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Kansas State Board Connection

Janet Waugh

At the May Kansas State Board of Education meeting, Commissioner Posny apprised the Board on the need for a common core of standards that are internationally benchmarked, aligned with work and postsecondary, inclusive of higher-order skills, based on research and inclusive of rigorous content and skills. This call for common standards aligns completely with what the Kansas State Board of Education has identified as its mission and goals.

What has led the design of our state standards have been the standards developed by national organizations such as the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the International Reading Association. Keeping in mind our need to prepare our students for the 21st century, our standards must reflect and align with what our students need to be competitive anywhere in the world.

Dr. Posny also discussed the American Diploma Project Network, which 35 states have already joined. She reported that the Kansas P-20 Council has also discussed the American Diploma Project (ACHIEVE) and will be voting in the near future as to whether Kansas should join these states.

The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and the National Governors Association (NGA) have joined together to support and create the conditions needed to embark on a process to develop common core standards. Representatives from 41 states met in Chicago for a joint meeting called by CCSSO and NGA to discuss common standards.

A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) has been signed by Gov. Mark Parkinson and Commissioner Posny which commits us to becoming a partner in the process of developing the common standards. Kansas will be a voice at the table to ensure these standards are rigorous and relevant. Won’t you join us and make your voice heard as we embark upon this exciting work!

-- Janet Waugh, Chairman of the Kansas State Board of Education


UPDATE ON THE KSDE ANNUAL CONFERENCE

The final yearly spring KSDE Annual Conference was on April 28, 2009, at the Hyatt Regency and Century II Convention Center in Wichita. More than 450 educators from across the state attended in excess of 60 breakout sessions and were able to interact with over 40 exhibitors. The opening session keynote speaker was Dr. Willard Daggett, president of the International Center for Leadership in Education. His address stressed the need for rigor and relevance in education, a theme that he espouses across the country in his efforts to further positive school reform. The closing keynote speaker, Don Lambert, motivated his listeners by recounting his life in Kansas from a one-room country school near Clyde to Concordia High School, Cloud County Community College, and Kansas State University. He is perhaps best known for his discovery of Elizabeth “Grandma” Layton, an artist from Wellsville. Lambert pointed out that without the nurturing and encouragement he received from dedicated teachers he would not have been prepared to recognize and subsequently promote Mrs. Layton’s work which, has touched thousands of lives. Most recently Lambert was honored by the National Governor’s Association for his tireless promotion of the arts.


NEW DEVELOPMENTS FOR THE KANSAS TEACHING PROFESSION

Development of a Teacher Leader License in Kansas

As a result of the work of the Teaching in Kansas Commission, Kansas State Department of Education and the Kansas State Board of Education reports that work is underway to honor career teachers with a new licensure opportunity. Soon Kansas will be one of the first states in the country to offer career teachers a teacher leader endorsement on their license. The requirements to receive this endorsement include a graduate degree, five years accredited teaching experience, a professional teaching license, completion of an approved program and successful completion of an evidence-centered assessment. A clause has been created to grandfather in those teacher leaders who are serving in leadership positions, (such as instructional coaches) and who meet the credential requirements (including the successful completion of the evidenced-centered assessment) without completing an approved program.

Model standards have been developed by the education community embracing the following themes:

  • Adult learning theory
  • Internal and external collaboration/interaction
  • Action research
  • Effective practice to foster collegial interaction
  • Educational improvement through effective federal, state, and local advocacy
  • Assessment to inform continuous improvement
  • Professional development as related to the profession and the school

A teacher leader advisory group will be created to support a network of teacher leaders across the state, creating a forum for these professionals to share research, experiences, and best practices. We have been asked to share this new opportunity for teachers across the nation as other states begin to embrace the teacher leader concept.

Kansas Troops to Teachers Program

Another result of the Teaching in Kansas Commission, Kansas State Department of Education and the Kansas State Board of Education is especially proud to announce a new relationship that has developed over the past year with the Mountain West Troops to teachers program. The Mountain West region is comprised of six mid-western states represented by Meghan Diderrich, who is the Kansas State Counselor.

The partnership began in September 2008 with Kansas State Department representatives attending second career seminars, job/education fairs and military support organizations held on military installations across the state. Prior to 2008, the Troops program―though located in Kansas―did not work in collaboration with the state. Two hundred and forty-six troops and 132 spouses have attended these meetings. An additional 567 troops and spouses―some of whom are currently deployed― have registered to pursue alternative teacher preparation programs. Further, some of those deployed troops are taking accredited on-line courses. Troops must meet the same eligibility criteria to enter the Kansas teacher preparation programs as their civilian counterparts.

