November is the month we traditionally give thanks for all the good things that have happened to us in the past year, so I want to start my monthly messages as the interim commissioner by saying “thank you” to the educators in the state who work tirelessly to ensure that Kansas students receive a world-class education. Results released in October from the 2009 Kansas Assessments continue to show strong performance results in reading, mathematics, science and writing. For the ninth year in a row, student achievement in Kansas continues to increase!  Participation rates on all assessments are above ninety-nine percent; attendance rate is strong at ninety-five percent; and the graduation rate is approaching ninety percent.  

Good things are also happening to schools in Kansas. This month, the Confidence in Public Education Task Force will recognize the recipients of the 2009 Challenge Awards. These awards are designed to identify Kansas schools making a difference in student achievement despite facing significant challenges in school population. One hundred twenty-three Certificates of Merit will be presented to 59 Kansas school districts at a special ceremony November 12 at Lakewood Middle School in Salina. The certificates recognize performance on state assessments in reading and mathematics that exceeds normal expectations based on the socio-economic status and sample size of those taking the test.  A list of challenge award recipients will be posted on our website after November 12.

The Governor’s Achievement Awards are also being presented this month to 41 elementary schools, 12 middle/junior high schools, and 17 high schools. This award honors the top performing schools in the state. To receive this prestigious award, schools must achieve the Standard of Excellence in both reading and mathematics for 2009. Additionally, the school must have made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in both reading and mathematics and one additional measure in 2009. For elementary schools and middle/junior high schools that measure is attendance and for high schools the measure is graduation rate. The school must have been among the top five percent of schools in both reading and mathematics on the 2009 state assessments at its respective level, i.e., elementary, middle/junior high or high school. A list of Governor’s Achievement Award recipients has been posted on our website.

Kansas has great teachers and this is evident by the awards they are receiving. Recently, Brad Nicks, a mathematics teacher at Shawnee Heights High School in Tecumseh, received the 2009 Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award in a surprise announcement at the school. Dr. Jane Foley, senior vice president of the Milken Family Foundation, came from Santa Monica, CA, to present the award. 

Additionally on November 21, the 2010 Kansas Teacher of the Year will be named during a ceremony at the Marriott Hotel in Wichita. Eight outstanding teachers have been named finalists for the award.

In Kansas, we certainly have a lot to be thankful for, and as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, let me be the first to wish you a “Happy Thanksgiving” and say thank you for all you do for the children of Kansas!

Dr. Diane M. DeBacker
Interim Kansas Commissioner of Education