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Our educators and students continue to work hard to recover from COVID-19, Kansas Education Commissioner Randy Watson said this week when summing up the 2023-24 annual report prepared by the Kansas State Department of Education.
“We’re progressing in our post-pandemic recovery process,” he said. “That’s the good news. COVID set us back but we’re still on target.”
More specifically, Watson said incremental progress is being made on one of the Kansas State Board of Education’s goals to move more students out of the lowest level of reading on the spring state assessments.
Members of the Kansas State Board of Education received the 2023-24 annual report prepared by the Kansas State Department of Education during the board’s October meeting this week in Topeka.
Kansas Education Commissioner Randy Watson presented the report to board members, which includes the results of the 2024 state assessments in reading and math.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) joins all Kansas schools in observing Oct. 7-11, the first full week of October, as Kansas Anti-Bullying Week, part of National Bullying Prevention Month.
This is an opportunity to create awareness and address the harm that bullying creates. It’s also a time to recognize the responsibility to safeguard schools to ensure physically safe and emotionally secure environments for all Kansas students and school staff.
Already a life-long advocate of teachers and the teaching profession, Liz Anstine knew when her name was called as the 2025 Kansas Teacher of the Year, the real work was about to begin.
“At that moment, I thought, ‘Well, here we go. I need to keep advocating.’”
The Leavenworth High School business teacher was chosen from a field of eight regional finalists on Sept. 28, in Wichita.
“I think I was picked for a reason,” Anstine said when reflecting on the moment when Kansas Education Commissioner Randy Watson and 2024 KTOY Taylor Bussinger announced she would be the next Kansas Teacher of the Year. “I didn’t come from privilege. I wasn’t always recognized even when I worked hard. I’ve never had this experience, not even in the corporate world.”
Members of the Kansas State Board of Education will receive the Kansas State Department of Education’s 2023-24 annual report from Education Commissioner Randy Watson during their October meeting, Oct. 8-9, in Topeka.
Dr. Watson will highlight Kansas education accomplishments, including the spring 2024 state assessments. He also will update board members on progress made on the Kansans Can outcomes of kindergarten readiness, social-emotional growth, civic engagement, individual plans of study (IPS), academically prepared for postsecondary, graduation and postsecondary success.
In this edition | Feature Story | Assessments and Accountability | Reporting and Operations Standards and Instruction | Student Health and Nutrition | Upcoming Events, Trainings and Recognition
Questions about this page contact:
Denise Kahler (785) 296-4876 dkahler@ksde.org
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