Thursday, August 07, 2008

KBE discusses Assessment, Literacy and Finance

(FRANKFORT, Ky.) – At its regular meeting Wednesday and Thursday, the Kentucky Board of Education heard presentations, had in-depth discussions and made decisions on a number of items.

The board’s Nominating Committee recommended that current chair Joe Brothers be elected to serve another term as chair and that C.B. Akins be elected to serve as vice-chair. The recommendation was accepted by the full board. The chair and vice-chair will serve one-year terms and may be re-elected.

The board presented a resolution honoring the late Rev. Louis Coleman Jr. for his advocacy on behalf of schoolchildren throughout the state.

The board heard a presentation from the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Interventions in Low-Performing Schools. The report outlines processes and directions for staff at the Kentucky Department of Education as they work with academically low-performing schools and districts. The board agreed to accept the report and authorized staff to move forward with implementation.

The board approved 703 KAR 5:070, the state regulation related to the inclusion of special populations in the state-required assessment and accountability program. The approved regulation reflects new technologies, federal requirements for students with limited English proficiency and state requirements.

Other presentations included:
· a discussion of the state regulation related to school and district report cards
· an update of the facilities plan for the Kentucky School for the Deaf
· a status report on an action plan for alternative education programs
· a review of the state regulation related to Extended School Services

The board took the following actions:
· approved 703 KAR 5:080, the Administration Code for Kentucky’s Educational Assessment Program
· approved 702 KAR 3:270, SEEK Funding Formula
· approved the district facility plan for Erlanger-Elsmere Independent
· approved district facility plan amendments for Anderson and Bourbon Counties
· approved the Kentucky Education Technology System (KETS) unmet need for FY09
· approved 702 KAR 3:080, a state regulation related to treasurer’s bonds
· approved a declaration of emergency for two school districts ending the fiscal year with deficits (Russell and Wayne Counties)
· approved the nominations of Pamela Hembree of Knox County Middle and Rebecca King of Pikeville High to serve on the Kentucky Writing Program Advisory Committee
· approved the state regulation related to the Commonwealth Diploma program
· approved the Kentucky Adolescent Literacy Plan
· approved a request from the Webster County school district for an extension of a waiver of 704 KAR 3:410, which is related to lead teacher requirements in the preschool program

The board’s next regular meeting will be October 6 and 7 in Frankfort.

SOURCE: KDE press release

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