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May State Board News

In this month's State Board News
Board Frustrated with School Funding
Board Declares "Time of Emergency"
Award Winner Challenges Board
Performance Assessment Pilot Authorized
E-Assessment Challenges Discussed
Committee Members Reappointed
In other action
Schools Receive Accredited Status

Board Frustrated with School Funding

Deputy Commissioner Dale Dennis reviewed with the Board the results of the 2003 Legislative session with the board. SB 83, which concerns school district's budgets, created a long discussion by the board. The districts are now required to submit their budgets in a prescribed form. In addition, the districts must prepare a budget summary (about 20-25 pages) and a district profile (about 8-10 pages) which is the short form of the budget meant for use by the general public.

It was during this presentation that members of the board began a spirited debate about school funding and the impact (or lack thereof) that the board has on school funding. Members of the board expressed frustration regarding the lack of progress that the state has made with school funding. Some felt that the board needs to be more involved in securing funding for education within the state while others expressed the need to stay within the boundaries of their job descriptions as members of the state school board. This theme was continued during the discussion of school financing.

The board spent a lengthy amount of time reviewing the current school finance formula with Dale Dennis. The board reviewed how the formula works and how it is implemented by a school district. Concerns about school financing in general were voiced by the board. Dennis also spoke his own concerns that he had regarding school financing in Kansas. Among those concerns were the cost of Health Insurance for employees; the fact that as the economy improves, we will lose teachers to other states and occupations; the competition among districts for teachers and some specifics of the formula such as the "at risk children" weight being too low to provide services for these students.

Board Declares "Time of Emergency"

To allow implementation of KAR 91-1-150, the State Board has declared this to be a "time of emergency." The regulation, which addresses renewal of certificates/licenses based on active military service, will allow any Kansas educator who has been called to active duty, to renew his/her license for 5 years, if the following conditions apply:
" Military service is full time, 24-hour-per-day basis
" Service occurs during a "time of emergency"
" The application is submitted within 1 year after discharge or separation under honorable conditions

Any questions regarding eligibility for this provision should be directed to the Teacher Education and Licensing team at KSDE. KNEA members can also contact the Instructional Advocacy division at KNEA.

Award Winner Challenges Board

Among the four finalists for the 2002 Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science was KNEA member Harry McDonald III from Blue Valley High school. Mr. McDonald urged the board to provide leadership and vision for educators in Kansas schools. While all four finalists made presentations, Mr. McDonald's presentation evoked good questions from the board and provided the other finalists the opportunity to provide further depth to their presentations.

Performance Assessment Pilot Authorized

Beginning in the fall of 2003, Kansas will begin a pilot study of the Kansas Performance Assessment. The pilot, which is voluntary, will recruit first and second year teachers to participate. About 40 teachers will pilot the process in the fall and another 100 in the spring of 2004.

The KPA is modeled on the Teacher Work Sample Methodology developed in Oregon, revised by the Renaissance Group, and currently used by Emporia State University and Benedictine College. The KPA is based on the 13 professional education standards required by the State Board as the basis for all educator preparation programs.

This assessment is part of the redesign of licensure, which goes into effect on July 1, 2003. Passing the assessment, when it is fully implemented, will be required for moving from the Conditional License (the initial, two year license) to the Professional License (the renewable, five year license).

Participants in the pilot, in addition to completing the KPA, will evaluate the process to assist the State Board in determining whether or not to approve the KPA for use by all entry-level teachers beginning in the fall of 2004.

Questions about the pilot should be directed to either Dr. Martha Gage, team leader for teacher education and licensure at KSDE, or the Instructional Advocacy division at KNEA.

E-Assessment Challenges Discussed

The Commissioner's Report included a discussion regarding on-line assessment. The discussion revolved around the number of computers a school would need in order to complete assessments on-line. Board members inquired about students using hand held computers, laptops or regular monitors to complete the yearly assessments. Caution was urged by some to insure that a student's academic ability was tested rather than testing their ability to use a computer. The department will continue to develop information regarding the number of computers necessary for a school to complete yearly assessment requirements. The May 8th issue of Education Week is devoted to on-line assessments.(link)

Committee Members Reappointed

The following persons were reappointed to serve three-year terms on committees that advise the State Board of Education:

Teaching and School Administration Professional Standards Advisory Board (Standards Board) - John Heim, Emporia, representing superintendents, and Deborah Haltom, Shawnee Mission, representing special education administrators.

Professional Practices Commission - Andrea Ewert, NEA Hutchinson, representing secondary teachers, and David Webb, Liberal, representing high school administrators.

Certification/Licensure Review Committee - Mark Jarboe, Shawnee Heights EA, representing teachers, and Pam Leiker, Liberal NEA, representing teachers.

In other action, the State Board:

KNEA Legislative Contacts

Blake West, President
Peg Dunlap, Director, Instructional Advocacy
Mark Desetti, Director, Legislative and Political Advocacy
Terry Forsyth, Director, Political Action

The KNEA Lobby Team consists of elected leaders and staff. The Lobby Team welcomes member feedback on issues before the Legislature and on this site.