Kansas Board of Regents

This week Governor Mark Parkinson appointed two new members to the Kansas Board of Regents and renewed the appointment of a current member.

So what does the Kansas Board of Regents do? What educational institutions are affiliated with it? Who makes up the Board? Are all the board members appointed by the governor? Below is a short summary of Board duties as well as links to information on the Board:

The Kansas Board of Regents governs six state universities with over 79,000 full-time equivalent students. It also supervises and coordinates 19 community colleges, five technical colleges, six technical schools with over 45,227 full-time equivalent students as well as a municipal university.

The Board administers the state’s student financial aid, adult education, GED, and career and technical education programs. It authorizes private proprietary schools and out-of state institutions to operate in Kansas, and administers the Kan-ed network, a statewide network that provides broadband Internet access and distance learning capabilities for schools, hospitals, and libraries.

Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR)
http://www.kansasregents.org/
(The website for the Board of Regents)

KBOR Board Members
http://www.kansasregents.org/the_board_of_regents
(Not pictured are the new appointees, Mildred Edwards of Wichita and Tim Emert of Independence. The two departing members are Jill Docking of Wichita and Donna Shank of Liberal. Board members are appointed by the Governor for four year terms. The appointment must be approved by the Kansas Senate. More information on laws governing the Board of Regents can be found in the Kansas Statutes)

Kansas Public Higher Education Quick Facts
http://www.kansasregents.org/resources/PDF/774-KBORFactSheet_2010_FINAL.pdf
(Two page document summarizing higher education statistics and Board activities)

KBOR Policy Manual
http://www.kansasregents.org/resources/PDF/811-041510PolicyManualrevisedlinks_2_.pdf
(The Board's Policy Manual spells out the duties and actions of the Board. It also includes a short history timeline of the Board's development through the years)

KBOR News and News Releases
---View KBOR News Releases
---Governmental Related Information
---Subscribe to the Regents Newsletter

Public Institutions
http://www.kansasregents.org/interactive_map_listing
(Links to the state’s 32 public higher education institutions governed by the Kansas Board of Regents: six state universities, a municipal university, nineteen community colleges, and six technical colleges)

KAN-ED
http://www.kansasregents.org/kan_ed
(KAN-ED Network is a broadband technology-based network to which school, libraries and hospitals may connect for broadband internet access and intranet access for distance learning)

Adult Education
http://www.kansasregents.org/academic_affairs_adult_education
("The Board is responsible for administering the state’s Adult Basic Education programs. These programs serve adults, age 16 and over, who need basic skills for the workforce, community participation and family life")

Kansas GED Information
http://www.kansasregents.org/ged_introduction
(General Educational Development (or GED) tests are a group of subject tests which, when passed, certify that the taker has American or Canadian high school-level academic skills. The GED is sometimes referred to as a General Equivalency Diploma or General Education Diploma)

Workforce Development, Technical/Career Education
http://www.kansasregents.org/workforce_development
(The Workforce Development unit focuses efforts and resources to prepare workers for careers in Kansas’ highest-priority fields, like health care, advanced manufacturing/aviation, energy, and health sciences)

Private and Out-of-State Institutions
http://www.kansasregents.org/private_institutions
(The Board authorizes private and out-of-state postsecondary institutions to operate in Kansas. These institutions offer associate, bachelor, master, and professional degrees, along with certificates and diploma)

Article contact: Bill Sowers
(Check out recent additions to our collection)

Financial Literacy Education

There is an old curse of disputed origin which says, "May you live in interesting times."

These are indeed interesting times for many of us as we deal with shrinking pocketbooks, budgeting difficulties and financial planning headaches. Because of this, understanding the workings of personal finance, financial planning, lifestyle flexibility and locating helpful services become important tools in not just surviving, but thriving in difficult times.

Below are some online government resources that may be helpful in educating and informing all of us in weathering these "interesting times."

