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September State Board News

Standards and Assessments

During an hour plus discussion the board reviewed the structure and process for review of the history/government standards. The board acted on the charges to the committee with a June 2004 date for the committee to submit their report.

After the introduction of the charges by Alexa Pochowski, board member Bill Wagnon initiated a discussion of performance assessments versus multiple choice tests.

Steve Abrams then submitted a motion to accept the charges with a small number of changes and this motion passed 10-0.

The board also voted 10-0 to allow the Reading First schools to waive the 2nd grade reading diagnostic test. The Reading First schools already have an extensive testing and data gathering process in place and it was felt that another test would be redundant. The board agreed.

New Assessments Approved for Paraprofessionals

Two new assessment instruments were approved by the state board to meet the ESEA testing requirements for paraprofessionals in Title 1 programs and schools.

ESEA requires that the paraprofessionals in Title 1 programs either have an associate's degree, 2 years post-secondary education (defined by KSDE as 48 semester hours), or pass an assessment of skills.

WorkKeys from ACT and Para Educator by Master Teacher were approved by a 10-0 vote.

The cut scores for WorkKeys are Level 4 in Reading For Information, Level 4 in Applied Math, Level 3 in Writing and 150 points on the Instructional Support Inventory.

The minimum scores for the Master Teacher test is 65% on Assessment 1 Reading, Writing & Math: Instructional Support, and 70% on Assessment 2 Reading, Writing & Math: Knowledge and Application.

The new tests cut scores are commensurate with the previously approved test by ETS.

KSDE's Strategic Directions

Among the list of accomplishments, Mr. Dennis cited the hiring of well qualified team leaders, providing a number of grants ranging from professional development to transition to teaching grants and the departments enhanced use of technology.

Also on the long list of accomplishments was the development of the highly qualified rubric for ESEA and the fact that the rubric is being used by a number of other states. An increase in the number of National Board Certified Teachers in Kansas was trumpeted with the caveat that the financial commitment by the state for the program needs to continue.

Introduction of the Special Education Advisory Council and annual report

The members of the Special Education Advisory Council were introduced to the board. The 2002-2003 report was submitted. The members of the board include KNEA member Karen Untereker from the Pittsburgh Education Association. http://www.ksde.org/

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

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