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Board hears progress on 'postsecondary assets'; 13.96% of seniors already have five or more, district reports
Summary
District staff and students presented the new postsecondary assets requirement and a tracking dashboard. Staff reported that 13.96% of the current graduating class already meet the five‑asset target and described plans to expand outreach and tracking to reach the strategic‑plan goal of 50% by 2029.
Wichita Public Schools staff and students presented an update on the district’s postsecondary assets initiative at the Board of Education meeting on May 5, including a new dashboard intended to help counselors and principals track student progress.
Tim Hamblin, executive director of college and career readiness, explained the assets are experiences that help students transition to college, career or life after high school and said the district exceeded its year‑one target: “That goal was 10%, and we surpassed that. At 13.96% of the graduating class have 5 or more post secondary assets,” Hamblin said.
Nut graf: The district’s strategic plan sets a longer‑term target — 50% of seniors earning five or more postsecondary assets by 2029 — and staff described outreach and tracking steps to increase awareness and capture assets earned in and outside district programs.
What staff showed
Presenters demonstrated a dashboard that lets staff click asset categories and see which students are on track or have earned each asset. Holly Ingram, executive director of secondary curriculum and instruction, and Lauren Hatfield, assistant superintendent of secondary schools, described implementation steps: communicate expectations to students and families, refine data entry and verification processes, and transcribe assets on transcripts for students who transfer in and out of the district.
Students and program leads described several assets: Bennett McLaughlin, a sophomore at Wichita High School East, explained Eagle Scout and Girl Scout Gold Award projects; Andrea Brandt described the Kansas Seal of Biliteracy; Chris Aspisson highlighted athletics and activities; Shannon Poole summarized GRTC (JROTC) benefits; and CTE staff described industry‑recognized certifications and client‑centered projects.
State list and limits
Board members asked how new assets get added to the official list; staff said Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) and the State Board approved the statewide list and that adding items would require state‑level advocacy. Staff also said the district’s system allows students to upload evidence and requires sponsor verification for work completed outside the district.
Next steps
Staff recommended continued training for staff and families on the dashboard, additional communication so students can document outside experiences, and ongoing refinement of transcript transfer procedures. No formal board action was taken.
