Presentation given to the KSDE - 1/13/10

1. Challenges Facing Kansas High Schools krhaskin@gmail.com Kirk Haskins Thursday, January 14, 2010

2. Agenda Background of speaker Challenges Facing Kansas High Schools Identifying three obstacles Addressing the role of an Education Program Consultant Conclusion 1/13/2010 2 Challenges Facing Kansas High Schools

3. Kirk Haskins Background

4. Kirk Haskins Education: Univ. of Kansas EdD: HE Admin. (Expected 2012) Wichita State Univ. MBA Dec. 1998 Washburn Univ. BA: Comm. May 1993 Topeka, KS native 18 years managing both private and public businesses 15 years working in education 10 years teaching business and entrepreneurship – high school and college Specialties: Relationship marketing Entrepreneurship Organization management Public speaking Communication campaigns – all media formats Interesting side-bar: Ran a marathon – finished on the same day of its start Won a car at senior high school prom Expert on prime time television between 1980-85 1/13/2010 4 Challenges Facing Kansas High Schools http://www.linkedin.com/in/kirkhaskins

5. Role of Education Program Consultant - Business Challenges Facing KS High Schools

6. Challenge #1 - Funding Schools “The legislature shall make suitable provision for finance of the educational interests of the state.” Kansas State Constitution – Article 6:6:b Decreases in public school funding will have lasting effects on HS student success 2006 – Montoy vs. State of Kansas $755.6 million per year needed to be added to support public schools FY2009: 34.4%; $1.05 Billion (Includes LOB) Jan. 11, 2010 – Motion reopen case “State economy has led to less support for equipment, software and curriculum updates…reduced participation in professional development activities outside our district/building.” – Dr. Ralph Beacham, K-ACTE President (Fall 2009) 1/13/2010 6 Challenges Facing Kansas High Schools

7. Challenge #1 – EPC SOLUTION Continue to build awareness of available workshops via Interactive Distance Learning and Podcasts; Build an online data warehouse for sharing lesson plans and resources for improving business pedagogy; Proactively seek and obtain grant funding; Administer and create a blog for channeling current business trends and changes within KSDE; and Maintain a positive and supportive presence within the Local Education Agencies (LEA) to retain quality teachers. 1/13/2010 7 Challenges Facing Kansas High Schools

8. Challenge #2 – Equality and Retention At-risk students are growing HS students are becoming more diverse FY2009 – Economic Disadvantage Students in Kansas 42.8% (4%: FY06) FY2007 – National HS drop out rate: Black – 8.4% Hispanic – 21.4% KASB - FY2014: KS Hispanic student enrollment 70,352 (8,000: FY09) WICHE - FY2014: KS Black student graduation 1,683 (500: FY09) “New empirical evidence shows that low-income and immigrant children of color are being denied essential educational opportunities to learn by schools…because they are deprive students of learning essentials: books, qualified teachers, and a safe environment.” (McDonough, 2004, p. 15) 1/13/2010 8 Challenges Facing Kansas High Schools

9. Challenge #2 – EPC SOLUTION Continue KSDE’s efforts in diversifying curriculum and programs to meet multi-cultural demands; Assist schools in establishing mentor programs that reflect our non-white student populations: Business owners Civic leaders College professors Offer professional development in best-practices for serving at-risk students; and Direct students into entrepreneurship programs for human capital development. 1/13/2010 9 Challenges Facing Kansas High Schools

10. Challenge #3 – College Preparation “More students from all backgrounds are attending college than ever before, but large gaps still exist in who goes where and who completes degree programs.” (Swail, 2002, p. 15) College administrators and faculty are concerned with entering freshmen retention and completion rates Preparing HS graduates for college will continue to be challenging FY2007 – Post-graduation Kansas: High School: HS Grad. Rate: 89.4% (30,082) Postsecondary Education : 87% (26,113) 4-year college: Freshmen retention – 80-90% Graduation rate: 60% (Six years) National: (College Board, 2009) Freshmen retention – 73%; Graduation Rate: 44% (Five years) 1/13/2010 10 Challenges Facing Kansas High Schools

11. Challenge #3 – EPC SOLUTION Continue KSDE’s efforts through its Career Preparation & Applications programs in creating a learning environment that informs students that college is possible and needed; Work with KS universities to improve standards and assessments; Share what programs like YEK, TRIO and GEAR-UP are doing to prepare their students; Cultivate and share best practices on involving parents in improving students social and cultural capital; and Explore the many federal and state measures, like high school exit exams and standards to improve college completion. 1/13/2010 11 Challenges Facing Kansas High Schools

12. Summary Conclusion

13. Summary There are countless issues facing KS high schools; In order for Kansas to be successful, more attention must be given to: Public school funding Drop out rates College preparedness EPC’s play a vital role in supporting KSDE educators and students; and Educators have difficult jobs, but like myself, they love what they do. 1/13/2010 13 Challenges Facing Kansas High Schools

14. Summary 1/13/2010 14 Challenges Facing Kansas High Schools

15. Questions? Thank you

16. References Baker, T. & Velez, W. (1996). Access to and opportunity in postsecondary education in the United States: A review. Sociology of Education, 69, 82-101 College Board, The (2007, 2008, 2009). Trends in Student Aid, Author, Washington, DC Kansas Department of Education (2009), Assessment Reports¸ Author, Topeka, KS McDonough, P. M. (2004). The school to college transition: Challenges and prospects. Washington, DC: American Council on Education. National Center for Education Statistics (2007, 2008), Digest of education statistics: 2006-2008 Author, Washington, DC Prescott, B. (2008). Knocking at the college door: Projections of high school graduates by state, income and race/ethnicity, 1992 to 2022. Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education publisher Swail, W. S. (2002). Higher education and the new demographics: Questions for policy. Change, 4, 15-23. US Census Report. (2009). Authors, Washington, DC 1/13/2010 16 Challenges Facing Kansas High Schools