Title I AYP Results Released

Despite the ever-increasing demands of AYP, 92% of Kansas USDs and 95% of Kansas Title 1 schools met AYP for the 2010-2011 school year. Only 24 of Kansas’ 289 USDs and 37 of 732 Title 1 schools were identified for "on improvement" status.

Of those, seven USDs and 24 schools made AYP in either reading and/or mathematics. Schools must make AYP two consecutive years in the area/s of improvement to exit "on improvement" status.

"It’s wonderful that despite the higher targets, state assessment results show that Kansas students are continuing to achieve at increasingly challenging levels," said Judi Miller, assistant director of title programs and services at KSDE.

District and high school targets for 2009-2010 were 81.3% proficient in reading and 76.4% proficient in mathematics. Targets for K-8 were 83.7% proficient in reading and 82.3% proficient in mathematics.

AYP results for all schools and districts will be released at the September State Board meeting. Building and district report cards will be released at the October meeting.

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Background Checks at Every Renewal Proposed

Proposed amendments to licensure regulations were presented to the State Board this month. One major change would require that all educators submit fingerprints and undergo background checks each time they renew a license. Next month, the Board will decide whether or not to begin the regulatory review process on any/all of the proposed changes.

"The background check change is about the safety of our students," explained Pamela Coleman, director of teacher education and licensure. "While all county attorneys are required by Kansas law to notify us when someone holding an educator license is convicted of a crime that might put that license in jeopardy, in reality, very few of them notify us."

"As people move from district to district, we need to know when they renew that they continue to meet all the requirements for a Kansas license," she continued.

Most of the other changes are editorial or based on observation from staff and/or input from the field after implementation over the past 3 to 4 years.

The regulatory review process involves sending the proposed changes to the Attorney General and to the Department of Administration for review, setting a public hearing date, holding a public hearing [which must be at least 60 days after the date on which the hearing date is set], and voting on the proposals.

The fastest timeline would result in a public hearing at the December, 2010 State Board meeting.

Watch next month’s SBN for further information on these proposed changes.

In other action, the State Board:

• Received an update on teacher mentoring pilot programs
• Received an update on the Kansas Learning Network
• Approved recommendations from the Evaluation Review Committee for
  • Emporia State University, one new program
  • Pittsburg State University, 33 programs approved
• Approved a bond election for USD 255, South Barber

September Meeting:

The September meeting of the State Board will be Tuesday and Wednesday, September 14 and 15 in Topeka. Agenda and meeting materials should be available on the KSDE website no later than September 7.

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State Board to Legislature: Fund The Law

July is the month the State Board finalizes their budget requests for the Governor and the Legislature. Their intent was clear: fund the law. The motion passed 7-1-1, with John Bacon, Carolyn Campbell, Sally Cauble, Dave Dennis, Jana Shaver, Sue Storm and Janet Waugh voting yes, Walt Chappell voting no, and Kathy Martin abstaining. Ken Willard did not attend the meeting.

As they did last year, they requested that all statutory provisions in the law, including base state aid per pupil, as defined by Supreme Court’s Montoy decision, supplemental state aid [local option budgets], excess cost of special education, professional development, the mentor program, National Board Certification, school lunch, transportation and capital outlay state aid be funded at the levels required by Kansas statute.

In addition, they asked for funding equal to last year’s for Agriculture in the Classroom, Communities in Schools, Kansas Historical Society [for work on Kansas history educational materials], environmental education, after school programs, and the Kansas Teacher of the Year program.

Board discussion centered on awareness of the state’s fiscal situation and the economy in general and the Board’s responsibility to advocate for what they believe is necessary funding for education in the state.

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In other action, the State Board:

• Heard an update on the Common Core Standards
• Received information on the Longitudinal Data grant
• Approved the recommendations of the Professional Practices Commission to revoke four educator licenses
• Accepted a voluntary license surrender and revoked that license
• Approved recommendations from the Licensure Review Committee to approve four requests and deny four requests
• Established USD 113, Nemaha County, following the consolidation of USDs 441 - Sabetha, and 488 - Axtell
• Established USD 114, Doniphan County, following the consolidation of USDs 406 - Wathena, and 486 - Elwood
• Approved Ed-Flex Waivers for
• Wheatland elementary, USD 262, Valley Center
• Shawnee Heights middle school, USD 450, Shawnee Heights

August Meeting:

The state board will meet Tuesday and Wednesday, August 10 and 11, at the KSDE building in Topeka.  The agenda and meeting materials should be on the KSDE website by Monday, August 2.

Professional Development Recommendations Advance

The initial list of nine recommendations from the Professional Development Audit Task Force was condensed to five recommendations that were presented to the State Board in June. Following some final editing, KSDE staff expects to convene five new groups to begin determining what actions would be necessary to implement the recommendations. That work is expected to occur during the 2010-2011 school year.

The five recommendations are:

1. Use the National Staff Development Standards to define effective professional development by specifying the essential attributes and the intention to improve student learning to guide revision in policies and practices. Include in an accompanying policy document the requirement of general fund budgets to reflect funds set aside for PreK-20 educator professional development.

2. Establish a system of accountability for high-quality professional development with specific checks at multiple points within the design, implementation, support and evaluation of professional development reaching beyond developing educator knowledge to application and impact on student learning.

3. Ensure that all individuals involved in the education process participate in career-long learning. Each develops a professional development plan during his/her initial preparation based on his/her strengths and areas for improvement that is continuously revised to follow the educator throughout his/her career.

4. Ensure that state standards for teachers and school and district leaders currently under revision align with and include concepts and practice of high-quality professional development including active participation in and facilitation of both job-embedded and externally provided professional development.

5. Ensure that local districts provide 40-80 hours of student achievement-focused professional development for licensed educators and support staff directly involved in student learning each year as part of the student contact hours as established in KSA 72-1106. Because the majority of professional development is job-embedded, there will not be the need for additional special days within school calendars devoted to professional development as time away from the classroom. Professional development can occur in classrooms and school during student contact time or within educators’ workday. Time for professional development during the school day includes teacher collaboration time driven by specific goals for educator learning that are based on an analysis of student achievement data.

PSB, PPC Appointments

Adam Bancroft, UTW, was appointed to a 3-year term on the Professional Standards Board representing special education teachers.

Bradley Nicks, Shawnee Heights EA, was appointed to a 3-year term on the Professional Practices Commission.

Bancroft replaces Connie Foster, UTW, and Nicks replaces Paul Gronquist, NEA Topeka, both of whom completed two terms. The terms begin July 1, 2010.

Special Education Regulation Amendments Pass

The State Board unanimously approved amendments to the special education regulations, bringing Kansas regulations into compliance with Federal special education regulations.

The change adds this language to the regulations: "The parent may revoke consent in writing for the continued provision of a particular service or placement only if the child’s IEP team certifies in writing that the child does not need the particular service or placement for which consent is being revoked in order to receive a free appropriate public education.

Kansas Education Commission to Begin

"The commission to study everything," discussed in the May State Board News, will be called the Kansas Education Commission. The commission will consist of about 50 members, divided into five subcommittees, which will meet in June, August and October and submit a preliminary report to the State Board in December.

The five subcommittees are:

• College- and career-ready students – to study standards and assessments

• Teachers and Leaders – to study definition of and measures for "effective" recruitment, retention and equitable distribution

• Equity and opportunity for all students – to study rigor, accountability and meeting the needs of diverse learners

• Raise the bar and reward excellence – to study public school choice and promoting a culture of readiness and success

• Promote innovation and continuous improvement – to study supporting, recognizing and rewarding innovation.

Each State Board member will appoint two people and the rest of the KEC will come from representatives of constituent groups including KNEA, KASB, USA, PTA, KBOR, P-20 Council, etc.

In other action, the State Board:

• Received the 2009-2010 Licensed Personnel Report

• Heard an update on the Kansas Learning Network

• Approved Ed-Flex waivers for
  • USD 208, for Trego grade school

  • USD 396, for Seal elementary

• Received preliminary number for the FY12 budget options

July Meeting

The State Board of Education will meet Tuesday and Wednesday, July 13 and 14, at the KSDE building in Topeka. The agenda and board materials should be available on the KSDE website by July 6.

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Following lengthy discussions regarding graduation requirements, integration of academics and career and technical education, and professional development - all of which will be detailed later in this State Board News - the State Board unanimously authorized Dr. Diane DeBacker, interim Commissioner of Education, to form a commission to study all of these topics and bring recommendations back to the State Board.

"We need to be positioned to move when ESEA reauthorization happens," explained DeBacker.  "We need to start the discussions and be ready to offer models, so that local school districts can make the best decisions possible."

The major concern voiced by board members involved linking the new commission's charge to the areas identified in the US Department of Education's ESEA Blueprint.

"We don't support everything in the Blueprint," explained Sue Storm, who represents board district 2.  "How do we move to be ready to do things we don't agree with?"

Ken Willard, board district 7, agreed.  "The commission is a good idea and the timing is good.  The commission ought to be authorized and charged to be as innovative and creative and practical as possible, recognizing that the work could result in a divergence in Kansas from ESEA.  We don't want to be constrained by what we expect the Feds will require."

DeBacker will develop a charge for the commission and suggested membership categories within the next week.  She indicated that the commission will represent not only nominees from state board members but also representatives from KNEA, USA, KASB, the Kansas Board of Regents, the Technical Education Authority, business and industry, and possibly others.

Professional Development Recommendations Offered

Nine recommendations from an audit of professional development in Kansas were presented to the State Board on Tuesday.  Joellen Killion, deputy director of the National Staff Development Council, presented the work of the Professional Development Task Force.  The 23-member Task Force consisted of representatives from all major stakeholder groups and included KNEA members Anna Moon Bradley, Marais des Cygnes Valley TA, Walter Carter, Blue Valley NEA, Jeff Eastman, Bluestem TA, Michele Penner, UTW, and Peg Dunlap, KNEA director of instructional advocacy.

Killion began her report with anecdotes of quality professional development practices in Kansas.  Her first story showcased McKinley Elementary School, in Abilene, where Tom Schwartz is principal.  Schwartz represents UD 114 on the KNEA Board of Directors.

She went on to emphasize that professional development in Kansas has many strengths and can be made stronger, especially by ensuring that professional learning for educators is based on learning needs of students.

Pam Coleman, director of teacher education and licensure, explained that the next steps of implementing the recommendations will involve additional stakeholder participation, as well as the formal regulatory review process.

The nine recommendations, and the full report to the State Board are available as part of the May State Board meeting materials.   In short, they include:

• Adopting a definition of quality professional development that specifies essential attributes and the intention to improve student learning.
• Establishing a system of individual, building, district and state accountability for professional learning.
• Ensuring that professional learning is career-long and incorporates application and impact on student learning.
• Ensuring resources of time and money for job-embedded professional learning for every educator.
• Ensuring that preparation standards for teachers and administrators include the concepts and practices of high-quality professional development.

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Graduation Requirements - What to do????

The State Board received the lengthy results of a survey about the implementation of high school graduation requirements in Kansas school districts and in the end, decided the topic deserves much more discussion.

The survey data that generated the most discussion indicated that few districts do anything in the senior year with those students who have not "met standard" on state assessments by the end of their junior year.

Board discussion also focused on efforts of districts to make the senior year more meaningful.  This segued into the next agenda item, the Career and Technical Education initiatives.

Full survey results are in the May State Board meeting materials.

Career and Technical Education Initiatives - Next Steps

The State Board authorized department staff to proceed with 11 additional initiatives to further the work of integrating academics and career and technical education in the future.  They include:

• Require every Kansas student, beginning at middle level/junior high, to have a personalized college career plan of study.
• Adopt integrated core content standards with CTE career cluster pathways, using 21st Century Skills as the organizing principle.
• Create integrated assessments that include each of the career clusters, tested academic content areas, and 21st Century Profiles.
• Require schools to create integrated courses that allow students to gain at least 3 additional credits in career clusters during the K-12 experience.
• Revise teacher preparation program standards to reflect integration of content standards.
• Tom Foster, director of career, standards and assessments services, told the board, "We're not going to change these things overnight, but we need to start.  We want schools to work out processes for integrating academics and career and technical education."

A full list of the initiatives, including KSDE staff-identified implications and timelines, are included in the May State Board meeting materials.

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New Vending Machine Guidelines Approved

The State Board accepted staff recommendations to require all accredited K-12 schools, by August 1, 2010, to achieve the Advanced Level of the Kansas School Wellness Policy Model Guidelines for food and beverages sold in vending machines.   By August 1, 2011, schools must achieve the Exemplary Level.

The Board vote was 7-3, with John Bacon, Carolyn Campbell, Walt Chappell, Kathy Martin, Jana Shaver, Sue Storm, and Janet Waugh voting yes and Sally Cauble, Dave Dennis and Ken Willard voting no.

The Advanced Level requires that 50% of vended food and beverage items meet guidelines for fat, calories and sugar.  The Exemplary Level requires that all vended food and beverage items meet the guidelines.

Both levels include this statement:  "All school employees serve as positive role models by adhering to the vending guidelines adopted for students."  KSDE staff indicated they believe this means that vending machines in teacher lounges are also subject to the restrictions.

The Kansas School Wellness Policy Model Guidelines can be found at here.

Evaluation Models Contract Approved

The State Board approved a contract with ETS, the Educational Testing Service, to assist Kansas in developing model evaluation instruments for superintendents, principals and teachers.

The contract, not to exceed $270,000, "affords an excellent opportunity for Kansas to sit with the best and the brightest evaluation developers and research scientists to create a state-wide system of evaluation for all educators that will be used as educators' document demonstrated effectiveness,"  according to materials presented to the State Board.

Board members expressed concerns about a state-wide system, since evaluations are determined at the local district level.  KSDE staff reiterated that the models to be developed would be available to districts.

The board materials indicated that the system will be used in Kansas Learning Network schools.  It should be noted, however, that evaluation is a mandatory subject of bargaining and that the ESEA Savings Clause says that local negotiated agreements cannot be altered, even in districts subject to reform models like KLN.

In other action, the State Board:

• Heard a presentation on Green Schools from students at USD 224, Clifton-Clyde
• Heard a presentation on Real World Design Challenge winner, USD 348, Baldwin City
• Approved a consolidation vote by USD 486, Elwood, and USD 406, Wathena
• Established new USD 112, Ellsworth County (formerly USDs 328 and 354)
• Approved the 2010-2011 contract with CETE for state assessments
• Reappointed Linda Stecher, Easton NEA, to the Professional Standards Board
• Reappointed Angela Bowman, Gardner-Edgerton NEA, to the Licensure Review Committee
• Reappointed Kim Groom, Winfield NEA, to the Professional Practices Commission
• Approved passing scores for revised content tests for initial licensure
• Approved Evaluation Review Committee recommendation for Continuing Accreditation for Baker University through 12/31/16
• Approved ERC recommendation for a new program for Friends University through 12/31/15
• Approved an Ed-Flex waiver for USD 206 for Remington Elementary

Next Meeting

The June State Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, June 8 and 9, at the KSDE building in Topeka.  The agenda and meeting materials should be available on the KSDE website no later than Tuesday, June 1.

The State Board made it clear this month that they are not happy with the direction the US Department of Education is heading.  In two separate actions, they sent figurative and literal messages to USDE that they believe the current federal initiatives are bad for Kansas.

In a 9-0 vote, the Board decided not to apply for Race to the Top, round 2.  In the first round, Kansas did not reach the finals, and analysis by KSDE staff indicated that it would be very difficult for Kansas to rewrite the application and earn enough points to become a finalist in round 2.  [John Bacon was absent from the meeting due to work-related obligations.]

"Small and/or rural states that believe in local control don't have much chance in this kind of competition," said Sally Cauble, board member for district 5.

When considering the proposals for reauthorization of ESEA as outlined in the Blueprint released by the White House and USDE, several board members indicated displeasure with the shift to competitive grants instead of a formula for distributing Title 1 money, with the link between Title 1 money and adoption of Common Core standards, and for the types of school reform models being required.

The board voted to send a letter to the President, the Secretary of Education and Kansas' congressional delegation, expressing their concerns and displeasure.

"Their concerns are our concerns," said Blake West, KNEA president.  "We are pleased that the State Board is getting involved in trying to ensure that the reauthorization of ESEA is in the best interests of the students of Kansas and their teachers.

In other action, the State Board

• Recognized the 2009 Blue Ribbon schools
• Broken Arrow Elementary School, Lawrence USD 497
• Oakley Elementary School, Oakley USD 274
• Phillipsburg Elementary School, Phillipsburg USD 325
• Robinson Elementary School, Augusta USD 402
• Rock Creek Junior-Senior High School, Rock Creek USD 323
• Received a report on Kansas Common Core standards
• Heard a report from the Virtual School Advisory Council
• Approved consolidation agreements from USD 441, Sabetha, and USD 488, Axtell/Bern/Summerfield

May State Board Meeting

The May meeting of the State Board will be Tuesday and Wednesday, May 11 and 12.  The agenda and meeting materials should be available on the KSDE website by Monday, May 3.

KSD-NEA Is Newest Kansas Bargaining Unit

On a 7-3 vote, the State Board of Education, which serves as the local board of education for the Kansas State School for the Deaf, granted the request of Kansas School for the Deaf-NEA to be the exclusive representative of the professional employees described in the bargaining unit request.

Board members Carolyn Campbell, Sally Cauble, Walt Chappell, Dave Dennis, Jana Shaver, Sue Storm and Janet Waugh voted to approve the request.  John Bacon [in whose district the unit is located], Kathy Martin and Ken Willard opposed the request.

During the discussion, Bacon tried repeated to challenge the accuracy and validity of the unit’s request.  Kevin Ireland, attorney for the Kansas State Department of Education, reiterated his opinion that the request was accurate and appropriate.

Either KSD-NEA or the State Board may now request that professional negotiations, as governed by the PN Act, begin.

Welcome, KSD-NEA!!

In other action, the State Board:

• Received an update of progress on Common Core Standards [which were released for public comment 3/10/10]
• Heard a presentation from Roderick Bremby, Secretary of KDHE, on the health of Kansas children
• Received information on graduation requirements
• Approved the appointment of a panel to review USD 398 Peabody-Burns’ petition to withdraw from Marion County SEC #617
• Set June 8 as the date for a public hearing on changes to special education regulations
• Approved recommendations from the Licensure Review Committee to grant 3 license requests
• Approved recommendations from the Evaluation Review Committee
  o       Central Christian College, 3 programs approved
  o       Ottawa University, 1 new program approved
  o       Southwestern College, 1 program approved
• Approved 37 licensure waiver requests: 1 science, 1 library media, 1 extended days on a substitute license, 34 special education
•  Approved an ed-flex waiver for USD 423, Moundridge elementary school
• Approved $7m in school improvement grants for 10 USDs

April State Board Meeting

The April meeting of the State Board will be Tuesday and Wednesday, April 13 and 14, in Topeka.  Meeting agenda and materials should be available on the KSDE website beginning Monday, April 5.

Commissioner Search Halted; DeBacker to Remain as Interim

Citing budget considerations and great satisfaction with the current situation, the State Board unanimously voted to suspend the search for a new commissioner of education and to ask Dr. Diane DeBacker to remain as interim commissioner indefinitely.

This move will save not only part of the $40,000 contracted to NASBE to perform the search but also the salary of a deputy commissioner, since DeBacker is doing both jobs at the commissioner salary level.

Dr. DeBacker has agreed to remain as interim commissioner.

Teacher of the Year Team Recognized

The 2010 Kansas Teacher of the Year Team was recognized at the February State Board meeting.  Members of the team are:

Karen Tritt, Shawnee Mission NEA, KTOY 2010
Arthur Commons, USD 508, Baxter Springs
Cathy Durano, Andover TA
Jeline Harclerode, Emporia NEA
Joan Moore, McPherson EA
Rose Nemcik, DeSoto TA
Beth Slawson, Paola EA
Tracey Repp, Andover NEA

In other action, the State Board:

• Received a request for recognition as exclusive representative of the professional negotiating unit from Kansas School for the Deaf-NEA
• Approved a consolidation agreement between USD 354 Claflin and USD 328 Lorraine
• Approved a consolidation agreement between USD 228 Hanston and USD 496 Pawnee Heights
• Approved a territory transfer from USD 407 Russell County to USD 299 Sylvan Grove
• Approved recommendations from the Professional Practices Commission to grant two application requests
• Heard an update on Career and Technical Education initiatives
• Approved recommendations from the Evaluation Review Committee
  • Kansas State University, continuing accreditation through 12/31/16
  • Emporia State University, 2 programs approved
  • Fort Hays State University, 32 programs approved
• Approved 17 licensure waivers
  • 15 special education
  • 1 American history
  • 1 library media specialist
• Approved a request from USD 334, Southern Cloud, to hold a bond election

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March State Board Meeting

The State Board will meet Tuesday, March 9 in Topeka and Wednesday, March 10 in Olathe and Kansas City, for their annual visits to the School for the Deaf and the School for the Blind.  The agenda and meeting materials should be available on the KSDE website on March 1.

Board Sets Timeline for Commissioner Search

The State Board will meet on March 8 in executive session to review applications for Commissioner of Education in Kansas.  Anyone interested in the job must request an application packet from NASBE, the National Association of State Boards of Education, which is coordinating the search process.  In addition to providing a resume, applicants will be asked to respond to 3 questions which reflect Board and stakeholder priorities for Kansas education.

The Board hopes to interview candidates and make a selection in late March or early April.

Board Approves KSSD/KSSB Reorganization Recommendations

Responding to recommendations from The Kansas Facilities Closure and Realignment Commission from November 23, 2009, the State Board endorsed Interim Commissioner Dr. Diane Debacker’s recommendations to combine as many functions as possible in the areas of administration, maintenance, security and food services at the Kansas State School for the Blind (KSSB) and the Kansas State School for the Deaf (KSSD).

The most dramatic change is the combination of superintendent responsibilities under the leadership of Madeleine Burkindine, KSSB.  KSSD superintendent Bob Maile had previously announced his retirement at the end of the 2009-2010 year.

The State Board also directed a review of the impact of the combinations at the end of FY12, which coincides with the end of the 2011-2012 school year.

In other action, the State Board

• Received the annual report from the Special Education Advisory Council
• Approved recommendations from the Professional Practices Commission to revoke 3 licenses and suspend 1 license
• Received an update from the Kansas Learning Network
• Approved recommendations from the Licensure Review Committee to approve 6 and deny 2 licensure requests
• Approved 10 licensure waivers, I mathematics, 4 to extend days for an emergency substitute, and 5 special education
• Recognized representatives from career technical student organizations
• Recognized the superintendent and principals of the year

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the State Board will be February 9 and 10 in Topeka.  The agenda and board materials should be available on the KSDE website beginning February 1.

School Finance, Budget Allotments and the FY 2011 Budget

Dale Dennis reviewed the Governor’s November budget allotments for FY 2010 with the State Board.

Kansas public schools state aid was reduced by $36million. This takes BSAPP (Base State Aid Per Pupil) to the FY 2006 level. The statutory BSAPP is $4,492. The BSAPP following adjournment of the legislature was $4,280. BSAPP following the Governor’s Allotments is $4,012. These reductions have resulted in the elimination of many positions for the 2009-10 school year. Other cuts on 11/24/09 included: KPERS $419,000; Juvenile Detention Facilities $398,574; School Safety Hotline $350, School Food Assistance $75,315; Discretionary Grants $12,600; After School Program Grants $8,500; Mentor Teacher Grants $43,500 and Governor’s Teaching Excellence Awards $1,923 for a subtotal State Aid reduction of $37,669,556. Mr. Dennis stated that 10 school districts would have difficulty making their payments in December. Mr. Dennis also went over the reductions in the KSDE operating budget for FY 2010 ($546,223 & $332,249). The majority of the reductions for FY 2010 will result in not filling positions, reducing out-of state travel, eliminating membership fees and subscriptions, and renegotiating some contracts for services.

Mr. Dennis reported that the agency is looking at ways to absorb the cuts without reducing staff; however, this may not be possible.

Board Hears Report on QPA

In response to Board Member Kathy Martin's request for information on accreditation processes, staff provided an update on Kansas ' Quality Performance Accreditation (QPA) process. Dr. Julie Ford, director of title programs and services at KSDE, and Teresa White, education program consultant at KSDE, provided an update on Kansas ’ Quality Performance Accreditation (QPA) process. A QPA manual is available on our website. The components of the QPA process were shared with the Board. After discussion, it was moved and seconded that the State Board look more closely at state graduation requirements (regulation 91-31-35). The motion passed 10-0.

Commissioner of Education Search Process   Authorized

The National Association for State Boards of Education has received a contract to work with State Board of Education to assist them in the selection process for a new commissioner of education.   This process will include but is not limited to meeting with the Governor to detail the process, conducting focus groups of the state’s educational stakeholders to provide an opportunity to discuss personal and professional characteristics of the next commissioner, advise the press of the search process and assisting the board in the process of interviewing the candidates.

In other action, the State Board

• Recognized the 2009 Milken Educator from Kansas
• Recognized the Kansas Finalists for the 2009 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching
• Approved a contract for the alignment of the Kansas English Language Proficiency Assessment and the English of Speakers of Other Languages Standards

January SBOE Meeting

The State Board will hold their regular two day meeting in January. The meeting will be held January 12^th and 13^th in Topeka. Board agenda and materials should be available on the KSDE website around January 4^th.

