USA|Kansas

Draft K-12 Common Core State Standards Available for Comment

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:19:49 PST

Washington — The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) today released the first official public draft of the K-12 standards as part of the Common Core State Standards Initiative, a process being led by governors and chief state school officers in 51 states, territories, and the District of Columbia. These draft standards, developed together with teachers, school administrators and experts, seek to provide a clear and consistent framework to prepare our children for college and the workforce.

Race to the Top finalists named; Kansas not on the list

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:46:23 PST

This morning, the U.S. Department of Education announced the 16 finalists for Phase 1 funding in Race to the Top; Kansas was not on the list. According to the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE), the U.S. Department of Education will provide feedback on Kansas' application within the next month. The U.S. Department of Education has indicated it will post scores on its website for all applications submitted for Phase I funding. KSDE has said they will then begin the process of resubmitting an application for consideration in Phase II. Applications for Phase II are due on June 1, 2010.

President Obama proposes FY 2011 budget

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 13:17:37 PST

President Obama's budget proposal for FY 2011 will take center-stage as Congress struggles to meet the challenges confronting states. With a growing deficit, unprecedented [state] budget shortfalls and growing unemployment, the Administration believes that the FY 2011 budget request for the Department of Education "builds on the achievements of ARRA, supports a comprehensive reauthorization of ESEA, and begins making good on the President's goal of restoring America to first in the world in college graduation rates."

Overall, the Administration is seeking $50.7 billion in discretionary appropriations for the Department of Education, an increase of $4.5 billion over the comparable discretionary total provided in the 2010 appropriations act. Continue reading for more information about what this really means for Kansas and for specific programs funded by the U.S. Department of Education.

Sabetha’s Dennis Stones named Outstanding Service Award Recipient

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:03:50 PST

Topeka – Sabetha Superintendent Dennis Stones has been named the 2010 Outstanding Service Award recipient by United School Administrators of Kansas (USA|Kansas). Stones was recognized by the association and colleagues during the USA|Kansas annual convention in Wichita last week.

Each year, USA|Kansas bestows upon one of its administrators the Outstanding Service Award – the highest honor the organization awards. This individual is nominated by the presidents of each of the 10 statewide member associations and is recognized for outstanding contributions to the profession and for exemplary leadership.

Kansas submits $155 million Race to the Top Application

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 21:50:39 PST

The Kansas State Department of Education has submitted an application for the Federal Race to the Top application. Kansas’ Race to the Top (RTTT) application and plan was developed by the Kansas Department of Education in collaboration with the state’s education community. The application will be evaluated against the four core reform areas of (1) the development of common core standards and assessments; (2) effective teachers and leaders; (3) collaborative data systems to support instruction; and (4) the continued support and technical assistance provided to struggling schools.

Commissioner search process begins; administrators weigh in

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 08:06:33 PST

The National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) is working with the Kansas State Board of Education in the selection of a new Commissioner of Education. This is one of the most critical positions in state government and the Board is seeking input from educational leaders and constituencies in the state as they develop criteria for the position. USA|Kansas and representatives from our member associations were invited to participate in the focus groups.

Reduced funding for public education is the focus of a recent alert issued at the federal level

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:43:30 PST

Most education administrators are not surprised to hear that States are reducing funding for public education...quite the contrary, administrators have been sounding the alarm throughout the country. In statehouses and community meetings, administrators have warned about the long-term consequences of cuts to K-12 education. With K-12 education funding representing more than 50 percent of the state general fund budget in many states and the economic climate continuing to deteriorate, it grew increasingly evident that federal funds would be used to "backfill" in the wake of reduced funding at the state level.

School Leaders Warn of Future Budget Cuts

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 21:52:16 PST

Topeka - USA|Kansas and several other education organizations issued a press statement outlining concerns that state funding cuts are eroding the state’s high quality education system.

As Kansas students began returning to class this month, school district representatives say they have tried to maintain the quality of instruction and services helping students succeed. But they say important programs and positions have already been cut, and further funding cuts will affect learning opportunities for all students.

Special education funding dominates the second day of LEPC hearings

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 10:19:02 PST

Topeka - The second day of the Legislative Education Planning Committee (LEPC) meeting was devoted solely to receiving testimony from school districts and special education cooperatives about the recent challenges and recommendations regarding changes tot he catastrophic special education aid. This morning, 12 districts and special education cooperatives appeared before the LEPC...

LPA Committee receives School District Efficiency Audit Report

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:39:51 PST

The Legislative Division of Post Audit has been working on a two-part school district efficiency audit. On Wednesday, July 1, the results of phase one of the School District Efficiency Audit, including recommendations, were presented to the Legislative Post Audit Committee.

