Leading Education Change Fall 2013

The most important educational challenge for Kansas? Increasing our educational levels and skills to meet future employment and economic needs.

This challenge isn’t new… 1950s About 50% graduated high school; 10% received a college degree.

U.S. High School Completion Kansas always topped U.S. average

Transforming American Jobs Lower skill jobs outsourced to lower wage countries. Automation replacing repetitive job functions. Increased technology and medical needs. More complex functions require more math, science and communication skills. Fewer individual tasks, more teamwork.

Impact on U.S. Job Requirements Required Education Levels for Employment Impact on U.S. Job Requirements Required Education Levels for Employment Advanced Degree Bachelor’s Degree Some Postsecondary High School Only Less than High School

Economic Value of Education Kansas Average Income by Education Level 2011 Average

High wage jobs can’t come to Kansas without high skill workers to fill them. Bringing high wage jobs to Kansas won’t help Kansans without the skills to do them. Expanding low skill jobs in Kansas will do little to raise Kansas incomes. Kansas Jobs and Education Low taxes alone aren’t enough Kansas needs more high skill jobs & high skill employees.

Kansas must raise education levels to meet future job requirements. Advanced Degree Bachelor’s Degree Some Postsecondary High School or Less Required Employment Education Levels

Kansas tied for 5 th in jobs requiring some postsecondary education by Kansas U.S. Average

Only two states in our region have higher college completion. Nationally, Kansas ranks high – but not highest. Strong Foundation Strong Foundation

Kansas ranks high overall on multiple education outcomes.

2011 Trends in Int’l Math and Science Study – 8 th Grade Math 2011 U.S. NAEP – 8 th Grade Math 1. Korea Singapore Taipei Hong Kong Japan Massachusetts5611. Massachusetts Minnesota5452. Minnesota Kansas Russia North Carolina N. Carolina Indiana Indiana Israel Finland USA How does Kansas compare to the world? Several U.S. states participated and ranked higher than the U.S. as a whole. Kansas did not take part, but its scores on national math tests rank among the highest achieving states.

U.S. Education Attainment Compared to Other Countries Percent of year olds with Bachelor’s Degree or Higher U.S. ranks 2 nd in the world for all adults 25 and older, but only 11 th for younger adults aged OECD: Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development

What are some of the challenges you face in your district? What are some of the challenges you face in your district?

Before 1970 No special education, Title IX for girls. Ending legal segregation, discrimination. No legal rights to funding equity. Closing the Achievement Gap Gaps have narrowed, but continue to exist. Since 1970 Targeted funding and accountability, equity. All ethnic groups improved test scores, graduation rates, college completion.

Achievement Gap - U.S. NAEP Reading Total Average Reading Scores for 9-, 13- & 17-year olds

Achievement Gap - U.S. NAEP Math Total Average Math Scores for 9-, 13- & 17-year olds

Achievement Gap - High School Completion Year Olds Achievement Gap - High School Completion Year Olds

States with more low income, non-white students tend to have lower achievement.

Students Eligible for Free/Reduced Meals In 10 years, Kansas has gone from one-third low income students to nearly 50 percent. This is close to U.S. average.

Percent of Minority Students In 10 years, the non-white Kansas student population increased by nearly 80 percent.

Kansas and U.S. Achievement Gap ACT Math College-Ready Benchmark

Kansas Education Challenge Why improve education and skills of high school graduates? Future employment needs. Sustain middle-class income. Reduce poverty, unemployment. Kansas advantages? Start from high levels of achievement compared to other states. Better achievement for low income, minority students than most states. Kansas disadvantages? Competition from other nations, as well as states. Growing numbers of low income, minority students who start behind.

