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Editorials & Backgrounders

American Education Week: 
Some Priorities Never Change

By Christy Levings
November 2003

Someone once wrote that “the more things change the more things stay the same.” Celebrating American Education Week reminds us that some priorities never change.

I grew up attending Kansas public schools and they prepared me well for the rigor of my advanced education and for the challenges of my chosen profession. My parents wanted the opportunities that a solid educational background would provide me. I, in turn, wanted that for my children and nothing has changed as the circle of life continues and I see that ahead for my grandchild.

American Education Week was created by a joint coalition of organizations following the First World War to remind us that one of the lessons of war time was the importance of a well-educated populace. That group of business leaders, parents and educators dedicated a week in November, fittingly enough, to give thanks for our public schools. A strong public education system is one of those precious freedoms that never changes. It is the thread that holds a free and democratic society together.

This year Kansans have much to be thankful for in their schools. Our achievement is high. We are meeting the needs of our students as we prepare them for a future that is not clear. We know the workplace will look much different than the one we know today.

While our challenges are great, the list that follows is but a highlight of the good news about Kansas public schools.

Students are Achieving

• Kansas ranks 5th in the nation in the proportion of public school 4th graders scoring at the highest two levels in math.

• Kansas ranks 3rd in the nation in the proportion of public school 8th graders scoring at the highest two levels in math.

• Kansas ranks 3rd in the nation for having the largest proportion of public school 8th graders scoring at the highest two levels in reading in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).

• Kansas is one of the top 3 states in the proportion of high school graduates with scores in the top 20% nationally on either ACT or SAT college entrance examinations.

• Kansas's public high schools are offering more and more challenging courses. Since 1997 the proportion of schools offering Advanced Placement (AP) courses has increased by 26%.

• In Kansas, 70% of public high school students taking Advanced Placement (AP) exams earn a score high enough to qualify for college credit. Kansas students have the 8th highest average Advanced Placement (AP) exam scores in the nation.

High Quality Teachers

• Ninety-nine percent (99%) of all newly hired public school teachers in Kansas are licensed in their main field.

• The number of Kansas teachers being honored with certification from the prestigious National Board of Professional Teaching Standards has more than tripled since 1999.

That is an impressive list of accomplishments. We must guard that we do nothing to undermine the support of our schools so that we maintain the type of schools our students need to be prepared for the future.

I encourage you to visit your neighborhood schools. Look at the work students are doing and let your child, grandchild, or neighbor’s child know that you support them and want them to succeed. For those who have not been in schools for a time, I encourage you to ask questions about what has changed in schools today, especially in technology. If you are not a recent student be warned. It will amaze you that the third graders you see are probably more computer savvy than most adults you know!

Just as the founders of this week reminded us that public schools need celebrating, they also remind us of the continuing need for educated citizens during war and conflict. As we pray peace will return quickly, we are thankful that great public schools for every child will help keep our country and state strong!

Christy Levings is the president of the Kansas National Education Association. An elementary teacher on leave from the Olathe School District, she lives in Osawatomie.

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