KANSAS INFORMATION

Thriving in Tough Times: Financial Resources
http://kslibinfo.wetpaint.com/page/Finances
(Information provided by Kansas librarians through the State Library of Kansas)

Financial Literacy Resources
http://www.kansasstatetreasurer.com/prodweb/financial_resources.php
(From the Kansas State Treasurer's Office)

Financial Literacy Resources
http://www.kcua.coop/Financial_Lit_Resources_147.html
(From the Kansas Credit Union Association)

Kansas Financial Literacy Education Law
http://www.kansasstatetreasurer.com/prodweb/press/column_3.php
(Statement by State Treasurer Dennis McKinney on a recently passed law on teaching financial literacy in Kansas schools)

Kansas Council on Economic Education
http://www.kcee.wichita.edu/
(The KCEE is a non-profit, business-education partnership dedicated to helping Kansas' K-12 teachers teach economics and personal finance)

KTKA and WIBW News
http://www.ktka.com/news/2009/jun/02/financial_literacy_education_now_law_kansas/
http://www.wibw.com/political/headlines/46769327.html
(Two news stories about the Kansas Financial Literacy Education Law which will require financial literacy education in Kansas schools)

US GOVERNMENT INFORMATION

Mymoney.gov
http://www.mymoney.gov/
(MyMoney.gov is the U.S. government's website dedicated to teaching all Americans the basics about financial education. Whether you are planning to buy a home, balancing your checkbook, or investing in your 401k, the resources on MyMoney.gov can help you do it better.)

Paying for Education
http://www.mymoney.gov/education.shtml
(A list of resources supplied by MyMoney.gov)

Responding to Life Events
http://www.mymoney.gov/life.shtml
(Birth, death, marriage, divorce, illness, foreclosure, job loss, re-education, etc.)

Retirement Planning
http://www.mymoney.gov/retirement.shtml
(Information on pensions, health benefits, savings, Social Security, etc.)

MyMoney for kids
http://www.mymoney.gov/kids.shtml
(Web resources for children on finance and budgeting supplied by US government agencies)

Who is... The Department of Commerce

This is the start of a series that will shed light on government agencies, boards or commissions. We hope to highlight state and federal executive, legislative, and judicial departments to exhibit who they are, what they do, and how the everyday functions of that department affects you the citizen.

The first department we'll feature is the Kansas State Department of Commerce:

Department Head: Secretary David Kerr

Synopsis: As the state's lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity. To this end, the Department comprises various programs and services that create jobs, attract investment, provide workforce training, encourage community development and promote the state as a wonderful place to live, work and play.

Previously this department was named Kansas Department of Economic Development and Kansas Industrial Development Commission before that

Has 5 divisions:

Business Development - promotes the Kansas economy through job growth and attracting business

Rural Development- helps to develop rural communities and promote agritourism

Trade Development- helps Kansas businesses export their services or products

Travel and Tourism- promotes travel opportunities and community events in Kansas
http://www.travelks.com/

Workforce Services- has resources for employers looking for a strong workforce and for workers looking for jobs and training. Includes a job directory called KansasWorks! https://www.kansasworks.com/ada/

Publications accessible online:

Kansas! magazine
http://www.kansasmag.com/

Kansas Visitors Guide- come play in Kansas!
http://www.travelks.com/s/VisitorGuideE.cfm

Kansas Business Incentives- A guide as to why you should relocate your business to Kansas
http://www.kansascommerce.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=UjVnGWOq4CE%3d&tabid=72

Every time you, the Kansan, go to dine at your favorite hometown restaurant, you are benefitting from the services of the Kansas Department of Commerce. If you are in the market for a new job, you can benefit from KansasWorks! If your business is looking to expand overseas, you can benefit from the services of the Department of Commerce.

The Department of Commerce can be contacted at (785) 296-3481 or you can email them at http://www.kansascommerce.com/Contact/tabid/75/Default.aspx