USA|Kansas

The KSDE will be conducting Focus Group sessions across the state to receive input from educators on the topic of multiple measures for determining student growth in achievement. Specifically, we need for educators to share with us ways they measure student growth other than the state assessments. Targeted audiences are teachers, school administrators, students and teacher support staff.

The Teaching in Kansas Commission II (TIKC II) met in October and November and presented a status report to the State Board in December 2012. The Commission was charged to determine in what manner student achievement should be incorporated into teacher and principal evaluations, as required in the state’s ESEA Flexibility Waiver. The report outlined a preference for using multiple measures, including state assessments, to demonstrate student achievement and growth. It also expressed a preference for viewing state assessments in multiple ways, as set out in the state’s accountability plan under its ESEA waiver.

To view the TIKC II membership list, click here.

To view the TIKC II draft report, click here.

The next steps will be to conduct a series of focus groups in each of the 10 State Board districts, which will take place in January through early March. During these meetings, findings in the status report will be shared and feedback from participants will be gathered. Information gathered during these meetings will be considered by the Commission, who will make a final recommendation to the State Board in the Spring of 2013.

Please share this opportunity to provide input. All meetings are from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.

Following is a listing of dates and locations for the focus groups:

January 23, 2013
Instructional Materials Center (IRC)
14090 Black Bob Road, Olathe

January 28, 2013
Seaman High School
4850 Rochester Road, Topeka

January 30, 2013
Wichita North High School – Lecture Hall
1437 Rochester, Wichita

January 31, 2013
Chanute High School – Auditorium
1501 West 36th Street, Chanute

February 14, 2013
Kansas City Kansas Central Office and Training Center
2010 N. 59th Street, Kansas City

February 18, 2013
McPherson High School – Little Theater
801 E. First Street, McPherson

February 19, 2013
Leavenworth High School
2012 10th Avenue, Leavenworth

February 27, 2013
Concordia Jr./Sr. High School
436 W. 10th, Concordia

February 28, 2013
Hays High School –Cafeteria
2300 E. 13th, Hays

March 4, 2013
Winfield High School
300 Viking Blvd, Winfield

March 6, 2013
Garden City High School
2720 Buffalo Way Blvd, Garden City

Click here to register; this will help plan for attendance at each site.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact: Bill Bagshaw, bbagshaw@ksde.org, (785) 296-2198.