|
 |
|
February 2005
This is the monthly electronic newsletter of the Kansas Association of
Religious and Independent Schools (KAIRS). KAIRS TODAY is sent as a
service to KAIRS members across Kansas.
Our goal is to keep you informed about legislative, regulatory and
national news, and educational issues. Please look for this on the
20th of each month. Contact Corey Reese, editor, with questions or
concerns - c-reese@rocketmail.com.
February ISSUE:
1.KAIRS ANNUAL MEETING 05 – A SYNOPSIS
2.ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING MINUTES
3. KAIRS 2004-05 OFFICERS
4. IMPORTANT DATES
KAIRS ANNUAL MEETING 05 – A SYNOPSIS
We were thankful that the bad weather held off until the end of our
meeting two weeks ago in Topeka. Our speakers were some of the best
we’ve had to date and the fellowship between attendees was encouraging
and helpful. Additionally, the Hall of Fame banquet featured not only
our distinguished teachers, but also our inaugural members of the
KAIRS Hall of Fame.
Monday:
State of KAIRS Address –Karen Norton
KAIRS President, Karen Norton, began the meeting promptly at 10 am.
She delivered the annual “State of KAIRS” address and listed several
key issues KAIRS has addressed in the past year. These included
teacher licensing, the No Child Left Behind act, accreditation and
professional development councils.
The change in administration on the state level and the change in
perception of this issue, largely credited to Andy Tompkins’ dialogue
with KAIRS members at the April meeting, has allowed young teachers
who must teach in state accredited schools to be licensed in schools
with approved alternate accreditation. This approval has passed the
Professional Standards Board and is being sent to the State Board of
Education.
Two additional guest speakers at the membership meetings provided
excellent information. Dr. Nancy Bolz, Kansas Director for North
Central Association, spoke in September. At the November meeting, Mike
Neal, Ed.D, assistant dean for Academic Services for the University of
Kansas, presented trends in education and participated in a healthy
dialogue regarding teacher training at the University of Kansas.
In summary of additional highlights of the year, Karen mentioned the
creation and launching of the KAIRS website, kairs.org. The KAIRS Hall
of Fame, which will honor life-long educators and vital contributors
to non-public schools in Kansas, was also created and will be housed
permanently on the KAIRS website.
Looking forward, KAIRS will continue to work towards gaining
recognition for accredited bodies. There is potential for KAIRS to be
a PDC and provide service points for member teachers. Access to
federal funds and special education services will continue to be
primary issues.
Other on-going issues include health insurance, which would allow all
KAIRS schools to come under one umbrella, and the specific challenges
faced by small rural schools.
She concluded with a request for additional ideas for educational
sessions, mentioned that the KAIRS public policy statements would be
addressed in April and looked forward to a continued bright future for
KAIRS.
Professional Development Councils – Dr. Nick Compagnone
Dr. Nick Compagnone, superintendent of the Diocese of Salina,
presented an excellent session on developing a professional
development council, based on the model they have adopted in his
diocese. He also made an innovative proposal that could involve KAIRS
members joining together to form a similar PDC among its membership.
His new system, largely accomplished with the assistance of the
on-line program, www.mylearningplan.org, utilizes a website solution
to help overcome many of challenges involved in professional
development. His PDC plan was approved by the state.
The system provides the opportunity for both teachers and
administrators to monitor professional development. From the teacher’s
end, it offers a simpler, yet confidential, way to write out goals,
keep track of progress toward those goals, organize the results
on-line (and avoid losing the paperwork) and present the proper
paperwork to their building principal, superintendent and state body.
The on-line system also provides information regarding all in-service
educational sessions that are available throughout the year.
For the administrator, the system tracks and systematizes all the
in-service sessions, which can help eliminate duplication throughout a
district or school system. Teacher goals and progress towards those
goals can also be quickly reviewed. Attendance at specific sessions is
entered in the system so administrators can gauge the success of
certain programs. On-line evaluations of sessions are also logged.
The initial cost for the system was $2,800 and the cost to the
teachers is $15 per year, per teacher.
Currently, Nick has several teachers who are not in his schools, but
function under his PDC umbrella. They receive their in-service
training under his state-approved umbrella. He proposed the KAIRS
consider creating PDCs in strategic locations throughout the state and
share both the cost of the system and in-service sessions. A spirited
discussion ensued with many details considered. The proposal will
continue to be discussed in future meetings. Members are encouraged to
email Nick their thoughts and ideas regarding his proposal at
nickcom@aol.com.
Keynote Speaker - Rae Niles
Our keynote speaker, Rae Niles, director of curriculum and technology
for Sedgwick Public Schools, took attendees on a ride on the
“education highway.” In fact, she encouraged the group to “take a
detour” from the highway and consider looking at education from a
different perspective.
