechanisms already in place,
  
  
• Discussed the new accountability measures passed by the 2007 legislature,
  
  
• Brainstormed how to better communicate K-12 accountability, and
  
  
• Identified possible gaps in existing accountability measures.

It was a great start to an important effort, and we’ll be meeting again early in the fall.  Until then, partners will be extending the accountability discussion to their own constituencies, and bringing those discussions back to the next meeting of the Roundtable.  As well, we are forming a communications sub-group, which will begin meeting next month.

At COSA, we’ll be talking about accountability with all of our boards and executive committees.  We’ll also hold an in-depth discussion at the OASE School Funding Coalition meeting next month.

Naturally, as we go along, we’ll keep you posted.  After all, we’re accountable to you.

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