September State Board News
90% of Kansas Schools and Districts Make AYP
For the 2007-08 testing cycle, 90% of the state’s public schools and districts made adequate yearly progress. This compares with 89% of the public schools and districts making AYP last year. The targets for math and reading have increased steadily since 2002 which makes the increase in schools/districts making AYP even more significant.
“By a persistent focus on academic standards, Kansas educators are clearly meeting the challenge of educating all students to high academic standards,” said Alexa Posny, commissioner of education.
The list of public schools and districts not making AYP was presented to the Kansas State Board of Education as required by federal legislation today. Of the 1365 public schools in Kansas, 1226 made adequate yearly progress for 2007-08. Of the 296 districts in Kansas, 264 made AYP for the 2007-08 testing cycle.
Board Discusses Possible Legislative Recommendations
Dale Dennis, deputy commissioner, provided information regarding two possible legislative recommendations by the Board to the 2009 Legislature.
The first legislative proposal would permit the candidates for State Board of Education to appear closer to the top of the ballot rather than at the bottom of the ballot as they appear currently.
The second legislative proposal would raise the amount that could be contributed to a candidate for the State Board from $500 to $1,000 per election cycle by any political committee or person. The proposed change in the contribution amount would then equal the amount that may be contributed to a candidate for the State Senate by a political committee or any person which is $1,000 per election cycle. Each State Board district is composed of four State Senate districts.
This proposal was made by the State Board during the last legislative session, but “did not receive much respect," according to Board Member and Legislative Contact Sue Gamble.
Board Member Kathy Martin Proposes that the Board Support Tax Credits.
Board Member Kathy Martin suggested four additional legislative proposals that the State Board would make to the 2009 legislature.
A tax credit for parents of children not attending public school was suggested by Kathy Martin. Under the Martin proposal a tax credit would go to parents who do not educate their children in the public schools. Board member Carol Rupe spoke against the proposal saying that this would open the door to vouchers and other opportunities to take money away from the public schools. The Board voted 3-6-1 against the proposal. Those Board members who supported the proposal were Ken Willard, John Bacon and Kathy Martin. Steve Abrams abstained from voting. Abrams is running as a candidate in Senate District 32 against Greta Goodwin (D) who is the incumbent.
Martin’s other proposed legislation addressed the need for more scholarships for those who are studying to be teachers, to have the legislature address school funding in advance of next budget cycle and to encourage school districts to join the health insurance system for state employees. These suggestions were supported by the Board on 10-0 votes.
The Board will consider the written forms of the last three legislative proposals at the October board meeting.
Board Reviews Graduation Rate Formulas
The Board reviewed graduation rate formulas and the manner is which each formula would impact the reported Kansas graduation rate. In Education Week the graduation rate for Kansas in this report is(74.3%) and does not match the rate that is reported by Kansas for NCLB purposes (90.2%).
To assist the Board in understanding why the differences in reported graduation rates exist, multiple graduation rate formulas were presented. The following formulas are currently used across the country:
Cohort Rate : Percent of students from an entering 9th grade cohort who graduate with a standard diploma in four years.
Leaver Rate: Percent of students leaving high school with a standard diploma, expressed as a proportion of all those documented leaving with a diploma or other completion credential.
Persistence Rate : Percent of students who remain in school from grade 9 through grade 12 calculated using the percent of students not dropping out or the percent of students estimated to be promoted from grade to grade.
National Governor's Rate : Measures the number of on-time graduates in a given year divided by the number of first-time entering 9th graders fours years earlier adjusted for transfers.
Composite Rate : Proportion of students estimated to remain in high school until grade 12 and receive a diploma; calculated by multiplying the rate of persistence between grades 9 and 12 and the percent of completers who receive a diploma.
Cumulative Promotion Index : Diploma Counts uses this index which computes the percent of public high school students who graduate on time with a diploma; four steps are used including each of the three grade-to-grade promotions (9 to 10; 10 to 11; and 11 to 12) and those who earn a diploma. It then multiplies grade specific promotion ratios together.
NCLB Rate : Percent of students, measured from the beginning of high school, who graduate from high school with a regular diploma (not a GED or other alternative) in the standard number of years.
In other action, the State Board:
- Heard updates on current work of the Teaching in Kansas Commission and the Kansas Education Leadership Commission.
- Recognized the 2007 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching Program Finalists including KNEA member Steven Obenhaus from Olathe
- Received an update on the MTSS Seminar held in Wichita
- Received a report from two schools, one from Geary County and the other from Garden City, no longer on improvement.
Next Meeting
The next meeting of the State Board is Tuesday and Wednesday, October 9 and 10, in Independence. Board agenda and materials should be available on the KSDE website the week prior to that.
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