By SCOTT ROTHSCHILD, The Lawrence Journal-World
The State Board of Education today endorsed establishment of a council that will work on improving coordination of the Kansas education system from pre-kindergarten through college.
"I think this is a super idea," said Board Chairman David Dennis, R-Wichita.
The council would include the state education commissioner, president of the Kansas Board of Regents and two members each from the education board and regents.
Andy Tompkins, president and chief executive officer of the regents, said the council would work each year on two or three major issues on trying improve coordination and cooperation between the two education boards.
He said the council's job would be similar to a former group called the Kansas P-20 Education Council, which was established in 2008 by executive order from then-Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and has since expired.
But Tompkins said the proposed Education System Coordinating Council would be smaller and not dependent on a gubernatorial decision.
"We should do this ourselves," he said.
The regents are expected the approve the council on Thursday.