Ms. Niles speaks from a unique position because under her supervision,
the more than 500 Sedgwick County students have regular access to
laptop computers in their classrooms, with all 10th through 12th grade
students having their own personal laptops for both school and at-home
use.
According to Ms. Niles, this intense use of computers has increased
the students’ technology proficiency, their productivity, information
access and motivation. Students routinely use word processing,
spreadsheet applications, database creation and retrieval, web
browsing for references and creating scheduled presentations with such
software as PowerPoint.
They are also more proficient at communicating, utilizing tools such
as email, instant messaging and electronic presentations to peers and
teachers. Ms. Niles routinely takes students with her to publicly
speak about their technology experiences.
But the overall success of the program has been an increase of student
interest in school. The rationale for this expensive, but worthwhile
project, Ms. Niles explained, can be traced to the characteristics of
the demographic groups referred to as the “Millennials and Gen Y’s”
who were born after 1980. She explained that this group has never
known a world without cell phones, CD’s, computers or even MTV. Most
are highly educated, creative and techno-savvy.
Many of the jobs of the future will involve technology proficiency and
one of Ms. Niles goals is to provide the most current technology in
order to keep students engaged in school to increase their chances at
success in life.
She explained that this program initially started in 1998 with a grant
of $15,000 and three laptop computers. In 1999, they expanded to 14
laptops on a cart and that year, they logged 1,500 check outs of
computers, which involved 3,000 conversation or interactions with
students.
Each year new computers are added, but this has also involved
difficult funding decisions such as eliminating fifth grade symphony
and seventh grade cross-country. However, Ms. Niles credits a
far-thinking school board with much of the success of the program.
Ms. Niles concluded her presentation and introduced a group of her
students who spoke about their experiences in school. They gave their
program a high rating and listed several reasons for its success. “We
can get our homework done faster.” “We can understand the material
better.” “We have access to reference materials faster.” “We can
instant message our teachers for help.”
One student explained how he probably wouldn’t be continuing for
further education if he hadn’t had a laptop in school. He was however,
interested in playing college football and when a college coach asked
him for films of his high school career, he was able to use his high
school films, copy them to his laptop and create a presentation that
included highlighting his specific position on the field. This served
as both a class project and a recruiting tool for his future.
The kids also laughingly said that when school wasn’t in session, you
could see kids’ cars in the parking lot where they were accessing the
wireless Internet from outside the building.
Ms. Rae concluded her presentation by challenging attendees to look
for the most current and affordable technology available because
technology was continuously changing.
Integrating Technology – Pat Breckunitch
Pat Breckunitch, principal of Sacred Heart Cathedral Grade School in
Salina, not only gave a presentation on integrating technology into
the classroom, but also arranged for a wireless laptop lab for
attendees.
Assisting Pat in his presentation were the "Clicker Guys," Larry Dame
and Lyle Britt, from Wichita. They showed KAIRS members how the
computer and their clicker system could be used in many ways to help
students retain knowledge, to focus students on significant points,
and to keep class interesting. Then Pat walked us through several
different ideas for using technology in the day-to-day curriculum. His
session also included an excellent handout that listed helpful
educational websites. If you are interested in his handout, he will
email you a copy if you request it at
patbreck@shgs.pvt.k12.ks.us.
No Child Left Behind – Dr. Alexa Posny
Alexa Posny, Judi Miller, and Diane DeBacker of the Kansas State
Department of Education shared with us the ways in which No Child Left
Behind affects independent and religious schools, especially those
which are accredited by the State of Kansas. All assessment
information is public information, but KSDE would like a consensus
recommendation from KAIRS on whether or not to publish report cards
for non-public schools.
Dr. Posny is the Kansas Assistant Commissioner of education, Judi
Miller is the assistant director for state and federal programs, and
Diane DeBacker is the team director for school improvement and
accreditation.
Dr. Posny explained that new assessment requirements begin in 2005.
Reading and mathematics will be assessed in grades 3 through 8 and in
one high school grade each year. Writing and social studies will
alternate every year beginning in 2006-07. Science will be assessed
every year beginning in 2007-08. System-wide (e.g. diocesan) data can
be accumulated for the diocesan or system offices.
Beginning in 2005, every teacher must be highly qualified. When
grades 6-12 are departmentalized, all teachers, including music and
art teachers, must be highly qualified. Kindergarten teachers must be
highly qualified by being endorsed either for kindergarten or for
early childhood. Pre-school teachers who wish to be credited for
their experience must have an early childhood endorsement.
Beginning in 2005, state accreditation will be on an annual basis.
