Education commissioner focuses on technical programs

Diane DeBacker, Kansas commissioner of education for kindergarten through 12th grade public schools, met with officials at Pittsburg State University to discuss the future of technology education in the Sunflower State on Friday.

PITTSBURG -- Kansas Commissioner of Education Diane DeBacker met with officials at Pittsburg State University Friday to discuss the future of technology education in the state.

DeBacker, who oversees education in public schools, said there's been more and more talk about technology education since Gov. Sam Brownback proposed his education formula in January.

Brownback's formula included a component that would boost the attention -- and money -- given to technical education, DeBacker said.

"The vision is to get more and more students into career and technical education," DeBacker said.

Legislators have since made the technology piece into a separate bill and they're hoping it passes in the next couple weeks, she said.

PSU officials invited DeBacker to the university's Kansas Technology Center to showcase programs offered at the college.

Because of federal legislation, such as 2001's No Child Left Behind, which requires schools to ensure all students are proficient in reading and math by 2013-'14, DeBacker said she feels other content areas have "gone to the wayside."

DeBacker said a great deal of emphasis is put on students obtaining a four-year college degree.

"And it's absolutely important, but we also know there are many occupations with a technical or two-year degree," she said. " And we want to be able to promote that."

At the state level, DeBacker said there is a willingness to move forward with providing more options and educational opportunities for Kansas students to pursue careers or teaching positions in technical fields.

The state plans to hire an assistant director for career and technical education in the summer.

Locally, PSU officials voiced their desire to serve as a state model for prepping middle and high school students for technical careers.

"I just hope they saw there is this real desire to work together to make it better for kids in Kansas," DeBacker said.

DeBacker's own son, Zach, plans to enroll in Fort Scott Community College's Harley Davidson program after he graduates from high school next month.

"Some people find it surprising that my son is choosing a technical education degree," DeBacker said. "He is choosing an area that he is highly interested in and I'm just impressed."