The Big Picture: Education in Kansas KGTC Annual Convention

1. The Big Picture: Education in KansasKGTC Annual Convention October 7, 2008

2. KANSAS BOARD OF EDUCATION GOAL Ensure that all students meet or exceed high academic standards and are prepared for their next steps (e.g., the world of work and/or post-secondary education)

3. OBJECTIVE 1 Redesign the delivery system to meet our students’ changing needs

4. Multi-Tier System of Support (MTSS) MTSS is a coherent continuum of evidence based, system-wide practices to support a rapid response to academic and behavioral needs, with frequent data-based monitoring for instructional decision-making to empower each Kansas student to achieve high standards.

6. Reflection How does gifted education fit into MTSS?

7. Integration of Career/Technical Education and Academics • Create/approve industry recognized assessments for each of the career clusters • Integrate core content standards with technical program standards • Support implementation of individual career plans of study for all students in 8th grade and above • Improve access to career and technical education by removing barriers and promoting partnerships

8. Integration of Career/Technical Education and Academics – cont’d • Recommend KBOR update Qualified Admissions • Create 21st century school standards • Support professional development for teachers to help guide students in planning for future careers • Revise teacher preparation program standards to reflect the integration of content standards • Support the creation of dynamic funding systems that respond to the changing workforce & economic development needs

9. Trend Data • Fewer than 40 percent of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing job classifications require four-year college degrees. • Fewer than 30 percent of all jobs demand college degrees. www.tcpalm.com/news/2008/feb/06/; Paul Barton article

10. 21st Century Learner • Creativity & Innovation • Critical Thinking & Problem Solving • Communication & Collaboration • Information, Communication, Technology & Media Literacy • Flexibility & Adaptability • Initiative & Self-Direction • Social & Cross-Cultural Skills • Productivity & Accountability • Leadership & Responsibility • Employability & Career Development

11. 21st Century Learning Environment • Relationships • Relevance • Rigor • Results • Responsive Culture

12. Reflection How does gifted education fit into the integration of career/technical education and academics?

13. OBJECTIVE 2  Provide an effective educator in every classroom 

14. Teaching in Kansas Commission • 14% of teachers quit in their first year • 33% of teachers leave within three years • 50% leave within the first five years • 36% of Kansas teachers can retire in the next five years • 25% fewer students going into teaching • Kansas ranks 37th in the nation for teacher’s salaries

15. Teaching in Kansas Commission • Working Conditions • Planning time; 21st century technology; induction and mentoring programs; professional development; business partnerships • Teacher Preparation • Technology; awareness of NCLB, QPA, IDEA; data issues; national standards; mid-career access to teaching; consistency of preparation programs; business partnerships

16. Teaching in Kansas Commission – cont’d • Salary & Benefits • Continua of pay; retirement system; improved benefits • Image & Promotion • Statewide campaign; grow your own programs; celebrate successes • Regulations/Requirements/Data • KBOR discussions; legislative action for funding at least one year in advance; earlier date for continuing contract notifications; KSDE licensing

17. Reflection How does gifted education fit into the work of the Teaching in Kansas Commission?

18. OBJECTIVE 3 Ensure a visionary and effective leader in every school

19. Kansas Educational Leadership Commission • Add 14th standard focusing on teacher leadership beyond the classroom • Add teacher leadership to the domains for licensure renewal • Task force to develop a blueprint for teacher leadership throughout the state • Develop opportunities for teachers to engage in collaborative work • Indicators of teacher leadership quality into accountability measures

20. Kansas Educational Leadership Commission – cont’d • Review of teacher preparation programs • Endorsement for teacher leadership • Statewide framework for evaluation of school administrators • Fund leadership initiatives for continuing education programs for school leaders • Induction program for school leaders • Coaching for school leaders

21. Reflection How does gifted education fit into the work of the Kansas Educational Leadership Commission?

22. OBJECTIVE 4 Improve communication with all constituent groups and policy partners 

23. Communication • PD2 • Press releases • ITV sessions • Listservs • Telephone calls • E-mails • Service centers • Conferences, summer academies, symposiums, workshops, meetings

24. Reflection How does gifted education fit into the objective of improving communication?

25. Steps to the Future • Multi-Tier Systems of Supports (MTSS) • Careers/Academics • Teaching in Kansas Commission • Kansas Educational Leadership Commission • Standards for 21st Century Schools

26. Where Does Gifted Fit? • Kansas state statute requires Special Education services be provided through the development and implementation of individualized education plans (IEPs) for eligible students identified as gifted and needing special instructional support.  • Kansas is one of only a few states that mandates gifted education services be provided through special education • Consequently, funding follows

29. Linda Geiger, Gifted Education Program Consultant

30. Steps to the Future of Gifted Education • Be an advocate • Work with general education teachers—especially in the MTSS framework • Build relationships; work as a team • Do not isolate gifted education • Consider more push-in programs and less pull-out programs • Offer a continuum of services • What’s good for gifted, talented and creative students is good for all students