Governor Laura Kelly's Council on Education has presented her its final 2022 report, with recommendations to increase the number of students who graduate from the K-12 system with more credentials than a high school diploma.  

The council also recommends improving the coordination of early childhood education and childcare programs, which are currently spread over multiple state agencies. Kelly has issued an executive order to create a task force to develop a plan to place these programs in a single state agency.  

The report's introduction emphasizes the role of education in supporting the state's economic development: "Special focus was placed on the intersection between education and workforce development and determining how education can advance the state's workforce priorities."   

Noting increased high-profile investment in projections across the state, the council says the state must work to "prepare students for futures in these industries, attract and retain highly skilled workers, and provide wrap-around services that support worker and family needs."  

For local school district leaders, the recommendations could mean a different model of state oversight for early childhood programs, as well as additional support and incentives to provide high school students more opportunities to prepare for postsecondary education and the workforce.  

Improve the alignment of early childhood and childcare programs 

"The Council heard from Kansans across the state that one of the greatest issues facing working families is the accessibility and quality of childcare and early learning services," the report said. "Expanding the availability of these services not only provides a strong foundation for the future success of our youngest Kansans—but it pays dividends for working families and businesses. When high-quality childcare and early learning services are accessible to families, more Kansans can enter the workforce—growing our economy and providing businesses with the workforce needed to continue our record economic expansion in the process."  

Saying the current system is "bogged down by institutional silos" that make it harder to use resources most effectively, the report recommends the Governor's Office work with state agencies, stakeholders, providers, families, and businesses to study this issue and recommend improvements properly. That is essentially what Kelly set out in Executive Order 23-01, which established the Early Childhood Transition Task Force. This task force is charged with "reviewing Kansas' early childhood programs and developing a roadmap for the creation of a new state, cabinet-level agency focused solely on supporting the success of our youngest Kansans.”  

Increase opportunities for high school students to earn certifications in data analytics  

The council recommends expanding opportunities for high school students to earn certifications that validate specific skills employers seek. It identified the Data Analytics certification from the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3) as the certification that can be most easily implemented by schools and higher education institutions across the state and has wide application across all industries.  

This "industry-recognized” certification type is not a class or course a student would take independently. It is a set of skills typically taught as part of another high school course, which is then assessed, validated, and recognized by teachers who NC3 has trained. The Data Analytics certification teaches students to understand information within datasets, use data analysis software, create charts, graphs and visuals to analyze data and identify relationships, communicate about data to others through visual charts and verbal explanations, and use data analytics in their chosen field of study. Students receive NC3 certification as proof of achievement, which can be shared with prospective employers.  

Over the past year, pilot programs were implemented to train 21 teachers from across the state to provide instruction to students for this certification. The council recommends training an additional 120 teachers per year for the next four years for 500 new certified teachers across the state to expand access to the NC3 certification program for students by partnering with education service centers for $700,000 - $750,000.  

If approved by the State Board of Education, such certification could also be part of the two "postsecondary assets" in addition to high school credit hours the board wants to make part of new graduation requirements taking effect in four years.  

Develop a statewide "Diploma Plus Kansas" program to allow more students to graduate high school with a diploma and supplemental academic achievement 

This recommendation is proposed to promote and incentivize the need for students to obtain a credential, certification, or advanced college credit before or as a part of high school completion. “The Council believes that if 75% of high school students were to graduate with credential, certification, or supplemental college credit, Kansas will be better positioned to meet the workforce demands of the Kansas economy and provide students will the tools to effectively transition into their postsecondary endeavors,” according to the report. That target matches the State Board of Education's Kansans Can vision, which calls for 75% of Kansas high students to obtain a postsecondary credential.  

The target reflects studies indicating that 75% of Kansas jobs and the economic impact on individuals will have that requirement.   

"What drives members of this council is that a high school diploma in today's economy is not sufficient to really take care of a family, whether call it a livable wage or access to the middle class," said council co-chair Dr. Cynthia Lane, former school superintendent and a member of the Kansas Board of Regents. "There is a million-dollar difference in earning power over a lifetime from a high school diploma to a bachelor's degree."   

To help more students earn those credentials, the council recommends three steps. First, the state should provide up to nine hours of academic college credit through dual or concurrent enrollment for under-resourced students at no cost while in high school. This would reduce a barrier for many families when almost 50% of public school students qualify for free or reduced-price meals and federal college aid is unavailable for students who have yet to graduate.   

Second, the council recommends expanding Excel in CTE opportunities, which already provide postsecondary career technical education courses to high school students at no cost, to include the attainment of credentials, such as the NC3 certification, into the current program. "If program offerings better incorporated credentialing, students would leave their high school experiences in these courses not only will essential skills and on-the-job training, but with tangible certificates that are marketable in the workforce," said the report.  

Third, the council recommends the establishment of the "Diploma Plus Kansas" oversight panel consisting of representation from the Kansas Board of Regents, Technical Education Authority, State Board of Education, the Legislature, the Executive Branch, business and industry, professional organizations, the Kansas Independent Colleges, and the Kansas Community Colleges. The panel would work to strengthen partnerships between K-12 and higher education, particularly in the general education fields like mathematics and English language arts. "The two sectors must also move together to focus on applied learning and ensure the needs of special populations are accommodated," said the report.  

Enhance communication about CTE pathways and credentials that are in demand by the business sector through the Technical Education Authority  

The Kansas Postsecondary Technical Education Authority (TEA) is an agency under the Kansas Board of Regents charged with making recommendations on the coordination, statewide planning, and improvements/enhancements to the postsecondary technical education system.  

"There currently exists a communication and collaboration gap related to the work of the Technical Education Authority (TEA) and their role in enhancing the coordination and understanding of technical education programs," the report said. "The TEA should be encouraged to enhance their communication related to the importance of students completing seamless pathways between K-12 CTE programs and postsecondary CTE programs.”  

The council recommends documenting the best practices in how to operate and utilize industry advisory boards to ensure the curriculum meets the needs of the business community and advising K-12 and postsecondary programs on how to function and develop constant communication loops with business entities most effectively. In addition, they recommend ensuring businesses across the state understand how to get involved with their local advisory groups.  

The council also suggests that the Governor review all federal resources allocated to Kansas for CTE and skills training to look for better alignment between programs, maximize federal support, and consider new funding opportunities for customized training in areas where students can quickly complete high-quality programs and seamlessly enter the workforce.  

Finally, the council recommends improved communication between the Department of Commerce and the Department of Labor as they publish their annual jobs outlook to allow more informed decisions and targeted actions to be taken by the educational community. They also recommend providing more support to teachers in the technical education field, like creating externships and professional learning opportunities in critical need career fields.  

"What makes this whole committee exciting is that we are trying to look at what the future brings and the direction that we're going as a state," said council co-chair Fred Dierksen, superintendent of Dodge City USD 443. "That's why the alignment of the curriculum and the focus on the ends that we're trying to get to is so important. We're not trying to step on the past; we're just trying to look to the future, and I think that's really key."