stand up for REAL science

One of the consequences of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) is the widespread neglect of gifted and talented students. All across the country, already-sparse programs for these students are being cut as schools must work more intensely with the students who are less likely to pass the state assessments.

Kansas is no exception. Some of the brightest students in the state have languished as scarce funds for gifted/talented programs are diverted to help meet NCLB requirements.

Now these students will have another option.

The Kansas Board of Regents announced today that the Kansas Academy of Math and Science (KAMS) will be located on the campus of Fort Hays State University. If funding is made available by the state, FHSU has indicated that KAMS should be open and operational by the Fall 2009 academic semester.

From the KBOR press release:

KAMS, which was established by legislation approved and signed into law in 2006, will ultimately enroll approximately 80 high school juniors and seniors who are academically talented in science and mathematics. Once a student completes the two-year program of study, they will have earned both a high school diploma and college credits equivalent to an associate of arts or associate of science degree.

KAMS will enable the best and brightest Kansas high school students to mature and develop into science and mathematics leaders. These students will engage in a potent blend of college-level instruction, research activities, service learning, and peer interactions. Fifteen other states in the U.S. offer similar academies, including Missouri and Oklahoma. A glance at the Siemens Talent Search shows that for the past several years, the winners & semifinalists are disproportionately from such magnet schools.

It is vitally important to our state's future that our best and brightest students be nurtured in an environment that will encourage them to either stay in Kansas or return to Kansas upon completion of their studies.
- Regent Christine Downey-Schmidt, Chair of the Board of Regents

Of course, there's a hitch - funding. In order to open as scheduled, the Kansas Legislature will need to approve $4.3 million over the next six years. As Downey-Schmidt noted,

KAMS will challenge talented individuals and encourage them to enter mathematics and science fields, which in turn will help address one of our state's most critical workforce needs. However, it certainly goes without saying that state funding is imperative for the establishment, operation, and ultimate success of KAMS.