Turnover At KSDE

Dr. Diane DeBacker, Deputy Commissioner for Learning and Innovative Services, was unanimously selected Wednesday as Interim Commissioner of Education until a new Commissioner is selected by the State Board of Education.

DeBacker’s selection was prompted by the resignation of Dr. Alexa Posny, who was confirmed by the US Senate as Assistant Secretary for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services in Washington, DC.  Posny will assume those duties in early November.

The State Board will begin the process of selecting a new commissioner next week, when they meet by conference call with Dr. Brenda Welburn, director of the National Association of State Boards of Education.  NASBE has conducted several previous commissioner searches for the State Board.

State Report Card Data Continues Positive Trend

Student achievement in Kansas, as measured by Kansas assessments, has continued to increase, for the 9th year in a row.  Statewide, 82.8% of students scored exemplary, exceeds standard or meets standard in mathematics and 85.7% scored in those three levels in reading.  In both reading and mathematics, the all student group and every subgroup increased scores over the 2008 assessments.

This is especially significant since the percentage of students receiving free or reduced price lunches has increased over 10% since 1994-95 and the percentages of students with disabilities and students who are English Language Learners have both doubled.

Report cards for each school, each district and for the state are available on the KSDE website.

Professional Development Audit Authorized

The National Staff Development Council has received a contract to work with a task force of Kansas educators to “develop, review and recommend a statewide, comprehensive professional learning system to ensure that all Kansas educators engage in effective professional learning aligned with state initiatives, content standards, regulation, and legislation.”

Joellen Killion, deputy director of NSDC, will lead the task force, which is expected to work the rest of the 2009-2010 school year.  Other members of the task force will be announced soon by Pamela Coleman, director of teacher education and licensure at KSDE.

In other action, the State Board

• Pass the standards for the new Teacher Leader license
• Received the annual report from the Kansas State High School Activities Association
• Heard a presentation from the Kansas Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom
• Received an update on the Kansas  longitudinal data system
• Received an update on the Kansas Learning Network
• Approved a proclamation declaring the 3rd week in October as Disability History and Awareness Week
• Approved a request from USD 263, Mulvane, to hold a bond election

November SBOE Meeting

The State Board will hold a 1-day meeting in November, due to the Veterans’ Day holiday that falls mid-month.  The Board will meet on Tuesday, November 10th, in Topeka.  Board agenda and materials should be available on the KSDE website around November 2.

AYP Results Released

Over 87% of Kansas schools met or exceeded the targets for mathematics and reading, achieving AYP, Adequate Yearly Progress, required by NCLB/ESEA.

“We’re pleased with this level of achievement,” said Dr. Diane DeBacker, assistant commissioner, as she presented the results.  “We’re proud of the work done so far [by students and teachers] and we have a ways to go – achievement gaps still exist.”

Statewide results showed that with one exception, all subgroups in Kansas showed growth over last year’s percentages of meeting or exceeding the targets.

Reading  target: 76.7%
             All students                            85.8%, + 1.2%
             Free/reduced lunch                76.5%, + 2.4%
             Stu w/ disabilities                   69.4%, + 2.6%
             ELL                                          65.5%, + 2%
             African American                   68.2%, + 2%
             Hispanic                                  71.9%, + 2.5%
             White                                       90.4%, + 1.2%

Math target:  70.5%
             All students                             83.5%, + 1.3%
             Free/reduced lunch               74.3,   + 2.3%
             Stu w/   disabilities                 67.2,   + 2.3%
             ELL                                          69.9%, + 1.6%
             African American                   63.8%, - .8%
             Hispanic                                  72.4%, + 2.4%
             White                                       87.7%, + 1.3%

State Board members expressed pride in the growth and progress made.  They also expressed concern that budget cuts implemented this school year, coupled with increasing targets, would make it more and more difficult to reach the targets next year.

Specific AYP results for each school and district are available on the KSDE website.

Race To The Top

Commissioner Alexa Posny shared information with State Board members about Kansas ’ position of readiness to apply for Race To The Top money.  RTTT is a program of US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to infuse massive amounts of money into the system to recognize and motivate even greater growth in student learning.

• RTTT, in preliminary guidelines, requires states to address 4 major topics:
• Standards and assessments
• Effective teachers and leaders
• Data systems
• Struggling schools

Each category contains 3 to 5 indicators that must be addressed in the application.  Included in those are:

• Developing and implementing common core standards
• Developing and implementing common assessments
• Implementing a statewide longitudinal data system
• Differentiating teacher and principal “effectiveness” based on performance
• Intervening in the lowest performing schools and districts

Each application must be submitted by the state’s governor and supported by the commissioner of education, the state board of education, and the teachers’ association.

Final guidelines are expected sometime in late October and applications will probably be due in late December.  Selection of the 6-10 states in the first group of awards is expected to be announced in March, 2010.

If Kansas is selected, $35 - $43 million dollars could be available to implement the plan outlined in the application.  Awards are based on the state’s percentage of the total US student population.  Kansas has about 1% of the nation’s students.  Half the money must be spent at the local USD level.

Watch the KNEA website for updates and additional information about RTTT and Kansas ’ participation.

Professional Development Survey Results

The State Board received preliminary results from a statewide survey conducted last spring.  The Standards Assessment Inventory, SAI, was administered by the National Staff Development Council under a contract authorized by the State Board.

The SAI assesses how well Kansas educators believe their own professional development reflects the 12 standards for staff development identified by NSDC.  About 3,000 teachers and administrators in 218 schools, representing 101 USDs, completed the survey.

Preliminary results indicated that Kansas was low in 2 standards and high in 2 standards.  Standards ranked low were:

• Learning communities: organizing adults into learning communities whose goals are aligned with those of the school, district and state.
• Evaluation: using multiple sources of information to guide and improve and measure impact of professional development.
• Standards ranked high were:
• Equity: ensuring that educators maintain high expectations for all students, create safe, orderly and supportive learning environments.
• Leadership: requiring skillful school and district leaders who drive continuous improvement in teaching and learning.

KNEA will use the results of this survey to assist a staff work team that is studying the effectiveness of Professional Development Councils in Kansas.

Teacher Leader Standards Introduced

Standards defining the new Teacher Leader license were presented to the State Board.  The eight standards will be used as the basis for the assessment that must be passed to achieve the new license and by institutions of higher education to design programs to prepare teacher leaders.

The standards were developed by a team that included teachers, administrators and college/university professors.  They were reviewed and endorsed by the Regulations Committee and the Professional Standards Board.

The assessment, which will be performance-based, is currently under development by a group that includes teachers, administrators and college/university professors.  The work is coordinated by ETS, Educational Testing Service, under a contract from KSDE.

The standards are:

• The teacher leader is able to apply strategies of adult learning across teacher leadership activities.
• The teacher leader is able to advance the professional skills of colleagues by demonstrating and applying expertise in observational skills and in providing quality feedback in order to support reflective practice focused on improving curriculum, instruction, and assessment.
• The teacher leader is able to improve the quality of colleagues’ collaboration and interaction with families and other stakeholders.
• The teacher leader is able to initiate and facilitate colleagues’ design and implementation of action research and analysis of data for individual and group decision making.
• The teacher leader is able to develop and support collaborative te33ams and promote collegial interactions that improve the effectiveness of practice.
• The teacher leader is able to identify and assess opportunities for educational improvement, and advocate effectively for them within and beyond the school community.
• The teacher leader is able to inform and facilitate colleagues’ selection or design, use and interpretation of multiple assessments, along with other available data, to make informed decisions that improve the quality of instruction and student learning.
• The teacher leader is able to inform and facilitate the design and implementation of coherent, integrated and differentiated professional development based on assessed student and teacher needs.

In other action, the State Board:

• Approved recommendations from the Licensure Review Committee to approve 7 and deny 3 requests for Kansas  licenses/endorsements.
• Approved the renewal of a Visiting Scholar license
• Approved 44 local inservice education plans
• Approved requests for bond elections from
• USD 282, West Elk
• USD 487, Herington
• Details on these actions are available in the September State Board materials, which can be found on the KSDE website.

October SBOE Meeting

The October meeting of the State Board will be in Topeka on October 13 and 14.  [The meeting had been scheduled for the Shawnee Mission area but budget constraints caused the Board to decide not to travel this year.]  Agenda and board meeting materials should be available on the KSDE website beginning Monday, October 5.

Title 1 Schools and Districts Meet Higher Targets

Ninety-five percent of all Kansas Title 1 schools met or exceeded the reading and mathematics targets and achieved AYP status for the 2009-2010 school year.  The targets increased by 4 to 6 percentage points over the previous year.

“In these tough economic times, with education budgets being reduced, these figures are dramatic,” said Dr. Alexa Posny, commissioner of education.

“These results are evidence of the dedication and hard work of Kansas teachers and students,” said Dr. Blake West, president of KNEA.  “We all know the wonderful work that goes on every day in Kansas schools.  It is encouraging to see it reflected by these assessments.”

AYP scores for the rest of Kansas ’ schools will be released at the September State Board of Education meeting.

September SBOE Meeting

The September meeting of the State Board will be Tuesday and Wednesday, September 8 and 9, in Topeka.  The meeting agenda and board materials should be available on the KSDE website beginning Monday, August 31.

In other action, the State Board

• Heard a report on the P-20 Council
• Heard an update on H1N1 Community Mitigation
• Heard an update on career and technical education
• Renewed 2 Visiting Scholar licenses
• Approved recommendations from the Evaluation Review Committee for
• Baker  University, 17 programs approved, 6 programs approved with stipulation
• Fort  Hays State University, 1 program approved
• Kansas  State University, 1 program approved

SBOE Asks Lege to Fund the Law

The State Board was practically unanimous [8-1, 1 absent] in asking the Kansas Legislature to fund current laws for FY11.  Even though the current fiscal year has barely begun, state agencies must have next year’s budget recommendations submitted by mid-September.

Following a brief discussion, there was clear indication that almost all the board members were ready to ask the Legislature to fully fund programs that provide state aid to public schools.  Those programs are:

• General state aid/base state aid per pupil at $4,492
• Supplemental general state aid
• Special education at 92% of excess cost
• Capital outlay
• Mentor  teacher program
• Professional development
• National Board Certification
• School lunch
• Parents as Teachers

Board members John Bacon, Carolyn Campbell, Dave Dennis, Kathy Martin, Jana Shaver, Sue Storm, Janet Waugh and Ken Willard voted for the motion.  Walt Chappell opposed it.  Sally Cauble had left the meeting, which was already running well past the projected adjournment time when the vote occurred.  Cauble would have voted for the motion.

The board went on to request that discretionary fund programs Agriculture in the Classroom, Communities in Schools, KACEE, and Kansas Historical Society also receive state funds.  They also requested money to continue the Kansas Career Pipeline activities.

A motion to fund leadership initiatives related to the Kansas Educational Leadership Commission recommendations failed 5-4.  Voting for the motion were Campbell, Dennis, Shaver, Storm and Waugh.

Final action on budget recommendations is scheduled for the August meeting.

Board Approves Licensure Changes

On a 9-1 vote, the State Board approved changes in licensure regulations.  The changes are in 3 areas:

• Establish a Teacher Leader endorsement at the School Specialist license level
• Add pathways to become school counselors without teaching experience
• Extend to 6 months the time KSDE has to review USD 5-year professional development plans

Voting for the motion were John Bacon, Carolyn Campbell, Sally Cauble, Dave Dennis, Kathy Martin, Jana Shaver, Sue Storm, Janet Waugh and Ken Willard.  Voting against the motion was Walt Chappell.

In other action, the State Board:

• Recognized Ken Bingman, Blue Valley NEA, National Teacher’s Hall of Fame inductee
• Appointed members to the Professional Standards Board to represent teachers and administrators in non-public accredited schools
• Heard a presentation on Nutrition Services’ wellness programs
• Heard a presentation on the Circle of Friends program
• Heard a presentation on multicultural programs in Kansas  schools
• Heard a presentation on arts education in Kansas
• Approved recommendations from Licensure Review Committee to approve 8 and deny 3 requests
• Approved recommendation from Evaluation Review Committee to approve 29 programs at Wichita  State  University through 12-31-16
• Approved continuation of a contract with Cross & Joftus for the Kansas Learning Network, which assists schools and districts on improvement for Title 1
• Approved contracts with McREL to provide professional development for ELL and mathematics for schools on improvement for Title 1
• Approved a contract with KU to develop an online program for endorsement in functional special education
• Approved funding for 21C Community  Learning  Center grants
• Approved funding for middle school after school enhancement continuation grants
• Approved funding for after school enhancement continuation grants
• Approved a request from USD 320, Wamego, to hold a bond election

August Meeting

The next meeting of the State Board of Education is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, August 11 and 12.  The agenda and meeting materials should be available on the KSDE website beginning Monday, August 3.

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.

Kansas  is participating with approximately 40 other states in work to identify a “common core” of standards for reading and mathematics.   Dr. Alexa Posny, Commissioner of Education, outlined the process to the State Board at their meeting May 13.

An initiative of the National Governor’s Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers, the process is intended to lead to a common core of standards that are “aligned with college and work expectations, include rigorous content and skills, and [are] internationally benchmarked,” according to the Memorandum of Agreement signed by Posny and Governor Mark Parkinson.

The common core is expected to reflect the standards developed by national subject matter organizations and by the American Diploma Project/Achieve.  Kansas ’ standards are already closely aligned with both of those.

The MOA also explains that the standards would be “aligned to state assessment and classroom practice” and that the second phase of the initiative would include the development of common assessments aligned to the common core standards.

State Board members indicated interest in the work along with concerns that state and local school district autonomy be maintained.

Licensure Regulations Hearing in June

Proposed changes and additions to the Kansas licensure regulations will have a public hearing on Tuesday, June 9, at 1:30 pm in the board room of the Kansas State Department of Education, 120 E. 10th, Topeka.

Any person can speak at the public hearing or provide written testimony prior to the hearing.

The major changes are the adoption of a Teacher Leader license, adding paths for becoming a school counselor without teaching experience, adding a renewal option for the Initial License, and extending the time for KSDE to approve district 5-year “in-service education” plans.

Copies of the proposed regulations can be found in the State Board materials for the March 10, 2009 meeting, pages 93-143.

Committee Reappointments Approved

The following people were reappointed to 3-year terms on committees that advise the State Board:

• Professional Standards Board:  Donna Bagley, private colleges
• Licensure Review Committee:  Pamela Amott, UTW, special education teachers
• Professional Practices Commission:  Randy Mousley, UTW, teachers

In other action, the State Board:

• Approved the action plan for implementing State Board goals
• Received information on updates to the KSDE website
• Heard a presentation from USD 259 on student coaching
• Appointed members to the Special Education Advisory Council
• Approved a petition to disorganize USD 279, Jewell
• Issued an order to divide the territory  of USD 279 between USD 107, Rock Hills, and USD 273, Beloit
• Adopted a recommendation from the Professional Practices Commission
• Approved recommendations for 2 licensure waivers, both special education
• Approved recommendations from the Licensure Review Committee for 18 license/endorsements
• Approved continuation of the $39 license fee for 2009-2010
• Approved the contract with CETE for the Kansas  assessments, not to exceed $4m
• Approved the timeline for review of Kansas  curriculum standards
• Heard a presentation on Troops To Teachers
• Received an update on Teacher Leader license and assessment work

The next meeting of the State Board will be Tuesday and Wednesday, June 9 and 10, in Topeka.  The agenda and meeting materials will be available on the KSDE website , usually by June 1.

The Kansas State Board of Education met on April 14 and 15, in Dodge City at the USD 443 Learning Center.  Nine members of the board were present on April 14 with John Bacon absent.  Eight board members were present on April 15 with both John Bacon and Ken Willard absent.

State Board minutes may go “skinny”

The April meeting of the State Board began with the board enveloped in a lengthy discussion regarding the minutes of the monthly board meeting and the manner in which board meetings are to be reported in the future. A suggestion brought forth by Board Chair Janet Waugh to use a short form or “skinny” method of recording board minutes in conjunction with the new and improved audio recordings received much feedback and questioning. Various methods of reporting the board meetings and requirements of the board minutes were discussed. During this discussion board member Walt Chappell expressed concern that he was not quoted correctly in the minutes. He wanted the minutes changed to more accurately reflect what he believed to be his meaning. After a long discussion the board voted 9-0 to accept the minutes as written. A motion to go to “skinny” minutes was withdrawn until after the new and enhanced audio recordings begin in May.

Board members appoint a Hearing Officer for Jewell 

USD 279 (Jewell) filed a petition to disorganize and requested that the State Board of Education disorganize the Jewell school district and attach all of its territory to USD 273 Beloit. The request to the board to disorganize is the result of a failed vote on April 7 by the electors in the Jewell school district to consolidate with USD 107 (Rock Hills).

During the open forum section of the board agenda the superintendent of the Jewell s chool district stated that the district is down to 96 students and is not financially able to contract with teachers or other districts to provide teachers for all necessary class offerings. The superintendent of the Jewell d istrict stated that their board has been in discussions with Beloit in case the April 7 vote failed. The superintendent urged that the State Board not appoint a hearing officer and to vote to disorganize the district in order that planning for the next school year could begin. 

KSDE staff recommended that the State Board appoint a hearing officer to make recommendations to the State Board after a hearing officer holds meetings with the Jewell school district community. The staff reminded the State Board that they are required by statute to make specific findings of fact before it can issue an order disorganizing a school district.

The State Board voted 7-2 to appoint a hearing officer who will report back to them at their May meeting.

Board Objectives reviewed and passed

The State Board reviewed its goals, objectives and strategies. The board looked at each of the major objectives that they hope to achieve through the work of the education department and the Commissioner of Education. Slight changes were approved. The document will be available on line shortly.

Professional Practices Commission Recommendations

The State Board approved the recommendations of the Professional Practices Commission with one exception by an 8-1 vote. The one exception was the commission's recommendation to deny a teaching license to former Topeka mayor Doug Wright who served time for felony theft and perjury.  Mr. Wright's record was recently expunged in Shawnee County District Court.  Mr. Wright petitioned the State Board to allow him to present an oral argument before the State Board prior to a vote on the commission’s recommendation to deny Mr. Wright a teaching license.  After a series of motions the board voted 6-3 to give Mr. Wright an opportunity to speak at the May 12 board meeting.

The fact that the board rarely permits this type of opportunity is reflected in the series of motions that were defeated before the final motion to permit Mr. Wright the opportunity to speak passed.

The first motion to permit oral arguments failed on a 5-4 vote (a motion requires six votes to pass).   A second motion to permit oral arguments failed again on a 5-4 vote. A third motion to approve a teaching license for Mr. Wright failed 4-3 with two board members abstaining stating that they needed more information in order to make a decision. A final motion to allow Mr. Wright to speak at the May 12 State Board meeting passed 6-3.

A Personal Viewpoint

As the board wrapped up their meeting in the early afternoon of April 15 an interesting exchange between board Chair Janet Waugh and board member Walt Chappell bears a comment from this observer.

The final agenda item of the State Board’s monthly agenda is usually a vote to approve board travel expenditures.  An earnest discussion quickly ensued regarding whether the board should approve board travel expenditures for board members who overspend their travel allotment. The discussion centered on board member Walt Chappell who is very close to overspending his allotment. The discussion then evolved into Mr. Chappell’s attendance and speech to the Wichita School Board and a letter written by Mr. Chappell to the Wichita School District Superintendent.

At issue was the signature of State Board member Walt Chappell. Mr. Chappell spoke to the Wichita School Board as an individual and he somewhat chastised the board for their recent spending decisions for the Wichita School District. He wrote a letter to the Superintendent expressing his concerns about the district's spending habits.  Mr. Chappell finished the letter by signing his name as “State Board Member, Walt Chappell."  What is curious about this action is that previously Mr. Chappell had been requested by the board through Board Chair Janet Waugh to not identify himself as a member of the State Board of Education when speaking as an individual.

Mr. Chappell denied that he had signed the letter identifying himself as a member of the State Board of Education. The board’s attorney and Ms. Waugh produced a copy of the letter attached to other documents. Mr. Chappell's request to view the documents was accepted, but he was told he could not look at the other documents attached.  Ms. Waugh stood and held the letter, Mr. Chappell proceeded to stand and walk to where Ms. Waugh was standing and they both held the series of documents while Mr. Chappell reviewed them.

It is at this point that the board meeting devolved into something else.  Mr. Chappell tried to pull the documents from Ms. Waugh’s hands. She struggled to hold on to the documents saying loudly for Mr. Chappell not to take the documents and saying he was told not to take the documents. This tug-o-war continued for a short time until the board attorney stood and took the documents. 

It would seem to me that while there are various ways to solve a disagreement, wrestling is not the most appropriate one for the state board of education and its members. The decorum of the board dictates better behavior. I would hope that the board member who instituted the wrestling match think better of repeating such actions in the future.  Terry Forsyth

May Board Meeting

In May, the State Board will meet back home in Topeka on May 12 and May 13. The board agenda should be available on the KSDE website by May 4.

In other action, the State Board

• Approved the agreement for the Educational Service and Staff Development Association of Central Kansas Consortium Interlocal Agreement #622
• Approved recommendations to continue funding for the Kansas Middle School Afterschool Activities Advancement Grant-Summer Programs for 2009
• Amended a contract with Coyote Consulting, Inc. to provide support services as the Character Education Program Coordinator.
• Approved requests from USD 225, South Barber, and USD 263, Mulvane, for authority to hold elections on the question of issuing bonds over the school districts’ bond debt limit.  

Board Admonishes Member, Rescinds Travel Request

Following lengthy discussion about boardsmanship and the behavior of an individual board member, the State Board rescinded a travel request from Walt Chappell, district 8, to attend a national meeting.

In clarifying his motion, Dave Dennis, district 10, confirmed that the action was in response to Chappell’s behavior, not to fiscal concerns. Voting for the motion were Carolyn Campbell, Sally Cauble, Dave Dennis, Jana Shaver, Sue Storm and Janet Waugh.  Kathy Martin and Walt Chappell voted no.  Ken Willard abstained and John Bacon was not in the room.

Seven different board members expressed concerns about Chappell’s behavior.  One member [Kathy Martin] indicated she had no concern and one member [John Bacon] was at the meeting but not in the board room during the discussion.

The travel request was to attend the legislative meeting of the National Association of State Boards of Education.  Board members expressed concern that, if he attended, Chappell would not represent the positions of the Kansas State Board of Education during meetings with legislators.

Licensure Regulations Hearing Set

A public hearing on proposals to change licensure regulations will occur on Tuesday, June 9, 2009 at 1:30 pm at the KSDE office in Topeka, as part of the June SBOE meeting.

Comments about the proposed regulations can be submitted any time between now and the official hearing.

There are two major changes proposed.

1. Add a new school specialist license with an endorsement as Teacher Leader.  This new license would be based on standards [which have not yet been approved] defining the knowledge and performance skills that a teacher leader would demonstrate.  It would be granted to anyone who holds a graduate degree and who passes an “evidence centered assessment” [not yet developed].  The regulations state that candidates could complete an approved program in teacher leadership but would not be required to do so.  This would allow anyone with a teaching license and a graduate degree to pass the assessment and add the new license.  The new license would not be required for assignment to a teacher leader position in a school district.  On a related note, the State Board approved a contract with ETS, Educational Testing Service, to develop the “evidence centered assessment” between now and March, 2010.  The contract is not to exceed $120,000.
2. Add direct entry paths for school counselors.  Currently, this endorsement requires that the candidate hold a professional teaching license.  Under the proposed regulations, a candidate could substitute field experiences consisting of two 3-hour courses over two semesters during the approved counselor program.  School counselors from out of state who do not have a teaching background will have access to Kansas licenses depending on their years of accredited experience as a school counselor.  [Not every state requires that school counselors have teaching licenses prior to earning the school counselor license.]

In addition, there are two minor changes.

1. Add an option to renew an Initial License using professional development points and credit hours that are part of an approved program in an added endorsement area.
2. Allow KSDE up to one semester, instead of 60 days, to review and approve USD 5 year in-service education [sic] plans.

KNEA will be announcing its positions on these proposed changes prior to the hearing.  Watch the KNEA website for that information.

April Board Meeting in Dodge City

In April, the State Board will meet in District 5, and Sally Cauble, who represents that district, has selected Dodge City as the site.  The meeting will be on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 14 and 15.  Information about the meeting, including agenda and board materials, should be available on the KSDE website beginning Monday, April 6.

In other action, the State Board

• Established new USD 111, Doniphan  County, following the consolidation of USDs 425 and 433.
• Accepted recommendations from the Licensure Review Committee to approve 7 requests and deny 1 request.
• Approved 75 licensure waiver requests from USDs, 67 for special education, 2 each for ESOL and mathematics, and 1 each for LMS, art, pe, and English language arts.
• Approved a contract with ETS, Educational Testing Service, for not more than $120,000 to develop the “evidence based assessment” for the proposed Teacher Leader license.
• Approved a contract with University  of California  , Santa Cruz, for $201,000, for mentor/mentee training.
• Approved $2.8m in grants to Title 1 districts on improvement.
• Made their annual visits to the Kansas  State  School for the Deaf and the Kansas State School for the Blind.

