By PETER HANCOCK, The Lawrence Journal-World
TOPEKA, KAN. — Kansas Education Commissioner Diane DeBacker plans to send what she described as a “friendly” letter to the state Republican Party this week, correcting what she and other education leaders are calling misinformation that the party is circulating about the Common Core standards for reading and math.
That letter will be in response to a resolution that the Kansas GOP state committee adopted last weekend calling for Kansas to withdraw from the Common Core Standards.
“We saw the resolution about education in Kansas,” DeBacker said following today's State Board of Education meeting, where that resolution was a major topic of discussion. “We'll try to clear up some of the myths and some of the false information. But really it will be to say let's sit down and talk about this.”
The standards were initiated by the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School officers. They have been adopted in 45 states and the District of Columbia, and are intended to raise academic expectations so students will be prepared for either college or the workforce by the time they graduate high school.
The resolution, however, says that the Common Core “implicates the states in an unconstitutional and illegal transfer of power to the federal government and unaccountable private interests.”
It also says they were adopted in Kansas “without meaningful input from” Kansas parents, teachers and other taxpayers.”
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Monday, September 16, 2013
State GOP adopts resolution demanding withdrawal from Common Core, science standards
By SCOTT ROTHSCHILD, The Lawrence Journal-World
The Kansas Republican Party has adopted a resolution that demands state leaders reject Common Core school standards and prohibit adoption of new science standards.
State GOP Chair Kelly Arnold said today there is "a groundswell of people" who are opposing Common Core standards for reading and math, which are going into effect in Kansas and 44 other states.
"We feel we lose control over what we are allowed to teach our children here in Kansas," Arnold said.
The resolution approved by the state GOP committee says the Common Core standards "obliterates" state control of language arts and math standards, and represents "an unconstitutional and illegal transfer of power to the federal government and unaccountable private interests."
A number of tea-party affiliated groups have targeted Common Core.
Supporters of Common Core, including the State Board of Education, insist the standards are aimed at improving student performance and will not result in a federal takeover of curriculum.
The GOP resolution also insists that state leaders "prohibit adoption of any standards that require the state to cede any measure of control over their drafting and revision, including but not limited to the Next Generation Science Standards."
In June, the State Board of Education approved the science standards that supporters said would give students a better understanding of science.
The standards were opposed by some because they treat evolution of species as a fact and offer no discussion of religious-based theories such as creationism or intelligent design.
GOP officials also approved resolutions opposing the expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, elimination of the income tax, and support of Gov. Sam Brownback's efforts to cut state income tax rates.
The committee rejected a proposed resolution that would have asked U.S. Rep. Mike Pompeo, R-Wichita, to reconsider his stand that supports military intervention in Syria.
The Kansas Republican Party has adopted a resolution that demands state leaders reject Common Core school standards and prohibit adoption of new science standards.
State GOP Chair Kelly Arnold said today there is "a groundswell of people" who are opposing Common Core standards for reading and math, which are going into effect in Kansas and 44 other states.
"We feel we lose control over what we are allowed to teach our children here in Kansas," Arnold said.
The resolution approved by the state GOP committee says the Common Core standards "obliterates" state control of language arts and math standards, and represents "an unconstitutional and illegal transfer of power to the federal government and unaccountable private interests."
A number of tea-party affiliated groups have targeted Common Core.
Supporters of Common Core, including the State Board of Education, insist the standards are aimed at improving student performance and will not result in a federal takeover of curriculum.
The GOP resolution also insists that state leaders "prohibit adoption of any standards that require the state to cede any measure of control over their drafting and revision, including but not limited to the Next Generation Science Standards."
In June, the State Board of Education approved the science standards that supporters said would give students a better understanding of science.
The standards were opposed by some because they treat evolution of species as a fact and offer no discussion of religious-based theories such as creationism or intelligent design.
GOP officials also approved resolutions opposing the expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, elimination of the income tax, and support of Gov. Sam Brownback's efforts to cut state income tax rates.
