The challenges of providing a quality education for every student are greater today than ever before. Not only must the Kansas Board of Education establish standards which promote excellence in teaching and learning, they must also enact policies that support innovation. I’ve developed my thoughts for meeting the challenges of providing quality education into three components that I call my “ABC’s for Public Education”.
 Appropriate education for every student
Students in Kansas are changing. Children now come to school from very different backgrounds. More and more students have special needs. In fact, 40% of our public school students in Kansas are identified as at “high risk for school failure.” We must support programs in our public schools that will meet the needs of each and every student. I will work to set policies that would provide that support.
Broad-based foundation for learning
Curriculum standards provide the foundation for teaching and learning in the classroom. A quality education is based on teaching planned around standards that include the necessary skills and concepts. I believe that standards should be developed by those with experience and knowledge in each area of the curriculum. I will demand excellence from these professionals.
Challenging programs
The economic vitality of Kansas begins with quality education. The job market is changing to include types of jobs which were unheard of a few years ago. Upon graduation from high school or college, our students must be prepared to enter the world of work and to be successful in their chosen careers. As a member of the State Board of Education, I will explore all possibilities for new programs that would help prepare our students for college or for a career.
|