State Board Still “Storming”

Remember the “team development wheel,” which describes the stages that all groups go through when they become a group?  The phases are form, storm, norm, and perform.

The February SBOE meeting provided evidence that this Board, which met for the first time in January, is still in the second phase, meaning that they are all still learning how to “play well with others,” to quote the report cards I used to write as a kindergarten teacher.

Frustrations reached a peak late Wednesday morning, when one Board member observed that the Board member who had spent the most time in January and February demanding fiscal restraint and responsibility had requested the most travel for the month.

The Board has a budget for travel in which each Board member has an unofficial allocation.  While not mandated, the expectation is that each Board member will stay within his/her allocation.  Past experience is that when a Board member has exceeded his/her allocation sometimes there are 6 votes to approve additional travel, sometimes there aren’t.  That could come sooner rather than later for at least one Board member.

2009 Kansas Teacher of the Year Team Honored

The members of this year’s TOY team were recognized at the February meeting.  In coordinated remarks, each teacher spoke briefly about an issue that relates to the team’s theme of rigor, relevance and relationships.  [Mary Martha Good was ill and unable to attend the meeting.]

This year’s team includes:

2009 Kansas  Teacher of the Year
• Cindy Couchman, Buhler NEA, a mathematics teacher at Buhler High School, Buhler USD 313.

2009 Kansas  Regional Teachers of the Year
• Mary Bradshaw, Newton NEA, an ELL teacher at Chisholm Middle School, Newton USD 373.
• Walt Cochran, Gardner/Edgerton NEA, a history/government teacher at Gardner Edgerton High School, Gardner Edgerton USD 231.
• Marilyn Fox, NEA Manhattan/Ogden, a science teacher at Susan B. Anthony Middle School, Manhattan-Ogden USD 383.
• Mary Martha Good, El Dorado NEA, a kindergarten teacher at Skelly Elementary School, El Dorado USD 490.
• Jennifer Hartman, DeSoto TA, a music teacher at Clear Creek Elementary School, De Soto USD 232.
• Julie Miller, Paola EA, a kindergarten science, social studies, and music teacher at Cottonwood Elementary School, Paola USD 368.
• Cindy Venard, Dodge City NEA, a fifth-grade teacher at Soule Intermediate School, Dodge City USD 443.

Teaching In Kansas Commission Recommendations Accepted

Recommendations developed by 5 subcommittees of the Teaching in Kansas Commission were accepted by the State Board and will be implemented over the next two years.  While the original set was divided into 3 stages of implementation, the State Board has only accepted those from the first stage.

The full set of recommendations is available in the February SBOE materials, on the KSDE website .  Highlights include:

• Working conditions
  • Pilot an e-mentoring program
  • Pilot the New  Teacher  Center [UC-Santa Cruz] mentoring program
  • Pilot the Pathwise induction/mentoring program
  • Develop review process for induction/mentoring programs
• Teacher preparation
  • Publicize availability of loans/scholarships for teachers
  • Revise preparation standards to include 21st Century Skills, National Education Technology Standards, greater awareness of federal and state requirements
  • Adopt standards for Professional Development Schools
  • Include PDS standards in KSDE program review process
• Image and promotion
  • Promote teaching as a profession through a statewide marketing campaign
  • Use internet and TV to broadcast promotional video
  • Assist with developing more “grow your own teacher” programs
• Salary and benefits
  • Encourage development of scaffolded salary structures
  • Convene joint actuarial study committee on KPERS-related issues
• Regulations, requirements and data
  • Pursue adoption of Teacher Leader license
  • Provide TEAL data reports semi-annually [now are annual]
  • Continue conversations regarding regulatory barriers to licensure
    

In other action, the State Board

• Heard from Keil Hileman, 2004 KTOY, about the US  Department of Education Ambassadors Program
• Learned about MTSS from USD 410, Hillsboro
• Learned about Career  Academies  from USD 475, Geary County HS and USD 259, Wichita West HS
• Appointed Sr. Frances Juiliano to the Licensure Review Committee
• Approved an agreement, allowing USD 107, Rock Hills, and USD 279, Jewell, both in Jewell  County  , to vote on consolidation
• Approved 60 license waiver requests, all but 8 for special education
• Approved recommendations of the Evaluation Review Committee
  • Southwestern  College, continuing accreditation through 12/31/15
  • Haskell  Indian Nations University, continuing accreditation through 12/31/12
  • Kansas  State University, 22 programs approved through 12/31/15; 1 program approved with stipulation through 12/31/10
• Approved requests for bond elections from
  • USD 307, Ell-Saline
  • USD 310, Fairfield
  • USD 480, Liberal
• Heard from McREL about their work on integrating content standards within skill and trade areas

New State Board Organizes

The 2009-2010 State Board of Education met for the first time on Tuesday and Wednesday, January 13 and 14 in Topeka.  New board members Carolyn Campbell, district 4, Walt Chappell, district 8, Dave Dennis, district 10, and Sue Storm, district 2, were sworn in, along with returning board member Kathy Martin, district 6.

The board elected Janet Waugh, district 1, as chairperson and Jana Shaver, district 9, as vice chairperson.  Sue Storm was elected legislative coordinator, with Sally Cauble, district 5, elected as assistant legislative coordinator.

Meeting dates for 2009 are:

February 9 – board retreat, Topeka
February 10, 11 – board meeting, Topeka
March 10 – board meeting, Topeka
March 11 – visits to KSSD, Olathe, and KSSB, KCK
April 14, 15 – board meeting, district 5, Elkhart
May 12, 13 – board meeting, Topeka
June 9, 10 – board meeting, Topeka
July 14, 15 – board meeting, Topeka
August 11, 12 – board meeting, Topeka
September 8, 9 – board meeting, Topeka
October 13, 14 – board meeting, district 2, Shawnee Mission
November 10 – board meeting, Topeka [one day only]
December 8, 9 – board meeting, Topeka

Board meeting agendas and materials are available on the KSDE website the Monday of the week prior to the board meeting.  In addition, board meetings are audio and video streamed, with access details available on the KSDE website.

License Regulations Changes Proposed

The State Board began the review process for proposed changes and additions to teacher licensing regulations.  The proposals were forwarded from the Professional Standards Board.  After review by the Attorney General’s office [for consistency with state law] and the Department of Administration [for form and format], the State Board will set a date for a public hearing.  There must be at least 60 days for public comment before the official hearing and vote on the proposed changes.

It is expected that the public hearing will be scheduled for no earlier than the April SBOE meeting.

The proposals include:

• Establishing a Teacher Leader school specialist license.   This license would recognize the specialized skills and knowledge of teacher leaders.   It would not be required for assignment to a teacher leader position.  The regulation would also include two paths to achieve the new license, one through completion of a master’s level teacher leader preparation program and the other by completing only an “evidence-centered assessment,” [yet to be developed], which would also be required of those completing the program.
• Establishing a second pathway to achieve the School Counselor license.   This would be available for those who come from states that allow direct entry into school counseling without classroom experience.   The Kansas license would require that those applicants have field experiences in pedagogy.
• Adding the option to renew the Initial License by completing inservice points, using the same rules as for renewing Professional Licenses with points.

In other action, the State Board:

• Recognized the administrators of the year
• Approved recommendations from the Professional Practices Commission to grant 1 application, deny 3 applications, and revoke 5 licenses
• Approved the agreement to consolidate USD 425, Highland  , and USD 433, Midway, both in Doniphan County
• Approved recommendations from the Licensure Review Committee to approve 13 license/endorsement requests
• Approved recommendations from the Waiver Review Committee to approve 34 requests [27 special education, 1 French, 1 library media specialist, 2 math, 1 ESOL, 2 extension of days for e-sub]
• Approved 1 Visiting Scholar request for USD 249, Frontenac, for newspaper/speech & theatre
• Met with the Special Education Advisory Council
• Met with Career and Technical Student Organizations representatives

A time of transition

The agenda for this two day meeting was light on issues and heavy on transition activities.  The entire second day was entirely devoted to board reports, farewell messages from the outgoing board and a reception for past, present and new board members. Some of the board members’ farewells were tearful and some were expressions of gratitude for the experience of serving on the Board. Out going Board members are Steve Abrams, District 10; Carol Rupe, District 8; Bill Wagnon, District 4; and Sue Gamble, District 2. We know that we will see the former Board members in other public service roles in Kansas, including Steve Abrams who won election as the Kansas State Senator for Senate District 32.

State input requested       

Commissioner Posny reported the formation of a Task Force from KSDE to submit recommendations to Congress, the U.S. Secretary of Education and President-Elect Obama’s Education Transition Team. The recommendations were requested by the President-Elect’s transition team.

Final Report of the Teaching in Kansas Commission

The board accepted the report from the Teaching in Kansas Commission on a 10-0 vote amid much questioning from board members Steve Abrams, Sue Gamble and Carol Rupe. The Teaching in Kansas Commission consisted of six subcommittees:   Teacher Preparation, Working Conditions, Salary and Benefits, Regulations/Requirements/Data, Image and Promotion and Regulation/Teacher Leader. Board members Abrams and Gamble took exception with the wording in different sections of the report. Board member Abrams wanted a clarification and definition of the 21^st Learning Skills that were discussed in the report. He also took exception to the Salary and Benefits Subcommittee wording in their report to “mandate” all districts participate in a health insurance program. Sue Gamble agreed with the objection as did Carol Rupe.

Board Member Sue Gamble stated that “the report has everybody’s viewpoints, but says nothing. We have so many pieces of this that are already in laws, policies and regulations. The report has no hierarchy of importance and we do not know what the subcommittees believe to be most important in the recommendations."

Despite the criticism the decision was made by the Board to accept the report and to turn the refining of the report over to the KSDE staff.

Consent Agenda

The consent agenda was accepted on a 10-0 vote. Included on the consent agenda werer requests from USD 257, Iola, and USD 446, Independence, for authority to hold elections on the question of issuing bonds over the school district’s bond debt limitation.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the State Board is Tuesday and Wednesday, January 13 and 14, 2009 in Topeka. Board agenda and materials should be available on the KSDE  website the week prior.

Reading  and math standards reviews begin

Committees have begun working on the required reviews of the Kansas curriculum standards for reading and mathematics.  In addition to updating the standards, committee members are to integrate both core content areas with career and technical education standards that focus on the 16 career clusters.

New standards lead to new assessments.  The State Board voted to maintain the current state assessment system until the reauthorization of ESEA is completed.  This will allow districts and schools to maintain their current instructional efforts and the state to have trend data over a longer period of time.

21st Century Learner and Environment profiles presented

To help Kansas schools shape teaching and learning to meet the needs of the 21st Century, drafts of two profiles have been created.  One looks at the learner, the other at the learning environment.  Each is organized around unifying themes.  In the full document, available in the November State Board materials, each theme is explained fully.

21st Century Learner

1. Creativity and innovation
2. Critical thinking and problem solving
3. Communication and collaboration
4. Information, communication, technology and media literacy
5. Flexibility and adaptability
6. Initiative and self-direction
7. Social and cross-cultural skills
8. Productivity and accountability
9. Leadership and responsibility
10. Employment and career development

21st Century Learning Environment

1. Relationships
2. Relevance
3. Rigor
4. Results
5. Responsive culture

In other action, the State Board:

• Received the annual report from the Kansas State High School Activities Association
• Heard an update on dyslexia
• Received updates from the Teaching in Kansas Commission and the Kansas Educational Leadership Commission
• Heard an update on MTSS from USD 475, Geary  County
• Accepted recommendations from the Licensure Review Committee
• Approved QPA waivers
• Approved bond elections for USD 248, Girard, and USD 443, Dodge City

December SBOE meeting

The December meeting of the State Board will be Tuesday and Wednesday, December 9 and 10.  The meeting will include recognition of outgoing Board members Steve Abrams, Sue Gamble, Carol Rupe and Bill Wagnon.

Board agenda and materials will be available on the KSDE website on or after Monday, December 1.

State Assessment Results Show Strong Performance

Results of the 2008 Kansas Statewide Assessments show strong performance in reading, mathematics, science and history/government for all students. The participation rate in the state assessments by Kansas students was over 99 percent.   When compared to the 2000-2007 results, reading and mathematics scores reflect a continuing upward trend.

“I attribute these outstanding results to the sustained focus of educators, administrators, and boards of education across Kansas,” said Alexa Posny, commissioner of education. “They have met and exceeded increasing higher targets under NCLB legislation and their students are the beneficiaries”.

The achievement gaps among various groups of Kansas students in both reading and mathematics are gradually closing.

More information regarding the 2008 Kansas Report Card is available at www.ksde.org on the left side of the homepage under “Data/Report Card." State, district and individual information is available.

Board Continues Discussions of Possible Legislative Recommendations       

Dale Dennis, deputy commissioner, provided information regarding two possible legislative recommendations requested by Board President Wagnon. If approved these would be the State Board of Education recommendations 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.

The board will act on these proposed recommendations at the November board meeting.

Teacher Vacancies

As of August 1, 2008, there were 85 unified school districts with approximately 228. 9 teacher vacancies compared with 315. 5 at the beginning of the 2007-08 school year. There were 210 districts with no vacancies.   Special Education and math openings continue to be the largest need areas followed by the need for Foreign Language teachers and elementary counselors.

  In other action, the State Board:

• Received a report on future school funding from the 2008 Interim Legislative Study Committees.
• Heard a presentation from the Kansas Board of Regents regarding Teacher Preparation.
• Postponed hearing an overview of a Dyslexia Resolution.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the State Board is Tuesday and Wednesday, November 11 & 12, in Topeka .  Board agenda and materials should be available on the KSDE website the week prior to that.

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.

Title 1, ACT Scores Show Strengths of Kansas Schools

94% of Kansas Title 1 districts and 96% of Kansas Title 1 schools met the ESEA/NCLB requirements for AYP.  Kansas had 295 USDs and 652 schools eligible for Title 1 in 2007-8.

“Kansas teachers, students, administrators, and parents have a right to be proud of their districts and schools that continue to meet or exceed increasingly higher academic achievement targets,” said Alexa Posny, commissioner of education.

The chart below shows the 2007-8 targets along with the 2006-7 targets. The percentages of students scoring proficient or above increased from a minimum of 6.1% [K-8 reading] to a maximum of 8.9% [9-12 math].

The AYP results for all Kansas districts and schools will be released at the October State Board meeting.

The ACT results show that Kansas students scored an average of 22/36 points. The national average was 21.1. That is even more meaningful because 74% of Kansas students took the test, while the national participation average was 43%.

Expected Gains Formula Announced

Diane DeBacker, deputy commissioner, provided information on the new QPA Expected Gains formula, which will be used for the first time this year. The formula operationalizes the performance criteria that each building must achieve to be accredited. Regulation 91-31-32 states that each school must meet

“the percentage prescribed by the state board of students performing at or above the proficient level on state assessments or … increase overall student achievement by a percentage prescribed by the state board.”

The formula uses the school’s proficiency rate, the state’s proficiency rate and the number of students performing below proficient to determine an expected gains percent.

By using the formula, 100 additional schools could meet the QPA performance criteria, according to KSDE staff.

To be eligible to use the Expected Gains Formula, a school must submit an integrated improvement plan, which outlines school’s commitment to redesign their delivery system to increase the likelihood of improved student achievement. It must also participate in KSDE-sponsored technical assistance peer review of the plan.

Cut Scores for Science, History/Government Assessments Approved

The State Board accepted recommendations from expert panels that worked during the summer under the direction of KU’s Center for Educational Testing and Evaluation and set the cut scores for the science and history/government state assessments.

The scores should be available soon on the KSDE website. They are not included here because of the complexity of the tables.

Virtual School Guidelines Approved

The State Board approved guidelines for Kansas Virtual Schools. Before a school or program can enroll students, it must submit a “desktop audit” to KSDE. The audit includes criteria in 4 categories: KSDE responsibilities, personnel requirements, program requirements, and student/parent responsibilities. Among the criteria are these:

• Virtual schools/programs must employ Kansas  licensed teachers, who must be endorsed in the content area they will teach.
• They must also comply with all QPA regulations and requirements.

The Guidelines also address recruitment and advertising. They state that

“Prior to publicly distributing any written materials to advertise or promote a virtual program/school, such written materials must be provided to the school district or districts located within the geographic area where the materials will be distributed. Materials such as laptops should be listed as a loaner and not free.”

The Guidelines establish a Virtual School/Program Advisory Council, which includes 25 members. The Council members must represent districts/schools that do and do not have virtual schools/programs, as well as parents, the business community, higher education, the State Board, and KSDE staff.

Materials distributed at the SBOE meeting indicated that “nominations will be accepted in the fall of each year by KSDE.” Additional information is likely to be posted on the KSDE website.

National Group Gets $.75m Contract to Assist Schools

The State Board approved a contract, not to exceed $750,000, for Cross & Joftus, LLC, a national firm, to establish the Kansas Learning Network. Ray Daniels, former superintendent of USD 500, Kansas City, will be among those providing services to Kansas schools. All of the money comes from federal funds.

The Network will begin a pilot project during 2008-2009 which will serve 3 of the 7 USDs that are targets because of their Title 1 status.

The intent of the Network is to build capacity within the districts to meet their school improvement needs. Participating USDs would be required to involve a team consisting, at a minimum, of the superintendent, administrators responsible for accountability and for professional development, local board members, and school-level staff.

They would also be required to perform an audit which will examine all the practices of the USD to ensure that they support student learning. The USDs will review each others’ audits, using a process taught by Cross & Joftus.

Once the 3 pilot USDs are selected, it is expected that other interested USDs will be able to take advantage of the Network resources, including outside experts and training in processes.

In other action, the State Board:

• Heard updates on current work of the Teaching in Kansas Commission and the Kansas Education Leadership Commission.
• Heard an update on work to integrate academics with career and technical education.
• Received a report on the Restricted License program.
• Received the special education seclusion report.
• Accepted recommendations from the License Review Committee to approve 7 and deny 3 requests for endorsements and/or licenses.
• Accepted recommendations to issue 3 Visiting Scholar licenses, all with foreign language endorsements.
• Approved a QPA waiver for Kickapoo Nation School regarding athletic practice.
• Approved contracts related to the Character Education Grant received from the US Department of Education.
• Approved bond elections for
  • USD 232, DeSoto
  • USD 233, Olathe
  • USD 348, Baldwin City
  • USD 487, Herington.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the State Board is Tuesday and Wednesday, September 9 and 10, in Topeka. Board agenda and materials should be available on the KSDE website the week prior to that.

The State Board of Education will ask Governor Sebelius and the Legislature to fully fund current law [which requires using the Consumer Price Index – Urban to determine general state aid, along with a $69 increase to base state aid per pupil [instead of the $59 currently approved], resulting in a total request of $131,869,344 for FY 2010.

The Board’s request includes

·        Full funding of statutory amounts for mentoring

·        Full funding of statutory amounts for professional development

·        92% of excess cost of special education

·        $69 increase to base state aid per pupil.

The Board also heard updates on current work of

·        The Teaching in Kansas Commission

·        The Kansas Educational Leadership Commission

·        A survey of professional development practices

·        Increasing the number of Highly Qualified teachers in high poverty schools.

In other action, the State Board:

·        Discussed guidelines for Virtual Schools in Kansas

·        Approved recommendations of the Professional Practices Commission to deny 1 application and revoke 3 licenses

·        Approve recommendations of the Evaluation Review Committee to approve new programs at:
          o       University of Kansas  
          o       Pittsburg State University  
          o       MidAmerica Nazarene University

·        Approve recommendations of the Licensure Review Committee to deny 4 license/endorsement requests and approve 13

·        Approved model curriculum standards for world languages

·        Approve bond elections for
          o       USD 383, Manhattan  
          o       USD 453, Leavenworth  
          o       USD 498, Valley Heights

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The August meeting of the State Board will be Tuesday and Wednesday, August 12 and 13.  Board agenda and materials will be available on the KSDE website  on or after Monday, August 4.  All meetings of the State Board are audio-streamed and can be accessed on the KSDE website.

Results of the 2008 Kansas Teaching, Learning and Leadership survey were released at Wednesday’s State Board of Education meeting.  All the results can be found at the KANTeLL website, www.kantell.org

Eric Hirsch, from the New Teacher Center at University of California, Santa Cruz, announced that the results were very positive, with 89% of respondents indicating that they want to continue teaching in their schools and 78% agreeing that their schools are good places to work and learn.

With one exception, the 2008 survey results indicated improvement in all working conditions, when compared to the 2006 survey results.  This time, only 63% of respondents, compared to 71% in ’06, said that the number of work days during the year is sufficient for teachers to meet expected professional responsibilities.

Results of the survey are available for statewide data, for USDs with 40% or greater response rate, and for individual buildings with 40% or greater response rate.

Also on the KANTeLL website are the 2006 results, copies of the survey questions, a facilitator’s guide [to help districts and schools use their data], and a copy of a PowerPoint presentation that summarizes the statewide findings.

KNEA is working with survey coalition partner United School Administrators of Kansas to develop additional resources that districts and schools can use to facilitate discussions based on KANTeLL data.

Members Selected for SBOE Committees

New members for three statewide committees were selected by the State Board.  They are:

• Professional Standards Board – Sharon Klose, NEA SM and Lory Mills  , Derby  NEA
• Professional Practices Commission – Suzanne Bangert, NEA SM
• Licensure Review Committee – Ruth Goff, NEA SM

Each woman will serve a 3-year term, beginning July 1, 2008.  Their appointments were necessary because their predecessors had each served two full terms and were not eligible for reappointment.

Thanks to the following KNEA members for exemplary service to their profession:

• Professional Standards Board – Terry Boyd, Lansing NEA, and Cindy Garwick, NEA Manhattan/Ogden
• Professional Practices Commission – Eileen Hackley, Junction City  Education Association
• Licensure Review Committee – John Hope, UTW.

Members Recognized for Change Award

Augusta Education Association members Kelli Malm, Barb McCalla, Deb Kroeker, Jennifer Cody, Lori Hurst, and Cathy Shaffer [co-president of the local], accompanied by their principal, Kim Christner, and other Augusta district officials, made a presentation to the State Board about their work, which resulted in the school being named a 2008 Panasonic National School of Change award recipient.  Garfield is 1 of 6 schools in the US receiving the award.

In 10 years, they have seen changes in student learning, with state assessment scores moving from about half the students at or above proficiency to over 90%.

They attribute the improvement to a change in the mindset of the faculty – to deciding that they could and would educate every student.  Their work received ongoing leadership from their building principal and support from district administrators and the local board of education.

Interventions that supported their work included PLCs with data-driven dialogue, all day kindergarten and professional development long-term with research-based strategies.

Licensure  Regulations  Pass

The State Board unanimously passed changes to the teacher licensing regulations in Kansas.  A list of the changes can be found in the February, 2008, State Board News http://ks.nea.org/stateboardnews/archive.html

Most of the changes impact applicants who already hold licenses from other states.  The two changes that will have the greatest impact on current Kansas educators are:

Adding endorsements – a Kansas  license holder can add another endorsement by passing the Praxis II content test for that endorsement.   This option is not available for any special education endorsement, for the elementary endorsement, and for the early childhood endorsements.

“Masters plus experience” renewal option – any license holder with an advanced degree may renew twice during his/her career by submitting verification of 3 years of recent accredited experience during the life of the license being renewed.   This option was removed in 2003.   It is being reinstated and will be available to any eligible license holder, regardless of when he/she received the advanced degree.

Remember, also, on July 1, 2008, the license fee increases to $39!

KELC Recommendations Received

State Board members received 12 recommendations in 5 leverage areas from the Kansas Educational Leadership Commission.  The public/private partnership, funded by The Wallace Foundation and the Kansas Health Foundation, was formed to develop policy recommendations for the design, implementation and improvement of a system of leadership for Kansas schools.

The commission was chaired by Mary Devin, KSU, and Ed O’Malley, Kansas Leadership Center.  Blake West, president of KNEA, represented teachers on the commission.

In reviewing the recommendations, the State Board directed agency staff to bring an implementation work plan to a future SBOE meeting for discussion.

The recommendations, the final report, and supporting materials from the commission’s year of work can be found on the KSDE website.

The recommendations, in summary, include:

• Teacher leadership – incorporate into professional education standards; include as a domain for license renewal; add a license endorsement
• Preparation programs – fund a comprehensive review process to direct the overhaul of programs that prepare school leaders
• Evaluation – implement a statewide framework for evaluation of school administrators
• Professional development – fund professional development for school leaders, including induction and mentoring during the first 2 years on the job
• Conditions of work – fund 12 pilot initiatives to help school leaders devote more time to instructional-based leadership work.

In other action, the State Board

• Received an update on integration of career and academics
• Heard a report on shifting from seat-based to learning-based approaches to granting credit
• Began discussion of the FY10 budget request
• Approved recommendations from the Evaluation Review Committee
• Approved the contract with CETE, KU for the state assessment program
• Approved grants for FY09
• Four-year-old at risk programs
• Parents as Teachers programs
• Pre-K pilot programs
• 21st Century  Community Learning Center grants
• AmeriCorps-Kansas grants and projects
• Approved bond elections for USD 364, Marysville; USD 377, Effingham

The July meeting of the State Board will be Tuesday and Wednesday, the 8th and 9th.  The agenda and board materials should be available on the KSDE website beginning on June 30.

