The OASE Executive Committee expressed a commitment to advocate for state assessment changes that “make things better, not worse,” as the Oregon Department of Education addresses federally-directed changes in the Oregon State Assessment system.  That commitment came today at the committee's fall meeting.

Echoing issues raised at a recent OACOA Executive Committee meeting, OASE leaders report significant concerns about potential state processes for determining the changes, as well as the very tight timeline that requires implementation and training in time for the 2006-07 testing cycle.  The U.S. Department of Education is requiring a review and possible revision of the current Oregon state test "cut scores" at grades 3, 5, 8 and 10, as well as a number of changes around the testing of students with disabilities.

The OASE Executive Committee decided to form a task force to develop a position paper, as well as other possible advocacy efforts, related to the state assessment changes.

The committee also discussed formation of a task force related to the State Board of Education’s proposed high school graduation requirements changes.  The group is planning to work with the OASSA Executive Committee on that effort.

In other news from the OASE Executive Committee meeting:

• The committee discussed processes for election of officers for 2007-08.  OASE members can expect to be contacted, via e-mail or survey, to assess their interest in serving.
  
  
• COSA Professional Development Director Colin Cameron updated the committee on the OASE/OACOA Winter Conference, “Leading and Learning … Focusing on Improvement,” set for February 1-3 in Salishan.  The conference features keynote speakers Dr. Douglas Reeves and Pam Robbins; extended discussions of Professional Learning Communities, School Leadership and Dealing with Change; and breakout sessions about RTI, New IDEA Regulations, High School Diploma Requirements, Data Warehouses, Legislature and School Funding, and more.