TOPEKA Kan.
State education officials are giving their support to creation of a council to coordinate the teaching of Kansas students from preschool to college and technical and career training.
Endorsement of a new 16-member council was agreed to Tuesday during a joint meeting of the State Board of Education and Board of Regents. Both boards were expected to discuss the proposal during their regular meetings and formally adopt the concept.
“This has some great potential to create something positive for the kids of Kansas,” said Kansas Board of Regents Chairwoman Christine Downey-Schmidt.
As outlined, the 16-member council would be established by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. Its purpose would be to align all Kansas education levels to make sure students are prepared for the workplace.
The creation of such a council would come as policymakers work to meet the federal requirements of the No Child Left Behind laws.
That law requires that all students be proficient in math and reading by 2014. It also requires states to put highly qualified teachers in each classroom and take steps to get students ready to learn by the time they start kindergarten.
