Governor Brownback holds Literacy Summit at ESU
By The Emporia Gazette (Contact)
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Kansas Governor Sam Brownback visited Emporia State University on Wednesday for the Governor's Literacy Summit.
A panel of educators and Brownback set three measurable objectives in his "Road map for Kansas."
The first objective is to increase the percentage of fourth grade students by 9 percent. The goal is for 95 percent of student to meet standards on fourth grade reading state assessment scores in 2013.
The second objective is for Kansas to be in the top 5 states for fourth grade reading assessment scores by 2014 based on NAEP scores.
In the third objective, 2018 Kansas is to be No. 1 in average fourth grade reading scores.
“The Road Map sets a clear and measureable goal to increase the percentage of 4th graders reading at grade level,” Governor Brownback said in press release. “According to 2011 NAEP results, 29% of Kansas fourth graders read below the ‘basic’ level and 64% of 4th graders scored below the ‘proficient’ level. We must do better and by working together and focusing on shared goals, I believe we can.”
Joining Brownback at the Governor's Literacy Summit were Commissioner of Education Diane DeBacker, Kansas State Department of Education Early Childhood Coordinator Gayle Stuber, Kansas Parent and Information and Resource Center's Jane Goff, Kansas LAnguage Essential for Teachers of Reading and Spelling trainer Judy Roackley, Goddard School District reading specialist Rebecca Hochstein and Kansas Regional Reading Recovery Center Director Dr. Annie Opat.
Giving presentations were Director of the University of Kansas Center for Research Don Deshler. President of Literacy First Bill Blokker, Education Specialist for Save the Children Cara Schrack, President of MetaMetrics Malbert Smith and Founder of the Opportunity Project Barry Downing.
“This summit was a great opportunity to meet with educational leaders and stakeholders to discuss the challenges we face and the solutions we seek,” said Brownback. “I look forward to combining our efforts and working to improve the future of our young Kansans.”
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
Brownback and literacy don't belong in the same sentence.
December 7, 2011 at 3:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
LOL
December 7, 2011 at 5:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Malique (anonymous) says...
I sure hope the kids don't use their improved literacy to read books like Harry Potter! Christians like Sam are fearful of such witchcraft and sorcery! I suppose it makes sense... after all, the Harry Potter books are much more entertaining than the Bible and more believable too! Before long, the church will have to be converted to the Harry Potter fan club! Oh Nos!
December 7, 2011 at 6:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Sam has been tweeting Merry Christmas Malique all day.
TIS THE SEASON !
December 7, 2011 at 8:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pnkgurl06 (anonymous) says...
he has these "wonderful plans" but tell me how in the world is it going to get done when he CUTS funding from the schools? OH YES! Don't forget about his wonderful plan of wanting funding for schools to go from the legislator in Kansas setting the amount for schools to the county the school is in and based on the TAXES received in those counties! Get him out of office! He is ruining our schools and ruining our children's chance for a good education!
December 7, 2011 at 10:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
americus1987 (anonymous) says...
pnkgurl,
I agree these cuts are going to be very costly for our kids but have you really looked into the Kansas School Base Funding Formula? It's a mess and under constant litigation. I believe Johnson County is tired of paying bill for the rest of Kansas schools (and being held back in their own spending) and Brownback may be catering to their wants.
December 8, 2011 at 12:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )