April State Board News
ParaPro Cut Score Set
After spirited debate and another reminder from Dr. Abrams about
where ESEA belongs (the phrase, "where the sun don't shine,"
was heard and all other board members nodded agreement), the State
Board agreed to set the cut score for the ParaPro examination at
455.
ESEA requires that paraprofessionals in Title 1 programs either
have an associate's degree, 2 years of post-secondary education
(defined by KSDE as 48 semester hours), or pass an assessment of
skills.
ParaPro was developed by ETS, Educational Testing Service, to meet
the last requirement. Scaled scores range from 420 - 480. Statistically,
90% of KS test-takers should reach the passing score adopted by
the State Board.
The Board's discussion focused on the hardships the paraeducator qualifications
mandated by ESEA put on USDs and paras and on the continued frustration of State
Board members about blanket mandates that do not take local conditions into
account.
2002-2003 Certification Report Released
During the 2002-2003 school year, almost 94% of certified personnel
in Kansas were fully certified/licensed and assigned to proper endorsement
areas. This is an increase of 0.3% from last year.
In addition, the report shows that the average age of certified
personnel in Kansas is 43.5 years. Over 51% of certified personnel
are over age 45. The average years of experience rose .25 years
from last year's average to 15.25 years.
This year, waivers for endorsements dropped for the first time since tracking
of such requests began. 322 waivers were granted, down from last year's high
of 360.
Reading and Mathematics Standards Presented
The most recent drafts of revised grade-by-grade standards for
reading and mathematics were presented to the State Board. In addition,
McREL presented their external expert review of both sets of standards.
The standards committees will develop final drafts of the standards based on
comments from KS educators and from the external review. Those drafts will be
presented to the State Board sometime this summer.
Board Continues Discussions About District Reorganization
The third goal adopted by the State Board is "design an educational
delivery system, utilizing the State Board's Core Principles of
System Redesign, to ensure learning for all." (See the December,
2002, State Board News for information on the core principles.)
In continuing discussions about this goal, the Board received information
from department staff regarding correlations between district size
and student learning.
The statistics show that there is little difference, based on district
size, in the percentage of students scoring below the proficient
level on state assessments. The factors that do show differences
are percentage of minority enrollment and, closely related, percentage
of students whose families have low SES (socioeconomic status).
The Board continued to struggle with trying to figure out what
they could do as a Board to impact student learning through district
organization issues. After numerous suggestions related to gathering
data and studying costs, efficiencies and other fiscal issues, Commissioner
Andy Tompkins attempted to define the topic by saying, "Do
you want to do something rational on an irrational topic?"
Board member Bill Wagnon, district 4, suggested that the Board
focus on the relationships among organization, finances and learning.
Additional discussions on this topic are expected at future State Board meetings.
In other action, the State Board
Accepted recommendations from the Professional Practices Commission
to deny 4 requests for certification, to grant 1 request, and to revoke
2 certificates
Renewed the Northeast Ks Education Service Center Interlocal
Agreement, 608
Granted QPA waivers for
o USD 321, Rossville, begin new cycle due to high school consolidation
o USD 489, Hays, align cycles for all elementary schools
Granted 4 certification waivers for
o USD 309, extend days on e sub
o USD 320, teacher out of field, special education
o USD 453, teacher out of field, special education
o USD 475, teacher out of field, special education
Approved a bond election for USD 262, Valley Center
Adopted revised policies for Kansas State School for the Blind
and Kansas State School for the Deaf
Building Accreditations Approved
The following buildings received full accredited status at the
April State Board meeting:
USD 222, Washington elementary and hs
USD 225, South Barber elementary and ms
USD 259, Linwood elementary
USD 362, Fontana elementary
USD 368, Hillside elementary
USD 421, Lyndon elementary
The May meeting of the State Board is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday,
May 13 and 14, at KSDE in Topeka.
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