Transitional Performance Assessment Approved

The State Board unanimously approved a transitional Performance Assessment, which will allow teachers with Conditional/Initial Licenses to upgrade to the Professional Teaching License.

The new performance assessment is completion of “a year-long district administered induction and mentoring program.”

[Materials in the pre-meeting packet included a second sentence, which was not included in the staff recommendation to the State Board on Tuesday.]

The new assessment replaces the KPA, which the board in February agreed should move to the preparation level.

Details on how the new performance assessment will be documented and on June KPA scoring should be available from the Teacher Education and Licensure team before the end of this week.  Check the KSDE website and the KNEA website for the latest details.

The transitional performance assessment is expected to be in place during the 2008-2009 school year.  A new performance assessment is expected to be developed during that time period, for implementation about a year from now.

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New License Fee Approved

Beginning July 1, 2008, Kansas educators will pay $39 for a teaching or school administration or school specialist license in Kansas.

The previous fee of $36 was established in 2005.

The additional money is needed to cover costs related to the Teacher Education and Licensing office at KSDE, including raises for personnel and reductions in federal money that had previously been used to cover TEAL activities.

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Licensure Regulations Hearing Held

The State Board heard testimony from 3 groups regarding proposed changes to Licensure Regulations.  The Board discussed that information and will take action on the proposed changes at the June meeting.

Terry Boyd, chairperson of the Professional Standards Board, and a member of Lansing EA, Jim Lenz, president of KASA and superintendent in Augusta, and Peg Dunlap, representing KNEA, provided testimony.

In short, the package of changes was supported with 4 exceptions:

KNEA opposed and PSB had concerns with the proposal to issue a 2-year Kansas license to out-of-state license holders who graduated from non-accredited preparation programs or from programs that did not include some sort of clinical experience.  Those with this license would still be required to go before the Licensure Review Committee for review.

KNEA and PSB both opposed the proposal which would allow adding a teaching endorsement by passing the content test.

PSB opposed and KNEA had concerns about the proposal that would remove the prohibition on compensation for student teachers.

KASA asked for language regarding the administrator performance assessment to be made parallel with the language for the teacher performance assessment.

In discussion, the State Board indicated they were interested in [but did not take formal action to approve]

Issuing a 1 year license, with a 1 year extension, if progress is made toward LRC action, for out-of-state license holders from non-accredited programs or with no clinical experience.

Allowing adding teaching endorsements by passing the content test.

Removing the prohibition but issuing guidelines on how it would be implemented.

Aligning the performance assessment language.

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Teaching In Kansas Commission Continues

Josh Anderson, representing the TKC, and a member of Olathe NEA, presented the State Board with a framework for implementing recommendations on teacher recruitment and retention that derived from the Teacher Recruitment and Retention Summit held in late November, 2007.

The framework would include 5 working groups, one for each of the 5 target areas:

• Working conditions
• Teacher preparation
• Salary and benefits
• Image and promotion
• Regulations, requirements and data

The working groups will develop additional details regarding implementation of the 29 specific recommendations and will also identify effective implementation strategies already underway.

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In other action, the State Board

• Heard results of the financial literacy survey
• Heard presentations on how financial literacy is taught in USDs
• Heard a presentation on the Kansas State Science Fair
• Received an update on the Kansas Career Pipeline
• Received the Licensed Personnel Report for 2008
• Received an update on the Postsecondary Technical Education Authority
• Approved 2008-2009 salary schedules for KSSB and KSSD
• Approved recommendations from the Waiver Review Committee
• Approved recommendations from the Licensure Review Committee
• Authorized a bond election for USD 417, Morris County

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Next Meeting and Board Materials

The next meeting of the State Board will be June 10 and 11, in Topeka.  The meeting agenda and materials should be available on the KSDE website beginning Monday, June 2.

Materials for the May meeting can be found on the KSDE website .  Due to the large size of the file, be prepared for a slow download!

C&TE – What Does It Look Like?

Three school districts in Kansas that have begun initiatives to integrate career and technical education into their day-to-day operations discussed what they do and how they do it with the State Board this week.

This presentation provided the State Board with specific examples of how the 9 initiatives passed at the February meeting might look when implemented.  [See February State Board News for a list of the 9 initiatives.]

The Board also received an aggressive timeline outlining action steps that KSDE staff and schools must take to implement the 9 initiatives.

Board members are enthusiastic about the potential impact of the initiatives and discussed what it might take to get schools to understand that they [the Board] are serious about implementation.

Garden  City  High School participates in a national program called “High Schools That Work,” an initiative of the Southern Regional Education Board.  In Garden City, one of the important elements is a required senior project, which is reviewed by a panel of community and school leaders.

Field  Kindley  High School, Coffeyville, used the career clusters, the career pipeline and Skills USA to involve students, their families and the school faculty in decisions to help students with their high school and post-high school plans.

Erie-Galesburg  High School  is implementing Project Based Learning, which involves students in teacher-selected, then student-selected projects.  These projects are aligned with the Kansas curricular standards.  Standards that don’t fit neatly into projects are taught in small-group intensive settings.

Representatives of the three schools, including teachers, students and administrators, discussed how their programs address issues of high school credit, qualified admissions, and sustained resources.  They stressed that the strengths of their programs are based on their focus on rigor, relevance and relationships.

Administrators Recognized

The 2008 Kansas administrators of the year were recognized by the State Board.  They are:

• Jim Lentz, Augusta, superintendent
• Jim McNiece, Wichita Northwest HS, high school principal
• Bruce Krase, Remington Middle School, middle school principal
• Sandra Almos, Edith Scheuerman Elementary School, Garden City, elementary principal

Charter Schools Proposed

Ten new schools are recommended for Charter Status, beginning in the 2008-2009 school year.  They are:

• Jefferson West charter school
• Abilene Community Preparatory Junior/Senior charter
• Ulysses  Career  Learning Academy
• Burrton Technical Trades charter
• Oswego  Service  Valley Charter Academy
• El Dorado  Project Extend
• Little River – Kansas  Career and Technical  Charter School
• Humboldt  Learning  Center
• Spring Hill – Insight Schools of Kansas  at the Hilltop  Education Center
• Rural Vista – White  City  Middle Charter School

Following approval at the April State Board meeting, each of the schools will be eligible for a $60,000 planning grant, to be followed by implementation grants of up to $170,000 for each of the next two years.  These are in addition to the base state aid per pupil that each school will receive.

April State Board Meeting

The April 8 and 9 meeting of the State Board will be in District 1.  Janet Waugh, who represents that district, has chosen USD 500, Kansas City, Kansas, as the site of the meeting.  The agenda and board materials should be available on the KSDE website on Monday, March 31.

In other action, the State Board:

• Heard an update on legislative actions
• Denied a request for reconsideration of a previous decision regarding the revocation of a teaching license
• Approved recommendations from the Waiver Review Committee
• Approved recommendations from the Licensure Review Committee to approve 19 and deny 5 requests for licensure/endorsements
• Approved recommendations from the Evaluation Review Committee
• Approve an innovative program at Emporia  State  University
• Approve a new ESOL program at MidAmerica  Nazarene  University
• Approve a new speech/theatre program at Southwestern  College
• Approve a contract with NSDC, the National Staff Development Council, to conduct surveys regarding implementation of professional development standards, the Standards Assessment Inventory
• Approved bond elections for:
  USD 259, Wichita
  USD 338, Valley Falls

Board Advances Integration and Redesign Agenda

Following months of presentations and discussions, the State Board authorized KSDE staff to develop an action plan with timelines to implement 9 elements of an initiative that, when fully implemented, will result in a major redesign of Kansas schools.  The Board voted 9-1, with John Bacon voting no.

The Board’s initial selection of the topic several years ago arose from interest in increasing student engagement in school, particularly at the middle and high school levels, and from concern that all students be prepared to pursue a variety of post-secondary options.

The 9 elements are:

1. Create/approve Gold Standard assessments (industry-recognized credentials/certifications) in each of the Career Clusters that support high expectations.
2. Integrate core content standards with technical program standards utilizing the 16 career clusters as the organizing principle.
3. Support the implementation of Individual Career Plans of Study for all students in 8th grade and beyond.
4. Improve access to career and technical education by removing barriers and promoting partnerships.
5. Recommend Kansas Board of Regents to update qualified admissions.
6. Create 21st Century School Standards to help guide reform and/or redesign of public schools.
7. Support professional development for teachers (e.g. mentor-mentee models) to help guide students in planning for future careers.
8. Revise teacher preparation program standards to reflect the integration of content standards.
9. Support the creation of dynamic funding systems that respond to the changing workforce and economic development needs.

For several years, the State Board has had a goal to redesign the delivery system for Kansas education.  Study and discussion of Career and Technical Education, including career clusters, and the integration of C&TE with rigorous core content courses led the Board to the action taken this morning.

The action was further supported by a series of focus group meetings that each Board member hosted in late 2007.  From those meetings, which involved business leaders, the Board concluded that schools in Kansas need to do more to integrate strong K-12 preparation with C&TE concepts.

The Board also received but did not act on a document which included 10 “guiding principles” for the initiative.  They are:

1. High expectations – Establish high expectations and provide students with frequent feedback.
2. Program of study – Require each student to complete an integrated academic core and a CTE concentration of study.
3. Academic studies – Provide the essential concepts of the college-preparatory curriculum and motivate students by encouraging them to apply academic content and skills to real world problems and projects using 21st Century skills.
4. Career and technical studies – Provide students access to a structured system of work-based and high-status school-based learning resulting in an industry-recognized credential and employment in a career pathway.
5. Work-based learning – Allow students and their parents to choose from programs that integrate challenging high school studies and work-based learning that are planned by educators, employers and students.
6.    Teachers working together – Create an organizational structure and schedule enabling academics and career/technical teachers to have the time to plan and provide integrated instruction aimed at teaching high-status academic and technical content.
7. Students actively engaged – Engage students in academic and career/technical classrooms in rigorous and challenging proficient-level assignments using research-based instructional strategies and technology.
8. Guidance – Involve students and their parents in a guidance and advisement system directed at completion of a program of study with an academic and career/technical concentration.
9. Extra help – Provide a structure system of additional time and resources to assist students with high-level academic and technical content.
10. Culture of continuous improvement – Create a culture of continuous improvement by utilizing student assessment and program evaluation data.

The action plan is expected to be presented to the Board in March, 2008.

KPA Update

The State Department has agreed that the February, 2008, Kansas Performance Assessment scoring will also be “no fault.”  This means that KPAs which are submitted and scorable will be scored and that any score will qualify the candidate for the Professional License.

In addition, the State Board authorized the department to contract with ETS, Educational Testing Service, to revise and revalidate the KPA, in preparation for transitioning it to the pre-service program.

Kansas  Teacher of the Year Team Honored

The eight members of the Kansas Teacher of the Year, KTOY, team were recognized at the February State Board meeting.  They are:

• Jeri Powers, DeSoto TA, 2008 Teacher of the Year
• Anton Ahrens, NEA Topeka
• Karen Bristow, Augusta EA
• Erin Capettini, Paola
• Elaine Corder, Spring Hill EA
• Linda Johnson, Council Grove TA
• Stacie Valdez, Wichita
• Shelbie Witte, Junction City EA

Using their 2008 theme, “Investing in Kansas Kids,” each member of the team talked about the importance of educational, social, emotional and fiscal investments in students, teachers and schools.

Licensure Hearing Date Set

May 13, 2008, is the date set for the public hearing on proposed changes to licensure regulations.  The hearing will occur at 1:30 pm at the KSDE office, 120 E. 10th Street, Topeka.  Public comment can be submitted any time between now and that time in writing.

Proposed changes include:

• Changing the name Conditional License to Initial License
• Issuing the Professional License to out of state applicants with recency and 3 years of accredited experience [ recency = within the past 6 years] or any 5 years of accredited experience
• Establishing a new Interim Alternative License, for out of state applicants who completed alternative preparation programs
• Establishing a new Transitional License, allowing 1 year for out of state applicants or those with expired Kansas  licenses to get recent credit or experience
• Renewing Emergency Substitute Licenses for two year periods
• Reinstating the “Masters plus experience” renewal option for all license holders with advanced degrees
• Adding endorsements by passing the content test
• Adding endorsements earned out of state by completing that state’s coursework requirements and the content test
• Removing the prohibition on paying student teachers for student teaching

A full set of the proposed changes can be found on pages 127-159 of the February, 2008, State Board materials, at the KSDE website .

The Professional Standards Board and the KNEA Instructional Advocacy Transition Task Force are each expected to review the proposed changes and take positions on them prior to the May public hearing.  Check the KNEA website for up-to-date information.

In other action, the State Board

Heard an update on the Kansas Education Leadership Commission

Listened to presentations on

• Licensure actions to safeguard students from sexual predators
• Tools for assessing classroom and school environments
• Models of effective teacher preparation
• Models of effective professional development

Approved regulations for special education

Approved recommendations from the Professional Practices Commission to revoke 1 license and deny 1 license application

Established new USD 110, Phillips  County, consolidating USDs 238, Kensington and 324, Kirwin, as approved by voters in those USDs

Approved requests for bond elections from

• USD 250, Pittsburg
• USD 402, Augusta
• USD 476, Copeland
• USD 487, Herington

Commissioner Alexa Posny announced an important change to the procedures for the KPA, the Kansas Performance Assessment.  Beginning with the June, 2008, scoring, the KPA will return to no-fault status.  All Conditional License holders must still complete a KPA and submit it for scoring.

For current Conditional License holders, that is the only thing that will change.  The timelines and deadlines and scoring prompts and rubrics remain the same.

Conditional License holders must complete the KPA to upgrade to the Professional License.

Commissioner Posny told the State Board that she wants to ensure that all stakeholders are involved in determining what additional changes need to be made to the KPA, which will take time.  It is anticipated, based on recommendations from the KPA Task Force, that changes to placement of the KPA [probably, moving it to the teacher preparation institutions] and changes to the process for upgrading from the Initial License [the name suggested to replace Conditional License – still in the regulatory review process] to the Professional License will also be suggested.

Teaching in Kansas Commission Named

Dr. Alexa Posny, commissioner of education, announced the membership of the Teaching in Kansas Commission, formed following the Recruitment and Retention Summit held in Topeka in late November, 2007.

The Commission will be co-chaired by Dr. Tes Mehring, Emporia State University, and Dr. Brad King, Midamerica Nazarene University.  Other members are Susan Scherling, superintendent, USD 452, Stanton County; Alan Cunningham, superintendent, USD 443, Dodge City; Tom Petz, USD 500, Kansas City; Jeri Powers, USD 232, DeSoto and 2008 Kansas Teacher of the Year; Josh Anderson, USD 233, Olathe and 2007 Kansas Teacher of the Year; and Margo Quirconi, Kauffman Foundation.

The Commission, which is to report to the State Board in April, 2008, is to focus on the teacher shortage in Kansas, including the preparation, recruitment, retention and regulatory aspects of the system.  They will analyze data and information from the 2007 Summit as the basis for their work.

MTSS Explained and Discussed

MTSS, Multi-tiered systems of support, is the term now used to describe the process that will be used in Kansas schools to focus on improving the academic performance of all learners, especially struggling learners.

Colleen Reilly, director of special education services at KSDE, Deb Haltom and Gillian Chapman, USD 512, Shawnee Mission, and Erin Dugan, USD 233, Olathe, explained how the system is being implemented statewide and how the system works in two specific districts.

In short, MTSS is a three tiered system which looks at the supports that all students need, the supports that some students need, and then at the supports that a few students need.  The idea is that specific interventions are identified at each level that make it more likely that students will receive the learning support they need.

In a memo to Kansas educators, dated December 14, 2007, Dr. Alexa Posny, commissioner of education, explained that the goal of MTSS is to provide the appropriate learning support to students.  MTSS is

• Prevention oriented, by knowing who needs support early and putting those supports in place
• Implementation of evidence-based interventions for all students and tailoring interventions based on a student’s needs, and
• Process monitoring, using data to know when to make a change.

For additional information on MTSS, see the KNEA website and look at the materials for the January, 2008, State Board meeting.

Board Endorses NSDC Professional Development Standards

The 12 standards for quality professional development, developed by the National Staff Development Council, were formally endorsed by the State Board at the January meeting.  The standards have been used in many Kansas schools for a number of years to guide decisions around professional development.

With the formal endorsement, KSDE will be able to suggest that schools having difficulties meeting student learning goals use the NSDC standards to determine if they are providing professional development to their teachers and other staff in ways that make it more likely that teacher learning is occurring.

The NSDC standards say that staff development that improves the learning of all students

• Organizes adults into learning communities
• Requires skillful leadership
• Requires resources
• Is data driven
• Is evaluated
• Is research-based
• Uses adult learning strategies
• Applies knowledge about human learning and change
• Provides the knowledge and skills to collaborate
• Ensures equity for all students
• Focuses on quality teaching, including instruction and assessment
• Involves families and other stakeholders.

The NSDC standards have always formed the basis of the PDC training offered by the Greenbush-KNEA consortium.

In other action, the State Board

• Adopted a meeting schedule for 2008, retaining their pattern of meeting on the second Tuesday and Wednesday of each month
• Received a draft of the 2006-7 Accountability Report
• Recognized the 2007 NCLB Blue Ribbon Schools
• Recognized the 2007 Milken National Educators, including Jamelle Brown, NEA-KCK
• Endorsed the revised PTA Standards for Family Involvement
• Heard a presentation on alternative teacher compensation
• Held a public hearing on proposed special education regulations
• Approved recommendations from the Evaluation Review Committee, the Waiver Review Committee, the License Review Committee and the Professional Practices Commission
• Approved requests for USD 281, Graham  County  , and USD 495, Ft. Larned, to hold bond elections

The February, 2008 meeting of the State Board will be February 12 and 13, in Topeka.  The agenda and meeting materials should be available on the KSDE website on February 4.

In a 9-0 vote, the State Board voted to begin the regulatory review process to remove some of the barriers to licensure in Kansas.  The recommendations will be sent to the State Attorney General and to the Department of Administration for review, then returned to the State Board, which must still set a date for and conduct a public hearing on the changes.

• Changing the name of the “conditional” license to “initial”
• Reduced the renewal requirements for standard substitute license to 50% of the professional development
• Reinstated the Masters plus experience renewal option
• Adding endorsements for out of state – must verify coursework and take the appropriate content assessment; Kansas endorsements must take the content assessment.  (does not apply to Early Education, Elementary, Early Childhood Unified, etc)
• Transitional license has been added – 1 year, Temporary, non-renewable – for out of state teachers who want to practice while meeting the state requirements and have no recent credit or experience or if retired, must complete 50% of the renewal requirements
• Transitional License is also available for Technical Certificates
• Interim Alternative – 2 year, non-renewable – for those who complete an alternative preparation program – must complete the Kansas Teaching Performance assessment and verify at least three (3) years experience or complete the content assessment and pedagogy assessment
• For out of state applicants – must verify 3 years of recent experience or a total of 5 years or more experience
• Emergency substitute can be renewed for 2 years
• Prohibition for compensation for student teachers has been removed

Future amendments may include changes in KPA, Direct Entry School Counselor, Special Education Director and others as identified.

State Board holds a joint meeting with the Board of Regents

The Kansas State Board of Education and the Board of Regents met jointly to discuss some common interests and goals.   Specifically, the two boards discussed the need for a P-20 council to improve student achievement by creating “a system of education that links and coordinates each education level into a seamless system guided by the principle that success in college begins in prekindergarten.” (ECS, StateNotes, P-16 Collaboration in the States, August 2000, p 1.) 

The P-20 Council membership would include representatives from both boards, legislature, early childhood education representative, business community and parent/local school boards.   Some of the highlights of the focus of this council would include standards based improvement, coherence among state department of education, school districts, institutions of higher education, business and foundations, and alignment in the use of federal, state, district and private funds.   The council would also undertake some work that is already ongoing and would include the Research Consortium focusing on P-16 longitudinal data system, the Leadership Commission, 21st Century Skills, Teaching in KS Commission, and the Early Learning Commission.  

The board voted 9-0 to send this recommendation to the Governor.

Board Hears the Supply-Demand Analysis Study and Post Secondary Technical Education Authority

The supply-demand analysis study (Positioning Kansas for Competitive Advantage) completed this year was commissioned by the Kansas Department of Commerce and the Kansas Board of Regents and contracted with Corporation for a Skilled Workforce (CSW).   The study looked at four industry clusters – advanced manufacturing with an emphasis on aviation, bioscience, health care and energy.   Secondary education statistics data was included in the report.  The presentation by Mr. Gary Yakimov, Director of Business and Industry Strategies included information about aligning supply with demand in order to be competitive nationally and globally.  Acknowledgement was given that the jobs for which we are preparing students today do not exist. 

Recommendations include

• Aligning post secondary education with K-12 and workforce development 
• Convening key stakeholders and policy makers to align resources and strategies
• Implementing cost adjustments for high cost technical programs
• Repeating the supply-demand study at the regional level
• Provide “seed capital” for regional sector/cluster initiatives and require research into root causes
• Restrict the use of federal program training monies to certain targeted occupations
• Set qualified goals for closing specific gaps
• Put the common core course project back on track and mandate common course numbering and transfer of credits for a core set of courses
• Develop a message campaign that highlights the importance of postsecondary education and specific skills

The board listened and discussed the report, but took no official action.

Joseph Glassman, Chairman of the Kansas Post Secondary Technical Education Authority, discussed the need for baseline standardization of curriculum and developing minimum standards by using the recommendations of business and industry.   He believes that the conversation with business and industry will lead to major changes in our classrooms and in what we are teaching to provide our students the ability to succeed in the global economy.   At this point there are no recommendations, but the need to continue the conversation and to be open to inviting business and industry to the table. 

The State Board approved a legislative package that has the potential to significantly increase teacher salaries in Kansas.  They voted to ask the Legislature to fund a 4-year school finance plan with an emphasis on base state aid per pupil and to add $200 to the base, a 4.5% increase.

The intent of both elements is to fund teacher salary increases that allow Kansas to reach the median state average teacher salary in 5 years.  To accomplish this, Kansas must increase average teacher salaries 2% above the national median increase.

Kathy Martin asked if the Legislature could earmark money, to ensure it went to teacher salaries.  Dennis commented that such earmarks would not be consistent with “local control.”

Each element passed on a separate vote.  The 4-year plan passed 8-0 [John Bacon and Ken Willard were absent] and the $200 on the base passed 6-1-1, with Sally Cauble, Sue Gamble, Carol Rupe, Jana Shaver, Bill Wagnon and Janet Waugh voting yes, Steve Abrams voting no, and Kathy Martin abstaining.

According to Dale Dennis, deputy commissioner, Kansas is currently 10% behind the median national average salary and it would take $270 million to reach the median immediately.  $100 on the base, a figure that had been discussed previously, would put us behind, because nationally salaries are increasing 3% per year.

Board Continues Licensure Review

In an ongoing effort to identify barriers to Kansas licensure, the State Board asked staff to forward several proposals to the Professional Standards Board for discussion and review.

Most of the proposals, which were conceptual, address concerns regarding out-of-state applicants, reactivating expired licenses, use of substitute licenses, and the KPA.

The PSB will discuss the concepts and develop specific proposals that could be put in regulatory language.  It is expected that such language would begin the formal review process in early 2008, with adoption and implementation in time for the 2008-2009 school year.

Some key concepts presented included:

• Rename the Conditional License to the Initial License
• Expand the availability of the 1-year non-renewable license, to allow those with out of state licenses access to practice while fulfilling missing Kansas  requirements
• Consider additional ways to add endorsements to existing licenses
• Grant the Professional License to out of state candidates who can document a minimum number of years teaching experience in that state
• Renew emergency substitute licenses for more than 1 year
• Require the KPA at the preparation level
• Allow the KPA as another option to renew a Professional License
• Involve school administrators in the requirements to upgrade from Conditional/initial to Professional License

The Professional Standards Board and the Regulations Committee each meet in November, 2007.

Board to Hold ‘Focus Forums’

Each State Board member will host a ‘Focus Forum’ in his/her district between now and January 1, 2008.  The purpose is to discuss how schools can be more responsive to the needs of society and the needs of students.

Each forum will have about a dozen invited guests, chosen by the State Board member.  Each board member will also choose the location for his/her forum.

Dates for the forums are:

October 31, district 2, Sue Gamble
November 19, district 7, Ken Willard
November 26, [either district 3, John Bacon or district 1, Janet Waugh]
November 20, district 4, Bill Wagnon
December 3, district 9, Jana Shaver
December 5, district 8, Carol Rupe
December 13, district 6, Kathy Martin
December 17 [district 3 or district 1]
December 18, district 10, Steve Abrams
December 19, district 5, Sally Cauble

KSDE Reorganization

Commissioner Alexa Posny announced a reorganization/realignment of two former KSDE divisions.  The new division will be called Learning and Innovative Services.  It will have 6 departments.  Several staff changes were announced as part of the reorganization.

