About NLPES

Annual Meeting:

Jane Thesing (Chair). Jane said that her committee is gathering preliminary ideas for NLPES sessions at the 1999 NCSL Annual Meeting. She encouraged Executive Committee members who have such ideas to share them with her committee.

Awards:

James Barber (Chair). James reported on comments received from NLPES members in response to a listserve posting regarding NLPES awards criteria. After a discussion period, the Executive Committee agreed to retain the current awards (Excellence, Methodology, and Impact) and authorized the Awards Committee to develop a format for submission of proposals for each award; review the criteria for each award; and, establish a process for providing feedback to states which submit awards proposals.

Communications:

Craig Kinton (Chair). Craig updated the Executive Committee regarding the ongoing discussions with NCSL concerning the public/private nature of NLPES work. He also announced that new instructions had been developed for states to use to have their work included within the NCSL data base. Craig noted that states are not utilizing the works-in-progress data base very often. Upon a motion by Joel Alter and a second by Mary Noble, the Executive Committee voted to discontinue maintenance of the works-in-progress data base and include a 'button' on the NLPES website to encourage members to use the listserve to obtain such information. The committee is continuing to obtain feedback from states relating to the use of the NCSL data base.

Craig noted that Mark Bucherl continues to do a good job with the NLPES Newsletter. He states that Mark always needs articles. At Craig's request, Bob Boerner explained some difficulties with the quality of printing of the last newsletter.

Nominations/
Elections:

Mary Noble (Chair). Mary stated that the committee had not begun working, pending changes in the NLPES by-laws.

Liaisons:

Heather Moritz (Chair). Heather announced the appointment of the following liaisons.

GAO: Doug Isabelle [Florida]

Joint Committee on Standards for Educational Evaluation: David Summers and Kim McDougal [Florida]

Heather noted that Rakesh Mohan [Washington] continues to serve as the NLPES liaison to AEA . She also stated that she is still pursuing a contact for ASPA. The Executive Committee agreed to add the names of the liaisons to the NLPES website.

Training:

Joel Alter (Chair). Joel noted that the NLPES website contains a listing of training opportunities and trainers available to members. He stated that his committee would be pursuing future sites for the NLPES fall conference, with the next conference scheduled for Charleston, West Virginia on October 6-9, 1999. Joel distributed fall conference host state guidelines to the Executive Committee and noted that his committee would be reviewing the guidelines for possible revisions in the future.

Upon a motion by Antonio Jones and a second by Kirk Jonas, the Executive Committee authorized the chair to appoint a sub-committee to determine the fiscal performance of past fall conferences and to recommend a registration fee for next year's conference. Gary appointed Mary Noble, James Barber, Antonio Jones, and Bob Boerner to the sub-committee.

Antonio Jones briefed the Executive Committee on plans for next year's fall conference.

AEA:

Kirk Jonas (Chair). Kirk noted that the AEA journal is progressing and is scheduled for release in the spring of 1999.

Bylaws:

James Barber (Chair). James presented proposed revisions to the NLPES by-laws. After a discussion period, the Executive Committee authorized the by-laws committee to revise the proposed by-laws draft in accordance with the afternoon's discussion. Upon a motion by Antonio Jones and a second by Heather Moritz, the Executive Committee voted to allow committee members to cast their votes on the revised by-laws by e-mail.