Utah State Board of Education
Minutes - February 13, 1998

Minutes of the meeting of the State Board for Applied Technology Education and the State Board of Education held February 13, 1998, at the Utah State Office of Education, Salt Lake City, Utah. Meeting commenced at 9:50 a.m. Board Vice Chairman John L. Watson presided.

Members present were: Vice Chairman John L. Watson, Member Linnea S. Barney, Member Neola Brown, Member Janet A. Cannon, Member Cheryl Ferrin, Member Lynn Haslem, Member Susan C. Henshaw, Member C. Grant Hurst, Member Boyd F. Jensen, Member Jill G. Kennedy, Member Kay McDonough, Member Joyce W. Richards, Member Marilyn Shields, Member Waynette Steel.  Chairman Katharine B. Garff was excused.

Also present were: Executive Officer Scott W. Bean, Deputy Superintendent Laurie A. Chivers, Associate Superintendent Robert O. Brems, Associate Superintendent Steven O. Laing, Associate Superintendent Jerry P. Peterson, Executive Director [of the] USOR Blaine Petersen, Public Information Officer Eileen Rencher, Board Secretary Twila B. Affleck.

Also present for portions of the Board meeting were: . . .

. . . Members of the Press: Jennefer Toomer-Cook, Deseret News; Kathy Kapos, Salt Lake Tribune

. . . [Others:] Irina Makarenko, Russia, Rostov-na-Donu; Irina Rumyantseva, Russia, Rostov-na-Donu; Natalia Nikitina, Russia, Rostov-na-Donu; Larisa Fishchuk, Russia, Rostov-na-Donu; Alexander Koukouyev, Russia, Rostov-na-Donu; Boris Maleyev, Russia, Rostov-na-Donu; Rusty Butler, Utah-Russia Institute; Johnnie Bruce Johnson, Citizen; Shannon Bittler, Joint Liaison Committee; Emily Jensen, University of Utah; Gary Carlston, Governor's Office; Bill Peterson, Self

. . . Members, State Office of Education Staff: Sharyl Smith, Instructional Services; Barbara Lawrence, Instructional Services; Shawna Stewart, Instructional Services; Lynn Jensen, Applied Technology Services; Nate Taggart, Agency Services; Vicky Dahn, Instructional Services; Mae Taylor-Sweeten, Instructional Services; Linda Alder, Instructional Services

. . . Members, State Office of Rehabilitation[:] as introduced.

The Board repeated the Pledge of Allegiance. Board Member Kay McDonough offered the reverence. Board Secretary Twila B. Affleck recorded the minutes. Vice Chairman Watson excused Chairman Garff from the meeting.

Vice Chairman Watson introduced Dr. Rusty Butler, Director Utah-Russia Institute located at the Utah Valley Community College. Dr. Butler introduced six teachers from Rostov-na-Donu, Russia who are visiting the United States.

Blaine Petersen, Executive Director, Utah State Office of Rehabilitation introduced the managerial staff of the four divisions of the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation. (For complete details, see General Exhibit No. 7885.)

Superintendent Scott W. Bean reported on the following items of information:

Governor's Award - Pioneer Utah's Electronic On-Line Library -- Dr. Sharyl Smith, Library Media Specialist, Instruction Services reported that Pioneer was created by a partnership of public school, academic and public libraries. She shared the background of how this was developed and what it has done for students in Utah. Dr. Smith indicated that educators can access Pioneer from home. She encouraged Board members to access Pioneer by going to a library to an Internet Computer at the following address: http://uen.pioneer.org.

Superintendent Bean commended and thanked Dr. Smith for her work in this area.

Utah Association of Gifted Children Conference - Dr. Bean reported that during the annual Conference of the Utah Association of Gifted Children, Board Member Jill Kennedy received the Community Service Award which is given each year to the person who does an outstanding job of advocating for all children and encouraging programs to help develop individual talents. He expressed congratulations to Member Kennedy for receiving this award.

Washington School District School Finance Items - Deputy Superintendent Laurie Chivers reported that a committee has met relative to the school finance items presented by the Washington School District. The Committee makes the following recommendations: That the Board establish a School Finance Study Task Force to review current funding formulas for distribution of state funds to school districts. The study should include a survey to determine where there are concerns about current funding formulas and also to review inequities in all funding formulas including capital, ten percent of the basic, transportation, voted and board leeway, and other such formulas. It is further recommended that the task force include three superintendents, three business officials, representatives from the fiscal analyst, legislative research, the Governor's office, the UEA, staff from the State Office of Education, staff from Utah School Superintendents Association and a state senator and a state representative.

