Executive Order 40 (2006)

Continuing the P-16 Education Council

Importance of the Issue

As the Commonwealth moves forward on a wide range of education reform initiatives from preschool to graduate school, it is more important than ever to coordinate the various reform efforts underway across the continuum of education.  Students increasingly are moving from one educational system to the other, and the need for improved transitions between systems is greater than ever.  Education is a shared responsibility of several citizen boards in the Commonwealth, and opportunities exist to collaborate on common problems in moving forward on education reform.

Virginia's reform efforts have been nationally recognized, including through the receipt of a National Governors Association Honor States Grant, funded by the Gates Foundation.  As part of the efforts for implementing this grant, the Commonwealth will formalize its already strong efforts at coordinating education reform across the entire spectrum of education through a P-16 Council, to address education reform from preschool to graduate school.

            The Council is created in full recognition of the Commonwealth's commitment to creating a seamless transition and ensuring effective articulation from preschool to graduate school, enabling students to meet high standards, preparing faculties to teach to high standards, and continuing to improve student achievement.

The Council

The Secretary of Education will chair the Council.  It will consist of 22 members, appointed by the Governor and serving at his pleasure.  The Council will consist of two members of the House of Delegates, two members of the Senate of Virginia, the Secretary of Education, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Director of the State Council of Higher Education, the Chancellor of the Virginia Community College System, the President of the Board of Education, the Chairman of the Virginia Community College Board, the Chairman of the State Council of Higher Education, a representative of private colleges, a preschool education representative, and 9 citizen members.  The citizen members will include educators, and business and community leaders.  The Governor may appoint additional persons to the Council at his discretion.

The Council's responsibilities shall include the following.

1. Identify opportunities to better coordinate the state's education reform efforts from preschool to graduate school.
2. Work closely with the Start Strong Council and other appropriate entities and organizations to ensure that pre-K and early childhood initiatives are coordinated with other education initiatives.
3. Identify opportunities to improve longitudinal data gathering on student achievement.
4. Serve as a steering committee for oversight of the state's education reform activities as part of the NGA Honor States Grant.
5. Develop approaches to improve transitions among levels of education, promote student success, and encourage students to continue their education.
6. Make recommendations on appropriate legislation and other initiatives to improve educational coordination and achievement.
7. Make any other recommendations as may seem appropriate.

The Council shall make a report of its activities and recommendations by August 15, 2007.  The Council shall meet at the call of the chairman.

Commission Staffing and Funding

Necessary staff support for the Commission’s work during its existence shall be furnished by the Office of the Governor, the Virginia Department of Education, the Virginia Community College System, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, the Department of Social Services, and such other agencies and offices as designated by the Governor.  An estimated 3,000 hours of staff time will be required to support the Commission’s work.

Necessary funding to support the Commission and its staff shall be provided from federal funds, private contributions, and state funds appropriated for the same purposes as the Commission, as authorized by Section 2.2-135 of the Code of Virginia.  Estimated direct costs for this Commission are $15,000. 

Commission members shall serve without compensation and shall receive reimbursement for expenses incurred in the discharge of their official duties.

This Executive Order shall be effective upon signing, and shall remain in full force and effect until July 1, 2008, unless sooner amended or rescinded by further executive order.  It is my intention to introduce legislation to codify the council in the 2008 General Assembly Session.

Given under my hand and under the Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia, this 13th day of October 2006.

 

/s/ Timothy M. Kaine, Governor

Attest:

/s/ Secretary of the Commonwealth