TOPEKA/ The Kansas State Board of Education held its monthly board meeting, May 13-14, 2008, in the Board Room at the Kansas State Department of Education, 120 SE 10th Avenue, Topeka, Kansas. Nine of the ten Board members were present with Ken Willard absent. Following are highlights of the two-day meeting. The policy committee of the State Board met on Monday, May 12, prior to the State Board meeting.
The Board received a report on the Kansas State Science and Engineering Fair (KSSEF) held at Friends University in Wichita on April 11-12, 2008, from Kim Ring and Pam Collinge, co-chairs of KSSEF. They reported to the Board the initiatives used to revive the State Science Fair which had lapsed several decades ago. They introduced Nora Stasser, Division Chair of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at Friends University, who addressed the university’s participation in the Fair. Paul Knightly, Olathe Northwest High School, gave a synopsis of his top-prize winning project. His project focused on a way to significantly reduce side-to-side motion of a spacecraft, thus stabilizing it. In addition to the top-prize, three $1,000 scholarships to Friends University were presented to students. Kansas students qualified for this Fair through regional competitions. Brian Black, Community Relations Manager from Spirit AeroSystems talked about his company’s enthusiastic involvement in the Fair and other community STEM initiatives.
A Public Hearing on proposed amendments to Teacher Licensure Regulations K.A.R. 91-1-200, 91-1-201, 91-1-203, 91-1-204, 91-1-205, 91-1-207, 91-1-209, 91-1-210, 91-1-220, 91-1-221,
91-19-1 and 91-19-6 was held on May 13, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. in the Board Room at the Kansas State Department of Education. Three stakeholders spoke during the Hearing. Staff was directed to prepare an analysis of the issues presented and bring the document back to the Board on Wednesday, May 14, 2008, for discussion purposes. The proposed changes will be voted on by the Board at the regular meeting in June.
Dr. Nancy Damron, USD 229 Blue Valley; Ms. Barbara Brotton, Wilbur Middle School, USD 259 Wichita; Ms. Mirla Coleman, Norton Community High School, USD 221 Norton; and Mr. Jim Graham, Executive Director of the Kansas Council for Economic Education (KCEE) showcased the curriculum some districts and teachers have developed focusing on economics and financial literacy. Specific topics addressed included a large district-wide framework for K-12 economic and financial literacy integration, a collaborative initiative between middle schools and feeder elementary schools, the role staff development plays in implementing new initiatives in the classroom, and the importance of curriculum integration in rural and urban school districts.
The 2008 Licensed Personnel Report was presented to the Board by Beth Fultz. Dr. Pamela Coleman, director of Teacher Education and Licensure, and Susan Helbert, assistant director, were available to answer questions.
It was moved and seconded to approve a restricted district leadership license for Martin Lebhart to serve as interim superintendent of USD 259 Wichita during the formal search for a permanent superintendent. The motion passed on a 7-0-1 vote, with Ken Willard and Jana Shaver absent, Steve Abrams, abstaining.
State Board regulation 91-1-203 (b) (1) requires successful completion of a teaching performance assessment prescribed by the State Board to qualify for a professional teaching license. To transition from the current prescribed performance assessment (the KPA) to an assessment that will be part of a student’s pre-service program, it was recommended that the State Board prescribe the following transitional performance assessment: The conditionally licensed teacher must complete a year-long district administered induction and mentoring program.
After discussion, it was moved and seconded that the Kansas State Board of Education adopt the transitional teacher performance assessment as presented. The motion carried 7-1 with Steve Abrams voting no. This transitional performance assessment may be used by any beginning teacher who has a conditional teaching license until the transition and development of final performance measures are developed and agreed upon by the State Board.
A report on the status of education legislation was reviewed with the State Board by Dale M. Dennis, deputy commissioner, Fiscal & Administrative Services Division.
The Consent Agenda was approved 7-0 by the State Board.
Janet Waugh, State Board member from District 1, was reappointed to the Kansas State High School Activity Association’s Executive Board from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2010.
Josh Anderson, the 2007 Kansas Teacher of the Year and a member of the Teaching in Kansas Commission, presented the recommendations of the Commission regarding the preparation, recruitment and retention of teachers based on the input from the November 2007 Kansas Recruitment and Retention Summit. Both short- and long- term actions as well as recommendations for stakeholder groups were discussed. After discussion, the Board asked that a future study group time be set to address the recommendations being proposed.
The Board also heard updates on initiatives dealing with career and technical education. On Tuesday, Andy Solter, Kansas Career Pipeline, brought Board member up to date on the activities of the Career Pipeline and its work in developing business partnerships. Wednesday, Joseph Glassman, chairman of the Postsecondary Technical Education Authority, gave a status report on the duties of the Authority shared a vision for moving career and technical education forward in Kansas.
It was moved and seconded that the Kansas State Board of Education approve members’ travel requests as submitted. Motion passed 9-0. The May meeting of the State Board was adjourned.
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