Motion was made by Member C. Grant Hurst and seconded by Member Marilyn Shields to accept the recommendation of the Committee and move forward.

Discussion ensued relative to the purpose of the committee. It was clarified that this would look at the entire school finance function.

Superintendent Bean commented that this is a study of equity. He indicated that as this committee looked at the Washington County situation, it was obvious that there are some things that are more equitable than others. He clarified that equity does not mean equalization. The committee felt that the only way to address this in a way that would be reasonable for all 40 school districts would be to study the entire set of things that contribute to an equitable distribution of funding to districts.

Dr. Bean reported that Representative Hickman is currently sponsoring legislation for $5 million which would distribute funds to districts opening new schools. Our recommendation is that the Board oppose the bill because it is a contribution to a specific situation and it is inequitable, and causes disequity and disequalization.

Motion carried unanimously.

Charter School and Home School Task Forces - Dr. Bean expressed appreciation to Associate Superintendent Steve Laing for his work with the Charter School and Home School Task Forces.

Dr. Laing reported that the Home School Task Force has met and their recommendations have been sent to them for their review. Those recommendations will be presented to the Board at their March meeting. He indicated that the last meeting of the Task Force sparked much interest, and we were well represented in the media.

Legislative Issues - Dr. Bean reminded the Board that there is a USOE legislative team meeting at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He invited Board Members to attend if they wished.

Dr. Bean commented that the Board has never taken a formal position on the issues related to H.B. 114, Snow College South. He indicated that the Board had received a Position Paper in December, but had never adopted a formal position. He distributed another copy of the Position Paper to the Board. (For complete details, see General Exhibit No. 7886.) Dr. Bean recommended that the Board consider a resolution to be sent to the legislature relative to this issue. He distributed a proposed resolution for the Board to consider. (For complete details, see General Exhibit No. 7887.)

Motion was made by Member Jill G. Kennedy and seconded by Member C. Grant Hurst to approve the Position Statement on the Proposed Changes in Education Delivery in Central Utah. Motion carried unanimously.

Member Jill Kennedy read the Resolution to the Members of the 1998 Legislature Regarding H. B. 114, The Sevier Valley Applied Technology Center/Snow College South Issue.

Motion was made by Member Jill G. Kennedy and seconded by Member Boyd F. Jensen to approve the Resolution.

Member Marilyn Shields expressed appreciation to Associate Superintendent Brems on his outstanding work and time on this issue.

Member Janet Cannon commented that as Board Members discuss this with their legislators it would be helpful to have a sheet of some of the concerns on this issue. Vice Chairman Watson commented that that would be handed out later in the meeting during the committee reports.

Motion carried unanimously.

Dr. Douglas F. Bates, Director, School Law, Legislation and Certification, presented the tracking sheet with regard to education related legislation before the 1998 Utah Legislature. Dr. Bates made recommendations for Board positions on new pieces of legislation. (For complete details, see General Exhibit No. 7888.)

Member Grant Hurst questioned the reasoning behind the recommendation of opposition on SHB 76, Unclaimed Property Amendments. Dr. Bates indicated that currently all of the unclaimed property income goes into the Uniform School Fund. This deals with gift certificates that have not been redeemed. Member Hurst felt that it was a problem for retailers to continually carry these and track them. He suggested the Board position be changed to no position.

Motion was made by Member C. Grant Hurst and seconded by Member Neola Brown to change the position on SHB 76, Unclaimed Property Amendments from opposition to no position. Motion carried with Members Barney, Brown, Ferrin, Haslem, Henshaw, Hurst, Richards, Shields, and Steel voting in favor; Members Cannon, Jensen, Kennedy and McDonough voting against.

Member Susan Henshaw questioned the legislation on food tax. Following discussion of this legislation, motion was made by Member Susan C. Henshaw and seconded by Member Cheryl Ferrin to change the position on SSB 31, Sales Tax on Food Amendments, from Hold to Opposition. Motion carried unanimously.

Member Grant Hurst questioned what had happened with the middle school class size reduction appropriation. Superintendent Bean responded that this is not in the appropriations act, it is a separate bill. Dr. Bean indicated that when it was on the House Floor Representative Alexander presented an amendment to say that school districts should be given the option of using it where they wish. He felt that when it gets to the Senate committee they will amend the 7^th and 8^th grades back into it.

