TOPEKA, April 12, 2007 / Prior to the April meeting, the Kansas State Board of Education met on Monday, April 9, to tour the Virtual Reality Training System at Ft. Riley and to visit Ware Elementary on the Ft. Riley base. A dinner was hosted that evening by USD 475 at the Marriott Hotel Convention Center. The following morning, the Board toured the construction sites of the new Junction City Middle School and the Spring Valley Elementary School. Kansas State Board of Education then convened its regular monthly meeting at the Devin Center, USD 475, in Junction City. Board member John Bacon was absent. Following are highlights from the meeting.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
NAEP Update
The Board received an update on recent studies released by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Included was information on upcoming NAEP events as well as data charts related to the NAEP High School Transcript Study. Preliminary information regarding the 2007 NAEP Assessments will be released in the fall. Kansas had 300 schools participate in the 2007 assessments.
Geary County Schools Overview
USD 475 personnel gave presentations on academic success, teacher recruitment, alternative programs, the changing community and the district’s response, the role of technology in the district, and special education.
Act on Land Transfer Requests
The Kansas State Board of Education approved, by a 9-0 vote, the Agreement to transfer territory from USD 101 (Erie), Neosho County, Kansas, to USD 447 (Cherryvale), Montgomery County, Kansas, effective July 1, 2007.
The Board accepted the Conclusions of Fact and approved transfer of territory from USD 102 (Cimarron) to USD 371 (Montezuma) by a 6-3 vote. Mrs. Shaver, Dr. Wagnon, and Mr. Willard dissented.
Receive and Act on Submission of the Proposed Special Education Regulations to the Department of Administration and Attorney General for Review
The Kansas State Board of Education approved the submission of the proposed special education regulations to the Department of Administration and Attorney General for review. Motion carried 9-0.
Receive and Act on Professional Practices Commission Recommendations
The Kansas State Board of Education adopted the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of the Professional Practices Commission and approved the recommendations of the Commission.
Act on Establishment of Charter Schools
It was moved and seconded to separate USD 101 and USD 500 from the charter school funding recommendations and vote independently on those. Motion carried 9-0.
The Board then approved funding for the following charter schools: Parsons, USD 503; Hutchinson, USD 308; Elkhart, USD 218; Newton, USD 373; Pratt, USD 382; Renwick, USD 267; Haysville, USD 261; McPherson, USD 418; Stafford, USD 349; Turner, USD 202; and Sterling, USD 376 by a 9-0 vote.
The Board approved funding for the Kansas City, USD 500, charter school by an 8-1vote—Mrs. Gamble dissenting.
The Board approved funding for the Erie, USD 101, charter school by an 8-1 vote—Mrs. Gamble dissenting.
Model Curricular Standards for Visual Arts
The Board received the Kansas Model Curricular Standards for Visual Arts.
Model Curricular Standards for Health Education
The Board received the revised Kansas Model Curricular Standards for Health Education. The committee’s revisions reflect the original June 2005 document (including pages from September 2005) in the recommended approach to human sexuality education as well as the March 2006 document in the revised instructional examples. Mrs. Martin expressed thanks to the committee for their work. She also protested that the Kansas Model Curricular Standards for Health Education were being reviewed out of schedule. The Board will take action at their May meeting.
Executive Session
The Board went into executive session from 3:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. to discuss Non-elected personnel. No action was taken following the session.
After the Tuesday meeting, Board members met informally with the Clay Center (USD 379) Board of Education and administrators and toured the Wakefield schools.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
School Innovations Presentation
The Board received a presentation from the Kansas Learning First Alliance and were invited to join the 31 other organizations in participating in the Alliance.
Learning Services Presentation
The Board received a presentation on Early Childhood activities. The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) and Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS) have both submitted proposals to become the Lead Agency for the Kansas Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems Plan. The proposals will be reviewed by the State Interagency
Coordinating Council (SICC). SICC will vote on the proposals and send a recommendation to Governor Sebelius, who will make the final decision on the lead agency.
Learning Services and School Innovations
The Board received an update on the Kansas Education Resource Center (KERC) website. KERC is a best practices website and contains the adopted curricular standards, an electronic process by which teachers may submit lesson plans, hot topics, extended standards for students with disabilities, a formative test builder, on-line training schedules, resources for safe schools, cross-curricular resources, etc.
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