• Deputy Commissioner – Accountability – [Tom Foster, interim]
• Research and Evaluation – Phyllis Clay, director
• Teacher Education and Licensure – [vacant], director
         Susan Helbert, assistant director
• Innovation and Improvement – Bill Hagerman, director
          Robin Harris and Sarah Thomas, assistant directors
• Standards and Assessment Services – Tom Foster, director
          Scott Smith and Jeannette Nobo, assistant directors
• Special Education Services – Colleen Riley, director
           Kerry Ottlinger Haag and Patty Gray, assistant directors
• Consolidated and Support Services – [vacant], director
           Judi Miller and Norma Cregan, assistant directors

In other action, the State Board:

• Held a study session on career and technical education issues
• Received an update from the Kansas Board of Regents on technical colleges, area technical schools and community colleges
• Approved recommendations from the Professional Practices Commission to revoke 2 licenses and deny 1 license application
• Approve a bond election for USD 335, North Jackson

September State Board News

More Kansas Schools Hit AYP Target

“89% of Kansas schools made adequate yearly progress (AYP), even though the targets for mathematics and reading have been steadily increasing since 2002,” according to information released by the State Board on Tuesday, September, 11.  This compares to 84% of schools making AYP last year.

1,229 schools and 263 USDs made AYP this year.  154 schools and 33 USDs did not.

Kansas, as a state, did not make AYP in reading.  This is because 3 subgroups did not make AYP.

Board members and KSDE staff agreed that the increase in the number of schools making AYP was due to the hard work of teachers, students, and administrators.

Specific information on each school will be available when the Building Report Cards are released in October.

You can see Tom Foster’s PowerPoint presentation to the Board at http://www.ksde.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=rT1kWBOUc6c=&tabid=466  Foster is deputy commissioner of learning services.

Board Receives Ambitious Plan of Action

Alexa Posny, commissioner of education, outlined an ambitious plan of action for the department to follow in addressing the goal, objectives and strategies identified by the State Board at their August, 2007, retreat.

While the activities are too numerous to list here, they include collection of information and research, study sessions for the State Board, summits and forums on specific topics, and development of policy recommendations.

Objectives 2 and 3, listed below, could have great impact on KNEA members.  We will be following the department’s activities and advocating for significant teacher involvement in the discussions and decisions.

Watch State Board News and Under the Dome for possible action alerts.

The goal, objectives and strategies are:

Goal: Ensure that all students meet or exceed high academic standards and are prepared for their next steps (e.g. the world of work and/or post-secondary education)

1.  Redesign the delivery system to meet our students’ changing needs.
     a.  Develop and implement policy on academic/vocational integration
     b.  Identify, replicate, and promote best practices that can be targeted to specific populations (e.g., high schools; middle school reading; early childhood)
     c.  Study and clarify regulations and identify challenges
     d.  Examine the definition of a classroom in a redesigned system

2.  Provide an effective educator in every classroom.
     a.  Develop a policy on alternative compensation
     b.  Identify obstacles
     c.  Assess the effectiveness of current professional development practices
     d.  Identify, replicate, and promote best practice in teacher preparation and professional development
     e.  Improve the support system for teachers
     f.  Develop recruitment strategies for future teachers
     g.  Assess and improve the alternate licensure program
     h.  Promote loving, safe, supportive and nurturing environments

3.  Ensure a visionary and effective leader in every school
     a.  Identify, replicate, and promote best practices in preparation and performance
     b.  Identify and grow visionary leaders focused on learning
     c.  Study the impact of current leadership programs

4.  Improve communication with all constituent groups and policy partners
     a.  Align pre-K through 16 systems of support in collaboration with identified partners (e.g. Kansas Board of Regents, SRS, etc.)
     b.  Develop a structure for regularly communicating about education with the legislative leadership of both parties with a focus on areas of common interest
     c.  Keep the public informed on key policy areas
     d.  Resume focus group meetings in each board member district and periodic meetings with the media
     e.  Improve communication of relevant information with school faculty.

October & November SBOE Meeting Changes

Due to scheduling conflicts, the October 9 and 10 State Board meeting will occur in Topeka and the November 13 and 14 meeting will occur in Olathe.  The October board agenda and materials should be available on the KSDE website after Monday, October 1.

In other action, the State Board:

• Heard an update on curriculum standards, qualified admissions and graduation requirements
• Heard a panel presentation on high school mathematics courses
• Met the Special Education Advisory Council, SEAC, and received their annual report
• Set Tuesday, December 11, 2007, as the public hearing on proposed changes to special education regulations, pp. 61-125
• Approved recommendations from the License Review Committee to approve 16 and deny 3 license/endorsement requests, p. 127
• Approved recommendations from the Waiver Review Committee, p. 131
• Approve 2 Visiting Scholar license requests, p. 133
• Approve contract for $225,000 each to KU and ESU to provide professional development for MTSS (multi tiered systems of support), p. 139
• Approve 4 grants of $33,000 for charter school dissemination projects, p. 157
• Received 2007-8 district allocations for NCLB programs, pp. 163-172
• Approve bond elections for
  • USD 202, Turner
  • USD 203, Piper
  • USD 265, Goddard
  • USD 313, Buhler
  • USD 373, Newton
  • USD 437, Auburn-Washburn
  • USD 442, Nemaha Valley
  • USD 470, Arkansas City

Staff Changes

Dr. Martha Gage, director of teacher education and licensure, has left KSDE.  Susan Helbert is interim director of TEAL.

Dr. Larry Englebrick, deputy commissioner of school innovations, has also left KSDE.

Board Sets Goals & Objectives

The State Board unanimously endorsed the work they did at their retreat Monday to update and clarify their goals and objectives.  The hiring of Alexa Posny as commissioner prompted the review.  At the September meeting, Posny will bring a work plan and timeline for addressing the board priorities.

The goal and objectives are:

Ensure that all students meet or exceed high academic standards and are prepared for their next steps (e.g. the work of work and/or post-secondary education) by:

• Redesign the delivery system to meet our students’ changing needs.
• Provide an effective educator in every classroom.
• Ensure a visionary and effective leader in every school.
• Improve communication with all constituent groups and policy partners.

Professional Standards Board, Licensure Review Committee Appointments

The State Board made the following appointments to committees that advise them on licensure issues:

• Linda Stecher, Easton NEA, PSB, classroom teacher
• Bill Meek, Spring Hill, PSB, local boards of education
• Ed Raines, Auburn Washburn, LRC, administrator

Board Approves FY09 Budget Recommendation

The State Board has decided to forward a package containing almost $35m in programs and enhancements to the Governor, for possible inclusion in her FY09 budget.  The Board adopted some of the package unanimously and one part on a 6-3-1 vote.

Unanimous approval went to:

• $1.5 m for full funding of the mentor teacher program
• $6.25 m for full funding of the “inservice” education program
• $300,000 for leadership academy activities
• $1.9m for linear transition in allocation of high-density at-risk funds
• $5,000 each to enhance Communities in Schools, KACEE, and Ag in the Classroom

The board voted 6-3-1 [for: Cauble, Gamble, Rupe, Shaver, Wagnon, Waugh; against: Abrams, Bacon, Willard; abstain: Martin] to ask the legislature for an additional $41 on the base state aid per pupil.  The school finance formula already allocates $59 for FY09.  This amount would bring the new money to $100 per student.  This increase would cost the state just over $25m.

The majority of the board selected this option to give districts the greatest flexibility in how the new money could be used.  Traditionally, 70-75% of new money goes to increasing salaries, a stated interest of the board.

The Board’s recommendation will be submitted to the Governor, who will use it as she develops her FY09 budget request to the Legislature.

In other action, the State Board

• Heard a presentation from Mike Mathes, USD 345, Seaman, on back to school preparations
• Heard a presentation from Kay Haas, Olathe NEA, on how USD 233 uses instructional coaches
• Heard a presentation from Diana Weiland, USD 315, Colby, on PDCs
• Heard a presentation on how teacher and administrator preparation programs receive approval
• Received the list of Title 1 schools and districts on improvement for 2007-2008
• Received an update on the State Library’s Homework Kansas program
• Adopted recommendations from the Licensure Review Committee to approve 9 and deny 6 license/endorsement requests
• Approved 5 requests from the Waiver Review Committee, 2 special education, 1 pe, 1 FACS, 1 math
• Approved recommendations from the Evaluation Review Committee
• Tabor  College  , continuing accreditation, through 12/31/10
• Central  Christian  College, limited accreditation, through 12/31/10
• Approved revisions to internship standards for advanced preparation programs
• Approved new standards for Reading Specialist preparation programs
• Approved requests for bond elections from

1. USD 267, Renwick
2. USD 377, Atchison  County
3. USD 458, Basehor-Linwood
4. USD 491, Eudora

The September meeting of the State Board of Education will be the 11th and 12th, in Topeka.  Board materials should be available on the KSDE website immediately after Labor Day.

The October meeting of the State Board will be the 9th and 10th.  It will occur in John Bacon’s district 3.  Bacon has selected Olathe as the site of the meeting.

Board Begins Budget Discussions

The 2007-2008 school year has barely begun, but it’s already time to discuss the FY09 state budget!  With a mid-September due date to the Governor looming, the State Board began deliberating their recommendations.

Some parts were easy: on an 8-0 vote [board members Bacon and Wagnon were absent from the meeting], the board agreed to ask the Legislature to fully fund the teacher mentoring statute and the inservice education/professional development statute.  Both programs have been in law for years and neither has been fully funded for quite a while, leaving USDs in the position of transferring money from their general fund to cover the mandated expenses.

In addition, the board voted 8-0 to support a linear progression model for applying the high-density at-risk weighting money.  Currently, if a district drops below 50%, they lose half their money and if they drop below 40% they lose all their money.

When it came to determining additional money to be added to the $59 per pupil increase already built  into the school finance formula [the last year of the 3 year plan that resulted from the school finance litigation], progress slowed.

All board members indicated that they understood the need to address teacher shortages by increasing teacher salaries.  They indicated interest in putting money onto the base so that USDs would have the greatest flexibility in how to spend that money.  They were not in agreement on how much to recommend.

Dale Dennis indicated that a $100 increase on the base would result in average teacher salary increases in the 4.5% range, similar to the range seen during the first year of the funding formula.  He predicted that the $59 increase would result in 3 – 3.25% increases.

A motion to add $41 additional dollars, bringing the increase to $100 on the base, failed 5-3, with Cauble, Gamble, Rupe, Shaver and Waugh voting yes and Abrams, Martin and Willard voting no.

The issue will be revisited at the August meeting.

Educators Appointed to Advisory Committees

Susan Reusser, Andover EA, was appointed to a 3-year term on the Professional Practices Commission.  This is the body that makes recommendations to the State Board regarding disciplinary actions relating to educator licenses.

Susan Myers, superintendent, USD 409, Atchison, was appointed for two years to complete a term on the PPC.

Pam Amott, United Teachers of Wichita, and Angela Bowman, Gardner-Edgerton NEA, were each appointed to 3-year terms on the Licensure Review Committee.  This body makes recommendations to the State Board regarding licenses of applicants who do not exactly meet the Kansas regulations.

Board Schedules Retreat

The State Board and new Commissioner Dr. Alexa Posny have scheduled a planning retreat for Thursday and Friday, July 26 and 27.  Beginning at 1:30 pm on the 26th and finishing early afternoon on the 27th, the Board will consider Dr. Posny’s stated priorities along with previously set Board goals.  In several speeches this month, Dr. Posny has identified one goal and five priorities:  Ensure success by 

1. intervening early

2. preparing students for life after school 

3. partnering with parents, businesses and communities 

4. recruiting and retaining educators 

5. advocating to improve results

The retreat will be at the Topeka Shawnee County Public Library.  Dr. Brenda Welburn, executive director of the National Association of State Boards of Education, will facilitate.

In other action, the State Board:

• recognized Norm Conard, Uniontown TA, a 2007 inductee into the National Teachers’ Hall of Fame
• recognized Teri Dow, USD 320, Wamego, 2006 finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching
• heard a presentation on the Visiting International Teachers program
• received revised content standards for reading specialists
• received revised internship standards for all advanced preparation programs
• received a report on requirements for virtual schools
• adopted recommendations from the Professional Practices Commission to deny 3 applications and to revoke 4 licenses
• adopted recommendations from the Evaluation Review Committee:
    *Washburn  University, accredited through 12-31-2011
    *Ottawa  University, 1 program approved with stipulation through 12-31-2011
    *Newman  University, 5 programs approved through 12-31-2011
    *McPherson  College, 13 programs approved through 12-31-2013; 3 programs approved with
         stipulation through 12-31-2008
    *Tabor  College, 1 program approved through 12-31-2009
    *Baker  University, 1 program approved through 12-31-2008
• adopted recommendations from the Licensure Review Committee
    *25 requests for license/endorsement approved
    *4 requests denied
• approved requests for bond elections from
    *USD 101, Erie
    *USD 232, DeSoto
    *USD 233, Olathe
• endorsed the formation of the Kansas Education Leadership Commission

The next formal meeting of the State Board of Education will be Tuesday and Wednesday, August 14 and 15, in Topeka.  Board agenda and materials should be available on the KSDE website on Monday, August 6.  The new materials, and all previous agendas and materials, can be found at http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=427

License  Regulation  Changes Pass

Beginning in early August, 2007, currently licensed Kansas educators will have additional ways to add endorsements to their existing teaching licenses.

On a 9-1 vote, the State Board passed a package of amendments to the licensing regulations.  These were developed by the Professional Standards Board in response to the State Board’s challenge to identify and remove existing barriers to licensure in Kansas.

Steve Abrams, district 10, voted against the package.  Abrams stated that he was not opposed to removing barriers but felt that provisions in the package lowered standards.

The changes, which become effective upon publication in the Kansas Register , include:

• Teachers with a secondary license with one or more science endorsements can add additional science endorsements by passing the Praxis content assessment for that endorsement.
• Any licensed teacher can add a middle level endorsement by documenting 15 credit hours in the content area (math, science, English language arts or history/government) plus a middle level pedagogy course or recent experience in grades 6-8 and passing the appropriate Praxis content assessment.
• Middle level or secondary level endorsed teachers can add secondary endorsements by completing 50% of the approved content area program, including the content methods course, and completing the appropriate Praxis content assessment.  Endorsements for adaptive, functional, gifted, deaf or hard-of-hearing, and visually impaired are not available using this option.
• The 2.5 GPA requirement for an initial teaching license is no longer in effect.  [This was removed because other assessment requirements are in place.]
• Early childhood is now available for a provisional endorsement.
• A Restricted License is now available for School Specialist endorsements.
• The Provisional License can now be issued at a level different from levels on a current license.
• A One-year Non-renewable License can be issued without evidence of an existing offer of employment.
• The Foreign Exchange Teaching License now requires a credential evaluation, limits the license to a maximum of 3 years and clarifies that the assignment must be in the content preparation area or for the native language of the license holder.
• Experienced school counselors from out of state who do not have classroom experience now have a way to obtain the KS school counselor endorsement.
• Colleges and universities have a way to get “innovative or experimental programs” approved.

The Professional Standards Board will continue to look at the licensing system to make sure that it maintains high standards and reduces any additional barriers that might be identified.

In other action, the State Board:

• Began discussions of the FY09 budget
• Heard about a project with NSDC, the National Staff Development Council, to train teachers in coaching skills
• Reviewed the 21st Century Learning Skills project
• Appointed 8 new members to the Special Education Advisory Council
• Tabled an agreement to allow voters in USD 324, Eastern  Heights  , and USD 238, West Smith County, to consider consolidating their districts
• Approved a land transfer from USD 337, Royal  Valley  , to USD 336, Holton, to allow the new superintendent to live within the district, with the stipulation that the land reverts to USD 337 after his employment ends

The July meeting of the State Board will be Tuesday and Wednesday, July 10 and 11, in Topeka.  This will be the first meeting with Commissioner Alexa Posny.   Meeting materials should be available on the KSDE website July 2.

Recruitment and Retention

Dr. Martha Gage reported that the shortage of teachers in Kansas is not going away soon.  She asked the board to look at data in several areas including teacher qualifications, preparation, and areas of greatest need.  Is it possible to have high quality and sufficient quantity at the same time?  Some suggestions included:

• Lowering standards and test scores (however, this was certainly not a recommendation)
• Limit, expand, eliminate, or add requirements
• Limit programs with excessive content hours
• Add more preparation in special education, ELL, technology
• If we add – what do we take away?
• Begin anew

Dr. Gage noted that the number of content hours needed for some endorsements were prohibitive for teachers.   Data on retention of teachers shows that those with induction and mentoring for at least three years were much more likely to stay in the field.   She cited the Teacher Working Conditions survey noting the need for mentoring in leadership positions as well; strong, effective leaders build strong schools. 

Beth Fultz presented the Licensed Personnel Report State Profile for 2006-2007 which showed an increase in licensed personnel of 3.3%.  Other statistics include:

• 92% of the state mentored teachers returned vs 87% without state mentoring support (some may have received mentoring from the district without state support)
• 93% are fully qualified; 3.4% are provisionally qualified
• 88.2% are highly qualified; 91.9% are fully licensed

Small districts with one elementary and one high school present the most difficulty in trying to staff.  For instance, they may have only one science teacher who must teach biology, chemistry, physical science, and physics, but cannot be highly qualified in all of these areas.  The state is giving more waivers, but the retention of those teachers in the same position is decreasing.-

Assessment Targets Reviewed

Dr. Tom Foster reviewed the procedure for assessing the targets for 2007-2014.  Because of the formula specified by NCLB, when a new test is given, a new starting point must be used and the targets are adjusted.  The new targets for 2007 would have resulted in a 15% increase for 9-12 Reading.  The discussion about each of the targets led Carol Rupe to make a motion that would set the targets at the level established in 2002; the motion passed 8-0.  According to Dr. Foster, Kansas must show “significant” progress in assessments each year.  If the federal government does not approve the targets, next fall, additional schools may be placed on the list of schools not meeting AYP.

Model Library-Media and Technology Standards Received

The Library-Media and Technology Standards were received by the board in a presentation by the co-chairs of the committee, Dr. Mirah Dow and Carol Fax, both from Emporia State University.  In determining the standards recommendations for Kansas, the committee looked at standards from other states as well as national standards.  They will follow up with a five year qualitative and quantitative study.  Currently, the state requires a technology assessment at the eighth grade, however, a state test has not been developed.  Under the guidelines, each district may determine their own assessment in this area and report the results to the state.  The 500 page report can be accessed through the state board website – www.ksde.org– state board, May materials. 

Reading First Program

A report on the Reading First Program being used in both Wichita  and Arkansas  City shows significant gains in reading assessments at all levels.  Both districts believed that the program, although very prescriptive, was the reason for the higher test scores in reading.  Arkansas City superintendent was able to eliminate other programs being used, such as Accelerated Reader, and put that money into the budget for Reading First. 

ESOL Presentation from Southwest  Plains  Regional Service Center

The Southwest  Plains  Regional Service Center has several programs in this region of the state because of the minority-majority population.  They look at second language acquisition as an opportunity rather than a challenge.  The programs address four areas:  reading, writing, listening, and speaking.  Addressing these issues for second language learners is challenging.  More training for teachers is required and more time for teachers to address the problems is needed.  The two most effective programs include Sheltered Instruction where the teacher is taught to address all content objectives with reading, writing, listening and speaking objectives as well.  The most effective program is Bilingual/Dual Language programs K-12.  This is also the most costly and requires bilingual teachers.  Many of the bilingual, well-educated professionals in the community would like to be utilized by the school system, but find it to be cost/time prohibitive to become certified teachers. 

Other Action

• Model Standards for Health Education have been revised to provide opt out and a sex education curriculum – passed 6-3; Bacon, Martin, Willard voted against
• Model Standards for Visual Arts – Sally Cauble presented an amendment to the introduction stating that the standards are written for students rather than teachers.   Motion failed for a lack of 6 votes
• Charter school for Oberle/Kinsley was moved to 2007-2008
• Waiver for minimum school year for Greensburg  was passed
• Ms. Madeleine Burkindine was appointed Superintendent/Principal for the Kansas  State  School for the Blind

Approved

• Licensure Review Committee Recommendations
• Waiver Review Committee Recommendations
• Reappointments to the Standards Board
• Reappointments to the Licensure Review Committee
• Reappointments to the Professional Practices Commission
• Licensure Fee for FY 2008 (stays the same)
• Continuing contract with KU and Emporia State for Title I professional development
• Accreditation waiver for Cimarron Jr/Sr High School, USD 102
• Kansas Inservice plan

The April State Board meeting was held in Junction City, at the offices of USD 475, Geary County.  Twice each year, the State Board meets away from Topeka in board member districts.  Kathy Martin, board member for district 6, chose to highlight activities in Junction City.

As part of their meeting, board members visited Fort Riley, several USD 475 schools, and also met with the board and administrators from USD 379, Clay Center, Mrs. Martin’s home district.

USD 475, Geary County, presented information during the meeting about how the growth in and around Fort Riley is impacting their district.  They also highlighted the long-standing school improvement efforts that have been the district’s focus for over 20 years.

All board members attended the meeting except John Bacon, who typically misses the April board meeting due to work-related obligations.

Board Schedules Commissioner Candidate Interviews

The State Board will interview finalists for Commissioner of Education on Thursday, April 26, in the Board Room at KSDE.

While no specific information is available about those being interviewed, only one day is set aside for the interviews.

Watch local media outlets on the 26th and 27th to see if candidates are identified as they enter the interview room.

Charter Schools Approved

Ten schools received charter status at the April meeting.  This means that they will receive planning grants of $60,000 each and first year implementation grants of $155,000.  These funds come from a federal charter school grant that Kansas received last year.

The board voted 9-0 to approve all except USD 500 and USD 101.  Those charters were approved 8-1, with Sue Gamble voting no on each.  She explained that her concern with USD 500’s charter was a process concern and her concern that the USD 101 charter converts the district’s only high school to a charter.

The new charter schools and sponsoring districts are:

• USD 500, Maurice R. Holman Academy of Excellence (requested planning grant only)
• USD 503, Parsons  Health  Career Academy
• USD 308, Salthawk  Charter  School
• USD 218, Point  Rock  Family Academy
• USD 373, Walton 21st Century Rural Life  Learning Center
• USD 382, Walden  Center
• USD 267, St. Mark’s Charter  School
• USD 101, Project Based Learning  Charter  School
• USD 261, Haysville  Charter  School
• USD 418, McPherson  County  Charter School

In addition, 3 charter schools received implementation funding.  These schools were approved as charters last year, prior to the availability of federal funds.  They are:

• USD 349, Stafford  High  Charter School
• USD 202, Turner Virtual Learning  Center
• USD 376, Sterling  Academy

Board materials on this topic are on pp. 115-117.

In other action, the State Board:

• Approved land transfers

From USD 101 to USD 447, pp. 47-50
From USD 102 to USD 371, pp. 51-56

• Approved recommendations from the Professional Practices Commission to

Deny 2 applications
Accept 1 voluntary surrender

• Received model curriculum standards for the visual arts, pp. 119-255
  
• Received model standards for health education, pp. 257-384
  
• Approved recommendations from the Waiver Review Committee, p. 395
  
• Approved requests for bond elections from

USD 410, Durham-Lehigh-Hillsboro, pp. 403-404
USD 505, Chetopa-St. Paul, pp. 405-406
USD 508, Baxter Springs, pp. 407-408

• Heard a presentation about the Kansas Learning First Alliance, p. 417
  
• Heard a presentation about early childhood activities, p. 419
  
• Received an update on KERC, Kansas  Education  Resource Center, p. 421
  
• Heard an update on NAEP, the National Assessment of Educational Progress, p. 25.
  

May State Board Meeting

The May meeting of the State Board is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, May 8 and 9 in Topeka.  Meeting materials should be available on the KSDE website  on Monday, April 30.

Guidelines for seclusion rooms and use of restraint with students with disabilities were approved by the State Board, 7-2-1.  Voting for the guidelines were Steve Abrams, Sally Cauble, Sue Gamble, Carol Rupe, Bill Wagnon and Janet Waugh.  Voting against were John Bacon and Ken Willard.  Kathy Martin abstained.

The guidelines, which can be read in the State Board materials, http://www.ksde.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=TAtfvVQz3aQ%3d&tabid=427&mid=1073 beginning on page 49, will be monitored closely by the Student Support Services division at KSDE.

The guidelines cover use of and restrictions on seclusion rooms, size and characteristics of seclusion rooms, use of and restrictions on physical and mechanical restraints, and reporting and notification requirements for both seclusion rooms and use of restraints.

Members who work with students with disabilities should review these guidelines carefully to ensure that they are working within them.  The guidelines specify the kinds of training that staff members should receive before using either seclusion rooms or restraint techniques.  Guideline 5 is especially important, as it describes who must be notified, and by when, when either a seclusion room or restraints are used with students with disabilities.

Public Hearing for Licensure Regulations Changes Set

The State Board has set Tuesday, June 12, at 1:30 pm as the official public hearing for proposed changes to the educator licensure regulations.  These changes, which were forwarded from the Professional Standards Board, address areas identified as barriers to achieving licensure in Kansas.