Member Janet Cannon commented that she felt the position on SB 182, Restriction on State and Local Governments Collecting Monies for Groups, should be changed to no position rather than opposition. She felt that this legislation would create a paperwork problem for the districts and would increase the costs to school districts to track the collection of these monies.

Motion was made by Member Janet A. Cannon and seconded by Member C. Grant Hurst to change the position on SB 182, Restriction on State and Local Governments Collecting Monies for Groups, to no position rather than opposition. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion was made by Member Lynn Haslem and seconded by Member Cheryl Ferrin to approve remainder of the recommendations as presented. Motion carried unanimously.

Deputy Superintendent Laurie A. Chivers presented information relative to the budget recommendations and the action that has been taken by the Education Appropriations Subcommittee. (For complete details, see General Exhibit No. 7889.)

Motion was made by Member C. Grant Hurst and seconded by Member Marilyn Shields to receive the report on the budget requests. Motion carried unanimously.

Member Janet Cannon reported on attending the NASBE Governmental Affairs Committee held in Alexandria, Virginia in January. She indicated they discussed charter schools and the feeling of the group is that the most successful programs seem to be where the oversight is taken by the local district wherein the charter school is located. Member Cannon further reported that the federal funding is for startup only.

Member Cannon reported that the committee also discussed the block granting issue, which will send federal funds directly to the local school districts. She indicated this legislation has passed in the House with the Gordon Amendment. The committee also discussed National Testing, America Reads, the Higher Education Act, the Lighthouse Program, and School Construction Funds.

Superintendent Bean commented that there was an editorial in the Deseret News recently which indicated that charter schools and voucher experiences have been positive. He felt it was incorrect because we do not have results on charter schools or vouchers that could verify this statement.

Superintendent Bean also commented on Gordon amendment which indicates they will distribute federal funds directly to districts. We have opposed this because the powers not created in the Constitution of the United States become the powers of the states. There is always a clause in the creation documents of the states that say they will be responsible for the education of the children. It is our view that for the federal government to ignore the state's responsibility for the education of children is wrong. This is a clear states rights issue. Member Linnea reported that she had attended the NASBE Board of Directors meetings. They discussed the position of the NASBE Group in the Learning Alliance which is a coalition of large education entities that are concerned particularly with raising the achievement of students in math, science and reading. Another discussion was whether or not NASBE should accept money from Phillip Morris to help support the legislative conference. The point was made that Phillip Morris also owns Kraft Foods and a lot of their money comes from groceries. Despite her opposition along with Texas, the Board voted that it would accept the money and Phillip Morris will be a sponsor of the Legislative Conference in March.

Member Barney also indicated that the NASBE Board spent time in goal setting and asked for comments on the direction the states felt NASBE should go. She requested that Board Member get their ideas to her as soon as possible so she could take that input back to the Board.

Member Barney commented on how impressed she is with Brenda Welburn, the Executive Director of NASBE who is very dynamic and a bright lady.

Member Barney also commented that NASBE is trying to sell the headquarters building in Alexandria, Virginia.

Member Marilyn Shields reported that she had attended the NASBE Accountability Study Committee meetings in Alexandria, Virginia. She indicated that this is a complex issue, and they spent time narrowing some of the areas down into what they want to focus on. She commented that minutes of the meeting will be provided to the Board.

Member Shields commented that she was very interested in State Education Accountability & Indicator Report, 1997. She felt a real appreciation for what is being done in Utah in this area. We are so far ahead of other states. The Committee had presenters that talked about contract schools.

Member Shields reported that the committee also talked about board structure and how they were set up, etc. It was interesting to see how other board are made up of elected and appointed and all kinds of configurations.

Member Waynette Steel questioned the difference between contract and charter schools. Superintendent Bean responded that charter schools are where a district or some entity gives license to a school so they can receive public money. Contract schools, any school district could currently enter into a contract school situation. They would go to a private entity and indicate to them they would like them to run the school and would contract with them to do that.

Member Kay McDonough reported that she has been asked to Chair the NASBE Resolutions Committee. They are conducting a survey of the states to find out our priorities relative to resolutions. Member McDonough distributed a survey forms to the board for their input.

Member Grant Hurst reported that he had been asked by the Executive Director of NASBE to serve on the Strategic Planning Committee along with six other board members from around the United States. They will review the existing five-year strategic plan which will end this year and then write a new five-year pan to take up the general format of NASBE, how it is organized, etc. They will meet again in March in Chicago, and possibly two additional times. The plan would then be presented at the 1999 NASBE Annual meeting.