The committee rejected a proposed resolution that would have asked U.S. Rep. Mike Pompeo, R-Wichita, to reconsider his stand that supports military intervention in Syria.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Survey shows public skeptical about school testing, Common Core standards
By PETER HANCOCK, The Lawrence Journal-World
LAWRENCE, KAN. --- A national survey released this week shows a growing disconnect between the American public and the education policies being adopted in most states, including Kansas.
That's especially true about the new Common Core standards for reading and math that are going into effect in Kansas and 44 other states, as well as the increased use of standardized tests to measure how well schools and districts are performing.
The survey by Gallup and PDK International showed nearly two-thirds of those interviewed had never heard of the Common Core standards, and fewer than half believed they would help make the United States more competitive globally, one of the key stated goals of the project.
Meanwhile, 77 percent of those surveyed said the increased use of standardized tests to measure student performance had either hurt American education or made no difference at all. Only 22 percent said they believe increased testing has improved public schools.
That presents a huge challenge for state and local education officials who are now working to put the new Common Core standards into effect, apparently in the face of widespread public skepticism.
LAWRENCE, KAN. --- A national survey released this week shows a growing disconnect between the American public and the education policies being adopted in most states, including Kansas.
That's especially true about the new Common Core standards for reading and math that are going into effect in Kansas and 44 other states, as well as the increased use of standardized tests to measure how well schools and districts are performing.
The survey by Gallup and PDK International showed nearly two-thirds of those interviewed had never heard of the Common Core standards, and fewer than half believed they would help make the United States more competitive globally, one of the key stated goals of the project.
Meanwhile, 77 percent of those surveyed said the increased use of standardized tests to measure student performance had either hurt American education or made no difference at all. Only 22 percent said they believe increased testing has improved public schools.
That presents a huge challenge for state and local education officials who are now working to put the new Common Core standards into effect, apparently in the face of widespread public skepticism.
Friday, July 26, 2013
State expects Common Core testing costs to be lower than national estimates
By PETER HANCOCK, The Lawrence Journal-World
Kansas education officials say that when schools start giving new reading and math tests aligned to the Common Core standards in 2015, the cost of those tests will be higher than what the state is paying now—but not as high as some recent national reports suggest.
"We're expecting it to be more than what we're paying now because we're asking the assessment to do more,” Kansas Education Commissioner Diane DeBacker said.
For the past several years, Kansas has contracted with the Center for Educational Testing and Evaluation at Kansas University to develop and administer all of its tests, including reading, math, science and social studies.
The state Department of Education spends about $4.6 million annually to administer those tests to about 250,000 students a year. The reading and math tests, which are required by federal law, are given each year to students in grades 3 through 8, and once in high school.
But those tests have always been pure multiple-choice tests that are quickly and easily scored by machines.
With the new Common Core standards, DeBacker said, states are being asked to use more complex tests that require students to write and do more.
“We've said for many years (the current test format) doesn't tell us what students know and can do,” DeBacker said. "It's just regurgitation of information. When you enhance a test or want to make it more relevant and informative, then you have to look at constructive responses. You have to look at a test that's more interactive, so students can be more engaged in the assessments. That's going to cost more money.”
Kansas education officials say that when schools start giving new reading and math tests aligned to the Common Core standards in 2015, the cost of those tests will be higher than what the state is paying now—but not as high as some recent national reports suggest.
"We're expecting it to be more than what we're paying now because we're asking the assessment to do more,” Kansas Education Commissioner Diane DeBacker said.
For the past several years, Kansas has contracted with the Center for Educational Testing and Evaluation at Kansas University to develop and administer all of its tests, including reading, math, science and social studies.
The state Department of Education spends about $4.6 million annually to administer those tests to about 250,000 students a year. The reading and math tests, which are required by federal law, are given each year to students in grades 3 through 8, and once in high school.