The changes being proposed include:

• Allow a secondary science teacher to add another science endorsement by passing the content test
• Allow any licensed teacher to add a middle level endorsement by completing at least 15 credit hours, plus middle level pedagogy or recent grades 6-8 experience, and passing the content test
• Allow a secondary teacher to add a new endorsement area when 50% of the approved program is completed and content test is passed
• Restricted license option for school specialist (library media, school counselor)
• Provisions for out-of-state school counselors who do not have teaching experience (not all states have that as a prerequisite)
• Provisional endorsement option for early childhood
• Removal of gpa requirement for initial conditional licensure
• Require credential evaluation for foreign exchange teaching license
• New regulation for innovative or experimental preparation programs

The specific language for these regulatory proposals is on pp. 207-224 of the March State Board materials.

KNEA will be testifying in favor of these regulatory changes because they were supported by the Professional Standards Board and its Regulations Committee and because we believe they maintain the integrity of the licensing system while addressing important needs.

You can direct comments on these regulations to State Board members any time between now and the public hearing.  Their contact information is available on the KNEA website by clicking on “At the Capitol” and choosing the “take action now” button.  Enter your zip + 4, then scroll down to “state departments and agencies” where you choose “Department of Education.”

Board contacts are also listed on the KSDE website.

April Meeting in Junction City

On April 10 and 11, the State Board will meet in district 6.  Twice each year the Board goes “on the road,” with the host board member selecting how his/her district will be showcased.  Kathy Martin, who represents district 6, has selected    Junction City, USD 475, Geary County, as the site for this meeting.

On Monday, April 9, members of the Board will tour Ft. Riley, including Ware Elementary.  On Tuesday and Wednesday, the Board will have the regular monthly meeting at the Devin Center, 123 N. Eisenhower.

The agenda and meeting materials for April should be available on the KSDE website beginning Monday, April 2.

In other action, the State Board:

• Recognized Dr. Brenda Dietrich, Kansas  superintendent of the year (p. 39)
• Visited the Kansas  State  School for the Deaf and the Kansas State School for the Blind (pp. 3-7)
• Received an update on the Kansas  Parent  Information Resource Center (p. 57)
• Received an update on the Kansas  writing assessment (p. 59)
• Received recommendations of the charter school review committee (see revised board materials, pp. 3-6)
• Approved recommendations from the Evaluation Review Committee for
• ACCK, approved program for Adaptive license endorsement (p. 33 of revised materials)
• Fort  Hays State University, approved new program, history comprehensive (p. 35 of revised materials)
• Ottawa  University, approved 3 new programs, English language arts, health, psychology (pp. 37-40, revised materials)
• University  of Kansas, 18 programs approved, 5 programs approved with stipulation (pp. 41-47, revised materials)
• Approved recommendations from the Licensure Review Committee (pp. 225-227)
• Approve 14 license/endorsement requests
• Deny 2 license/endorsement requests
• Approved recommendations from the Waiver Review Committee (pp. 229-230)
• 33 special education teachers
• 3 extension of days for substitutes
• 1 English language arts
• 1 health
• Heard a presentation on Kansas  career preparation initiatives (p. 63)

On a 6-4 vote, the State Board of Education approved science standards developed by the Science Standards Writing Committee and presented in January by Dr. Steve Case, co-chairman of that committee.

Voting for the standards were Sally Cauble, Sue Gamble, Carol Rupe, Jana Shaver, Bill Wagnon and Janet Waugh.  Voting against the standards were Steve Abrams, John Bacon, Kathy Martin and Ken Willard.

The agenda item took about 20 minutes and included 3 attempts to amend the proposed standards.  In each case, the amendment lost 4-6.

Board members Abrams, Bacon, Martin and Willard attempted to engage other board members and representatives of the standards writing committee in discussion about proposed changes.  Chair Bill Wagnon indicated that the answers to most of the questions were self-evident and that the board would proceed.

The new standards are available on the KSDE website; follow the links educators, then standards, then science to see them.

Teacher Recruitment and Retention Discussed

Three separate agenda items dealt with issues related to recruiting and retaining teachers (and administrators) in Kansas.

Tuesday afternoon, a panel of educators, Winston Brooks, superintendent, USD 259, Wichita, Beth Reust, superintendent, USD 270, Plainville, and Tes Mehring, vice president for academic affairs, ESU, braved the weather to get to Topeka to discuss problems and potential solutions.  All three mentioned salaries and various working conditions, as well as the public’s attitude toward educators, as factors.

On Wednesday, Blake West presented information on the Teacher Working Conditions survey.  Survey results, reported in other KNEA publications, confirm the issues raised by the administrators.

West stressed using the data to begin conversations at building and at district levels.  He also encouraged the State Board to include money for subsequent administrations of the survey in their budget for the next fiscal year.

The first mention of recruitment and retention issues came Tuesday morning, when the Kansas Teacher of the Year team met with the board.  Time was identified as one of the greatest challenges facing teachers in today’s schools.

No action was taken by the State Board, little further discussion occurred, and the topic is expected to appear again on future agendas.

Teacher of the Year Team Honored

Six members of the 2007 Kansas Teacher of the Year Team slogged their way to Topeka on Tuesday to meet with State Board members.  Team members are:

• Josh Anderson, Olathe NEA, Kansas Teacher of the Year and finalist for National Teacher of the Year
• Mary Collins, Council Grove Teachers Association
• Lori Atkins Goodson, Wamego TA (unable to attend)
• Martha Hadsall, Harper  County  NEA
• Bonnie Kastanek, NEA Manhattan/Ogden
• Carrie Mugridge, DeSoto TA (unable to attend)
• DeAnn Nelson, UTW
• Sheryl Smith, Buhler high school

Each team member spoke about an issue of importance to him/her, with the entire team responding to questions from State Board members.

Seclusion/Restraint – Guidelines or Regulations?

Following a public hearing on Tuesday, during which parents, advocates, university professors and school administrators provided testimony, the State Board voted Wednesday to ask KSDE staff to develop guidelines for the use of seclusion and restraint with students with disabilities.

Voting to support guidelines were Sally Cauble, Sue Gamble, Carol Rupe, Jana Shaver, Bill Wagnon and Janet Waugh.  Voting against were John Bacon, Kathy Martin, and Ken Willard.  Steve Abrams abstained, explaining that he needed more information.

The vote was ironic, John Bacon remarked.  The “conservatives” on the board were in favor of regulations, which are mandatory and more restrictive than guidelines.  He stated, “These proposed regulations were put together by professionals and we should recognize their expertise.”

Conferees on Tuesday presented graphic, moving and sometimes shocking testimony about how seclusion and restraint had been used on their students.  All board members agreed that if those statements were true, strong attention was probably needed.

Currently, there are no federal or state rules or regulations regarding seclusion and restraint for students with disabilities.

The majority on the State Board felt that guidelines were the proper place to begin and that their implementation should be closely monitored to see if guidelines were sufficient or if regulatory language would be needed at a later time.

It was pointed out that each student in question has an IEP and that behavior plans, including use or non-use of seclusion and restraint, were part of those plans.  Parents who believe the plan is not being followed have recourse through a complaint procedure or, ultimately, a due process hearing.

In other action, the State Board:

• Received an update on the process for reviewing charter school proposals
• Denied a petition for reconsideration of an order revoking a license
• Received the 2005-2006 Accountability Report
• Submitted proposed licensure regulations for removing barriers to licensure (first step in regulatory review process)
• Approved recommendations from the Waiver Review Committee
• Approved funding recommendations for Title II B math and science partnership grants
• Approved requests for bond issue elections from: USD 266, Maize: USD 372, Silver Lake:USD 467, Leoti
• Postponed receiving model Standards for Health Education to March, due to lack of time

Future Meeting, Board Materials

The next meeting of the State Board will be Tuesday and Wednesday, March 13 and 14.  The meeting on the 14th will be in Kansas City, at the School for the Blind and the School for the Deaf.

The board agenda and materials should be available on the KSDE website beginning on Monday, March 5.

Board materials from the February meeting can be found on the KSDE website, follow the links for State Board, then Meeting materials.

With 2 new and 3 re-elected members, the 2007-2008 State Board of Education met this week in Topeka.  Sally Cauble, Liberal, is the new district 5 member and Jana Shaver, Independence, is the new district 9 member.  Returning to the board are John Bacon, Olathe, district 3, Janet Waugh, Turner, district 1, and Ken Willard, Hutchinson, district 7.

Bill Wagnon, Topeka, district 4, was elected chairman of the board and Carol Rupe, Wichita, district 8, was elected vice chair.  Sue Gamble, Shawnee Mission, district 2, is the new legislative liaison, with Jana Shaver the assistant legislative liaison.

The only contested election was for legislative liaison.  Gamble was challenged by Ken Willard, winning 6-4, with votes from Cauble, Gamble, Rupe, Shaver, Wagnon and Waugh.  Willard’s supporters were Steve Abrams, Bacon, Kathy Martin and Willard.

Elected to the Policy Committee were Waugh, Shaver and Bacon, with Waugh appointed as chair.

Information on Board members can be found at http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=60

Search for New Commissioner Begins

The State Board hopes to have a new Commissioner of Education hired by the end of March, 2007.  They approved a process and timeline submitted by NASBE, the National Association of State Boards of Education, who will assist with the search. [see pp. 293-302 of the January Board materials for details http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=427

Stakeholder interviews will be conducted the 3rd week of January, the board will finalize the job description later that week, and the job will be posted through the end of February.  Candidate screening will occur in early March and the Board hopes to interview finalists and make a decision in mid-March.

Science, Again

Science standards are expected to be an agenda item at the February State Board meeting.  The Board voted 8-2 (Bacon and Gamble dissenting) to authorize Interim Commissioner Dale Dennis to have staff prepare a document that compares the standards approved in 2006 with standards prepared by the Science Standards Writing Committee.

Board members tussled over the propriety of the discussion, noting that the standards are not scheduled for review this year, and the political nature of the debate, with reminders that science standards were issues in several of the 2006 elections.

During the Open Forum on Tuesday, several conferees presented the Board with petitions urging the Board to keep the current standards.  Another conferee reminded the Board that in science, theories are not determined by public vote.

Department staff expect the comparison document to be available on the KSDE website in about two weeks.

Legislative Agenda Finalized

The Board revised and approved a Legislative Agenda for the 2007 session.  The Board materials, pp. 311 and 312, were amended to add support for a 5-year phase in of full funding for districts who offer full day kindergarten programs and to delete references to the items relating to unlicensed teachers, employee access and site-based reporting (local board issues, not State Board or legislative) and English immersion pilot program (since 107 USDs already have these programs).

Most votes were 6-3, with Cauble, Gamble, Rupe, Shaver, Wagnon and Waugh supporting and Bacon, Martin and Willard opposing.  The exception was the all day kindergarten, which Martin supported.  [Steve Abrams was unable to attend the Wednesday meeting.]

Board Calendar Set for 2007

Meetings of the State Board will continue to be held on the second Tuesday and Wednesday of each month in 2007.  In March, on Wednesday, the State Board will visit the School for the Deaf and the School for the Blind, in the Kansas City area.  In April, the Board will meet in district 6, primarily in the Junction City area.  In October, the Board will meet in district 3.  (pp. 25-29)

Board agendas and materials are available on the KSDE website and are usually available Monday of the week prior to the Board meeting.  They can be found at http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=427  
In addition, Board meetings are broadcast over the internet, with a link on the hyperlink above.

In other action, the State Board:

• Heard presentations from the elementary, middle, and secondary principals of the year (p. 51)
• Received the annual report from the Special Education Advisory Council (pp. 53-82)
• Met with the Career and Technical Student Organizations officers (p. 289)
• Received proposed amendments to Licensure regulations and standards (p. 115-139)
• Discussed Restricted Licenses, out of state applicants and recruitment issues (p. 141-154)
• Approved recommendations for reauthorization of ESEA/NCLB (p. 155-159)
• Approved recommendations from the Professional Practices Commission to revoke 3 licenses, deny 2 applications and suspend 1 license (pp. 161-195)
• Approved recommendations from the Waiver Review Committee for 32 licenses/endorsements (pp. 205-207)
• Approved recommendations from the Licensure Review Committee to approve 12 requests and deny 5 requests (pp. 209-211)
• Approve recommendations from the Evaluation Review Committee to approve the Early Childhood Unified program from KU (pp. 213-222)
• Received information on the Visiting Teacher from China  program (pp. 223-228)
• Approved model standards for driver education (pp. 231-282)
• Set the Interim Commissioner’s salary at $150,000, annually, retroactive to November 22, 2006

The results are in – Kansas students’ scores on the 2006 state assessments show that student achievement continues to improve.  In the spring of 2006, assessments in reading and mathematics were given to students in grades 3-8 and at one high school grade.

Specific information about state, district and building results is now available on the KSDE website at http://online.ksde.org/rcard/

While it is not possible to make direct comparisons to previous state assessments [the 2006 assessments were new], Dr. Tom Foster, assistant commissioner for learning services, told State Board members he believed that the state results were positive and showed growth.

One indicator of that is the number of buildings that received grade level or building wide recognition for reaching the Standard of Excellence.

This year, 720 buildings reached SOE in reading and 452 buildings reached SOE in mathematics.  In addition, there were 1969 reading grade level SsOE and 1426 math grade level SsOE.

To reach SOE, an elementary school/grade must have at least 25% of the students scoring at the exemplary level and no more than 5% at academic warning.

A middle school must have at least 20% exemplary and no more than 10% academic warning.

A high school must have at least 15% exemplary and no more than 15% academic warning.

No Change to Board Travel Policy – Yet

The State Board failed to adopt a recommended change to their travel policy.   The Board’s Policy Committee, at the direction of Board chairman Steve Abrams, brought a proposed revision that would have prevented out of state travel for any board member who failed to file for reelection or who lost in the primary or general election unless that board member was acting as the board’s designated representative.

A procedural vote, which passed 7-3, allowed consideration of the proposal at the same meeting at which it was introduced.  Board members Steve Abrams, John Bacon, Kathy Martin, Connie Morris, Iris Van Meter, Bill Wagnon and Ken Willard voted in favor.  Sue Gamble, Carol Rupe and Janet Waugh opposed the motion.

After much discussion, the proposal failed, 5-5, with Abrams, Morris, Van Meter, Wagnon and Willard voting in favor and Bacon, Gamble, Martin, Rupe and Waugh voting against.

It is expected that all State Board policies will be reexamined when a new board takes office in January, 2007.

Reed Recognized for Milken Award

Karla Reed, Gardner/Edgerton NEA, a Title I reading teacher at Moonlight Elementary school, was recognized for her recent selection as this year’s Kansas Milken Family Foundation Educator.

Reed addressed the Board and spoke about the challenges and rewards of teaching.  She emphasized the collaboration in her building and the interaction that occurs between all teachers as they work to ensure that students learn to read.

In addition to recognition in April at a national meeting in Los Angeles, Reed will receive an unrestricted cash award of $25,000.

In other action, the State Board:

• Heard updates from the Improvement and Support Team and the Professional Learning Communities Team, both part of the new School Innovations division
• Took preliminary action on the Board’s legislative agenda for 2007
• Heard a presentation on the Crossland Education Connection, which links the construction trades industry with vocational education
• Approved recommendations from the Waiver Review Committee (p. 123)
• Approved additional funding for Reading First grants (p. 131)
• Approved a contract to do an alignment study of Kansas  standards and assessments as required by ESEA/NCLB (p. 135)
• Approved a bond election for USD 434, Santa Fe Trail  (p. 139)

Out With the Old, In With the New

Connie Morris, district 5, and Iris Van Meter, district 9, were recognized at the conclusion of the meeting, their last as State Board members.  Van Meter did not seek reelection and Morris was defeated in her primary election.

New and re-elected board members Janet Waugh, district 1, John Bacon, district 3, Sally Cauble, district 5, Ken Willard, district 7, and Jana Shaver, district 9, will be sworn in on Monday, January 8 with other statewide elected officials.

The new board will meet for the first time on Tuesday and Wednesday, January 9 and 10, 2007.  Board materials should be available on the KSDE website by January 2 and can be found at http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=427

Materials referenced above for the December, 2006, meeting can be found at the same site.

Preliminary results released by the Kansas State Department of Education today indicate that 1,219 schools, or 86.2%, and 264 USDs, 88%, met the AYP targets for 2006.

While statewide figures were not available, Dr. Tom Foster, assistant commissioner for learning services, praised Kansas educators and students for making and sustaining incredible levels of growth.

In 2006, 195 schools, 36 USDs, and the state did not make AYP.  That is an increase of about 5% from last year.

In 2006, the first year in which state tests were given to all students in grades 3-8, plus one grade at high school, 475,593 state assessments were given.  That is over twice as many as were given in 2005.

When looking at just Title 1 schools, of which there are 683 in Kansas, more than 96% of them were not identified for improvement.

The number of Kansas schools making AYP exceeds the national average of 71%, based on states that reported results as of early September, 2006.

Preliminary school report card data will be made available to schools November 17 and final versions presented to the State Board at their December 12 meeting.

KNEA Members and Schools Recognized

Six schools were recognized at the State Board meeting this month. 

Ogden Elementary, in USD 383, Manhattan Ogden, was recognized for receiving the Intel and Scholastic School of Distinction Award for outstanding achievement in elementary mathematics.   Jim Armendariz, principal, and Mike Berndt, both members of NEA Manhattan/Ogden, represented the school.

Recognized as Blue Ribbon Schools by the US Department of Education were

Regency Place Elementary, USD 233, Olathe  , Greg Oborny, principal and Olathe NEA member
Westview Elementary, USD 233, Olathe
Eugene Ware Elementary, USD 234, Fort Scott
Garfield  Elementary, USD 402, Augusta
Frances Willard Elementary, USD 470, Arkansas City

$40,000 Awarded To Charter School Organization

The Kansas Association of Public Charter Schools received a $40,000 grant to provide statewide support and networking services to potential, new and existing Kansas charter schools.

Names of principles of the KAPCS were not provided to the Board, but Mike Welden, Olathe, and Betty Horton, Topeka, were recognized in the audience.

The grant competition, which began with an RFP posted on the KSDE website October 18 and due November 1, drew 2 applicants, KAPCS and the Kansas Association of School Boards.  No information was provided to the State Board regarding the scoring rubric or reviewer comments.

The motion to approve the award passed 6-3, with Steve Abrams, John Bacon, Kathy Martin, Connie Morris, Iris Van Meter and Ken Willard voting yes; Sue Gamble, Bill Wagnon and Janet Waugh voted no; Carol Rupe was absent.

In other action, the State Board

Set a public hearing for February 13, 2007, on proposed regulations regarding seclusion and restraint provisions for students with disabilities.

Approved recommendations from the Waiver Review Committee

• USD 102, Cimarron-Ensign, 1 teacher, special education
• USD 230, Spring Hill, 1 teacher, psychology
• USD 240, Twin  Valley  , 1 teacher, FACS
• USD 253, Emporia  , 1 teacher, ESOL
• USD 259, Wichita  , 29 special education, 6 math, 1 art, 1 FACS teachers
• USD 261, Haysville, 3 teachers, special education
• USD 263, Mulvane, 1 teacher, special education
• USD 266, Maize, 1 teacher, physical education
• USD 282, West Elk, 1 teacher, special education
• USD 290, Ottawa  , 2 teachers, special education
• USD 305, Salina  , 21 special education, 1 journalism teachers
• USD 320, Wamego, 1 teacher, special education
• USD 333, Concordia, 2 teachers, special education
• USD 336, Holton, 1 teacher, special education
• USD 353, Wellington  , 1 teacher, special education
• USD 364, Marysville, 1 teacher, special education
• USD 368, Paola, 1 teacher, special education
• USD 379, Clay  Center  , 2 teachers, special education
• USD 403, Otis-Bison, 1 teacher, FACS
• USD 407, Russell  County  , 1 teacher, special education
• USD 453, Leavenworth  , 1 teacher, special education
• USD 457, Garden City, 1 teacher, library media specialist
• USD 480, Liberal, 1 teacher, special education
• USD 483, Kismet-Plains, 1 teacher, special education
• USD 489, Hays, 5 special education teachers
• USD 497, Lawrence, 9 special education teachers
• USD 512, Shawnee Mission, 1 teacher, library media specialist
• USD 602, NW Kansas ESC, 8 special education teachers
• USD 603, ANW SEC, 13 special education teachers
• USD 607, Tri  County  SEC, 4 special education teachers
• USD 614, East Central Kansas Coop, 1 special education teacher
• USD 618, Sedgwick County AES, 14 special education teachers
• USD 619, Sumner  County  ES, 3 special education teachers
• USD 620, Three Lakes EC, 5 special education teachers
• USD 636, NCKESC, 3 special education teachers

Approved recommendations from the Licensure Review Committee

Approve 14 requests for licensure/endorsement

Deny 6 requests for licensure/endorsement

Heard a report from the Kansas Association of Education Service Agencies

Heard a staff presentation on ELL/ESOL students/programs

Received the annual report from the Kansas State High School Activities Association

Discussed possible legislative policy recommendations for 2007

December  State  Board Meeting

The December meeting of the State Board will be Tuesday and Wednesday, December 12 and 13 in Topeka.  The Board agenda and materials should be available on the KSDE website beginning Monday, December 4.

In his monthly report to the State Board, Commissioner Corkins announced that the department reorganization was completed on time and on budget.   He provided anecdotes about how the new School Innovations division is providing information and how the Improvement Support Teams are working with USDs.

Board members raised questions, however, citing other anecdotes of which they were aware, in which USDs reported not receiving assistance that they believed to be helpful.

Responding to a question about vacancies in the agency, Corkins responded that “nothing of consequence is unfilled at this point,” and that the departments are “appropriately staffed for all the functions we need to serve.”

[Some sources claim that there are currently between 5 and 10 educational program consultant vacancies at the agency, many for specific content area specializations.]

Charter Schools Grants Generate Questions

Following last month’s relatively unnoticed approval of almost $40,000 in a technical assistance grant to ESSDACK, Hutchinson, several Board members raised pointed questions regarding those grants, which were distributed in $1,995 increments to 16-19 individuals.   The number is uncertain because at least 1 grant recipient has since died and several have returned their checks.

Apparently, parties interested in providing technical assistance to charter school applicants could submit information to KSDE and receive grants, each of which came in just slightly under the $2,000 figure that requires a bid process.

When questioned by Board members Gamble, Rupe, Wagnon and Waugh, Commissioner Bob Corkins stated repeatedly that the grants were a “bargain” and that KSDE had done “precious little” in the past to assist charter school applicants.

Student Engagement Project Described

Commissioner Corkins and Assistant Commissioner Engelbrick provided information about their student engagement project, designed to help USDs “provide students with additional opportunities to increase educational achievement.”

The project will involve mini-grants for which USDs can apply that will allow students one-time access to one of the Explore/Plan/ACT assessments marketed by ACT, an Iowa City  , Iowa assessment vendor.

Students who take an assessment will receive a report identifying their likelihood of doing well at various higher-level educational opportunities.   ACT representatives described the assessments as “facilitating future educational planning.”

When questioned about the source of the project’s funds and their longevity, Commissioner Corkins stated that it was one-time money, derived from “savings in renegotiating the state assessment contracts” and that the department did not intend for the project to be sustained.

When questioned about a provision of ESEA/NCLB that offers grants for students to do this now, a program that USD 259, Wichita, is participating, and how this might impact Wichita, Engelbrick indicated that he was unaware of any such provision or of the Wichita program and would need to look into it.

QPA, State Assessment Update

Dr. Tom Foster, assistant commissioner for learning services, presented an update on AYP, QPA, standards of excellence, and opportunity to learn.   Highlights included:

There are currently still over 2,500 data appeals from school districts regarding their state assessment data.   No final AYP information will be available until all appeals are resolved.  Foster hopes to have the data for the November State Board meeting.

The standard of excellence designation will remain relatively unchanged, and new calculations will be made for the grades tested for the first time last year.

Foster has in interest in de-coupling QPA status decisions from ESEA/NCLB’s AYP designation.

The US Department of Education, on September 26, reversed a long-standing policy and will now allow states that test high school students at the end of “opportunity to learn” [when the students have completed the coursework being tested] to re-test students whose scores are below proficient.   The best of the two test scores will count for AYP.

Dr. Foster’s PowerPoint presentation, which includes all the information he presented to the State Board can be found at http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=466  Look for “State Board 10.06” which will be posted soon.

Board Visits District 10

The State Board went on the road in October, to Cowley  County in board district 10, as part of the regular visitation schedule of the ten State Board districts.  Both USD 465, Winfield, and USD 470, Arkansas City, had opportunities to discuss district programs and practices and to showcase their schools with building tours.

Board members heard presentations about a joint project in the allied health area that involves both USDs, Cowley  College, and Southwestern College.  They also visited several schools in each USD and ate lunch prepared by the Food Production and Services Class at Arkansas City High School.

Board members Abrams, Gamble, Martin, Rupe, Van Meter, Wagnon and Waugh attended the October meeting.   Members Bacon, Morris and Willard were absent.