Superintendent Bean echoed the compliments for Brenda Welburn. He indicated that before she started NASBE was having difficulties and she has done a wonderful job in keeping up on state and federal issues.

Member Hurst reported that one of the things the Strategic Planning Committee is looking at is whether or not NASBE should take a more active role in lobbying. Currently their role has been to advise the states regarding the issues that are coming and then depend on us to do the lobbying. If we did this we would have to realize that NASBE may have to take a stand that would not be universally adopted by the various participants.

Motion was made by Member Marilyn Shields and seconded by Neola Brown to move into executive session to discuss personnel issues. The Board was polled and by unanimous consent of those present, the Board moved into Executive Session during lunch at 12:30 p.m.

Motion was made by Member C. Grant Hurst and seconded by Member Lynn Haslem to reconvene into open meeting. Motion carried unanimously. The Board reconvened at 1:05 p.m.

Motion was made by Member Waynette Steel and seconded by Member Jill G. Kennedy to appoint Paul Evans Custom Fit Advisory Committee. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion was made by Member Waynette Steel and seconded by Member Cheryl Ferrin to approve the General Consent Calendar as presented. Motion carried unanimously.

1. Minutes of Previous Meeting

Minutes of the Meeting of the State Board for Applied Technology Education and the State Board of Education held January 15, 1997.

2. Contracts

The following contracts were approved by the Board:

A. ReNae Jessop. $20,000. 10/1/97-9/30/98. Amend. - Fed.

To continue a service contract to maintain a statewide training network for the Child Nutrition Programs. Amendment is to provide 100 family day care home visits per month plus administrative costs.

B. Pacific Resource Center. $71,773. 3/1/98-2/28/99. - Fed.

Establish the provision of vocational rehabilitation services to under served pacific islanders which will lead to employment outcomes.

C. Mountain America Credit Union. $93,880.44. 2/1/98-1/31/2003. - Amend. - Fed.

Lease of Division of Rehabilitation Services, Cedar City office located at 410 North Main Street, Cedar City, Utah.

D. Utah Navajo Development Council. $90,560. 8/1/97-9/30/98. - Fed.

Provide educational services and opportunities through funding from the Federal Even Start Family Literacy Program. The purpose is to enhance early childhood education and incorporate parents for a whole family program approach a significant impact on later school achievement.

E. Research & Development Consultants. $40,000. 1/1/98-12/31/98. - Amend. - Fed.

Federal regulations require an annual report from the LEAs to the SEA and from the SEA to the secretary of education. This report includes statistical information on services provided and an evaluation of the effectiveness of the programs funded. Also evaluation and assessment services for Title I program. R&D Consultants collect and produce the information required for both Title VI and Title I.

F. Four Corners Mental Health. $39,383. 3/1/98-2/28/99. - Fed.

Vocational Rehabilitation services through community rehabilitation programs that will result in employment for eligible consumers.

G. Bear River Mental Health. $31,233. 31/1/98-2/28/99. - Fed.

Vocational Rehabilitation services through community rehabilitation programs that will result in employment for eligible consumers.

H. Self-Determination Inc. $81,621. 3/1/98-2/28/99. - Fed.

Vocational Rehabilitation services through community rehabilitation programs that will result in employment for eligible consumers.

I. Wasatch Mental Health. $32,540. 3/1/98-2/28/99. - Fed.

Vocational Rehabilitation services through community rehabilitation programs that will result in employment for eligible consumers.

J. McKeachnie & Allred, P.C. $30,000. 11/20/97-11/19/99.

To provide legal services to the State Office of Education regarding the United Mine Workers of America, District No. 22 v. State of Utah, The School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration lawsuit.

(For complete details of the Contracts see General Exhibit No. 7890.)

3. SBR/SBE Joint Liaison Committee Meeting Minutes

Minutes of the Joint SBR/SBE Liaison Committee Meeting held December 15, 1997. The State Board of Education approved the minutes of the Committee Meeting, and ratified the actions of the Joint Liaison Committee. (For complete details of the minutes, see General Exhibit No. 7891.)

4. Approval of School Accreditation

A list of schools and programs that have met the requirements set by the State Board for 1998 accreditation was presented. Each school accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges has submitted a yearly report that has been carefully reviewed by the State Accreditation Committee. Also listed are the Junior High and Middle Schools that are accredited with the Utah State Office of Education. These schools meet the requirements governing school accreditation set forth by the Utah State Board of Education. (For complete details of the list, see General Exhibit No. 7892.)

