EXECUTIVE ORDER 08-05

WHEREAS, the future of the Great State of Kansas is closely linked to the quality of our education system and the success of its graduates; and

WHEREAS, 30 states across the nation have created a K-16, P-16 or P-20 structure to improve student achievement by creating a collaborative, seamless system of education guided by the principle that success in college begins in kindergarten; and

WHEREAS, the voluntary cooperation between state board of education, post secondary education systems and business and community involvement have lead to the success of these efforts; and

WHEREAS, the Kansas State Board of Education and the Kansas Board of Regents have jointly endorsed a collaborative effort to improve communication, cooperation and coordination at all levels of education governance in the state; and

WHEREAS, the establishment of a Kansas P20 Education Council is an important step in creating the educational alignment and seamlessness that is essential to deliver the high quality education and training needed to prepare each Kansan for life and work.

NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Kansas, I hereby create the Governor’s P20 Education Council (“Council”) with the following purposes and charges:

1. The Governor shall appoint a representative on the Council from the following organizations:
   1. Kansas Children’s Cabinet;
   2. Kansas Parent Teacher Association;
   3. A Kansas teachers association;
   4. United School Administrators of Kansas;
   5. Kansas Association of School Boards; and
   6. Kansas Association of Independent Colleges.
2. The members of the Kansas State Board of Education shall appoint two (2) members to participate in the Council on behalf of the Board.
3. The members of the Kansas Board of Regents shall appoint two (2) members to participate in the Council on behalf of the Board.
4. The Governor shall appoint four (4) at-large members of the Council from the state’s business and industry or education community.
5. The following officials shall be appointed ex-officio members of the Council:
   1. Secretary of Commerce;
   2. Chair of House Education Committee;
   3. Chair of Senate Education Committee;
   4. Ranking Minority Member House Education Committee;
   5. Ranking Minority Member of Senate Education Committee;
   6. Commissioner of Education; and
   7. President/CEO of the Kansas Board of Regents.
6. The Governor shall appoint the chair of the Council.
7. The Chair of the Council will work closely with staff in the Office of the Governor, the Kansas State Department of Education and the Kansas Board of Regents to coordinate the business of the Council.
8. The Council shall establish a vision statement, mission statement and guiding principles that reflect the needs of the education system.
9. The Council shall create a shared plan for reaching the state’s vision of a comprehensive system of education and shall establish benchmarks to promote the Council’s commitment to success.
10. The Council shall focus on standards-based improvement in P20 policy and program coherence and coordination among the state department of education, school districts, post secondary institutions, state department of commerce, businesses, communities and foundations.
11. The Council shall coordinate the implementation and evaluation of the plan, including resource alignment in the use of federal, state, district and private funds to support policy and program cohesion and continuous assessment and refinement.
12. The Council shall report their findings and recommendations to the Governor.
13. The Council will meet as determined by the chair of the Council.
14. Members of the Council shall not receive compensation, subsistence, allowance or associated expenses.  Officers or employees of state agencies who are appointed to the Council as part of their duties shall be authorized to participate on the Council and may claim subsistence, allowance, mileage or associated expenses as permitted by law.
15. All agencies under the control of the Governor which are on the Council are directed to render full assistance and cooperation to the Council.

This document shall be filed with the Secretary of State as Executive Order No. 08-05 and shall become effective immediately.