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March 9, 2006
Education Issues for 2006
SPEAKER: Bob Corkins, Commissioner of Education, Kansas State Board of Education
In spite of the negative press he has received, Mr. Corkins reported that many issues would be addressed this year. The NEA strongly opposes school choice and charter schools in spite of polls that show parents would like to have access to these programs. The NCLB test scores need to be carefully evaluated to avoid manipulation of data. Financial reporting by schools districts needs to be more specific and transparent. Individual children need to be tracked from grade to grade to measure progress, rather than the current system which tracks progress by grade. The Kansas Department of Education is being reorganized into teams, which will go into the field to help school districts reach their goals. The post audit report will play a large role in the school funding legislation this year. The legislature will have all the facts from which to make their decision.