KSDE KESA Check-In: Beginnning 2023/2024

In the summer of 2022, the Accreditation and Design Team piloted a
'System Check-In' that focused on giving each system the chance to receive
feedback on their continuous improvement work. This check-in also gave KSDE
an opportunity to provide direct support and feedback to systems. After successful
feedback from that pilot, the Accreditation and Design Team is expanding to allow
for increased opportunties for direct support and feedabck to systems on an annual basis. 

Beginning in the 2023/2024 school year, the KESA Team will be launching a
Regional Model of Support (see: Regional Map) in order to implement the KSDE
KESA Check-In annually, for each system. During these annual meetings, your
KESA Regional Executive will focus on two key areas of accreditation: Process
and Outcomes. 

The fact sheet on the right outlines what you can expect to
review during these annual meetings. These meetings will take place beginning
in the spring of 2024, but Regional Executives will start scheduling those
meetings in early fall 2023. 

Systems should spend first quarter of 2023 working to answer the following questions: 

  • What is our data telling us about student success? 
  • What are our internal and external stakeholders telling us about our current state? 
  • What are our current goals? What data do we have on them? How are we doing? 
  • What adjustments can we make now to allow for better outcomes moving forward? 
  • How will we stay accountable? 

 

 

KESA System (District) Information

KESA Guidance Document (Updated March 2024) 

*As 2023/2024 is serving as a bridge year to the enhanced KESA Framework coming in the 2024/2025 school year, 2021/2022 guidance document is being removed. An updated guidance document for the Leraning Year (2023/2024) will be rolled out alongside the August 10, 2023 KESA kickoff.* 

 
System Training Materials  (Past)
 
Improvement Process Resources (Past) 

KESA Framework: 

What is required? 
  • Compliance
  • Growth toward the State Board Outcomes
  • Fundamental Strategies
  • Quality Improvement Process (Growth Cycle) 
 
What should you strive to achieve throughout each phase of the growth cycle? 
Data Analysis
  • Identify and analyze data sources, both quantitative and qualitative
  • Data Literacy: Analyze prioritized data points
  • Gap Analysis: perception vs reality
Set Goals
  • Clarify core values and vision
  • Set and align goals with data
  • Move State Board Outcomes and Definition of a Successful High School Graduate
  • Involve and engage families, the community, and business
Strategy Selection
  • Select measurable strategies
  • Select evidence-based strategies
  • Strategies support your goals
Strategy Implementation 
  • Create an implementation plan 
  • Support with professional development
  • Execute and sustain with fidelity
Strategy Analysis
  • Evaluate 
  • Monitor
  • Adjust

 

Growth Cycle: Training Resources

This section is intended to support system leaders in working through the KESA process. This section is intended to provide training and support materials that system leaders can use to lead their system and building level teams through the growth process needed in order to successfully complete the KESA requirements. 

Data Analysis 

Description - A needs assessment starts with a vision and end goal(s) in mind, and it attempts to align the needs based on data and stakeholder perceptions. A needs assessment changes systems by determining underlying root causes that prevent improvement. This process helps a system identify challenges and areas needing improvement. It is the identification of gaps that exist between the status of a system and its vision. For KESA, the needs assessment process is twofold: building-level and system-level. The needs assessments should be designed to collect data for all the initiatives within the organization. (Taken from KESA Guidance Document) 

Note, the needs assessment process at the system level should include the evaluation of each buildings’ needs assessment completed at the request of the State Legislature. The process used by each building to determine the needs of the building should be used to inform the completion of Legislated Building Needs Assessment. Completion of the Legislated Building Needs Assessment is the product of the needs assessment work happening at the building level.

Action Steps-

1. Gather Quantitative & Qualitative Data

Note: The handout linked below provides a robust list of data sources that schools/systems should consider gathering and reviewing as part of the Data Analysis Phase. In addition to the data sources provided, schools/systems should also consider using the Foundational Structures Rubrics and the STAR Recognition Rubrics as a means for determining your current state. Establishing your current state will be done in step 2: Analyze Your Data. 

