(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 heard a presentation from AdvanceKentucky on the state’s participation in the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI). Twelve Kentucky schools have been named to participate in the project, which is designed to support high expectations for student learning, teacher training and other activities. Funding of $13.2 million for the six-year period is provided by the ExxonMobil Foundation, the Gates Foundation and the Dell Foundation. The 12 schools selected to participate in the first year are:
· Anderson County High
· Barren County High
· Corbin High
· Henderson County High
· Lone Oak High (McCracken County)
· Marion County High
· North Laurel County High
· Reidland High (McCracken County)
· Scott County High
· Shelby County High
· South Laurel County High
· Warren County East High
The board heard a discussion of the end-of-course pilot project for algebra I, algebra II and geometry. The pilot is set to begin in May.
The board also discussed interventions for low-performing schools and reaffirmed its commitment to stronger actions for schools whose performance is chronically low.
Other presentations included:
· a discussion of high-quality teaching and learning, led by Chandra Emerson, the 2008 Kentucky Teacher of the Year
· an update on the Minority Superintendent Internship Program
· an update on minority applicants for certified vacancies in school districts
· reports from the Christian County and Jefferson County school districts on work to improve achievement in low-performing schools
· information from the Collaborative Center for Literacy Development
· an update on work related to a grant from the Wallace Foundation
· information from the Kentucky Council on Economic Education
· 2008 elementary and secondary legislation
The board took the following actions:
· gave final approval to 702 KAR 1:001, Implementation Guidelines for the Kentucky School Facilities Planning Manual
· approved district facility plans for Boone, Laurel and Oldham Counties
· approved district facility plan amendments for Anderson and Shelby County
· approved a waiver request from the Whitley County school district that allows the district to count equivalent time in its calculations for instructional time
· approved preschool funding rates
· approved the appointments of Donna Lovell of Berea; Cheryl Smith of Hardin County; Deneia Thomas of Lexington; and Barbara Waltrip of Daviess County to the State Textbook Commission
· agreed to make no changes to the Kentucky High School Athletics Association’s Bylaw 33, Section 2, which relates to school sanctions for ineligible athletes
The board will hold its annual retreat on May 13 and 14 in Frankfort. More information about the board is available here.
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