House Education Committee - NOT MEETING

The House Education Committee has concluded its business for the 2010 legislative session and will not be meeting again. I wish to thank all of the members, staff, and interns for their tremendous work including thoughtful research, lively discussions, and probing questions. I look forward to hopefully working with you again next year!

HB 2731, long overdue High School reform

HB 2731 is the High School Reform bill unofficially called "Move on when Ready". This bill seeks to solve the myriad of problems that occur when you offer your high school graduation exam (AIMS) during sophomore year and most students pass it the first time. These problems include slacking junior and senior year, low matriculation to college, and extensive college remediation. It passed out of Senate Ed Committee last week on a 5-2 vote. Folks supporting the bill included Michael Bidwell (GPEC), Jim Zaharis and Tom Franz (GPL), Lattie Coor and Sybil Francis (CFA), the AIA, Rufus Glasper (MCCCD), dozens of school Superintendents including Vicki Ballentine, Cal Baker, Michael Cowan and Tim Hamm, , ASA, ASBA, the Arizona Chamber of Commerce, Intel, Deb Duvall, Chuck Essigs and Sam Polito. You can read more at the Expect More website or at the Center for the Future of Arizona website.

Great Homework Website

I was at a dropout prevention task force meeting in DC this weekend and they talked about the website Cramster. This is a cool homework assistance website.