2. Analyze Your Data

3. Prioritize Data Points

4. Compare - Perception vs Reality

Note: In order to gather perception data from internal and external stakeholders, systems can utilize past perception surveys shared by the KSDE. In addition to this past perception survey, the Accreditation and Design Team has also worked to create a 'Componenet Baseline Analysis' tied to the KESA Framework. Information about the CBA can be found in detail on the Perception Surveys page. 

5. Root Cause Analysis

 TitleOwnerModified Date Description
Gather Quantitative & Qualitative DataSarah Perryman7/6/2022Download 
Analyze Your Data - ORID Protocol (Slide Version) Sarah Perryman7/6/2022DownloadUse this protocol to review your quantitative and/or qualitative data. Make sure that you use the protocol for one data set/topic at a time. You will need to repeat this protocol for each data set/topic evaluated.
Analyze Your Data - ORID Protocol (Document Version) Sarah Perryman7/6/2022DownloadUse this protocol to review your qualitative data. Make sure that you use the protocol for one data set/topic at a time. You will need to repeat this protocol for each data set/topic evaluated.
Prioritize Data PointsSarah Perryman7/6/2022DownloadThis activity is meant to help you narrow down your focus so that you can better define the scope of your work. This activity should help you decide which data points you will want to actively work to impact as you move through the KESA cycle.
Compare- Perception vs Reality (Directions) Sarah Perryman7/6/2022DownloadThe fishbone activity is meant to assist you in thinking about what data is connected to your prioritized data. It is also meant to help you identify what data is connected to your priority and what data is currently contradicting or possibly challenging
Compare- Perception vs Reality (Slide Template) Sarah Perryman7/6/2022DownloadThe fishbone activity is meant to assist you in thinking about what data is connected to your prioritized data. It is also meant to help you identify what data is connected to your priority and what data is currently contradicting or possibly challenging
Root Cause AnalysisSarah Perryman7/6/2022DownloadA root cause analysis is a structured process used to help identify underlying factors or causes of an outcome. While an outcome often feels “too multifaceted” to do anything about, identifying the root cause(s) can provide insight that is actionable.
Set Goals

Description - The system uses the needs assessment information gathered in phase 1 to define and prioritize needs and develop system-level and building-level goals. Although KESA does not require a specific format for action planning, it does require the following components to be included in the action steps for an improvement plan: needs assessment data collection and analysis; measurable goal(s); success criteria; interventions/strategies; timelines/action steps; resources; professional learning plan; implementation fidelity; and accountability measures. (Taken from KESA Guidance Document) 

Action Steps-

1. Data Analysis → Goal Writing Template 

2. Gap Analysis of District Goals

3. Create Aligned Building Goals

Additional Resources- 
 TitleOwnerModified Date Description
Data Analysis -> Goal Writing Template (Template) Sarah Perryman7/6/2022DownloadActivity - Reflection & SMART Goal Writing This activity has three parts: (1) Reflect on Data Analysis (2) Define Your Desired State (3) Draft your System SMART Goals
Data Analysis -> Goal Writing Template (Support Slides) Sarah Perryman7/6/2022DownloadActivity - Reflection & SMART Goal Writing This activity has three parts: (1) Reflect on Data analysis (2) Define Your Desired State (3) Draft your System SMART Goals In order to work through those three parts, you can use this slide deck.
Gap Analysis of District GoalsSarah Perryman7/6/2022DownloadActivity - Gap Analysis - This gap analysis is a slightly different take on a traditional gap analysis. For this activity, you are to think about your goal and the following three areas: (1) Barriers (2) Pockets of Excellence (3) Brilliant and Creative
Create Aligned Building GoalsSarah Perryman7/6/2022DownloadSupport slides for helping buildings create SMART Goals aligned to those developed by the district.
Strategy Selection

Description - This phase of the continuous improvement model is about implementing the approved improvement plan; utilizing and assessing formative and summative assessments, and reviewing the data to determine the effect of the evidence-based strategy/intervention on the goal(s). This phase includes a continuous review of the work to determine what is working and what needs to change.  (Taken from KESA Guidance Document) 

