Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

COMMITTEE ON JOINT EDUCATION

Date:04/01/2009
ATTENDANCE
Time:07:38 AM to 08:48 AM
Baumgardner
Benefield
Place:HCR 0112
Groff
Heath
This Meeting was called to order by
Hudak
Representative Merrifield
King K.
Massey
This Report was prepared by
Middleton
Katey McGettrick
Murray
Peniston
Priola
Romer
Scanlan
Schafer S.
Scheffel
Solano
Spence
Summers
Todd
Merrifield
Bacon
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
Junior Achievement Program
Castle View High School		-
-


07:38 AM -- Junior Achievement Program

Robin Wise, president and CEO of Junior Achievement - Rocky Mountains Inc. (JA), introduced the presenters and board members in attendance at the meeting and shared a handout with committee members (Attachment A). Ms. Wise shared her experience as a participant in the JA program in high school, in addition to the history of the JA program. She explained that the three pillars of the program are: work readiness, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship. She noted that JA will be assisting the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) in developing the financial literacy content standards that were established by the General Assembly in 2008.

090401AttachA.pdf


07:44 AM

Ms. Wise explained that there are JA programs available in grades kindergarten through 12, reaching 113,000 students in 700 schools. She explained that JA does not select kids, but rather the organization partners with teachers. She also discussed the independent program evaluation and the JA Hispanic Initiative.

07:49 AM

She explained that JA commissioned a study as part of the Hispanic Initiative and shared the findings from the study. Dave Markham, JA board member and President of Commercial Launch Services at Lockheed Martin, stressed the importance of global competitiveness in the workplace. He noted during the next 10 years, 60 percent of the workforce will be eligible for retirement. He noted that the exchange between teachers and students in the JA classroom is where the connection is made for students to the real world. He also discussed the entrepreneurial competition that JA hosts each year.

07:54 AM

Robin Heller, JA board member and CIO/COO for Western Union, discussed the importance of entrepreneurship in Western Union's viability and of matching Western Union with community organizations that share a common mission. She shared her experiences with students who have participated in the JA program.

07:58 AM

Representative Solano asked if the programs are spread out across the grade levels, or concentrated at a particular grade level. Ms. Wise replied that about 75,000 students in the JA program are in grades kindergarten through sixth. Representative Solano asked if the program is requested by schools or teachers. Ms. Wise explained that either teachers or schools may request it, and the program is offered to schools for free because the business community pays for the program. Representative Todd shared that she used the JA program in her seventh grade class. She noted the benefits for the volunteer teachers and the students.

08:04 AM

Ms. Wise explained the importance of relevant curriculum for students. Representative Peniston shared her experience with having JA programs in her classroom and that her son participated in the JA program as a teacher. Ms. Wise noted that JA can be a partner in the implementation of the financial literacy standards, and that JA needs more volunteers. Senator Heath asked what has changed over the years for JA and how it impacts the program. Ms. Wise replied that the urgency of what JA is doing has changed, and the recognition for the need of this type of learning, especially with the state of the economy.

08:07 AM

Representative Murray shared her experience as a JA teacher, and asked what JA is doing with CDE. Ms. Wise replied that JA has been placed on subcommittees for content standard development at the department. Representative Gagliardi explained that her sons participated in JA, and asked whether JA would be able to come to town hall meetings. Ms. Wise replied that JA wants to be a resource to the constituents in the members' districts.



08:13 AM -- Castle View High School

Lisle Gates, principal of Castle View High School, introduced the presenters and shared a handout with committee members (Attachment B). Mr. Gates also provided information on his educational background. He explained that Castle View High School has been open for three years, and that he was tasked with opening the new school, with a focus of establishing a school using a high school reform model. He noted the pressure on educators to provide a better education experience for students.

090401AttachB.pdf

08:16 AM

He described three high school reform models: Breaking Ranks II, 21st Century Skills, and Redesigning Schools. He also listed the different academies at Castle View High School. He explained how the academy model works, noting that each student must pick an academy, but can switch academies if they do not like the selected academy. He further explained that the school does not have departments.

08:21 AM

Cheyenne Miller, a student at Castle View High School, shared her experience at the school as a student in the Visual and Performing Arts Academy. She explained that her teachers teach her in a way that she can understand and learn. She noted how classes are integrated with several subjects. She walked the committee through a typical school day at Castle View.

08:28 AM

Dr. Gates reviewed the cornerstones of reform. He asked the legislators to support principal leadership and staff development programs. He explained that the school practices site-based budgeting and noted the advantages for the school. He discussed the school's "three R's": relationships, relevance, and rigor. He shared the different types of internships students have participated in.

08:34 AM

Michael Schneider, lead English teacher at Castle View High School, shared his experience as a teacher in the academy model and in the traditional model. He explained how the English curriculum is tailored according to the academy in which they are registered.

08:43 AM

Dr. Gates discussed the importance of relevant learning, and that students pick a pathway within an academy. He reviewed the role of professional learning communities in the school, advisement time, and what he has learned from opening a new school with the academy model.

08:47 AM

The committee adjourned.