But those tests have always been pure multiple-choice tests that are quickly and easily scored by machines.
With the new Common Core standards, DeBacker said, states are being asked to use more complex tests that require students to write and do more.
“We've said for many years (the current test format) doesn't tell us what students know and can do,” DeBacker said. "It's just regurgitation of information. When you enhance a test or want to make it more relevant and informative, then you have to look at constructive responses. You have to look at a test that's more interactive, so students can be more engaged in the assessments. That's going to cost more money.”
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
FreedomWorks urges Legislature to reject Common Core reading and math standards
By SCOTT ROTHSCHILD, The Lawrence Journal-World
The Tea-party affiliated FreedomWorks is urging Kansas legislators to reject Common Core reading and math standards.
"Help us protect Kansan students from Common Core," Whitney Neal, director of grassroots for FreedomWorks, said in a note to the group's members. "Let’s fight to keep parents, teachers, and local communities in charge of education – not Washington bureaucrats."
Kansas formally adopted Common Core standards in 2010, saying they would help prepare students for college and careers. Numerous school districts throughout the state, including Lawrence, have spent the past two years getting teachers ready to implement them.
Common Core standards have been adopted by most states, and started as a project of the National Governors Association and Council of Chief State School Officers.
But FreedomWorks says Common Core will take away the rights of states to compose their own education requirements.
In Kansas, the Legislature is fighting over budget and tax issues. Senate Republican leaders want to insert a provision in the budget that would prohibit the expenditure of state funds to implement Common Core standards.
The Tea-party affiliated FreedomWorks is urging Kansas legislators to reject Common Core reading and math standards.
"Help us protect Kansan students from Common Core," Whitney Neal, director of grassroots for FreedomWorks, said in a note to the group's members. "Let’s fight to keep parents, teachers, and local communities in charge of education – not Washington bureaucrats."
Kansas formally adopted Common Core standards in 2010, saying they would help prepare students for college and careers. Numerous school districts throughout the state, including Lawrence, have spent the past two years getting teachers ready to implement them.
Common Core standards have been adopted by most states, and started as a project of the National Governors Association and Council of Chief State School Officers.
But FreedomWorks says Common Core will take away the rights of states to compose their own education requirements.
In Kansas, the Legislature is fighting over budget and tax issues. Senate Republican leaders want to insert a provision in the budget that would prohibit the expenditure of state funds to implement Common Core standards.
Friday, May 17, 2013
Budget provision would block state funding for Common Core standards
By SCOTT ROTHSCHILD, The Lawrence Journal-World
The top Senate Republican budget negotiator on Thursday urged passage of a measure that would prohibit the expenditure of state funds to implement Common Core reading and math standards as well as new science standards in public schools.
Kansas formally adopted Common Core standards in 2010, saying they would help prepare students for college and careers. Numerous school districts throughout the state, including Lawrence, have spent the past two years getting teachers ready to implement them.
But recently, the standards have been attacked by several conservative groups.
State Sen. Ty Masterson, R-Andover, who is chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, said he believed a majority of senators opposed the Common Core standards.
"There is a general resistance to the federal government imposing on our schools," Masterson said.
Common Core standards have been adopted by most states, and started as a project of the National Governors Association and Council of Chief State School Officers.
The top Senate Republican budget negotiator on Thursday urged passage of a measure that would prohibit the expenditure of state funds to implement Common Core reading and math standards as well as new science standards in public schools.
Kansas formally adopted Common Core standards in 2010, saying they would help prepare students for college and careers. Numerous school districts throughout the state, including Lawrence, have spent the past two years getting teachers ready to implement them.
But recently, the standards have been attacked by several conservative groups.
State Sen. Ty Masterson, R-Andover, who is chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, said he believed a majority of senators opposed the Common Core standards.
"There is a general resistance to the federal government imposing on our schools," Masterson said.
Common Core standards have been adopted by most states, and started as a project of the National Governors Association and Council of Chief State School Officers.
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