Schools that do not meet all quality or performance indicators may be
accredited on improvement or on condition. If they do not meet a
performance indicator for five consecutive years, they will not be
accredited.
(Thank you to Bob Voboril and Karen Norton for their notes and input
from the meeting.)
Hall of Fame Banquet
This evening continues to be one of the highlights of our year. In
addition to the recognition of our Distinguished Teachers, the
inaugural Hall of Fame members were inducted.
KAIRS President Karen Norton welcomed the 100 guests and Dr. Nick
Compagnone began the evening with prayer.
The Hall of Fame recipients included three charter members: KAIRS
founders Vince DeCoursey, Robert Eggold and James Thiessen. Wichita
educator, Bunny Hill, became the first inductee. Mr. Thiessen was the
only founder able to attend as Mr. DeCoursey is deceased and Mr.
Eggold had a previous long-standing engagement. Mr. Thiessen spoke
eloquently of the beginning of KAIRS (then known as KANS – the Kansas
Association of Non-Public Schools) and the other founders. Mrs. Hill
also delivered a moving tribute to her school, Wichita Collegiate, and
her family.
Several members of the DeCoursey family attended the banquet and Mr.
DeCoursey’s son, Thomas DeCoursey, graciously accepted the award on
his family’s behalf.
Each of the six 2005 Distinguished Teachers were introduced and spoke
warmly of their profession and of those who had encouraged them in
their endeavors.
The KAIRS Distinguished Teachers 2005 include:
Christian Schools: Linda Smith, Maranatha Academy, Shawnee;
Diocese of Dodge City: Rhonda Wurst, St. Mary’s Catholic
School, Garden City;
Independent Schools: Dr. Don Schawang, Bishop Seabury Academy,
Lawrence;
Lutheran Schools: Mrs. Terri Vanwey, Holy Cross Lutheran
School, Wichita;
Diocese of Salina: Sister Marie Kelley, Sacred Heart High
School, Salina;
Diocese of Wichita: Marcia Dillon, Trinity Catholic High
School, Hutchinson.
Tuesday
Kansas State Board of Education – Carol Rupe
Carol Rupe, Kansas State Board of Education member, spoke early
Tuesday morning, assuring attendees that Kansas was a good place for
making sure that all children learn. She addressed several broad
topics including current funding issues, consolidation of small
schools, the No Child Left Behind Act – including the computer based
assessment rather than assessment with pencil and paper, and funding
for the poorest of our schools.
Irlen Syndrome – Dr. Cathie Hay & Judy Pitts
Dr. Hay gave an enlightening presentation on Irlen Syndrome, which
involves the problem of light sensitivity interfering with the ability
of some children to read. These children often complain about print
jumping on the page, seeing only the outline of words or having
intense headaches. The use of specially manufactured colored overlays
and tinted eyeglass lenses has proved effective in helping children.
Judy Pitts, administrator of Bethel Life School, spoke from personal
experience as her daughter struggled with reading all her life, until
as an adult, she was diagnosed with Irlen Syndrome. She was one of the
people who reported that finally, “the print stayed still” once she
used the proper color alteration.
Dr. Hay serves as an Irlen Syndrome trainer and offers daylong
seminars for $350-400 to train educators and others who are interested
in screening methods used to detect this syndrome. Any who would like
additional information can contact Dr. Hay at 316-689-4233
Public Policy - Bob Voboril
Due to rapidly approaching snow, Bob Voboril, KAIRS Public Policy
Coordinator, was asked to give a condensed version of his public
policy presentation, but in the short time allotted, he highlighted
several topics that KAIRS members need to discuss in the upcoming
April meeting.
1. Accreditation - It has long been a KAIRS recommendation that the
state of Kansas recognize legitimate alternate accreditation bodies.
The Kansas constitution requires that schools be accredited by
the state, but the KSDE is proposing that both new and experienced
teachers in schools that are accredited by legitimate accrediting
agencies be allowed to count their experience in those schools toward
re-licensure. The Professional Standards Board has approved this
recommendation, but the State Board of Education must still approve
it. KSDE has also researched a list of reputable accrediting
agencies. The list includes all agencies currently used by KAIRS
members.
Alexa Posny indicated that she would recommend that this list would
apply to all licensures.
2. Access to Federally Funded Services -
While public schools can move funds between the various titles,
non-public schools cannot. These funds are very important to certain
KAIRS schools. Bob encouraged members to write to Kansas Senators Sam
Brownback and Pat Roberts, and to their representative to ask that
Title V (supplementary materials) be fully funded as it is the most
valuable of all the Title funds and Title V use by non-public schools
has been determined to be constitutional by the US Supreme Court.
3. KAIRS requests that the Kansas State Department of Education
designate a liaison to non-public schools within the department.
