Earlier this summer, the Post asked our readers what issues you wanted to hear candidates in contested races address leading up to the Nov. 5. election.
Based on that feedback, we developed a five-item questionnaire centering the issues most important to residents across Johnson County.
Each day this week, we’ll publish the candidates’ responses to one question.
Today, we’re publishing candidates’ responses to the following question:
State reading and math scores improved last year for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, but many readers remain worried that public schools’ academic performance remains well below levels achieved before the pandemic. Do you think Kansas public schools’ performance is acceptable? As a member of the state board, how will you use state testing data to assess the districts you oversee?
Below are the answers the Post received from candidates on the issue:
Area 2
Melanie Haas (Democratic, incumbent)
Kansas is on track and schools have just delivered another year of improved test scores, so we’re now tracking an upward trend. Looking back at the past several years of test scores – with the exception of the pandemic – what we see is that students have been testing up and out of Level 1, the lowest achievement category. This is great news, because moving from 1 to 2 indicates that student is working at grade level, rather than below level. Students achieving at the two highest levels of 3 and 4, they are demonstrating that they have the skills necessary to be successful after they graduate. Some call this “college and career ready,” and we are seeing more students moving into those top levels.
The State Board sees this data in the context of school accreditation. As a current board member, I voted to approve a new school improvement model known as KESA 2.0 and I value how KSDE uses a variety of data, including test scores, to determine whether a district is meeting expectations, or needs improvement. There is a lot more to helping students than test data.
I believe that what is most important is that educators stay focused on helping students. We’re still recovering from the pandemic and many kids still need help with social skills (SEL) and interacting in positive ways with teachers and peers. Practicing kindness and empathy also helps boost test scores.
Fred Postlewait (Republican)
To start with, the information that “reading and math scores improved last year for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic” is interesting in that this information was not made available to the general public until October 8, only 5 days ago.
Second, this performance is simply not acceptable. The individual districts should make every effort to improve.
Kiel Corkran (Independent)
Did not provide the Post with a response.
Area 4
Kris Meyer (Democratic)
While Kansas public schools showed progress in reading and math last year, we must stay focused on student learning and well-being, aiming for continuous improvement for all students. As a State Board member, I would use state testing data as one tool, not the endpoint, to assess district needs and identify where targeted interventions are necessary. Statewide data can highlight achievement gaps, especially in underserved communities. However, it’s crucial to pair this data with other measures, such as student engagement and emotional well-being, to form a comprehensive understanding of school performance.
The new Kansas state assessments will launch in 2024-2025, with results published by October 2025. While these assessments are important, their relevance, particularly in high school, has been questioned since they don’t impact grades or post-secondary opportunities. During my time working in Kansas public schools, there has been discussion about exploring alternative assessments, such as the ACT, which may offer more meaningful insights into student growth and readiness for future academic and career paths.
It’s essential that the State Board listens to these concerns and works with educators to determine the most effective tools for measuring student growth. Beyond assessments, districts like USD 232 are already utilizing programs like LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling). LETRS equips teachers with evidence-based reading instruction methods that go beyond “getting back to basics” and ensures they’re confident in meeting students’ needs. Supporting these efforts and aligning them with assessment data will help improve student outcomes across Kansas.
Connie O’Brien (Republican)
There is always room for improvement. Right now some schools are doing fine but many schools are not. Tests are the way we learn where students need help.
The state Board needs to make sure the basics are being taught at the beginning such as phonics for reading (a phonics program is being used in some districts), early math programs focusing on addition and subtraction (multiplication and division taught later), writing, and history. Parents need to be involved early on to help their child understand the importance of an education and to support the teacher. Until we have all parties involved concerned about the path of education, changes to improve will be slow. The job of the State Board is to find the ways and work to bring all parties together.
Coming up:
Tomorrow we will publish the candidates’ responses to the following question:
One of the primary jobs of the state board of education is to help set educational standards across subjects and grade levels. What skills and experiences should Kansas K-12 schools be providing students to prepare them for an uncertain and rapidly changing future? How can the state board encourage that?
