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June State Board News

Teachers Appointed to Advisory Committees

The State Board has appointed 5 teachers to serve 3-year terms on three different state advisory committees.  They are:

Professional Standards Board : Tim Knowles, Independence NEA; Michele Perez, NEA Topeka; Kate Thompson, Olathe NEA.

Professional Practices Commission : Calin Kendall, Olathe NEA

Licensure Review Committee : Linda Schukman, Leavenworth NEA

The Teaching and School Administration Professional Standards Advisory Board, usually known as The Professional Standards Board, advises the State Board on all matters regarding preparation and licensure, including renewal of licenses, for Kansas educators.

The Professional Practices Commission advises the State Board on individual cases concerning denial, revocation, surrender or suspension of educator licenses.

The Licensure Review Committee advises the State Board on individual cases when applicants do not exactly meet Kansas licensure requirements but believe they have equivalent qualifications.

License Regulations Hearing Held

The State Board held a public hearing on proposed new and amended license regulations.  Peg Dunlap testified on behalf of KNEA.  The Association supported the regulations and raised three concerns.

First, while supporting the new Teacher Leadership endorsement to the School Specialist License, KNEA wants to ensure that the endorsement is not tied to assignment as a teacher leader on the Licensed Personnel Guide.  It is not tied now, KSDE staff indicates that it will not be, and Dunlap urged the State Board to affirm that.

Second, KNEA asked that a 5 year “sunset” be added to a new provision to allow school counselors to enter the field without teaching experience.  The new regulations would require field experiences for those without teaching background.  The sunset would require the regulation to be reviewed in 5 years.

Third, KNEA asked that a KSDE request to allow up to a semester to review district 5-year inservice plans be modified.  Currently, districts must submit revised or renewed plans by August 1 and KSDE staff must review plans within 60 days.  Dunlap acknowledged that KSDE staff are overworked and suggested a 90 day review period OR an earlier submission date so that a district isn’t required to wait for a full semester before learning if their plan is/isn’t approved.

The State Board is expected to take action on the regulations at their July meeting.

In other action, the State Board

• Began discussions for the FY10 budget
• Received the Licensed Personnel Report
• Heard information regarding the NGA  Policy Academy on Creating New Models of Teacher Compensation [Blake West, KNEA president, serves on the Kansas team.]
• Heard an update on the Restricted Teaching License alternate pathway
• Approved a property distribution plan from USD 279, Jewell
• Approved recommendations from the Evaluation Review Committee 
        Friends  University, continuing accreditation through 12/31/16       
        Fort  Hays State University, program approved through 12/31/16
        Ottawa  University, 2 programs approved through 12/31/12
• Heard an update on the Kansas Learning Network, serving 5 Title 1 districts “on improvement’
• Received a report from 5 design teams of the Kansas Educational Leadership Commission
• Did not approve in-district travel for Walt Chappell, district 8, because he had exceeded his travel allocation.

July SBOE Meeting

The State Board is scheduled to meet July 14 and 15 in Topeka.  Meeting agenda and materials should be available on the KSDE website beginning July 6.

KNEA Legislative Contacts

Blake West, President
Peg Dunlap, Director, Instructional Advocacy
Mark Desetti, Director, Legislative and Political Advocacy
Terry Forsyth, Director, Political Action

The KNEA Lobby Team consists of elected leaders and staff. The Lobby Team welcomes member feedback on issues before the Legislature and on this site.