(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 discussed proposed changes to 704 KAR 3:305 (Minimum Requirements for High School Graduation), but agreed to defer action on that regulation until its February meeting so that Department of Education staff could provide more information. The board also agreed to defer action on 704 KAR 3:340 (Commonwealth Diploma Program) until its February meeting.
Department of Education staff presented a plan for targeted interventions in low-performing school districts. The board engaged in lengthy discussions on that issue.
The board agreed to send a letter to the Kentucky High School Athletics Association (KHSAA) encouraging the group's Board of Control and delegates to come to agreement on Proposal 20, which would split tournament play into public and private divisions.
The board agreed to amend 702 KAR 6:090 (Minimum Nutritional Standards for Foods and Beverages) to include language that would permit beverages sold in vending machines in middle and high schools to be up to 20 ounces in volume. The board's vote was not unanimous, with seven voting for the change and three against. The board also agreed to send a letter to school officials encouraging them to exercise local control, within statutory and regulatory requirements, regarding beverage sizes.
Other action taken by the board included:
- approval of 2005-06 local district tax rates levied
- approval of district facility plans for Clinton and Montgomery Counties and Jenkins Independent
- approval of district facility plan amendments for Campbell, Gallatin and Green Counties
- site approval for the proposed North Elementary School in Campbell County
- approval of the Facility Unmet Needs Report
- approval of 2005-06 local district working budgets
- approval of the request for school-based decision making exemption from John T. Arnett Elementary in Magoffin County
- approval of alignment of 704 KAR 3:480 (Reading Diagnostic and Intervention Grants) to meet new statutory requirements
Other discussion items included:
- a report on the differentiated compensation pilot program
- reports from the KHSAA on Title IX activities
- discussion on the school district audit process
- discussion on actions to improve conditions in and performance of A5 and A6 schools (alternative programs and programs serving state agency children)
- a report on instructional ethics related to the state writing program
The next meeting of the board will be January 4, 2006, in Frankfort. More information about the board is available here.
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NOTE TO EDITORS AND REPORTERS:
Several news reports have provided incorrect information regarding high school graduation requirements and the proposed foreign language requirements discussed by the board. Here are some clarifications:
- Currently, public high school students in Kentucky must complete a minimum of 22 credits to graduate. The proposed new high school graduation requirements also mandate a minimum of 22 credits.
- Currently, Kentucky does not require students to earn credits or demonstrate competency in a foreign language in order to graduate from high school. The state's public universities do require two credits in foreign language for admission.