In other action, the State Board:

• Reviewed possible legislative issues, pp. 83-84
• Discussed issues of concern for ESEA/NCLB reauthorization, pp. 107-108
• Authorized the Licensure team to begin developing regulatory language for amendments to address barriers to licensure, pp. 109-114
• Approved recommendations from the Professional Practices Commission to revoke 3 licenses and deny 2 license applications, pp. 115-135
• Approved license waivers from 24 USDs, pp. 143-145
• Approved recommendations from the License Review Committee to approve 5 license/endorsement requests, p. 147
• Appointed Mike Mathes, USD 345, Seaman, to the License Review Committee, pp. 151-153
• Approved a request for the renewal of a Visiting Scholar License, p. 149
•   Approved the Kansas Model Curricular Standards for Listening, Speaking, and Viewing, p. 155 [standards included in August, 2006, SBOE materials]
• Approved extended standards for mathematics, reading and writing [standards included in September, 2006, SBOE materials]
• Approved a bond election for USD 434, Santa Fe Trail, pp. 171-172

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the State Board is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, November 14 and 15, in Topeka.  Materials should be available on the KSDE website sometime on Monday, November 6, at http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=427

The start of the State Board of Education meeting was dominated by discussion surrounding the proposed changes in the Rubric for the Application for Charter Schools.

Board members Janet Waugh, Sue Gamble, Bill Wagnon and Carol Rupe asked pointed questions regarding the need for changes in the Rubric for Application at this time. They questioned whether or not these changes were appropriate under Kansas law. Commissioner Bob Corkins defended the proposed changes stating that there is nothing in the law stating that Charter Schools need to be under the direct control of local boards of education. The Rubric will be reviewed by teachers, administrators and local board of education members before it is brought back to the State Board for approval.

Title I scores were to be introduced but were not released. The board was concerned that school districts had been promised two years of level score targets when the new assessments were implemented. Instead the proposed changes in target scores would have doubled the number of districts listed as "on improvement." 

The board passed a change in the AYP target scores from current proposed levels to last year's levels. The change will require at least a 48-hour delay in the release of the scores for reconfiguration. Kathy Martin, district 6 Board member, stated that the board was not trying to punish schools. "We are letting the scores and the schools fall where they may." The scores will be released as soon as they are available after the reconfiguration.

The October board meeting will be in Arkansas City. No agenda was released.

In other action, the State Board:

• Approved board member travel, including a trip for Connie Morris for eight days in late December to Washington D.C. to speak with various immigration officials
• Approved program standards for new birth-K license (p. 555)
• Approved Visiting Scholar license for teacher of Chinese at SEKESC (p. 563)
• Accepted recommendations from Licensure Review Committee to approve 18 and deny 7 license/endorsement requests (p. 565)
• Received a list of 2006-2007 allocations for ESEA/NCLB programs (p. 577)
• Approved requests for bond elections from
  o USD 101, Erie (p. 587)
  o USD 239, North Ottawa County (p. 589)
  o USD 240, Twin Valley (p. 591)
  o USD 313, Buhler (p. 593)
  o USD 323, Rock Creek (p. 595)
  o USD 375, Circle (p. 597)
  o USD 416, Louisburg (p. 599)
  o USD 508, Baxter Springs (p. 601)

After initial jousting over a one-day State Board meeting, what was scheduled as a 30 minute agenda item took almost an hour and a half, and even then the State Board only approved endorsing the Legislature's FY'08 funding plan for $149 million in new money by a 6-4 vote.  Voting to endorse were Steve Abrams, John Bacon, Kathy Martin, Connie Morris, Iris Van Meter, and Ken Willard.  Voting against endorsing were Sue Gamble, Carol Rupe, Bill Wagnon and Janet Waugh.

The defining issue was whether or not the State Board wanted to request additional money on top of the Legislative plan.  Various board members made suggestions to reallocate within the $149 million or to request additional money for programs to further State Board goals.  These included:

Abrams: reallocate money to fund all-day kindergarten in USDs not currently offering it.  After lengthy discussion about the merits of funding all-day K at 1.0 FTE through the general fund versus reallocating money for USDs who hadn't figured out other ways to fund all-day K, the motion was withdrawn.

Bacon: give "scholarships" to families to let them pay the rest of the cost of all-day K if they choose.  [In other legislative discussions, the term "scholarship" frequently has been used as a synonym for voucher.]  Suggestion, no motion made.

Waugh: implement 1.0 FTE for all-day K over 3 years.  Motion failed 5-4-1, Gamble, Martin, Rupe, Wagnon, Waugh for; Abrams, Morris, Van Meter, Willard against; Bacon abstained.

Wagnon: fund the mentor program for the second year of a teacher's career.  Motion failed 5-4-1 (same distribution of votes as above).

Waugh: make Parents As Teachers available to 1,000 more students.  Motion failed 5-4-1 (same as above).

Wagnon: increase at-risk weighting by 1%.  Motion failed 4-5-1 (Martin voted against, other votes as above).

Willard: fund KAL-TECH (program that provides leadership training for administrators) through agency allocation if money is available.  Motion carried 7-3, Abrams, Bacon, Martin, Morris, Rupe, Van Meter, Willard for; Gamble, Wagnon, Waugh against.

To see Board materials on the FY'08 budget, go to http://www.ksde.org/commiss/Aug_06_board_mtg_materials.pdf page 217.

Board Adopts Cut Scores, New Performance Labels for State Assessments

On a 7-1-2 vote, the State Board adopted recommendations for cut scores for the Kansas assessments.  Voting to adopt were Bacon, Martin, Morris, Rupe, Van Meter, Wagnon and Willard; voting against was Gamble; abstaining were Abrams and Waugh.

The scores were determined using a review process coordinated by KSDE and the Center for Educational Testing and Evaluation [CETE] at KU.  The process involved Kansas educators and included multiple standard-setting methodologies: bookmark, contrasting groups, borderline groups, and body of work. 

A "super panel" of 32 Kansas educators reviewed the results of the process and recommended the cut scores.

In addition, new labels for the 5 performance levels were adopted.  They are: academic warning, approaches standard, meets standard, exceeds standard, and exemplary.  "Meets standard" would be considered "proficient" for AYP purposes.

When questioned about the need for new labels, Dr. Tom Foster, assistant commissioner, explained that with the new tests and new cut scores, it was felt that new labels would help emphasize that the new levels and scores cannot be compared to the old levels and scores.

Gamble voted against the recommendation citing her concern that impact information on how these scores would affect AYP for Kansas schools was not presented.

Foster indicated that AYP graphs for reading and mathematics would probably be available at the September State Board meeting.

The scores for the general reading and mathematics assessments are included here.  Scores for KAAM, KELPA and the alternate assessments were also adopted.

General reading assessment, percent correct:

General mathematics assessment, percent correct:

Materials for this agenda item were provided at the Board meeting but are not currently available on the internet.

In other action, the State Board:

• Received model curricular standards for listening, speaking and viewing
• Visited the Kansas Historical Society for a presentation on the Kansas history project
• Heard quarterly reports from Kansas State School for the Blind and Kansas State School for the Deaf
• Began the regulatory review process for proposed regulations for seclusion and restraint of students with disabilities
• Received program standards for the new EC-K unified license
• Discussed recommendations regarding unlicensed personnel
• Approved a plan to change the method of election and voting of USD 102, Cimarron
• Approved a request from USD 308, Hutchinson to hold a bond election
• Approved visiting scholar license requests from
  o USD 348, Baldwin City - art teacher
  o USD 497, Lawrence - autism itinerant teacher

The next meeting of the State Board is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, September 12 and 13 in Topeka.

State Board Sets KPA Passing Score – Deadline Looms!

This morning the State Board accepted the recommendation from the Professional Standards Board and set the passing score for the Kansas Performance Assessment (KPA) at 88/113.  This score will be required beginning September 1, 2006.

The KPA is the primary requirement for upgrading a Conditional License to the Professional License, which is renewable and valid for 5 years.

Each person who submitted a KPA during the no-fault period MUST apply for the Professional License prior to September 1, 2006 or they will have to meet the passing score, even if they submitted during the no-fault period.

KSDE staff indicated today that all those who submitted KPAs during the no-fault period have received, or will receive by early August, letters notifying them of their eligibility for the Professional License.  They will also receive a letter informing them of the September 1, 2006 effective date of the passing score and emphasizing the consequences of submitting the Professional License application on or after that date.

Even though most Conditional License holders have time remaining on their Conditional Licenses (they are valid for two years), they should apply for the Professional License prior to September 1, 2006.  The Professional License costs $36.00.

[The report used to guide the Professional Standards Board in making their recommendation can be found in the State Board materials beginning on p. 45.]

July Meeting – Lots of Reports

State Board materials can be found at http://www.ksde.org/commiss/July_06_Bd_mtg_materials.pdf

Most of the agenda items for the July State Board of Education meeting were reports, presentations, and “receive” items.  The Board:

• Received recommendations from the Professional Standards Board on removing barriers in licensure regulations (p. 71)
• Received recommendations from the Professional Standards Board on possible sanctions for USDs hiring unlicensed personnel (p. 77)
• Heard a presentation on the process being used to set achievement levels on the Kansas assessments (p. 31)
• Received proposed regulations on seclusion and restraint of students with disabilities (p. 21)
• Received the Governor’s budget allocations for FY 2008 and began preliminary budget discussions (p. 89)
• Heard a presentation on Communities in Schools (p. 29)
• Heard a presentation on the McKinley-Vento Homeless program (p. 87)
• Heard a presentation on the Wallace Foundation Leadership grant (underway in Dodge City, Parsons, KCK, and Wichita ) (p. 205)
• Heard a presentation on Eagle Academies Charter Schools, a Texas company (p. 207)
• Heard a progress report on the student engagement project (p. 203)

And There Was Some Action

The State Board did take some action during the July meeting.  They:

• Passed amendments to the licensure regulations (most were technical, to accommodate the new early childhood birth – K license) (p. 33)
• Appointed Jeannette Nobo to Director of Professional Learning Communities, School Innovations Division.  Nobo was assistant director of school improvement and accreditation.
• Appointed Sarah Thomas to Director of Improvement and Support, School Innovations Division.  Thomas was NAEP education program consultant.
• Affirmed recommendations from the Professional Practices Commission to deny two license requests (p. 79)
• Affirmed recommendations from the Licensure Review Committee to approve 13 requests and deny 4 requests (p. 119)
• Approved three Visiting Scholar requests (p. 123)
• Approved Kansas Model Curricular Standards for Health Science Occupations (p. 139)
• Approved a bond election for USD 232, DeSoto (p. 197)

Elections and Next State Board Meeting

Primary elections for State Board positions will be held on Tuesday, August 1.  The next meeting of the State Board is Tuesday and Wednesday, August 8 and 9.

Sex Ed Policy, KSDE Reorg, Testing Contracts Prove Contentious

A series of 6-4 votes at the June State Board meeting highlighted the continuing philosophical differences that exist among members of the State Board.  Three specific topics provided the platforms for debate: a policy on sexuality education, the reorganization of KSDE, and contracts for state assessments.

Sex Ed

At the request of Kathy Martin, district 6, Clay Center, the Board considered adding a statement to the previously-approved K-12 Health Education Standards.  That statement says:  “Each board of education shall provide a complete program of abstinence until marriage in human sexuality that is developmentally appropriate, including information about sexually transmitted diseases, especially HIV/AIDS.  It is imperative that medically accurate and research-based information be provided, including factual information regarding contraception and disease prevention.”

Most of the debate centered on whether or not the program should be “complete” or “comprehensive.”  John Bacon, district 3, Olathe, called “comprehensive” programs “dangerous” to students, explaining that comprehensive is a “code word with connotations focusing on engaging in risky behaviors without suffering consequences.”

Janet Waugh  , district 1, KCK, objected to including any statement, explaining that local boards are responsible for determining local curriculum and that the standards were sufficient to guide them.

Ken Willard, district 7, Hutchinson, suggested alternate wording, which wasn’t acceptable to Martin or Connie Morris, district 5, St. Francis.

In the end, the Board voted 6-4 for the statement, with Abrams, Bacon, Martin, Morris, Van Meter, and Willard supporting the motion and Gamble, Rupe, Wagnon and Waugh opposing it.

KSDE Reorganization

On another 6-4 vote (same members voting in the same pattern), the Board confirmed the appointments of Tom Foster as Assistant Commissioner of the Learning Services Division and Larry Englebrick as Assistant Commissioner of the School Innovations Division, effective June 5, 2006.  Each man will receive an annual salary of $110,000.

Clarifying that their opposition was not intended to reflect on the individuals appointed, Waugh, Wagnon, Gamble and Rupe expressed concern that Board policy had not been followed in the appointments and that splitting the Learning Services division would not improve service or integrate the work of compliance and best practice.  They also expressed concern about the fiscal note [the School Innovations position is new].

Chairman Steve Abrams called the appointments a huge step forward and said he had been assured that the new position could be funded within existing resources.

Testing Contracts

The final contentious item involved two contract continuations, one with CETE (Center for Educational Testing and Evaluation at KU) and another with WestEd, a California-based company.

Gamble, Rupe, Waugh and Wagnon questioned why the CETE contract was less than last year’s [$3.3 million, down from $4.8 million], why WestEd’s was higher [$2.7 million, up from about $2 million], and expressed the desire to use Kansas contractors to do the work whenever possible.

Commissioner Bob Corkins stated that both contractors had bid specific lists of work, that the contract amounts were maximums, and that agency staff would continue to press WestEd for economies and savings in the final contract.

Again, the vote on the contracts was 6-4.

Materials from the Board meeting are available at http://www.ksde.org/commiss/June_06_Bd_mtg_materials.pdf

Licensure Issues Engage Board

Three items relating to educator licensure received united interest and support from all 10 State Board members.

First, Dr. Rick Ginsberg, University of Kansas, was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Teaching and School Administrators Professional Standards Advisory Board, and Randy Mousley, UTW, was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Professional Practices Commission.  Both were appointed with 10-0 votes.

Second, the Board received a report on alternate route to licensure programs in Kansas.  Dr. Judy Hayes, Wichita State, Dr. Howard Smith, Pittsburg State University, and Dr. Jerry Bailey, University of Kansas, explained the programs currently operating at their institutions.

All three speakers emphasized the importance of screening and selecting candidates, providing a standards-based program for them, and ensuring ongoing support during the entire alternate route process.

Those graduating from alternate route programs have the Restricted License during the program, then are recommended for the Conditional License.

Third, the Board received a report on unlicensed personnel in Kansas schools.  Citing safety issues (unlicensed personnel have not completed the mandatory KBI/FBI background checks required for state licenses) as well as violation of state law (it is unlawful to pay anyone without a license), the Board asked the Professional Standards Board to review the issue and return to the July SBOE meeting with recommendations for action.

In the 2005-2006 school year, 202 people in 66 USDs or service centers did not hold Kansas licenses.  Every one of those persons would have been eligible for at least an emergency substitute license, which would have required the background check.

In other action, the State Board:

Appointed 6 members to the Special Education Advisory Council

Received a report on a secondary student engagement project

Received model standards for Health Science Occupations

Awarded 2006-2007

• Four-year-old at risk grants
• Parents as teachers grants
• 21st Century Community learning Center grants
• Learn and Serve America grants
• Americorps*Kansas grants

Approved recommendations from the Evaluation Review Committee

• Benedictine  College  , accredited, through 12-31-12
• MidAmerica  Nazarene  University, accredited, through 12-31-10
• Ottawa  University  , accredited, through 12-31-12
• Tabor  College  , provisionally accredited, through 12-31-07
• Bethany  College  , program approved, through 12-31-08
• Fort  Hays  State University, new programs approved with stipulations, through 12-31-07

Approved the 2007 licensure fee at $36 (no change)

The next meeting of the State Board will be Tuesday and Wednesday, July 11 and 12.  Board materials should be available on the KSDE website after July 3.

State Assessment Issues Discussed
Agency Response to Sex Ed Instruction Request
In Other Action

It Takes Six Votes…..

An agenda full of information only and discussion only items made for a relatively quiet meeting of the State Board this month.  The absence of two board members, Ken Willard, district 7, all day, and Connie Morris, district 5, in the morning, could have contributed to the lack of action items, since all actions of the State Board require 6 votes.

As always, specific board materials can be found on the KSDE website at http://www.ksde.org/commiss/May%2006%20mtg%20materials.pdf

State Assessment Issues Discussed

This summer will be busy, as Kansas educators and testing experts prepare to recommend new performance levels to the State Board in August.  Prior to that, two sets of work must be completed.  Dr. Tom Foster, Director of School Improvement and Accreditation, outlined that work for the State Board.

First, Kansas teachers participated in a “contrasting groups” study, in which teachers were asked to predict how their students might perform along the continuum of performance levels.  About 3,000 teachers provided information on 30,000 students – sufficient numbers to provide a valid sample.

Second, panels of Kansas teachers will meet in June for a “bookmark” exercise, in which they will examine actual assessment items for each assessed content area at each grade level and by consensus decide where the 5 performance levels should be set.

All that information will be analyzed and recommendations forwarded to the State Board for an August decision about the specific performance levels.  That decision is necessary before the building and district AYP decisions can be made and before building and district report cards can be developed.

Simultaneously, as required by the US Department of Education, Kansas  will be conducting a comparability study of the Kansas Computerized Assessment (KCA) and the paper/pencil version of the state assessments.   This study, expected to be completed by July, 2007, will be conducted by CETE (Center for Educational Testing and Evaluation at KU) and supervised by Dr. Michael Kolen, from the University of Iowa.  Kolen is a member of the Kansas Technical Advisory Group, a 6-member panel of assessment experts from outside the state.  The TAC was formed in the mid-‘90’s to assist KSDE and CETE with assessment issues. 

Board materials on these two topics can be found on pages 61-63.

Agency Response to Sex Ed Instruction Request

KSDE staff presented a statement regarding abstinence and human sexuality education to the State Board, with a recommendation that it be placed in the introduction to the standards document.  The statement can be found on page 37 of the Board materials.

Board discussion ranged from questions about how the staff statement was different from material already contained in the standards document to concerns that the statement was not specific enough about the need for abstinence-only-before-marriage instruction.

Kathy Martin, district 6, who raised the issue before the Board two months ago, indicated that she still did not like the word “comprehensive” in the statement, because she feared that it implied that it was appropriate to teach about “safe sex” before marriage.  She also indicated that she continues to have reservations about a policy statement, which does not have the impact of a regulatory change.

Action on the statement is expected at a future Board meeting.

In other action, the State Board:

Heard from Dr. Jill Shackelford, USD 500, about KCK’s Zap The Gap program

Recognized Kansas ’ 2005 Presidential award winners for excellence in mathematics and science education (p. 35)

• Christine Herald, NEA Manhattan/Ogden, secondary science
• Audrey Smalley, USD 260, Derby, secondary mathematics

Received the Kansas Licensed Personnel Report (pp. 43-60)

Received final recommendations on educational services for autistic children from the Special Education Advisory Council (pp. 39-42)

Approved reappointments to the following:

• Professional Standards Board: Karen Godfrey, NEA Seaman; Carolyn Good, Olathe NEA; Sam Rabiola, Lawrence EA; Shirley Meissner, Wichita Collegiate; John Heim, Emporia; Deb Haltom, Shawnee Mission, Orville Altevogt, Alma – all to second three-year terms (p. 125)
• Professional Practices Commission: Andrea Ewert, NEA Hutchinson; Tom Biggs, El Dorado; David Webb, Gardner-Edgerton – all to second three-year terms (p. 127)
• Licensure Review Committee: Mary Tate, Clay County TA, first full three-year term; Mark Jarboe, Shawnee Heights EA, second three-year term (p. 129)
  
  Approved recommendations from Licensure Review Committee to approve 13 license/endorsements and deny 8 (pp. 131-134)
  
  Approved a request from USD 446, Independence, to hold a bond election (p. 139)

Future State Board Meetings

On Wednesday, May 10, the State Board visited the Kansas School for the Blind in KCK and the Kansas School for the Deaf in Olathe.  Both schools are under the direct supervision of the State Board.  The agendas for those visits can be found on pages 147-151.

The next meeting of the State Board is scheduled for June 13 and 14 in Topeka.  The agenda and materials should be available on the KSDE website on June 5.

(Thanks to UTW leaders for attending the April State Board meeting in Wichita.)

The Kansas BOE met in Wichita on April 11 & 12.  The board spent the greatest percent of its time on sex education, state assessments and high school reading lists.

Twenty-six residents spoke during the Open Forum, and every one of them spoke either for or against mandatory “abstinence-only” sex Ed as part of a school accreditation.  Eight spoke in favor of such a mandate and twenty spoke against.  The board itself debated the issue for over an hour before the members decided to put the item back on a future BOE meeting agenda.

Blue Valley School District made a presentation on its policies and procedures related to approved reading lists.  The presentation was thorough and professional, but some board members still have the desire to have more State Board control over the clearly local issue.

Alexa Posny made her last presentation to the Board before departing for her job at the federal Dept. of Ed.  She explained the merits of and a potential calendar for implementation of the “student growth” model of measuring student achievement on state assessments.  She favored a change to the “student growth” model during the next round of state assessment updates in 5-7 years.

The Board had an interesting discussion on the possibility of using the ACT test as a high school state assessment tool.  A few states have gone to this, and Kansas is one of many more states considering that assessment option.

State Board Votes on Sexuality Education
Kansas History Project Materials Available 
In Other Action
April Meeting in District 8

All board materials can be found at http://www.ksde.org/commiss/march_06_materials.pdf

State Board Votes to Require Parental Permission for Students to Participate in Sexuality Education

Along with adopting the revised Kansas Model Standards for Health, the State Board, on a 6-4 vote, determined that “parental permission for students to participate in sexuality education must be obtained.  The State Board mandates the use of the ‘opt-in’ policy, which requires parents to return a consent form allowing a student to participate in the class.”  In debating the issue, Bill Wagnon noted that the State Board doesn’t have the power to tell districts how and how not to admit students into courses.  Sue Gamble observed that for the first time in any curriculum area, the State Board is potentially going to deliberately deny education to students.  Voting for the language:  Abrams, Bacon, Martin, Morris, Van Meter, Willard.  Voting no: Gamble, Rupe, Wagnon, Waugh.

An earlier motion to allow school districts to choose either an opt-in or opt-out method for parental permission for students to participate in sexuality education was defeated.  In discussion prior to the vote, Carol Rupe noted that both methods include the requirement that parents are to be informed prior to the class.  Janet Waugh emphasized that continuing to allow school districts to choose the method for parental permission that best suits the needs of their students, parents and communities would demonstrate the State Board’s faith and trust in local school boards and belief in local control.  In arguing against the opt-out method, Kathy Martin drew attention to her desire for the State Board to change accreditation standards for performance and quality criteria by mandating that an abstinence until marriage course be taught in grades 6-9.  Voting to allow districts to determine whether to use an opt-in or opt-out method: Gamble, Rupe, Wagnon, Waugh. Voting no: Bacon, Martin, Morris, Van Meter, Willard.  Abstaining: Abrams

Kansas  History Project Materials Available

A new edition of a middle level textbook about Kansas history, Kansas Journey, is now available, thanks to work funded by the State Department of Education and the Kansas Historical Society.

One copy of the book will be sent to every school in Kansas with a 7th grade classroom, thanks to a deeply discounted price from the publisher.  The teaching materials related to Kansas Journey are also available on CD.

Another part of the project, Read Kansas, will be available in the fall of 2006.  Based on artifacts and primary documents, the project includes 77 lessons and is aligned with history indicators and reading indicators, K-12.  Each lesson includes a lesson plan, multiple cards containing the historical information, activities for using the cards, and assessment strategies.

Grade appropriate sets will be made available to every school in Kansas, thanks to funding from KSDE, the Kansas Historical Society, and Kansas Health Foundation.  In addition, the materials will be available online.

In other action, the State Board:

• Approved new charter petitions, p. 59 
  USD 376, Sterling, Sterling  Academy
  USD 202, Turner, Turner Virtual Learning  Center
• Received model curricular standards for school counseling, p. 63
• Received preliminary recommendations from the Special Education Advisory Council regarding issues related to autism, p. 147
• Approved the petition to disorganize USD 295, Prairie Heights, and transfer its territory to USD 211, Norton, USD 294, Oberlin, and USD 412, Hoxie, p. 295
• Established new USD 107, Jewell County [consolidation of USD 104, White Rock and USD 278, Mankato], p. 159
• Approved recommendations of the Evaluation Review Committee, p. 161
  Friends  University, new program with stipulation, through 12/31/07
  Southwestern  College, new program with stipulation, through 5/31/07
  Washburn  University, 3 programs, through 12/31/08
  Bethany  College, accreditation with probation, through 12/31/07
• Approved recommendations of the Licensure Review Committee, p. 179
  Grant 16 requests for licensure/endorsements
  Deny 2 requests
• Approved recommendations of the Waiver Review Committee, p. 183
  From 23 USDs
  31 teachers out of field, special education
  4 substitutes, extend number of days to work
  1 each, physical education, music, secondary sciences
• Approved a bond election request for USD 203, Piper, p. 217

April Meeting in District 8

The April meeting of the State Board will take place in district 8, Wichita.  The agenda and materials for that meeting, including location(s) of the meeting, should be available on the KSDE website on or after April 3.

Update on Restricted License Proposal
Teacher of the Year Team Recognized
A Month of Updates
In Other Action
Board Considering New Clipping Service

Update on Restricted License Proposal

During his monthly report, Commissioner Bob Corkins explained that sending his Transition Team's licensure proposal to the special superintendents' committee was meant as a "prelude to the normal regulatory process that must be abided by."

