The following articles are found below in this week’s Fast Five:
Ø College/Career Ready Data (Two attachments including a revised summary of districts’ progress)
Ø Accountability Waiver Request Process
Ø START Compliance
Ø Co-op Visits
Ø Twitter Town Hall
Fast Five on Friday
College/Career Ready Data Released– This week, KDE released the Class of 2011 college and career readiness data that can be found through Open House at:
http://www.openhouse.education.ky.gov.
This report is the annual report to the public to inform parents and community members about the progress of schools and districts in meeting the requirements of Senate Bill 1 (2009). We began the report last fall with 34% of graduates meeting the college/career ready standards. This year we see a strong gain to 38%. Our goal is to reach 67% by 2015. The data gathering process is still being refined. KDE is dependent on districts and external sources (ACT, two- and four-year programs, and ASVAB) to provide accurate information on graduates. The percentage of college/career ready graduates may be revised throughout the year as we continue to verify data. The data verification process will be fully in place prior to the college/career ready measure being used for school and district accountability in the summer of 2012. Thanks to all of our partners for the strong support of this important measure.
Attached are two documents, the first of which summarizes the nine improvement strategies that KDE is providing in the area of college and career readiness and the second that provides a revised summary of districts’ progress in this area for clarity.
Accountability Waiver Request Process Released – President Obama and Secretary Duncan announced the NCLB waiver process last week. For more information concerning the waiver and flexibility, go to www.ed.gov/esea/flexibility and also check out this week’s blog at: Accountability Waiver Request Process Released
START Compliance – Several districts have expressed concern about the deadline to implement the START program in response to KRS requirements. As of September 29, this affects 50 districts. Associate Commissioner Hiren Desai and his staff will be communicating directly with these 50 districts today to assist them in meeting the requirements. If you need to contact him directly, his e-mail is hiren.desai@education.ky.gov and his phone number is (502) 564-1976.
Co-op Visits – I am in the process of visiting with each education cooperative. As part of my annual goals for the Kentucky Board of Education, I meet once or twice with each of the co-ops to have a question/answer session with local superintendents. Our co-ops are an important part of our collaboration with local districts to support teachers and administrators in the implementation of the Unbridled Learning strategic plan tied to Senate Bill 1 (2009). Thanks to all of our co-op directors for their great leadership.
Twitter Town Hall – I will participate in the first-ever Twitter Town Hall on Thursday, October 6, from 4 to 5 p.m. ET. The town hall also will be presented live on the Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE’s) webcast channel.
Twitter users can submit questions to Commissioner Holliday using the hashtag #AskDocH, either before the event or during.
KDE uses its Twitter account to share information and converse with the education community and the residents of Kentucky.
If you have questions on any of these issues, contact me using the phone number and/or e-mail address found below.