2010 Commission hears from school leaders regarding academic gains, budget concerns

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:18:07 PST

School leaders from across the state appeared before the 2010 Commission to discuss the results of a recent survey of school districts regarding cuts to personnel and discuss educational concerns and priorities for future years.

The hearing started with a presentation by Dale Dennis, KSDE Deputy Commissioner. At the request of the 2010 Commission, KSDE conducted a survey of unified school districts, interlocals and service centers concerning many programs and positions were reduced or eliminated due to a lack of funding of for the 2009-2010 school year.

Administrators meet with Commissioner to discuss Common Core Standards

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 10:52:00 PST

Representatives from USA|Kansas and other education organizations met with Commissioner Posny to discuss the recent announcement by the U.S. Department of Education that nearly $350 million will be used to support ongoing efforts develop Common Core Standards.

U.S. Public Health Officials Offer H1N1 Guidance to Schools

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 14:35:26 PST

Washington, D.C. - Schools can be leading indicators of public health outbreaks, so the Department of Education hosted a conference call this afternoon to guide education officials on how to identify, contain, report and prevent swine influenza (H1N1) in school facilities. Public-health and epidemiology experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and President Obama’s Homeland Security Council joined officials from the Department’s Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools to update the education community on the flu outbreak and recommend procedures for dealing with it.

Consensus Estimating Group meets; revises FY2009 and 2010 estimates

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:16:27 PST

Topeka - The Consensus Estimating Group met today to revise the estimates for FY 2009 and FY 2010. For FY 2009, the estimate was decreased by $115.3 million, or 2.0 percent, below the previous estimate, which was made in November 2008.

U.S. Department of Education releases ARRA guidance

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:13:27 PST

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced that $44 billion for states and schools is now available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The Department released guidelines that call for commitments from states to promote comprehensive education reform. Specifically, states are asked to collect, publish, analyze and act on basic information regarding the quality of classroom teachers, annual student improvements, college readiness, the effectiveness of state standards and assessments, progress on removing charter caps, and interventions in turning around underperforming schools.

USA|Kansas calls on House Appropriations Committee to maintain K-12 funding

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 23:23:36 PST

Topeka - USA|Kansas sent a letter to members of the House Appropriations Committee asking for their continued support of K-12 education. We acknowledged the Committee's recent vote to accept the Governor's Budget Amendment (GBA No. 1) that would apply the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding for education and reiterated that these critical funds will help us ensure that our students are held as harmless as possible.

KSDE seeks administrator feedback on draft Teacher Leader Standards

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 14:53:48 PST

The Kansas State Department of Education is soliciting feedback from K-12 administrators on the most current draft of proposed teacher leader standards. USA|Kansas has created an online template to allow you to provide feedback on each proposed standard. The deadline to submit comments is April 23, 2009.

Governor signs FY 2009 rescission bill; exercises line item veto

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:33:49 PST

Earlier today, Governor Sebelius line item vetoed the $66 reduction in base state aid per pupil in House Substitute for Substitute for Senate Bill 23. Through the allotment system, the Governor has reduced the BSAPP by $33 for the 2008-09 school year. USA|Kansas had called on Governor Sebelius to exercise her line item veto authority for the K-12 education funding cuts included in the FY 2009 rescission bill.

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passes; includes critical funds for K-12 education

Sat, 14 Feb 2009 22:55:27 PST

Washington, D.C. - On Friday, both the House and Senate agreed to the conference report to accompany H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The bill will now go to President Obama to be signed into law and includes much needed funding for K-12 education.

In many states, including Kansas, K-12 education funding comprises the majority of the state budget. Consequently, education funding is facing unprecedented cuts. The stimulus package may help preserve essential programs and services for children, while helping retain a quality education workforce.

The next page includes documents prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) which estimate the amount of education funding that each state will receive from certain aspects of the final American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Specifically, these documents estimate what each state would receive under the bill’s following program allocations: State Stabilization Funds, Title I, Title I School Improvement, IDEA, McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance, Education Technology, and Child Care and Development Block Grant Discretionary Funding.

These are estimates only based on available and current data and may not reflect exact allocations that states or school districts receive when these funds are actually allocated.

School leaders to speak out on education and the economy

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 18:37:15 PST

Topeka – On Thursday, superintendents from across the state will appear before legislators to address the impact that cuts to K-12 funding will have on programs and services for students and the workforce. Superintendents from more than 10 districts will appear before the House Education Budget Committee.