Education is Failing?

There are some people who are saying that schools are failing. This is not true. In fact, schools are doing a better job now than any time in history. Here are a few facts to help us understand the improvement of Kansas Schools over the past few years.

According to the U.S Census, only 28.5 Percent of Kansas 25 years old or older had a high school diploma in 1940, it had risen to 86.0 percent and was estimated at 88.6 percent in 2005-2007 (three-year average). Kansas has consistently exceeded the national average and most neighboring states.

Since 2004 assessment scores in Kansas have risen from 70 percent to 86 percent. Math scores have risen from 65 percent to 84 percent. Groups targeted for more assistance - students qualifying for free and reduced price lunch, students with disabilities and English language learners – have also made significant progress, helping to narrow the “achievement gap” for these groups.

Critics have also charged that Kansas college readiness test have not shown improvement. In Kansas as in about half of the states in the nation, most graduating high school senior take the ACT. (In the other states, the SAT is predominant.) Generally the more students that take the test in a state, the lower its average score tends to be, because more students who rank in the bottom half of the class are assessed. Kansas ranks among the highest states nationally in students testing for college and completing college degrees.

Education, in its most basic form, has not changed over the past 50 years. We still have students assigned to a classroom and one teacher overseeing their studies. The biggest difference is in the strategies we use. We are moving toward more individual student assistance based on their need. Multiple Tier System of Support(MTSS)is the change of the future.

MTSS focuses on individual needs of students by “frequent monitoring”. This monitoring system helps to discern the weakness of a student and focuses attention for improvement. Schools are currently developing these programs and, for the first time, making major changes to the organization of our educational system. Through these changes come frustration and hard work. Teachers and staff are working harder than ever to find the best practices for student success. Educators are dedicated to the improvement of this improvement model and deserve the appreciation of our communities for their efforts.