June State Board News
History/Government Standards Spark Controversy
At least one State Board member wants to revise the standards for
civics-government, for economics and for geography. Steve Abrams,
district 10, Arkansas City, suggested revisions during a discussion
item on Tuesday's agenda.
In short, his revisions remove references to "other nations"
when describing what students should know about governmental systems
and about economic concepts, issues and systems. His revised statements
only mention Kansas and the United States.
In the geography standard, when describing student knowledge and
understanding about interactions, he suggests replacing "interconnected
world" with the phrase "other nations."
The standards writing committee was asked to take all board suggestions under
consideration and to return in July with recommendations. The committee expects
to have a final draft of the history/government, economics and geography standards
ready by August, 2004.
Advisory Committee Appointments
The following persons were appointed to State Board advisory committees.
Each will serve a three-year term with the possibility of one reappointment.
Professional Standards Board
Connie Foster, UTW, representing special education teachers
Scott Cinnamon, Blue Valley NEA, representing elementary teachers
Sue Givens, Pratt, representing middle level administrators
Professional Practices Commission
Paul Gronquist, Mill Creek Valley EA, representing high school teachers
Licensure Review Committee
Tonya Henning, UTW, representing special education teachers
David Howard, Chase, representing building administrators
Marlysue Holmquist, Lindsborg, representing higher education
July Meeting Dates Change
The July meeting of the State Board will be held on Thursday and Friday, July
8 and 9, at the KSDE building in Topeka. The dates were changed to allow Commissioner
Andy Tompkins to attend the Education Commission of the States meeting, at which
he will complete his term as national treasurer.
In other action, the State Board
Approved renewal of the NCATE partnership agreement
Approved changes to regulations for institutional accreditation
and program approval (all relate to educator preparation programs)
Denied a transfer of territory from USD 375 to 402
Received information on QPA pilot schools and their compliance
with new regulations
Began discussions on the FY2006 budget recommendations
Renewed the ESSDACK Interlocal Agreement
Approved QPA waiver requests for
o USD 497, Lawrence HS, align QPA and NCA cycles
o USD 278, Mankato, target only reading and mathematics
o USD 454, Burlingame elementary, delay first visit
Renewed the contract with KU's Center for Educational Testing
and Evaluation for state assessments
Approved recommendations from Evaluation Review Committee
o Bethany College, approved with stipulation; 16 programs approved
o Emporia State University, continuing accreditation through 12-31-10
Approved Reading First grants, totaling $5.8m, for 13 USDs
o USD 250, Pittsburg, $222,000
o USD 253, Emporia, $251,835
o USD 259, Wichita, $1,200,000
o USD 260, Derby, $206,050
o USD 295, Prairie Heights, $16,069
o USD 305, Salina, $162,674
o USD 457, Garden City, $315,882
o USD 470, Arkansas City, $341,274
o USD 497, Lawrence, $700,000
o USD 500, Kansas City, $760,000
o USD 501, Topeka, $1,126,103
o USD 503, Parsons, $300,000
o USD 512, Shawnee Mission, $200,000
Schools Accredited
These schools received accredited status at the June meeting:
USD 229, Cottonwood Point elementary
USD 235, West Bourbon elementary, Uniontown HS
USD 243, Lebo HS, Waverly HS
USD 252, Hartford HS, Neosho Rapids K-8, Olpe elementary, Olpe
J/SHS
USD 253, Emporia MS
USD 259, Coleman MS, Kelly liberal arts, Kensler elementary, L'Ouverture
computer technology, Robinson MS
USD 266, Vermillion primary
USD 269, Damar JH, Palco elementary
USD 338, Valley Falls HS
USD 393, Solomon elementary, HS
USD 440, Bentley primary
USD 454, Burlingame J/SHS
USD 459, Bucklin elementary, HS
USD 500, ME Pearson elementary
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