Improving Kansas Education Outcomes To increase college and career ready graduates… Set higher standards for students, educators, schools and districts. To give all students an opportunity for success… Provide suitable school finance for every child and every district. To build on our current high levels of achievement… Strengthen successful local leadership under the Kansas Constitution. Three Core Principles

Under supervision of State Board, higher standards in four areas: New academic standards for student learning. New tests to measure what students are learning. New standards to evaluate educators. New ways to evaluate and accredit schools. Principle I. Setting High Standards

New Academic Standards: Common Core Reading and Math New Academic Standards: Common Core Reading and Math Adopted by State Board and education leaders in 44 states, not federal government. Why? Replace basic skills with skills for high wage/high demand jobs. Prepare students for career of their choice – even if that choice changes. More consistent expectations for families moving for work, military service, education. Better comparison of Kansas outcomes with other states and nations. Standards are not curriculum. Books, materials and classroom instruction still set by local boards and educators.

State Board replacing 12-year-old tests. What will be different? Measure what students can do and learn on their own, not just memorize. Give students, parents and teachers better, faster feedback on how to improve. Likely more expensive because measuring more complex skills. Tougher requirements means results will likely be lower. State Board is expected to choose one or more new assessments this fall. New tests to measure higher standards

State Board is implementing other changes: Teacher and administrator evaluation must include impact on student learning. Schools must show continuing increase in reading, math skills. Schools will get credit for moving all students to higher levels, not just basic proficiency. New accreditation system will reward best practices and broader student, family support. Higher standards for educators, schools: Beyond “meeting the minimum” Higher standards for educators, schools: Beyond “meeting the minimum”

Kansas Constitution: “[The] Legislature shall make suitable provision for finance of the educational interests of the state.” A three-judge panel found the Legislature has failed to provide constitutional funding. Principle II. Provide Suitable Finance The Kansas Supreme Court is considering the funding on appeal. Why do many believe current funding is not suitable?

Despite higher standards, unadjusted funding has been flat for five years.

Adjusted for inflation, total per pupil funding is 8% lower than 2009.

Property taxes are increasing to offset the cuts in state aid. Impact of underfunding Local Option Budget state aid by $90 million? Over 10 mills - 17 districts 7-10 mills - 30 districts 5-7 mills - 42 districts 3-5 mills - 73 districts 0-3 mills - 72 districts Capital outlay state aid? $25 million for low wealth districts eliminated. Special education state aid? $65 million underfunded.

Kansans Spending Less on Education USD Budgets as Percent of Kansas Personal Income Actual Projected

Staffing? Added 1,315 teachers 2,679 teacher aides 232 student support positions Kansas schools seeking efficiency Since 2002 – with four years of budget cuts: Kansas schools seeking efficiency Since 2002 – with four years of budget cuts: Cut 432 District and School Administrators 473 Operations Positions 305 School Support Positions Efficiency? Consolidated from 304 to 285 unified districts Increased cooperative programs, joint purchasing and shared services

Principle III. Let Local Leaders lead under Constitutional Standards Kansas Constitution: Public schools should be maintained, developed and operated by locally elected boards.

More state mandates on how public schools must operate or spend money. Allow charter schools without approval or supervision of local schools boards, transparency or accountability. Fund private schools, directly (vouchers/scholarships) or indirectly (tax credits) without public school accountability. Abolish or reduce authority of local school boards. Change school board elections to November general election; reducing focus on school candidates and issues. Many proposals weaken the local voice in public education.

Kansas will prepare them for success by: Setting higher standards Investing in suitable finance Letting local school leaders lead under our constitutional system. The Class of 2026 entered kindergarten this year. The Class of 2026 entered kindergarten this year.

Support raising educational outcomes through higher standards, suitable finance, local leadership. Learn about the issues and political process. Ask your board members and superintendent for help. However you choose to become involved, participate in decisions that will impact your community and your state! What Should You Do?

Share what you know. Discuss with family, friends & neighbors. Write a letter to editor. Post comments on news stories, opinions and blogs.

Write, call and your legislators. Use the comment sections on their Facebook pages, websites and blogs to share information and react. Use social media to participate in the discussions and share information – and refute bad information you hear or see on social media, in news stories, etc.

Attend ‘eggs and issues’ or local legislative/business and chamber functions. Present programs at your local service and civic groups. Arrange a discussion with your site council. Organize tours of your schools. Arrange meetings for your board members and superintendent to talk with local opinion leaders. Ask your friends to do all of these.

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