The U.S. Department of Education appropriates $14.5 million annually nationwide to support the program. Of this allocation, Kansas troops have received $445,750 since 2001. Troops who become teachers in Kansas are usually male minorities who prepare to teach mathematics, the sciences and special education. Hiring school districts are usually located within a 60-mile radius to the nearest military post.

Within the last year, the program has grown significantly in Kansas. We are proud to assist these honorable men and women who so valiantly keep our nation safe. We believe these individuals are tremendous role models with a sense of duty, honor and country that our children would do well to emulate. Kansas is proud to be a part of this effort and we welcome military candidates.


HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MAY STATE BOARD MEETING

Dr. Posny presented a plaque to the State Board for “outstanding commitment to the success of the inaugural Real World Design Challenge.” Nine states competed in the inaugural challenge, with Kansas having the most high school teams participating.

The State Board approved the strategies and timelines for implementation of the Board’s goals and objectives for 2009-2011.

Mr. Dale M. Dennis, deputy commissioner of fiscal services, reported on American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) money for Kansas. He also reviewed final FY 2010 budget information and the status of education legislation following the adjournment of the Kansas Legislature.

The following appointments were made appointments to the Special Education Advisory Council: Bill Griffith, representing Adult Corrections; Sean Smith, representing Institutions of Higher Education Special Education; Dr. Marcy Aycock, representing LEA Officials; Mike Martin, and Janice Frahm, representing Parents of a child or Persons with a disability; and Shawn Mackay, representing Teachers.

The State Board granted a Petition for Disorganization from USD 279, Jewell. In a separate action the Board accepted the recommendations of the hearing officer regarding the attachment of the disorganizing district’s territory to the Rock Hill District, USD 107, to the north and to the Beloit School District, USD 273, to the south. The Board also approved a motion directing USD 279 to prepare an inventory of the property of the district and report a plan for its disposition to the Board prior to its June 9th meeting.

The State Board directed the Board Policy Committee to develop a recommendation for establishing parameters within which appeals of the recommendations of the Professional Practices Commission come to the State Board.

Mark Ferguson, newly appointed board attorney, advised Board members of workshops regarding the Kansas Open Meetings Act (KOMA) and the Federal Open Records Act (FORA) to be held in a various places across Kansas this summer.

The State Board approved the observance of a moment of silence prior to the beginning of Board meetings.


PRESIDENT’S BUDGET INCREASES TITLE I & MERIT PAY FUNDS, CUTS 12 ED PROGRAMS —

President Barack Obama’s proposed budget for FY 2010 provides $46.2 billion for federal education programs, excluding funding for Pell Grants. The plan focuses on four areas: early childhood learning, teacher effectiveness, school improvement, and innovation and research.

Highlights from the education budget include:

  • $1.5 billion for Title I School Improvement grants to give states and districts resources to develop and implement research-based plans for their failing schools (in addition to the $3 billion provided in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act);
  • $517 million to the Teacher Incentive Fund, which provides states and districts resources to improve the education workforce; and
  • $50 million for a new High School Graduation Initiative that would help districts reduce the number of dropouts.

The proposal would slash the Educational Technology state grants from $926 million to $100 million and it zeroes out funding for 12 other education programs that research has found to be ineffective, for a savings of $550 million. The detailed budget proposal can be seen at www.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/budget10/index.html.

US DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION URGES PREPAREDNESS FOR POSSIBLE SWINE FLU PANDEMIC; CDC ASKS DISTRICTS TO REPORT CASES —

The US Department of Education is stressing the need for states and districts to consult pandemic preparation plans, even as the new flu has caused whole districts and hundreds of schools to close nationwide. To help deal with the outbreak, the Department is calling for administrators to follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and to refer to FAQs on the Department’s Web site. More can also be found in a NASBE Policy Update: “Influenza and School Preparedness” at www.nasbe.org.

Additionally, the CDC has asked the American Association of School Administrators to collect information about school closures related to swine flu in the United States. To track school closures and dismissals nationwide, all schools that close or have closed are being asked to complete the AASA Swine Flu School Closures Form at http://aasa.hodgsonconsult.com. Please share this form with your members. We appreciate your assistance with this critical effort. Please direct any questions to Amy Vogt at avogt@aasa.org