He also stated that he supports using the "regular process," which includes the Professional Standards Board and the Regulations committee of the PSB, which is "lengthy and extensive" and which requires "opportunities for public input." [Editorial note: that process is also spelled out in Kansas statute.]

In a meeting last week with Peg Dunlap, KNEA Director of Instructional Advocacy, Dr. Steve Abrams, chair of the State Board, stated that the proposal was not on the Board's agenda for discussion in February and that he/Abrams supported using the normal process for considering changes to regulations.

Over 600 messages were sent by KNEA members to State Board members about the proposal. The KNEA alert was published following the meeting of the special superintendents' committee and prior to the release of the February State Board agenda.

No proposal was referred to either the Professional Standards Board or the Regulations Committee by the Board at the February SBOE meeting. Both PSB and Regulations meet within the next 2 weeks.

The State Board did authorize the special superintendents' committee to continue their work so that they could identify possible solutions to barriers they had identified during their first 2 meetings. They are also asked to identify groups responsible for implementing those solutions.

The Commissioner has presented the Restricted Licensure proposal to the special superintendents' group. When questioned about how the proposal should be considered by the superintendents, Dr. Abrams indicated it was up to the group whether to consider it or not.

KNEA will continue to monitor this issue.

Teacher of the Year Team Recognized

The eight Kansas teachers selected as the 2006 Kansas Teachers of the Year met with State Board members at the February meeting. Recognized were

• Ron Poplau, NEA Shawnee Mission, 2006 Kansas Teacher of the Year and one of 4 finalists for the national Teacher of the Year
  Laurie Mercer, UTW
• Pam Olson, Haysville NEA
• Betty Peterson, Nemaha Valley TA
• Roxie Peterson, Wamego TA
• Letitia Petitjean, Buhler NEA
• Tana Priddy, DeSoto TA
• Betsy Wiens, Auburn/Washburn NEA

A Month of Updates

Many of the agenda items in February were updates on issues in progress. These included:

• Study/review of services for students with autism
• Kansas assessments [see http://www.ksde.org/presentations/Council%20of%20Supts%20assessment%20update%20feb06.ppt for PowerPoint presentation]
• 2004-2005 Accountability Report [will be posted at this site http://www.ksde.org/accountability/accountability.htm soon]

In other action, the State Board:

[Go to http://www.ksde.org/commiss/feb_2006_board_materials.pdf to see specific materials]
Approved a consolidation agreement between USD 427, Belleville, and USD 455, Hillcrest Rural (Cuba), both in Republic county [p. 159]

• Approved 57 requests for licensure waivers, 50 in special education endorsements [pp. 163-167]
• Approved continuation of audio-streaming of board meetings by KAN-ED
• Approved bond elections for
  o USD 240, Twin Valley
  o USD 408, Marion-Florence

Board Considering New Clipping Service

Concerned about the cost of their current service, now $27,500 per year, Board members in January asked staff to bring recommendations for ways to reduce the cost of receiving clippings from Kansas newspapers.

Staff offered three options:

• Rebid the service, with tighter specifications to reduce costs
• Use Google's advanced news search
• Add State Board members to KNEA UniServ Southeast Director Tony White's daily email.

The Board reviewed the three options, received samples of the 2nd and 3rd options, and agreed to defer a decision until next month.

The March meeting of the State Board will be Tuesday and Wednesday, March 14 and 15, in Topeka.

State Board Doubles Budget Request
Charter Law Amendments Sought
2006 Meeting Calendar Approved
In Other Action

State Board Doubles Budget Request

By nearly unanimous votes, the State Board this week approved almost $80 million in additional requests to the Kansas Legislature. The Board voted to request $300,000 to fund KAL-Tech (Kansas Academy for Leadership and Technology), $2.3 million to develop a statewide longitudinal database, and $77 million to fund all-day kindergarten programs at 1.0 fte.

Budgets from state agencies are due to the Governor in mid-September. At that time, the State Board requested an additional $77.5 million over last year's appropriation, with most of the money going to an increase in the base state aid.

Read Under The Dome, the daily legislative update on the KNEA website, to see what progress, if any, the State Board requests make.

Charter Law Amendments Sought

At the request of Commissioner Bob Corkins, the State Board voted 6-4 to request changes to the Kansas Charter School statute. Supporting the request were Steve Abrams, district 10, Arkansas City, John Bacon, district 3, Olathe, Kathy Martin, district 6, Clay Center, Connie Morris, district 5, St. Francis, Iris Van Meter, district 9, Thayer, and Ken Willard, district 7, Hutchinson.

Opposing the request were Sue Gamble, district 2, Shawnee Mission, Carol Rupe, district 8, Wichita, Bill Wagnon, district 4, Topeka, and Janet Waugh, district 1, Kansas City.

Characterizing the changes as "minimal" and as "subtle catalysts for meaningful growth in quality charters," Corkins outlined two different sets of amendments.

The first would set a base amount of per pupil aid for all charter school students. This amount would be BSAPP + student weighting factors. Now, because they are part of USDs, charters typically get the amount of funding that other pupils in that USD generate.

The second would allow charter applicants who are denied a charter by the local BOE to appeal that decision to the State Board.

During lengthy debate, Board members questioned Corkins on the specifics of his proposals, particularly the appeal of a denied charter. Several Board members expressed unwillingness to overturn decisions of local boards.

"We don't know local situations. If we approve this, we're saying we don't trust local boards," explained Janet Waugh.

"This is a Pandora's Box and is not clearly thought out," said Sue Gamble. "If we approve a charter that is not connected to a USD, who gets the money? It sounds like a voucher to me and I thought we had tabled that."

Corkins responded that the charter school would be a public school and could decide for itself, in the charter, how it would be managed - and, therefore, who would get the money.

Ken Willard took the argument a step further. Expressing his own concerns about administration/monitoring of locally denied but SBOE-approved charters, he suggested that legislators be asked to change the law to allow non-public charters with the State Board as the chartering agency.

Read Under The Dome to keep following this issue during the legislative session.

2006 Meeting Calendar Approved

The State Board set its 2006 meeting calendar and will continue to follow the schedule of meeting the second Tuesday/Wednesday of each month.

In February, the Board will also meet on Monday, February 13, for a mid-term goal-setting meeting. Time of the meeting has not been determined.

In April, the Board meeting will be in district 8, Wichita. In October, the Board will meet in district 10, which includes counties SE, S and SW of Wichita.

In May, the second day of the Board meeting will be in Kansas City, where Board members will visit the Kansas State School for the Blind and the Kansas State School for the Deaf.

In other action, the State Board

"Choice" Proposals Fuel Heated Debate
In other action

"Choice" Proposals Fuel Heated Debate. . .

To see a copy of the Transition Team proposals and a list of team members, go to http://www.ksde.org/commiss/dec2005materials.pdf and read pages 173 - 177.

Legislative proposals from Commissioner Bob Corkins and his Transition Team for "scholarships" for special education and at-risk students and for changes to the state's Charter School statute fueled hours of sometimes contentious discussion and debate at the December State Board meeting.

The probably-inevitable approval for those proposals was postponed until the January State Board meeting, however, for several reasons, including the late hour (6:15 pm on Tuesday).

Superintendents Brenda Dietrich, USD 437, Auburn-Washburn and John Morton, USD 373, Newton, spoke at the request of United School Administrators. Dietrich related difficulties with lightly-regulated charter schools from her history as a superintendent in Massachusetts.

Morton called the legislative proposals "old responses to old problems." He urged the Board to work collaboratively with school personnel to seek "new answers" to improve educational opportunities for all students.

Morton also said, "We need to be having these conversations prior to the state board adopting a legislative agenda and not on the day when it is an item for decision on the agenda."

Superintendent Milt Dougherty, USD 444, Little River, a member of the Transition Team, introduced the proposals, citing a "broken system" as a need for the introduction of "scholarships" for at-risk and special education students and increased flexibility in the charter school law.

He also questioned who at the local level should have control over education decisions, [implying parents instead of local boards of education] as well as whether we should concentrate on public education or an educated public.

Greg Forster, representing the Milton and Rose D. Friedman Foundation, Indianapolis, Indiana, lectured the Board on the necessity for "choice" for parents, citing "empirical evidence" that such programs produce better results for students (and, according to him, for public schools), than do programs within the public school setting.

Forster also was scornful of adequacy studies and of charters "held hostage" to local school boards.

"There are mixed reviews of research on vouchers and charters - I can read Education Week like everyone else," noted Bill Wagnon, district 4, Topeka.

During Board discussion, Janet Waugh, district 1, Turner, got blunt. "I'm from Wyandotte County, where we say it as we see it," she began.

"If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, it's a duck. These are vouchers."

Earlier in the morning, 22 people addressed the Board during the Citizen's Open Forum. 3 conferees, parents of children with autism, spoke in favor of special education vouchers. 6 conferees, all from Topeka or KCK, spoke in favor of vouchers and charter schools. 9 conferees, including 1 parent, from Maize, spoke against vouchers. 4 conferees spoke on other topics.

In addition, every seat in the Board room was occupied (approximately 100 chairs) and the hallways outside were crowded. Many of those attending were administrators and local board members from Kansas USDs.

When questioned about establishing a "level playing field" between public schools and private schools who might receive vouchers, Forster responded that "public schools do not have to take all disabled kids" either.

The audience response to that comment was loud and incredulous.

In response to questions from Board members, Commissioner Corkins explained why the proposals were made. He stated that the aim was "to improve student performance [for the students cited in the Court's decision this past summer as not receiving adequate education] "with minimal amount of change possible."

Carol Rupe, district 8, Wichita, expressed surprise that the Transition Team produced such recommendations. "I thought they were to help you learn your job, not look into our legislative recommendations," she stated.

"We set out 2 years' worth of goals and objectives in our retreat in February without including vouchers or charter school changes. I'm sorry our ideas from that retreat weren't included in your proposals," she continued.

Steve Abrams, district 10, Arkansas City, chair of the Board, stated that the recommendations were within the scope of the Board goal on redesigning the educational system in Kansas.

"We haven't discussed this before, but it's within the goal. We're changing tactics, not goals," he explained.

Kathy Martin, district 6, Clay Center, expressed surprise at the large turnout of school and school board personnel. "They say they're not scared, but why such a big turnout if they're not scared of these very minimal efforts to give parents choice. " She went on to speculate that perhaps they were scared of losing control over funds.

She questioned Commissioner Corkins about adding items to the legislative proposal, such as allowing retirees to work in the district from which they retired, funding all day kindergarten and half-day early childhood programs and allowing parents to enroll their students across district boundaries without local board approval.

Corkins responded that he had only proposed items that needed legislative action, that Martin's items could be accomplished with changes in State Board regulations.

[editorial note: none of Martin's initiatives can be accomplished through State Board regulation.]

Waugh indicated that she could support vouchers if and only if the accepting school had to accept all applicants and if the accepting school met all Kansas accreditation and Federal ESEA/NCLB requirements.

She asked Corkins whether he would revise the proposal. He refused, stating, "No private institution will take scholarships if they have to meet state and federal regulations."

Sue Gamble, district 2, Shawnee, requested information from Board attorney Dan Biles about the constitutionality of public money going to private institutions.

Biles replied that there are 4 different Attorney General opinions on the subject, 1 from Bob Stephen, 2 from Carla Stovall and 1 from Phill Kline.

"Three and a half say it's not, one-half says it is," Biles replied. [The most recent decision, from Kline, is the split decision.]

In other action (yes, there was other action), the State Board:

• Approved a contract for David Awbrey to become Director of Communications and Recognition Programs at a $76,000 salary
• Heard a presentation on the Challenger Learning Center of Kansas
• Recognized the 2005 Milken educators
• Heard presentations on Stafford Entrepreneurial Charter School and Newton E3 Charter School
• Heard the Kansas State High School Activities Association annual report
• Appointed Vernon Welch, superintendent, USD 480, Liberal, to the Licensure Review Committee
• Appointed Alice Morris, Coffeyville middle school principal, to the Professional Standards Board
• Approved 204 out-of-field waiver requests from the Waiver Review Committee (see http://www.ksde.org/commiss/dec2005materials.pdf pages 65-72 for details)
• Approved model curricular standards for Family and Consumer Science (see http://www.ksde.org/commiss/dec2005materials.pdf pages 87- 170)
• Approved a bond election for USD 413, Chanute

The January State Board of Education meeting will be Tuesday and Wednesday, January 10 and 11, at KSDE, 120 E. 10th, in Topeka. The Board agenda and materials will be available on the KSDE website, http://www.ksde.org/commiss/bdmaterials.shtml the week prior to the meeting.

Big but not surprising news
Commissioner's Report
In other action
On Wednesday
Science Standards Resolution

The big but not surprising news. . .

The State Board, by a 6-4 vote, adopted a Science Standards Resolution that included the motion to adopt the standards with the changes recommended by the minority report. The motion was made by Connie Morris and seconded by Kathy Martin. The resolution, which is at the end of the State Board news, had not been seen by moderate Board members until the discussion on the standards began. When several moderate members asked Chairman Steve Abrams why they were not given the opportunity to see the resolution the response was, "it does not matter because you won't vote for it anyway."

The debate was heated and at times discourteous. Moderates on the Board, Wagnon, Rupe, Waugh and Gamble all spoke against adopting the standards, especially because issues of copyright and corrections from the external review were not completed. However, Chairman Abrams said their concerns were not relevant or important and announced at the conclusion of the vote that it was a great day for the students of Kansas because we are allowing more "science" into the standards. The motion carried with Abrams, Bacon, Willard, Morris, Martin, and Van Meter voting yes and Wagnon, Rupe, Waugh, and Gamble voting no.

The report of the new Commissioner - Bob Corkins

The first report of Commissioner Bob Corkins included announcements of the work of his transition team. He responded to criticism that his transition team is comprised of only individuals from northeast Kansas (in fact many are from Lawrence) by saying he wanted to use individuals who could quickly come to Topeka to help. He indicated he will look for more geographic representation later. He announced that he will tour with Board member Connie Morris in her district on November 14-15 and with Board member Ken Willard on December 19-20. The commissioner was asked a series of questions from moderate Board members about his transition team and the costs associated with it. Mr. Corkins was asked a number of questions about his public statements on choice, empowerment, and a lack of progress in Kansas on the education goals of the State Board. Mr. Corkins defended the work of his transition team and insisted much progress had been made since he began his work as commissioner.

In other Action, the State Board...

• Due to time restraints the report of the Kansas State High School Activities Association was moved to December.
• A report on the work of high schools to use the report Breaking Ranks II as a reform tool was reduced to ten minutes.
• The Board had a lunch meeting with the Legislative Educational Planning Committee to discuss issues on ways to address the achievement gap. The Board gave input as to legislative issues they wanted to address although the discussion of their legislative priorities will be on Wednesday.
• The Board heard from six NCLB Blue Ribbon Schools on what makes a difference in student achievement. Those honored were:

Public: Roosevelt Elementary School, USD 418 McPherson
IXL Elementary School, USD 470 Arkansas City
Ware Elementary School, USD 475 Geary Co.
White Church Elementary School, USD 500 Kansas City
Baxter Springs High School, USD 508 Baxter Springs

Private: The Independent School, Wichita

• Received a report on the Kansas Model Curricular Standards for Family and Consumer Sciences.
• Approved Consent Agenda with only discussion of item i which is a contract with a communications firm to have communication services while a search for a communications director is underway. Board member Wagnon questioned such a contract and expenditures in a contract with a communications firm. The motion to approve all consent items was made by Willard/Morris and passed 6-4.
• Twenty-two individuals spoke in the Citizen's Open Forum including KNEA. KNEA was one of 7 of those who testified on the proposed inclusion of vouchers, charter school expansion, and high stakes testing in the State Board Legislative Agenda.

On Wednesday...

After the press and pressure of Tuesday's science vote the Board meeting had a quieter tone on Wednesday but the political splits were no less apparent. The only item on the agenda besides the approval of the Board's attorney's report and Board travel was discussion on items to include in the Board's Legislative Agenda. Chair Steve Abrams called on Commissioner Bob Corkins to give an overview of background information on possible inclusion items. Mr. Corkins began with information on voucher programs and other school choice research. When asked by Board member Sue Gamble why the Board was looking into vouchers the chair Steve Abrams responded that, "we hired Bob to encourage more choice in Kansas." Mr. Corkins stated he believed that more choice is in line with the goals of the Board to achieve better student achievement. Board member Connie Morris stated that "we are doing this because we have an achievement gap. Choice is best practice and completely in line with the Board goals." Steve Abrams added that competition will drive all schools to success and we can build better education for all students with more choice.

After a nearly two hour discussion with many questions from the moderate board members it appears that the recommendations for the State Board's Legislative Agenda that Mr. Corkins will bring in December will include state scholarships (vouchers), incentives for early high school graduation, professional development for administrators, charter school reform (allowing more and widening the definition), and a proposal from Board member Connie Morris to develop a statewide magnet school to help high school students develop and open their own businesses in their own communities. The State Board members will also ask that the fundraising limits on candidates running for the Kansas State Board of Education be increased to match those of individuals running for the Kansas Senate.

Science Standards Resolution

Whereas, the Board commenced work on revisions to Kansas Science Education Standards in 2004 through the appointment of a Science Writing Committee,

Whereas, the Board finds many aspects of the product of the Writing Committees are outstanding and should be applauded;

Whereas, certain provisions of the Science Standards relating primarily to the origin of life and its diversity have been the subject of considerable scientific and public controversy, not only within the Writing Committee and this Board, but within the United States and International communities;

Whereas, the Board believes that public schools have an obligation to treat origins science objectively because it is a subjective historical science that unavoidably impacts world views in a number of areas;

Whereas, the Committee became divided over provisions in the Science Standards relating to Origins, with one view reflected in a Minority Report authored by eight members of the Writing Committee and another reflected in drafts approved by a majority of the Writing Committee;

Whereas, the Board and the Department of Education conducted extensive fact finding regarding the Minority and Majority views through public hearings, the receipt of written "Peer Review" of the Minority Report, the submission of other written criticism of those proposals and the conduct of four days of hearings where 23 expert witnesses testified regarding the scientific, pedagogical, religious, philosophical and legal issues relating to the two views;

Whereas, the Board asked for expert witnesses supporting the majority draft to challenge the 23 expert witnesses that supported the Minority Report, but they were not willing to present testimony and allow themselves subsequently to be challenged by the Minority Report experts;

Whereas, based on the foregoing, the Board finds that the proposed changes in the Minority Report that have been subjected to this extensive examination and that have been incorporated by the Board in the current draft of the standards as of July 12, 2005 ("Changes"), are scientifically valid, educationally appropriate and consistent with the obligation of the state to provide education that is secular, neutral and non-ideological;

Whereas, the Board has considered a variety of written objections to the Changes, the expert testimony regarding those objections, and the written replies of the Authors of the Minority report;

Whereas, the Board has found merit in some of those objections, which have been incorporated in the July 12 draft, but have not found other objections to the Changes scientifically or pedagogically persuasive;

Whereas, polls sponsored by news organizations within Kansas indicate that the patrons of public education favor a scientifically objective approach to origins that will expose students to the scientific controversies about Origins;

NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED, with the caveat that the document must be reviewed by our attorneys for copyright approval, that Draft 3 of the Kansas Science Education Standards presented to this Board is hereby approved and adopted as the Kansas Science Education Standards, November 8th, 2005, for use throughout the state.

Impressive Gains in Test Scores
Highly Qualified Teachers
New Commissioner
Listen to Board Meeting Live

Impressive Gains in Test Scores

The assessments in reading given in the 5th, 8th and 11th grades shows clearly that Kansas is closing the achievement gap between white and minority students. Over the 5 year period the achievement gap has closed significantly. Please see the entire report at http://www.ksde.org/pressreleases/2005_assessment_release.htm

Significant gains were made by all disaggregated groups. Of particular importance are the gains made in reading by ESL students during the five year period. 5th grade reading scores improved 46%, 8th grade reading scores improved 44% and 11th grade reading scores improved the test scores 33% during the 5 year assessment time.

Participation rates for all four assessments were excellent with the lowest rate being 96.6% in Science to a 99.9% participation rate in Mathematics.

Highly Qualified Teachers

New Commissioner

Board Approves Recommendations of Practices Commission
The board upheld the findings of the Practices Commission to deny the license applications to three people and to revoke the licenses of two others. The vote was 9-0.

Listen to Board Meeting Live

To access the board agenda and materials please go to http://www.ksde.org/commiss/oct_05_brd_materials.pdf

Health Standards
In Other Action

Health Standards

At the September meeting, State Board members reviewed and debated portions of the proposed Health Standards. The board members debated whether or not students should "opt in" or have signed parent permission forms to attend the sex education portion of the health curriculum.

Currently in most schools, students attend the classes unless parents "opt them out." The districts are not bound by the State Boards' recommendations concerning the Health Standards. The standards are only recommendations to the school districts because the state does not test students on health standards as part of district accreditation.

There were two motions and votes on the "opt in" or "opt out" options. The board split 5-5 on both votes. Kathy Martin from Clay Center voted with the moderates on the board to continue the current "opt out" system. Ms Martin said that the "opt in" procedure would be too cumbersome on districts that are already stretched for time to complete required paperwork.

Chairman Abrams said that the board would take up the permission issue again, but he did not say on which month's agenda the item would appear.

In Other action, the State Board (page references to September State Board materials, available at http://www.ksde.org/commiss/sept_2005_materials.pdf

• Acted on Visiting Scholars license requests (pp. 177-178)
  • USD 305, Salina
  • SE Kansas Educational Service Center
• Acted on recommendations from the Licensure Review Committee (pp.179-184)
  • Approved 31 License/Endorsement Requests
• Acted to accept surrender of a professional license for revocation (pp.185)
• Acted on recommendations to accredit schools under the Quality Performance Accreditation (pp 187-188)
• Acted on requests USD 434, Santa Fe Trail, USD 458, Basehor-Linwood, and USD 475, Geary County for authority to hold elections on the question of issuing bonds over the school district's bond debt limitation (pp201-206)

Two Presentations-Separate and Unequal
Science Standards - 1999 Revisited
Number of Kansas Schools on Improvement Drops to 15
Commissioner Search
In Other Action

Two Presentations-Separate and Unequal

Senator John Vratil and Attorney General Phill Kline each made presentations to the State Board on Tuesday. The Quality Performance Accreditation Standards were the subject and the Senator and the Attorney General differed on their perspectives of ESEA/NCLB, the state Supreme Court's decision and the impact of both on the accreditation standards.

Senator Vratil, a long time critic of No Child Left Behind, reiterated his argument that by aligning the QPA standards with NCLB the state, the local school districts and children all lose when those standards call for 100% proficiency.

"We do not honor the standards by making them unrealistic. A goal of 100% proficiency is good. A standard of 100% is not," Senator Vratil stated. He asked the Board to consider standards that are reasonable and reachable.

Attorney General Phill Kline said that the (Kansas Supreme) court "went beyond any other decision in the country". Kline went on to ask the board if they wanted to be able to make decisions regarding the standards or have those decisions dictated to them from on high?. He continued, "Will you make the decisions or will the Court? Who will make policy decisions in the future, you or the Court?"

The State Board is expected to discuss these issues further at their September meeting.

Science Standards - 1999 Revisited

Chairman Steve Abrams moved that the Board accept the revisions to section 2D of the science standards. He presented a second motion to submit the standards to McREL [the only entity that responded to the RFP] for external review.

The first motion passed 6-4 with Sue Gamble, Carol Rupe, Bill Wagnon and Janet Waugh voting no. The second passed 7-2-1 with Wagnon and Waugh voting no and Iris Van Meter abstaining.

Board member Kathy Martin asked that those who voted no on the first motion to keep an open mind. "It is not the end of the world," she continued.

Members of the Science Standards Writing Committee requested that their names be removed from the document because of their strong disagreement with the changes the Board made to section 2D.

The external review is scheduled to be completed in time for the Board to take a final vote on the science standards in October.

Number of Kansas Schools on Improvement Drops to 15

(The following information is from a KSBE press release) The number of Kansas Title 1 schools on improvement has decreased for the second straight year. The preliminary list, presented to Board members at their August meeting, showed that the number of schools on improvement dropped from 21 last year to 15 in 2005. The number of districts held steady at seven, although one district dropped off the list while another was added.

Federal law requires that the information on Title 1 schools be released prior to the beginning of the school year, which is why the State Board received preliminary information on Tuesday.

Of the 21 schools on improvement last year, eight came off improvement this year. Six schools remain on improvement, but made AYP in 2005. Schools must make AYP two consecutive years to be removed from improvement status. Two schools are on improvement for the first time.

The full tentative list of schools and districts on improvement can be found at http://www.ksde.org/sfp/nclb/preliminary_si_list_aug05_sboe.htm

Information on AYP status for all schools in Kansas will be available in October.

Commissioner Search

The State Board has contracted with the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) to conduct the search for a new Commissioner of Education. Applications will be accepted by NASBE until August 26, 2005. NASBE will conduct initial interviews with all applicants and check references. NASBE's executive director, Brenda Welburn, is scheduled to meet with the State Board on Wednesday, September 7, at 8 am. Following that meeting, the State Board expects to invite finalists to Kansas for interviews.

In other action, the State Board: