Kansas Graduation Requirements Update

In April we shared information with you about the Kansas Graduation Requirements Task Force and their recommendation to cut the 1 required Fine Arts credit to 1/2 credit. (Click HERE to view that post) 

KAEA President Elizabeth Madden and board member Katie Morris met with the task force and gave the following presentation to illustrate why Fine Arts and more specifically Visual Arts are essential for the success of all students and that reducing the required credit would not help fulfill the vision of the Kansas State Board of Education, "Kansas leads the world in the success of each student." 

The current graduation requirement is 1 Fine Arts credit, only 4.8% of students' academic courses. 

We encouraged all stakeholders to complete the survey to weigh in on if any courses should be added or deleted. At the task force meeting we attended, it was noted that MANY comments said not to reduce the fine arts credit. 

According to the task force's presentation to the Kansas State Board of Education on May 10, 2022, 2,147 stakeholders completed the survey. THANK YOU to those who participated.

We would like to note that there do not appear to be any changes to the recommendations in response to the survey.

You can watch the segment of the presentation about the recommendation to add or delete required credits here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-TF4JxkbFs?start=20820&end=21240

The recommendations have been presented. What can we do now?

The Kansas State Board of Education has not yet taken any action on the recommendations. It is likely they will vote in August. In the meantime, you are able to contact State BOE members to share your thoughts and concerns about the recommendations. State Board of Education members are elected officials who need to hear from their constituents.

Click here for information about how to engage with elected officials.

https://www.ksde.org/Board/Contact-Information

It is recommended that you email ALL of the board members as well as Dr.Randy Watson, Kansas Commissioner of Education. rwatson@ksde.org

District 1

Janet Waugh
715 N. 74th
Kansas City, KS 66112

Phone: (913) 620-5062
Email: jwaugh@ksde.org

District 2

Melanie Haas
9909 Craig Dr.
Overland Park, KS 66212

Phone: (816) 226-7728
Email: mhaas@ksde.org

District 3

Michelle Dombrosky
14248 W. 157th St.
Olathe, KS 66062

Phone: (913) 782-1835
Email: mdombrosky@ksde.org

District 4

Ann E. Mah
3351 SE Meadowview Dr.
Topeka, KS 66605

Phone: (785) 266-9434
Cell:     (785) 231-0823
Email: amah@ksde.org

District 5

Jean Clifford
102 Drury Lane
Garden City, KS 67846

Phone: (620) 275-4317
Email: jclifford@ksde.org

District 6

Dr. Deena Horst
920 S. 9th
Salina, KS 67401

Phone: (785) 827-8540
Cell: (785) 822-5521
Email: dhorst@ksde.org

District 7

Ben Jones
P.O. Box 266
Sterling, KS 67579

Phone: (620) 278-6063
Email: bjones@ksde.org

District 8

Betty Arnold
5311 E. Pembrook St.
Wichita, KS 67220

Phone: (316) 684-7792
Email: barnold@ksde.org

District 9

Jim Porter
501 S. 7th
Fredonia, KS 66736

Phone: (316) 617-6779
Email: jporter@ksde.org

District 10

Jim McNiece
1213 Manchester Court
Wichita, KS 67212

Phone: (316) 729-9742
Email: jmcniece@ksde.org