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Meeting Summaries
April 2-3, 2008:
The Kentucky Board of Education met April
2-3 in Frankfort at the Capital Plaza Tower. The meeting began with
comments by Secretary Helen Mountjoy. Ms. Mountjoy said, “Complaining
and pity parties aren’t going to do any good,” referring to the paltry
budget. She encouraged the board to remain focused on proficiency by
2014. Next, Mr. Brad Cowgill, President of the Council for Postsecondary
Education, reminded the group of the challenge to “double the numbers”
and posed the question, “Are we ready?” Dr. Phil Rogers, Director of the
Education Professional Standards Board stated that EPSB’s goal is to
have highly qualified teachers in every classroom. He noted that HS607
(a bill pertaining to alternate certification) had passed out of
committee and discussed the Master’s redesign and principal preparation
programs.
Commissioner Draud began his remarks with
reference to a Blue Ribbon panel he has set up to study ways to overcome
obstacles to learning and to identify interventions that work. He said
that he wants concrete recommendations from the board for a legislative
package in this area. Dr. Draud commented on the failure of SB1 to pass.
He explained that he had begun setting up a task force to study the
assessment system in hopes that we could find an instrument upon which
most people could agree. In regard to efficiency, the Commissioner noted
that the Department leadership team had adopted some new procedures to
save dollars and that he was, “proud of their accomplishments.” Dr.
Draud withheld extensive comments on the budget. He did say that he
appreciated the General Assembly’s hard work, but still expressed
concern that with only 21 percent of middle school students and 12
percent of high school students on track to proficiency, policy makers
need to understand the necessity of funding.
The board enjoyed a presentation by
Kentucky Teacher of the Year, Chandra Emerson, of Oldham County Middle
School. In the presentation, Ms. Emerson challenged educators to
continue to believe that all children can learn. She contended that
students need to be taught why they need to learn. Teachers should be
held accountable and that students should be assessed on results rather
than intentions.
The board heard about progress from the
Advance KY-National Math and Science Initiative. In the summer of 2007,
the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) selected Kentucky as one
of seven states to create nonprofit enterprises for expanding
participation and success in Advanced Placement courses in math, science
and English. NMSI is a new national non-profit funded by ExxonMobil,
Dell and the Gates Foundation. The Kentucky Science and Technology
Corporation (KSTC) agreed to assume responsibility for creating and
operating the nonprofit entity to lead Kentucky’s grant, which is called
AdvanceKentucky. Dr. Joanne Lang, of KSTC, heads AdvanceKentucky.
Besides Kentucky, Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Massachusetts,
Virginia and Washington were selected. Kentucky’s proposal initially
targeted 41 schools. Of those 41 schools, twenty-eight submitted
requests for proposals to KSTC. The school districts selected were
Anderson County High School, Barren County High School, Corbin Indep.
High School, Henderson County High School, Lone Oak High School, Marion
County High School, North Laurel High School, Reidland High School,
Scott County High School, Shelby County High School, South Laurel High
School and Warren East High School. In these schools, there was 120
percent growth in qualifying scores on AP exams. This was accomplished
through incentive programs, high level training, vertical alignment, and
supplementing exam fees.
End of course assessments were also
addressed at the meeting. During 2006 session HB197 was passed to
establish a pilot program by 2007-08 school year in end-of-year testing
for Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry. This test was defined as a test
that measures a student’s knowledge and skills upon completion of a core
content course. The KDE is coordinating the exams to ensure that each
exam:
• Aligns with the standards, content,
goals, and academic expectations.
• Requires student demonstration of knowledge, comprehension,
application, and higher order cognitive skills.
• Provides reliable and valid test items.
• Is available to schools in an on-line format.
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