Highlights of the May State Board of Education Meeting
TOPEKA, May 11, 2007 / The Kansas State Board of Education held its regular monthly board meeting on May 8-9, 2007, in the boardroom of the Kansas State Department of Education, 120 SE 10th Avenue. Dr. Steve Abrams, District 10, was absent both days. Mr. Ken Willard, District 7, was absent May 9. Following are highlights of the two-day meeting.
The Board appointed Dr. Alexa Posny as Commissioner of Education beginning July1, 2007, with a starting salary of $165,000.
The Board received the Model Library-Media and Technology Standards.
After discussion, the Board acted to approve changes to the targets used to determine adequate yearly progress by schools and districts in Kansas. The revised targets will smooth the transition to the new state assessments in reading and mathematics, providing a more reasonable path for improving student performance. The new targets avoid dramatic increases, particularly at the secondary levels, but still meet the requirements of No Child Left Behind that all children meet the achievement standards by 2014.
The Board received a presentation on the Reading First Program. The presentation included requirements, activities, and current data for the state of Kansas. Norma Cregan, education program consultant, provided an overview of the program. Jan Voss, assistant superintendent of USD 470, and Mary Ellen Isaac, chief academic officer of USD 259 shared the impact Reading First has had on their districts.
The Board received a report on the ESOL programs being implemented in Garden City, Dodge City, Liberal and Ulysses. Jim Barrett from the Southwest Plains Regional Service Center, Laura Cano from Liberal and Sandra Bergersen from Garden City presented an overview of ESOL programs. Their powerpoint is available for use by interested parties.
Dr. Martha Gage, director of teacher education and licensure, reported on teacher licensure issues. Beth Fultz shared the 2006-2007 Licensed Personnel data.
The Board acted to approve the Model Standards for Visual Arts and the Model Standards for Health Education and approved the Consent Agenda.
The Board appointed Kathy Martin and Sue Gamble as board liaisons to the Kansas Learning First Alliance.
The resignation of William Daugherty, superintendent of the Kansas State School of the Blind, was accepted and Madeleine Burkindine was appointed to serve as superintendent/principal of the Kansas State School of the Blind, effective July 1, 2007. She was also authorized to employ a director of instruction.
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