Action Steps-

1. Complete a Strategy Inventory

2. Evaluate System Processes for Strategy Selection 

3. Evaluate Current Strategies for Impact/Fidelity

Additional Resources-
 TitleOwnerModified Date Description
Complete a Strategy InventorySarah Perryman7/6/2022DownloadThis activity is meant to help you take stock of the current work happening in your system and/or in your building. The goal is to determine where you might need to cut, reevaluate, or intentionally focus on for continuous improvement.
Evaluate System Processes for Strategy EvaluationSarah Perryman7/6/2022DownloadIn order to ensure the successful implementation of any strategy (new or old), inquiry cycles must be well established. By working through these discussion questions, you will determine which areas of the implementation process you will need to support.
Evaluate Current Strategies for Impact/FidelitySarah Perryman7/6/2022DownloadThis discussion will help your team evaluate the quality of the work that is on your plate. By examining John Hattie’s ‘Barometer of Influence’, you will be challenged to consider the quality of the work currently being implemented in your system.

Strategy Implementation  

Description - During the implementation phase, there are constant feedback loops involving all stakeholders, both internally and externally. A feedback loop is a process in which the outputs of a system are circled back and used as inputs. The KESA accreditation process requires regular analysis and review of its strategies/interventions. These feedback loops are used to determine if any changes are needed within the school improvement process. No school improvement process should be implemented without continuous assessment of the intervention strategies. (Taken from the KESA Guidance Document)

Strategy Analysis 

Description - This phase is the cumulative product of the alignment between the needs assessment, goals, implementation, analysis of data, and evaluation of results. As a continuous growth process, the results become a bridge to the next phase of data analysis and goal setting. Systems reflect on their comprehensive needs assessment data to determine what has improved, maintained, or declined so appropriate actions can be taken. The results become part of the potential comprehensive needs assessment as data is utilized to determine goals. (Taken from the KESA Guidance Document)

Action Steps -  

1. Ensure Strategies are 'High Impact'

2. Evaluate Vision, Goal, Strategy Alignment

3. Establish QFIC (Quality, Fidelity, Intensity, Consistency)

4. Create a Compelling Scoreboard

5. Establish a Cadence of Accountability 

Additional Resources-
 TitleOwnerModified Date Description
FAQ - Engaging in the Work of Continuous ImprovementSarah Perryman1/3/2023DownloadThis FAQ was provided to the systems engaged in our KESA Regional Training Pilot throughout the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 school years as a way of summarizing the learning of the training with the work of KESA.
Strategy Implementation & Analysis PowerPointSarah Perryman10/7/2022DownloadThis powerpoint will walk you through the action steps associated with these two phases. The word document will be your space to reflect and draft out your work and next steps.
Strategy Implementation & Analysis Word DocumentSarah Perryman10/7/2022Download 

Accreditation K-12 Contacts

Director of Accreditation and Design
Jay Scott
jscott@ksde.org  
785-296-6818

Assistant Director 
Myron Melton
mmelton@ksde.org
785-296-8110

West Regional Executive
Amber Miller
amiller@ksde.org
620-765-7490

Central Regional Executive
Mindy Bruce
mbruce@ksde.org
316-304-6493


East Regional Executive
Jean Rush
jrush@ksde.org
785-296-7884

Administrative Specialist
Rue Huereca-Retana
rhuereca-retana@ksde.org
785-296-3379

 

Accreditation Email
accreditation@ksde.org

If you would like to subscribe to the KESA Listserv, simply email your request to accreditation@ksde.org. You can learn about how to use the listserv here!
 

Copyright 2024 by Kansas State Department of Education | 900 SW Jackson St. | Topeka, KS 66612 Privacy Statement  |  Terms Of Use  |  System Maintenance Notices  |  Open Records (PDF)

The Kansas State Department of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. (more information...)


To accommodate people with disabilities, on request, auxiliary aides and services will be provided and reasonable modifications to policies and programs will be made. To request accommodations or for more information please contact the Office of General Counsel at gc@ksde.org or by 785-296-3201.