TOPEKA — Kansas education commissioner Diane Debacker has announced her resignation. Debacker will become an advisor to the director general of the Abu Dhabi Education Council in the United Arab Emirates. Her resignation is effective May 14. Her deputy, Brad Neuenswander, will be interim commissioner. Debacker has led the state Department of Education since October 2009. While she was commissioner, Debacker led the agency through several major changes including new curriculum standards in reading and math, science and social studies; exempting the state from No Child Left Behind and replace it with Common Core standards. She’s often been the target of conservative legislators.
Tuesday, April 15, 3 p.m.
