November State Board News
The big but not surprising news. . .
The State Board, by a 6-4 vote, adopted a Science Standards Resolution that included the motion to adopt the standards with the changes recommended by the minority report. The motion was made by Connie Morris and seconded by Kathy Martin. The resolution, which is at the end of the State Board news, had not been seen by moderate Board members until the discussion on the standards began. When several moderate members asked Chairman Steve Abrams why they were not given the opportunity to see the resolution the response was, "it does not matter because you won't vote for it anyway."
The debate was heated and at times discourteous. Moderates on the Board, Wagnon, Rupe, Waugh and Gamble all spoke against adopting the standards, especially because issues of copyright and corrections from the external review were not completed. However, Chairman Abrams said their concerns were not relevant or important and announced at the conclusion of the vote that it was a great day for the students of Kansas because we are allowing more "science" into the standards. The motion carried with Abrams, Bacon, Willard, Morris, Martin, and Van Meter voting yes and Wagnon, Rupe, Waugh, and Gamble voting no.
The report of the new Commissioner - Bob Corkins
The first report of Commissioner Bob Corkins included announcements of the work of his transition team. He responded to criticism that his transition team is comprised of only individuals from northeast Kansas (in fact many are from Lawrence) by saying he wanted to use individuals who could quickly come to Topeka to help. He indicated he will look for more geographic representation later. He announced that he will tour with Board member Connie Morris in her district on November 14-15 and with Board member Ken Willard on December 19-20. The commissioner was asked a series of questions from moderate Board members about his transition team and the costs associated with it. Mr. Corkins was asked a number of questions about his public statements on choice, empowerment, and a lack of progress in Kansas on the education goals of the State Board. Mr. Corkins defended the work of his transition team and insisted much progress had been made since he began his work as commissioner.
In other Action, the State Board...
- Due to time restraints the report of the Kansas State High School Activities Association was moved to December.
- A report on the work of high schools to use the report Breaking Ranks II as a reform tool was reduced to ten minutes.
- The Board had a lunch meeting with the Legislative Educational Planning Committee to discuss issues on ways to address the achievement gap. The Board gave input as to legislative issues they wanted to address although the discussion of their legislative priorities will be on Wednesday.
- The Board heard from six NCLB Blue Ribbon Schools on what makes a difference in student achievement. Those honored were:
Public: Roosevelt Elementary School, USD 418 McPherson
IXL Elementary School, USD 470 Arkansas City
Ware Elementary School, USD 475 Geary Co.
White Church Elementary School, USD 500 Kansas City
Baxter Springs High School, USD 508 Baxter Springs
Private: The Independent School, Wichita
- Received a report on the Kansas Model Curricular Standards for Family and Consumer Sciences.
- Approved Consent Agenda with only discussion of item i which is a contract with a communications firm to have communication services while a search for a communications director is underway. Board member Wagnon questioned such a contract and expenditures in a contract with a communications firm. The motion to approve all consent items was made by Willard/Morris and passed 6-4.
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Twenty-two individuals spoke in the Citizen's Open Forum including KNEA. KNEA was one of 7 of those who testified on the proposed inclusion of vouchers, charter school expansion, and high stakes testing in the State Board Legislative Agenda.
On Wednesday...
After the press and pressure of Tuesday's science vote the Board meeting had a quieter tone on Wednesday but the political splits were no less apparent. The only item on the agenda besides the approval of the Board's attorney's report and Board travel was discussion on items to include in the Board's Legislative Agenda. Chair Steve Abrams called on Commissioner Bob Corkins to give an overview of background information on possible inclusion items. Mr. Corkins began with information on voucher programs and other school choice research. When asked by Board member Sue Gamble why the Board was looking into vouchers the chair Steve Abrams responded that, "we hired Bob to encourage more choice in Kansas." Mr. Corkins stated he believed that more choice is in line with the goals of the Board to achieve better student achievement. Board member Connie Morris stated that "we are doing this because we have an achievement gap. Choice is best practice and completely in line with the Board goals." Steve Abrams added that competition will drive all schools to success and we can build better education for all students with more choice.
After a nearly two hour discussion with many questions from the moderate board members it appears that the recommendations for the State Board's Legislative Agenda that Mr. Corkins will bring in December will include state scholarships (vouchers), incentives for early high school graduation, professional development for administrators, charter school reform (allowing more and widening the definition), and a proposal from Board member Connie Morris to develop a statewide magnet school to help high school students develop and open their own businesses in their own communities. The State Board members will also ask that the fundraising limits on candidates running for the Kansas State Board of Education be increased to match those of individuals running for the Kansas Senate.
Science Standards Resolution
Whereas, the Board commenced work on revisions to Kansas Science Education Standards in 2004 through the appointment of a Science Writing Committee,
Whereas, the Board finds many aspects of the product of the Writing Committees are outstanding and should be applauded;
Whereas, certain provisions of the Science Standards relating primarily to the origin of life and its diversity have been the subject of considerable scientific and public controversy, not only within the Writing Committee and this Board, but within the United States and International communities;
Whereas, the Board believes that public schools have an obligation to treat origins science objectively because it is a subjective historical science that unavoidably impacts world views in a number of areas;
Whereas, the Committee became divided over provisions in the Science Standards relating to Origins, with one view reflected in a Minority Report authored by eight members of the Writing Committee and another reflected in drafts approved by a majority of the Writing Committee;
Whereas, the Board and the Department of Education conducted extensive fact finding regarding the Minority and Majority views through public hearings, the receipt of written "Peer Review" of the Minority Report, the submission of other written criticism of those proposals and the conduct of four days of hearings where 23 expert witnesses testified regarding the scientific, pedagogical, religious, philosophical and legal issues relating to the two views;
Whereas, the Board asked for expert witnesses supporting the majority draft to challenge the 23 expert witnesses that supported the Minority Report, but they were not willing to present testimony and allow themselves subsequently to be challenged by the Minority Report experts;
Whereas, based on the foregoing, the Board finds that the proposed changes in the Minority Report that have been subjected to this extensive examination and that have been incorporated by the Board in the current draft of the standards as of July 12, 2005 ("Changes"), are scientifically valid, educationally appropriate and consistent with the obligation of the state to provide education that is secular, neutral and non-ideological;
Whereas, the Board has considered a variety of written objections to the Changes, the expert testimony regarding those objections, and the written replies of the Authors of the Minority report;
Whereas, the Board has found merit in some of those objections, which have been incorporated in the July 12 draft, but have not found other objections to the Changes scientifically or pedagogically persuasive;
Whereas, polls sponsored by news organizations within Kansas indicate that the patrons of public education favor a scientifically objective approach to origins that will expose students to the scientific controversies about Origins;
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED, with the caveat that the document must be reviewed by our attorneys for copyright approval, that Draft 3 of the Kansas Science Education Standards presented to this Board is hereby approved and adopted as the Kansas Science Education Standards, November 8th, 2005, for use throughout the state.
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