The Board approved the accreditation of the schools listed for 1998.

5. Textbook Commission Operating Procedures, R277-469

The purpose of R277-469 is to provide definitions, operating procedures, and provisions for pilot and limited-approvals of instructional materials. Amendments to the rule recommended by the committee as well as suggestions made by board members have been included in the rule. (For complete details, see General Exhibit No. 7893.)

The State Board of Education approved R277-469, Textbook Commission Operating Procedures on third and final reading.

A spreadsheet indicating the recommended State Board prioritization for Capital Improvement projects was presented. The projects included improvements, asbestos removal, paving and roofing for applied technology centers and vocational rehabilitation facilities. (For complete details, see General Exhibit No. 7894.) The Board approved the prioritization list for submission to the Division of Facilities Construction and Management and the Utah State Building Board.

7. List of Applicants for Certificates

A summary of the list of applicants for initial and renewal certificates for January, 1998. (For complete details, see General Exhibit No. 7895.)

8. Financial Statement and Claims Report

The Claims Report in the amount of $162,029,680.70, and Financial Statement ending January 31, 1998. (For complete details, see General Exhibit No. 7896.)

Member Jill G. Kennedy, Chairman, Administration, Finance, Planning & Legislation Committee presented the following recommendation from the committee:

The Committee reviewed two recommendations of the Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission.

Motion from the Committee that the Board accept the recommendation of the Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission and accept the stipulated agreement in Case No. 97-422 whereby Loy-Ann McLendon, a former teacher in Washington School District, voluntarily surrendered her teacher certificate, in lieu of a hearing, for purposes of suspension by the State Board of Education. Ms. McLendon is voluntarily under treatment for abuse of prescription drugs. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion from the Committee that the Board accept the recommendation of the Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission and accept Daniel Maroney's voluntary surrender of his teaching certificate for purposes of revocation by the State Board of Education in Case No. 90-216. Mr. Maroney was a former teacher in Salt Lake City School District. He surrendered these certificates in lieu of a hearing and in the face of allegations of sexual abuse of children.

Motion carried unanimously.

Motion from the committee that a letter of appreciation and commendation be sent to Jan Brinton for her vigilance in spotting certification problems with individuals who have been charged with legal issues that could affect certification, and for bringing those matters to the attention of the Professional Practices Commission. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion from the Committee to approve the requests for temporary authorizations as presented. Motion carried unanimously.

(For complete details of the Certification Committee Agenda, see General Exhibit No. 7897.)

Member Cheryl Ferrin, Chairman, Curriculum and Instruction Committee presented the following recommendation from the Committee:

The Committee reviewed the membership requirements on USBEACH due to the changes in the reauthorization of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). (For complete details, see General Exhibit No. 7898.)

The Curriculum and Instruction approved the new membership requirements for USBEACH on first reading.

Motion from the Committee that the State Board of Education approve the new membership requirements for USBEACH on second reading. Motion carried unanimously.

Member Susan C. Henshaw, Chairman, Applied Technology and Rehabilitation Committee presented the following recommendation from the Committee:

Member Henshaw indicated that the Utah Vocational Association Conference will be held in August, this was formerly held in June, and the Board will be very much involved in this conference. It will be held primarily in Logan, August 3 and 4, and Board Members will be given specific assignments.

Member Henshaw expressed appreciation to Associate Superintendent Rob Brems for all his efforts on House Bill 114.

Associate Superintendent Rob Brems distributed a copy of HB 114 along with information on why the bill should be opposed. He then reviewed the status of the legislation and the points that could be made with legislators. He requested that Board members contact their legislators this weekend urging them to oppose the legislation.

Mr. Brems indicated that the amendments to the bill do not change it, they would only make it more amenable.

Mr. Brems reviewed 14 questions relative to Statewide Secondary/Adult Education Delivery that Board Members could use in discussing this with their legislators.

(For complete details of the materials presented, see General Exhibit No. 7899.).

Member Grant Hurst commented that there are 40 school districts and 39 of those districts are saying this isn't an issue that can be decided in a moment.