4. Teacher Licensure - progress is being made in this area.
5. Special Education - Every child has a right to service no matter
where they attend school. The IDEA legislation was re-authorized on
the federal level, but Kansas has to re-authorize their legislation
this year, and KAIRS wants to ensure that the entitlement of every
child, regardless of the school of attendance, is not removed from
State law.
6. Teacher-tax credits - This credit extends through 2005 and teachers
want to be sure and take advantage of this. This is not available to
administrators unless they also teach.
7. School Funding - KAIRS wants to ensure that the dollars follow the
students. KAIRS has tended to support parent tax credits that involve
less government involvement, but tax credits do not help the
population that does not pay taxes. Therefore, vouchers may be the
most helpful option for the at-risk students.
Bob requested feedback on school funding in Kansas and would like to
see the membership engage in a healthy debate on how KAIRS should
position itself in future policy discussions.
8. Universal Early Childhood Program - Potential state funding of
public pre-schools could severely hamper pre-schools in non-public
schools. Federally - child care tuition for low-income families can
qualify for child care tax credits through pre-school.
There is clearly momentum for full-day kindergarten.
-Smartstart, funded by tobacco suit, is already in some Kansas
schools.
Annual Business Meeting Minutes
Tuesday morning, February 8, President Karen Norton called the meeting
to order.
The minutes from the 2004 meeting were approved with a motion from Ed
Bierbaum and a second from Warren Holmes.
Treasurer’s report:
-$5,100 current balance, not including Annual Convention monies.
- A portion of the public relations expenses has been paid to Corey
Reese.
-The Annual Meeting is expected to break even including the vendor’s
fees. The Banquet Sponsor – Life Touch paid for the dinners for all
the Distinguished Teachers, Hall of Fame members and one guest.
Election of Officers:
-Karen Norton, president (one year remaining on her current term)
-Nick Compagnone, vice president
-Bill Dieckhoff – secretary
-David Swank – treasurer
-Nick Compagnone & Shelli Kadel – co- annual meeting secretaries
The position of Annual Meeting Secretary was vacant. Bob Voboril
nominated Nick Compagnone & Shelli Kadel as co-secretaries. Warren
Holmes seconded the motion and it was approved.
Karen Norton presented a gift certificate to a Wichita frame shop to
Judy Pitts for her last three years of service in the Annual Meeting
Secretary position.
Public Relations Report – Corey Reese
Corey Reese reported that the primary public relations focus of the
past year has been to create and launch the KAIRS website. Beginning
in July 2004, the website took approximately six months to create and
revise until it was launched in December as kairs.org. The Hall of
Fame will be housed on the web site as well as the Distinguished
Teachers. The site also includes KAIRS public policy, general
information and a link to member schools that have requested this.
The site is continually being updated, but the overall reception to
the site has been positive.
The past year has also included the monthly KAIRS Today electronic
newsletter and an Annual Report. The next project is a letter that
will announce the creation of our website to various important
audiences. These will include the Kansas legislative members on the
education committee, the Kansas State Board of Education, federal
congressmen and senators, and superintendents of public schools
systems who have regular contact with KAIRS members.
April 12 General Meeting
The April 12 meeting in Topeka will focus on public policy and making
any revisions needed to the KAIRS public policy agenda. KAIRS has been
instrumental in important recent changes including teacher licensure,
and the organization is committed to staying at the forefront of
important issues affecting its membership.
Future Meetings
September 13, 2005 – location changed to Salina, Nick Compagnone will
advise membership of exact location.
November 8, 2005 Topeka
New Business
The group agreed to keep the Annual Meeting around the first week in
February.
Please convey ideas for future meetings to Karen Norton as she is
soliciting ideas.
The April meeting will also include constructing a recommendation for
NCLB reporting for private schools – at the request of Dr. Alexa Posny.
The meeting was adjourned.
IMPORTANT DATES
April 5: KAIRS Executive Committee Meeting, The Independent School, 9
a.m.
April 12: General Membership Meeting, Topeka, 10 am
Sept. 13: General Membership Meeting, Salina, 10 am
Nov. 8: General Membership Meeting, Topeka, 10 am
KAIRS 2004-05 OFFICERSPresident: Karen Norton, The Independent
School, Wichita
karen_norton7531@hotmail.com
Vice President: Nick Compagnone, Salina
Catholic Diocese
nickcom@aol.com
Secretary: Bill Dieckhoff, Holy Cross
Lutheran School, Wichita
billdieckhoff@holycrosslutheran.net
Treasurer: David Swank, Trinity Academy,
Wichita
swankd@trinityacademy.or
Annual Meeting Secretary: Judy Pitts,
Bethel Life School, Wichita
judypitts@earthlink.net
###
|
|
|
