The Educational system Principles of Teaching Ag Ed

Learning Targets  I can identify and analyze how the American Educational system is organized  I can discuss the organization of the federal education program  I can discuss the Kentucky Department of Education  I can demonstrate knowledge of the functions of the local educational system 

Approach  If you could change 5 things about school, what would it be? Who makes those decisions?

Identify and analyze how the American educational system is organized.

 Education is both a local operation and a national (federal) operation.  Each level in education has certain powers that work to build a meaningful educational experience for all students.  All levels must work together in ensuring that students are learning what are they are supposed to and meeting the individual needs of the students.

Discuss the organization of the federal education system.

 The chief officer of the Education department of the US is the Secretary of Education. Appointed by the President of the United States, the Secretary must be confirmed by the US Senate before they can take the post.  The current Secretary of Education is _____________________.

The Department of Education came into its current existence in The mission of the Department is:  Strengthen the Federal commitment to assuring access to equal educational opportunity for every individual;  Supplement and complement the efforts of states, the local school systems and other instrumentalities of the states, the private sector, public and private nonprofit educational research institutions, community-based organizations, parents, and students to improve the quality of education;  Encourage the increased involvement of the public, parents, and students in Federal education programs;  Promote improvements in the quality and usefulness of education through Federally supported research, evaluation, and sharing of information;  Improve the coordination of Federal education programs;  Improve the management of Federal education activities; and  Increase the accountability of Federal education programs to the President, the Congress, and the public.

 In the Department of Education there are a series of smaller departments, each controlled by someone reporting to the Secretary. There are 15 sections in the DOE.  Agriculture Education is in the office of The Under Secretary. The specific branch is the Office for Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE).

 OVAE is where the national FFA Advisor and Executive Secretary work. While they are known for their work with FFA, they both are employees of the Federal government and have specific duties that are focused on Career and Technical Education (CTE).  The Carl D Perkins funds, federal money used by Vocational Education, are controlled in the OVAE.

Discuss the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE).

 KDE is the state office for all matters related to education. The leader of the KDE is the Commissioner of Education, _________________________. This is an appointed position.

 KDE’s commissioner answer to the 11-member State Board of Education. These posts are appointed by the Governor for a 4-year term.  The focuses of the KDE include:  administering the statewide assessment and accountability system;  providing technical assistance to schools and districts in the areas of finance, management and curriculum;  providing support and information to the Kentucky Board of Education as it promulgates state education regulations;  overseeing the state's education technology system; and  Monitoring school and district compliance with state and federal laws.

 There are 8 offices in the KDE. The office of Special Instruction Services houses the division of Career and Technical Education. This is where agriculture education is housed, along with Family Consumer Science, Industrial Education, Business Education, Health Science, and Technology Education.  The KY FFA Advisor, Executive Secretary, and Leadership Training Center Director are all consultants working for the KDE. While FFA is part of their job they also work with all matters related to agriculture education.

 The division of CTE provides support for all CTE programs in the state including teaching training, resource development, student organization operation, and Skill Standard Assessment.

: Demonstrate knowledge of the local educational system.

 Every school district is run by the chief officer of the district, the Superintendent. Our Superintendent is _______________________.  The Superintendent answers to the local Board of Education. These are positions elected by the public. Each member represents a geographical area of the area.

 The BOE controls the working of the entire district in making of policies and monitoring progress of the schools. Depending on the size, districts may have numbers of assistant superintendents, program directors, etc.  Districts make decisions are number or smaller offices are jobs that may work in the BOE for the district.

 Every school is run by a principal. This person is the one in charge of operating the building in which they are assigned. Principals are hired by the Site-Based decision Making Council (SBDM).  The principal may have assistant principals that help operate in the day to day functions of the school.

 The SBDM is typically a 7 member group. Three members are teachers elected by the teachers in their building. Two members are parents elected by the parents. The Principal also serves on the SBDM council. While an SBDM may be larger there must still be the same proportion of each group. For example a large school could have 6 teachers, 4 parents, and 2 administrators.

 The SBDM sets policies, approves financial practices, and personal issues. They also monitor students’ accountability and may charge committees to operate. SBDM does NOT control the day to day operation of the school.  While the SBDM approves hiring and firings the building Principal has the ultimate control of personnel. SBDM cannot hire or fire teachers. SBDM can only hire the principal.

 When issues arise at a school the SBDM decides on action if it is a policy issue. Matters like discipline, day to day spending, and teacher performance are not issues that the SBDM has control over. Yet, SBDM may set policies to guide the school. For example, SBDM may hear there is an issue with the dress code. They do not have the power to reprimand a student, but they may alter the dress code by making it a policy. Putting the policy into action is the job of the administrator(s).

 SBDM also determines how many teaching positions are allowed to be filled and how to allocate money. This is guided by the allocation given to the school by the BOE for the district. If a reduction in staff is needed the SBDM can decide which department it should be made in, but the Principal controls who will be cut.

 The work of the SBDM is monitored by the local BOE and both groups work together to make the school successful.  The agriculture department in any school is under the control of the Principal and the SBDM. If a school wanted to add an agriculture department, hire another Ag teacher, or remove an Ag teacher, that is the decision of the SBDM.

Activity – Who’s Choice is it anyway? Determine what different parts of education make the decisions that impact students.

Directions: For each of the issues below, determine if the issue is controlled by the Federal, State, or Local educational system. (Some may be more than one)  1.Determine what bus a students rides on to and from school  2.Controls the No Child Left Behind Program  3.KOSSA testing  4.Make sure local districts follow policy of the KY BOE  5.Encourages involvement of parents in education  6.Determines when a school starts and ends the school day  7.Reports directly to the President and Congress  8.Leaders are appointed to their positions