Education commissioner Christensen resigns
Announcing his resignation Thursday as state education commissioner, Doug Christensen blasted those outside education who he said are wresting control of teaching from educators.
“For some reason, we seem to think that’s the only way we can get education done is by doing it outside the profession,” he said, “and the assessment issue is related to that.”
Christensen, who has served as state education commissioner for 14 years, has fought with state and federal officials to keep testing and assessments district-based.
He announced his resignation in a letter Thursday to the state Board of Education. He will stay in the position until July 15.
“It is time for me to move on to the next phase of my professional life,” he said.
The Department of Education created STARS — School-based Teacher-led Assessment Reporting System, a system unique to Nebraska that allows school districts to develop their own tests on state standards.
The tests also are used for state compliance on the federal No Child Left Behind.
But the Nebraska Legislature passed a bill last year to create statewide tests for reading and math, and a bill being debated this year (LB1157) would specify the grades and subject areas for statewide tests but leave the task of implementing those tests to the state Board of Education and Department of Education.
Lincoln Sen. Ron Raikes — who heads the Legislature’s Education Committee and introduced LB1157 — and Christensen have gone head to head on the issue.
Raikes, who is in his last year, thanked Christensen Thursday for his work in education but also said he looks forward to the Legislature renewing ties to the state Department of Education.
“I think it offers an opportunity for new leadership, new energy and a new relationship between the Legislature and the department, all of which have an upside,” he said.
Echoing Raikes’ comments, education committee members Bill Avery of Lincoln and Greg Adams of York said they also look forward to working closely again with the education department.
“I respect very much the time the commissioner has served the state, and I wish him well,” Adams said. “This opens up an opportunity for us to reestablish a relationship with the state Board of Education.”
Christensen said the state needs to clarify the roles of the various entities that oversee education. He said the Legislature should not charge itself with deciding how education should be practiced or assessed.
“Certainly finance, certainly governance should be the debate on the floor of the Legislature, but not the practice of education,” he said.
He defended the STARS system, saying it only makes sense to give the state Board of Education and local educators the authority to oversee teaching and testing.
But he said he didn’t decide to resign because of efforts to take control of testing away from the state Board of Education.
Instead, he said, he wants to spend more time with his family and possibly write a book.
“It is time for me to spoil my grandchildren in ways that I am unable to with the demands of this position,” he said. “It is time for me to write the book that I believe is in me.”
Christensen, who spent his first year at Midland Lutheran College studying to become a minister, decided instead he should be a teacher.
He started teaching in 1965, then went on to become a principal and in 1994 became commissioner of education.
He said he would help the board find a successor.
Board President Fred Meyer said a board committee already has begun working with job search companies to find a successor for Christensen and hopes to fill the position by early summer.
He said he hopes to find someone with qualities similar to Christensen’s.
“Having the vision to promote education across Nebraska to the level that Commissioner Christensen has will be somewhat more difficult,” Meyer said.
Board member Bob Evnen complimented Christensen for his commitment to education.
“We’re looking forward to the next chapter in the history of educational policy in the state,” he said.
Reach Kevin Abourezk at 473-7225 or kabourezk@journalstar.com.
Reporters Nancy Hicks and Margaret Reist contributed to this story.
“For some reason, we seem to think that’s the only way we can get education done is by doing it outside the profession,” he said, “and the assessment issue is related to that.”
Christensen, who has served as state education commissioner for 14 years, has fought with state and federal officials to keep testing and assessments district-based.
He announced his resignation in a letter Thursday to the state Board of Education. He will stay in the position until July 15.
“It is time for me to move on to the next phase of my professional life,” he said.
The Department of Education created STARS — School-based Teacher-led Assessment Reporting System, a system unique to Nebraska that allows school districts to develop their own tests on state standards.
The tests also are used for state compliance on the federal No Child Left Behind.
But the Nebraska Legislature passed a bill last year to create statewide tests for reading and math, and a bill being debated this year (LB1157) would specify the grades and subject areas for statewide tests but leave the task of implementing those tests to the state Board of Education and Department of Education.
Lincoln Sen. Ron Raikes — who heads the Legislature’s Education Committee and introduced LB1157 — and Christensen have gone head to head on the issue.
Raikes, who is in his last year, thanked Christensen Thursday for his work in education but also said he looks forward to the Legislature renewing ties to the state Department of Education.
“I think it offers an opportunity for new leadership, new energy and a new relationship between the Legislature and the department, all of which have an upside,” he said.
Echoing Raikes’ comments, education committee members Bill Avery of Lincoln and Greg Adams of York said they also look forward to working closely again with the education department.
“I respect very much the time the commissioner has served the state, and I wish him well,” Adams said. “This opens up an opportunity for us to reestablish a relationship with the state Board of Education.”
Christensen said the state needs to clarify the roles of the various entities that oversee education. He said the Legislature should not charge itself with deciding how education should be practiced or assessed.
“Certainly finance, certainly governance should be the debate on the floor of the Legislature, but not the practice of education,” he said.
He defended the STARS system, saying it only makes sense to give the state Board of Education and local educators the authority to oversee teaching and testing.
But he said he didn’t decide to resign because of efforts to take control of testing away from the state Board of Education.
Instead, he said, he wants to spend more time with his family and possibly write a book.
“It is time for me to spoil my grandchildren in ways that I am unable to with the demands of this position,” he said. “It is time for me to write the book that I believe is in me.”
Christensen, who spent his first year at Midland Lutheran College studying to become a minister, decided instead he should be a teacher.
He started teaching in 1965, then went on to become a principal and in 1994 became commissioner of education.
He said he would help the board find a successor.
Board President Fred Meyer said a board committee already has begun working with job search companies to find a successor for Christensen and hopes to fill the position by early summer.
He said he hopes to find someone with qualities similar to Christensen’s.
“Having the vision to promote education across Nebraska to the level that Commissioner Christensen has will be somewhat more difficult,” Meyer said.
Board member Bob Evnen complimented Christensen for his commitment to education.
“We’re looking forward to the next chapter in the history of educational policy in the state,” he said.
Reach Kevin Abourezk at 473-7225 or kabourezk@journalstar.com.
Reporters Nancy Hicks and Margaret Reist contributed to this story.
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