December 2008

My Appreciation for Your Service

I want to take this opportunity to thank each of you who serve on the Education Professional Standards Board.   During our board meetings I am often inspired as I watch you collaboratively make difficult decisions – sometimes even personally painful decisions – obviously guided by a passion for your profession and for what is best for Kentucky 's children. 

These are difficult times, but I remain enthusiastic and optimistic about the work of the EPSB.  Guided by our shared commitment to excellence and supported by dedicated agency employees, each day the EPSB mission is translated from a noble notion to classroom reality.  Although I believe that fulfilling our mission will become even more difficult in the days to come, I also believe that we are up to the challenge.  We will not be distracted by the inconvenience of necessary changes, and we will be vigilant to identify ways that we can translate problems into opportunities.

“Most of the important things in this world have been accomplished by people who have kept trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.” – Dale Carnegie

Additional Budget Reductions

As I informed you during the November EPSB meeting, we have been directed by the Governor's Office of Policy and Management (GOPM) to prepare a contingency plan to absorb another 4% reduction in this year's budget. This translates into a reduction of $342,800 in this year's EPSB budget. Should this 4% reduction be implemented it will result in an accumulative reduction of 22% from last year's general fund allocation.  Given that we have committed all our KTIP funds, we presented the Governor a plan that did not reduce KTIP.   In addition, Kentucky 's universities and school districts have also been asked to prepare contingencies for a 4 percent reduction in this year's budget.  The degree to which the reduction plan will be implemented remains unclear, but I make every effort to keep you informed. 

FYI…2008 Highlights

Against the backdrop of the above news (and since I require an infusion of positive thought) I thought you might join me in a quick review of the important work of the EPSB during 2008. 

National Board

• Kentucky is ranked 12 th overall in the nation for total numbers of NBCTs. 
• We were ranked 8 th in the nation for the number of new teachers receiving National Board Certification in 2007.
• Currently there are 423 candidates/applicants enrolled.  The window will close for additional new applicants on Dec 31; these are the teachers who will receive scores in November of 2009.
• This past March we held a recognition ceremony at the Governor's Mansion for the 252 Kentucky NBCTs, Class of 2007, with legislative recognition and a proclamation of March 4, 2008 as NBCT Day in Kentucky .  

Ethics Seminars

• The Legal Services Division conducted 31 ethics seminars around the state in 2008. 
• Since January 1, 2008, the EPSB has reviewed 237 character and fitness cases, which is comparable to 2007.
• Since January 1, 2008, the EPSB has opened 211 probable cause cases, which is comparable to 2007.

CEO

• During 2008 121 Kentucky teachers completed the Continuing Education Option for rank change.  Of this number 74 received Rank I and 47 received Rank II. 

KTIP enrollment

• EPSB-funded internships:                      2,371
• Workforce-funded internships: 107.5
• Total full-time equivalent interns:            2,478

Assignments of KTIP Teacher Educators

Certificates

• 468 emergency certificates issued…down from 640 in 2007
• 30,000 credentials have been processed by EPSB certification staff since January 1

Alternative Certificates (since January 1, 2008)

• Option 1 - Exceptional Work Experience          19
• Option 2 - Local District Training                      20
• Option 3 - College Faculty                                28
• Option 4 - Adjunct Instructor                            72
• Option 5 - Veteran of the Armed Forces           37
• Option 6 - University Based                              1,700
• Option 7 - Institute                               9

Cooperating teachers

This past June the EPSB documented 3,424 cooperating teachers who supervised student teachers. 

Accreditation Visits

• 4 Accreditation visits were conducted during 2008

EPSB charitable work

• $6,466.00 KECC
• $2,000.00 Relay for Life
• $1,200.00 March of Dimes
• $1,330.00 Bowl for Kids' Sake
• $10.996.00 total funds raised