Charter School Applications, Renewals Received

In 2003-2004, there were 29 charter schools in Kansas. Of the 23 whose charters are up for renewal at the end of this school year, only 8 are requesting renewal. Most of those not requesting renewal will continue as programs within other QPA-accredited schools. ESEA now requires charter schools to be considered separate schools, for AYP purposes.

Seventeen new petitions were received by the State Board by the statutorily-set February 1 deadline. The petitions were reviewed by a panel of Kansas educators who have with experience with charter schools. Peg Dunlap represented KNEA on this panel. Fourteen of the petitions received the requisite 100/160 points on a comprehensive rubric, based on petition criteria outlined in statute.

In March, the State Board will decide which petitions to approve and how to allocate the $1.5m in federal charter school start-up funds that Kansas received as the first installment of an $8m 3-year grant.

The $1.5m is enough to fund the top 5 and half of the 6th ranked petition. Another option is to equally allocate the money to the 14 that received 100 points. Some Board members expressed concern that schools might not be able to operate without their entire request. Other Board members indicated a preference to spread the money around and let local effort supplement the start-up money (which only lasts for 3 years). One Board member expressed a desire to approve all the petitions, regardless of their score on the rubric.

ESOL Standards Provoke Controversy

ESEA/NCLB requires all states annually to test the English proficiency of English Language Learners in reading, writing, speaking and listening. Prior to development of such an assessment, each state must adopt standards for English proficiency. The State Board received a draft document, developed by a state-wide group of practitioners, at their February meeting.

The standards, as do all other state curriculum standards, outline what students should know and be able to do. The ESOL standards include beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels of proficiency.

Discussion of the curriculum standards led to statements of individual preferences in program methodology, with Board member Connie Morris, district 5, expressing her strong desire that Kansas mandate one-year immersion programs.

No other curriculum standards in Kansas mandate delivery models or even mention preferred (or discouraged) models.

The Board is expected to vote on the proposed ESOL standards in March.

On-Line Program Guidelines Received

The Board received proposed "On-Line Program Requirements for Kansas Schools" on Wednesday. Developed by educators from Basehor-Linwood, Elkhart and Wichita who are currently offering on-line programs, the guidelines outline what a Kansas USD should do to develop a plan that would be approved before students in the on-line programs would be eligible for state aid.

The proposed plan consists of four criteria: site visits, personnel requirements, program requirements, and student/parent responsibilities.

State Board members had more questions regarding on-line programs, as well as other methodologies involving virtual classes, than time allowed. It is expected that the discussion will continue at a future board meeting.

In other action, the State Board:

Received a report on KS school-age population and K-12 enrollment trends

Approved curriculum standards for theatre

Accepted surrender of and revoked a teaching certificate

Approved QPA waivers for
o USD 262, Learning Center Charter school, on-site visits (school is becoming a program within another QPA-accredited school)
o USD 272, Waconda, composition of on-site team
o USD 247, Cherokee, composition of on-site team, timing of on-site visit

Approved recommendations from the Evaluation Review Committee for
o Baker University - new program
o Wichita State University - new program
o Southwestern College - continuing accreditation through 12/31/08

Schools Receive Accreditation

The following schools received full accredited status at the February meeting:

USD 266, Maize SHS
USD 305, Cottonwood elementary
USD 321, Rossville grade school
USD 445, Edgewood, Garfield, Whittier elementaries
USD 503, Lincoln elementary