Member Hurst voiced concern that this issue has not come before the education subcommittee but that the leadership of the House has assigned it to the Political Subdivision Subcommittee. He felt it was an appropriate question to ask why this was not assigned to the education committee. Member Hurst also commented that the legislature created the Joint Liaison Committee for the purpose of resolving these types of issues. The legislature is circumventing the committee they created to deal with these types of issues. Member Hurst indicated that in every case where issues have come up that have involved higher education they have been forced into the Liaison Committee and in this case we have had the Board of Regents saying this is too hot and we aren't going to take a position on it. This has left us being the only ones who believe that this Joint Liaison Committee has any strength or value or appropriate responsibility in this matter.

Member Hurst questioned why we should continue to participate in the Joint Liaison Committee? He requested that the Board on the next agenda resolve whether or not we want to continue to participate on the Joint Liaison Committee. He felt that if a question this important can't be dealt with there, what is it good for. Member Hurst encouraged the Board to take a firm stand on this -- it is more than just about the Sevier Valley ATC, it is about whether or not we follow the original mandate of legislature try to keep this from being a turf battle.

Superintendent Bean commented that he has heard it said more frequently that this is a turf issue. In order to put that aside, we should take President Jerry Day's comments in the Senate Caucus. President Day was asked directly by a Senator if he thought this was a turf issue. His answer was no, it is really an issue, in effect, about providing educational and job training services to the citizens of the state. Dr. Bean agreed with that. This is a case where the Joint Liaison Committee should study the issue carefully, analyze it, answer the questions and then make recommendations to the legislature about how to best provide job training and education services to the citizens of the state, including those in Central Utah.

Vice Chairman John Watson commented that he hoped the press would gives us some equality on this issue. He felt that the thrust of this Board is to get this issue out of the legislators hands at this point in time, and back to the Liaison Committee so it can be studied. He felt that the issue is that no one has given the Liaison Committee the opportunity to function in their capacity. Member Watson suggested that the State Board put those members from higher education on notice that if the Liaison Committee can't function, then it is for not. He further suggested that there are some valuable things that have gone forth from that committee, and would hate to see the positive things the Liaison Committee has done to this point be disrupted over what is categorized now as a turf war. It is an item that needs to be discussed at that committee and then a decision made by that committee.

Vice Chairman Watson suggested that Board Members contact the legislators in their districts and let them know what this bill is. He also suggested that Board Members contact superintendents, local board members, and ATC board members and encourage them to contact their legislators.

Associate Superintendent Brems commented that one of the arguments for the legislation is that ATC training, course and programs do not mean as much because they don't carry college credits. He indicated that this is not an issue because we have worked out articulation agreements in cases where it is appropriate. The articulation agreement process does work. The main purpose of applied technology centers is to train people and get them into work.

Motion from the Committee that the Board receive the report. Motion carried unanimously.

Associate Superintendent Brems was asked to distribute the Resolution adopted earlier in the meeting to the legislators.

Eileen Rencher, Coordinator, Public Information, presented a video of School-to- Careers Job Shadow Day spots and an advertisement for the library media program.

Associate Superintendent Steve Laing reported that the Coalition of Minority Advisory Councils (CMAC) recommended that the Board adopt a position on diversity and equity in the public schools of Utah. APrinciples for Equity in Utah's Public Schools@ was developed in response to that recommendation. Dr. Steve Laing reviewed the draft document and noted that it was a draft and would be presented to the Board at their March meeting for final adoption. (For complete details, see General Exhibit No. 7900.)

Motion was made by Member Waynette Steel and seconded by Member Janet A. Cannon to receive the document as information. Motion carried unanimously.

Dr. Barbara Lawrence, Coordinator, Evaluation and Assessment, presented the results from the 1996 State-by-State Assessment of Science at grade eight prepared by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). (For complete details, see General Exhibit No. 7901.)

Dr. Lawrence reviewed some issues of concern with the "Quality Counts" document produced by Education Week. She indicated that this gave every state a grade relative to specific criteria. She then explained the specific criteria. She indicated that Utah's grades where fairly good, however, they compared 1996 with 1997, but the comparison data was not the same.

Vice Chairman Watson suggested that if we know when these types of reports are coming out that we be pro-active and give our own statistics first.

Member Grant Hurst suggested that Education Week relies heavily on NASBE for support. He suggested that the Board Members who attend the NASBE meetings bring this to their attention.

Member Janet Cannon reported that at the NASBE Governmental Affairs Committee meetings in January the committee discussed this publication and all felt that it did not address student outcomes. Member Cannon felt we should do our own report, especially showing student outcomes and then address school climate.

Motion was made by Member C. Grant Hurst and seconded by Member Janet A. Cannon to receive the report. Motion carried unanimously.

Meeting adjourned at 2:25 p.m.