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An educational program that promotes learning and family engagement during the summer by allowing Kansas families free access to museums, zoos, historic landmarks, outdoor locations and other attractions will kick off May 26.
Angel Lira knows anything is possible.
In 2022, the Kansas State Department of Education’s Technical Assistance System Network (TASN), Kansas Parent Information Resource Center (KPIRC) and TASN Evaluation Team, developed and updated a free family engagement survey designed to inform district and building leaders about their district’s/building’s success at engaging parents in the education of children.
Character development is an integral part of the educational experience for students at Beloit Unified School District 273. Kansas, as well as the nation, are celebrating schools within the district that are doing an outstanding job helping students develop positive character traits.
Make plans now to join the Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Child Nutrition and Wellness (CNW) team for the 2023-2024 Jump Start Your Success in School Nutrition Program kick-off event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 17 at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library in Topeka.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Child Nutrition and Wellness team wants to remind school meal program operators that Sodium Target 1A, as promulgated by the Transitional Standards for Milk, Whole Grains and Sodium – Final Rule, goes into effect July 1 in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) only.
Sponsors serving summer meals through the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) in July and/or August must complete and be approved for school year 2023-2024 operations before July 1.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Child Nutrition and Wellness (CNW) team is offering several training opportunities throughout the summer months.
The last day to enter data into the Early Childhood Foundations to School Success authenticated web application is Wednesday, May 31.
Systems have until June 30 to submit and correct chronic absentee data via the End of the Year Assessment (EOYA) record.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) has these important reminders about Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) topics:
The Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Accreditation and Design (AD) team shared these updates and reminders:
Join Nick Hurd, Kansas’ IXL Professional Learning Lead, as he shares best practices and resources for using IXL this summer, both for summer school and for independent summer learning, on Tuesday, May 30.
Are you looking for a way to sharpen your teaching skills and musicianship? Or perhaps a way to renew yourself musically at the end of the year? Would you like to join a community of educators interested in refining their pedagogical processes?
Kansas school counselors are invited to join the free KSDE Summer School Counseling Virtual Academy from 9 a.m. to noon Monday, June 12.
Every year, the Kansas Art Education Association (KAEA) recognizes exemplary contributions, achievements and service to the profession by educations within the state of Kansas.
Mark your calendar and make plans to attend a budget workshop presented by Deputy Commissioner Dr. Craig Neuenswander and Dale Brungardt, director of KSDE’s School Finance team.
May
25: Due date for Remote Learning Report (spring semester).
CALENDAR
23: 3:30-4:30 p.m., FastBridge Lightning Round. A space for collaboration, resources and asking questions. Exclusively for Kansas educators. Virtual event. Register here.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) is currently seeking feedback and public comments on the Kansas English language arts (ELA) standards.
Jihyeon “Elly” Han, 14, doesn’t plan to pursue art as a career despite winning numerous state, national – and now, international – awards for her artwork.
A bill that fully funds K-12 schools and protects funding for schools facing declining enrollment was signed into law by Gov. Laura Kelly on Thursday, May 18.
Gov. Laura Kelly on Monday, May 15, signed Senate Bill 25 into law.
During the May 2023 Kansas State Board of Education meeting, amendments to regulations governing the use of Emergency Safety Interventions were approved by State Board members.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Teacher Licensure team has released additional information about the emergency substitute license temporary modification, which the Kansas State Board of Education voted to extend for two years.
The Patterson Family Foundation is offering grants for child care centers operated by public school systems.
The window to submit data for Early Childhood Foundations for School Success is quickly approaching.
Systems have until June 30 to submit and correct chronic absentee data via the End of the Year Assessment (EOYA) record, said Dr. Robyn Kelso, an education program consultant with the Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Career, Standards and Assessments Services (CSAS) team.
Is vaping an issue at your school? Are you ready to address it and get students connected to the help they need? If yes, then enroll now to take part in the Kansas Vaping ECHO for Education program for the 2023-2024 school year.
After hearing from individuals in support of and opposition to proposed amendments to Emergency Safety Interventions (ESI) regulations, the Kansas State Board of Education on Wednesday, May 10, unanimously approved the amendments.
Outstanding Kansas seniors were honored Sunday, May 7, at the 40th annual Governor’s Scholars Award Program in Topeka.
In just a few short months, Gabriel Reyes-Gonzalez, a senior at the Kansas State School for the Blind (KSSB), will be navigating the campus of Wichita State University. Like most incoming freshmen, it’ll be a bit of an adjustment transitioning from high school to college. But for Reyes-Gonzalez, his adjustment will be different than most.
Two Kansas students are being recognized as 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholars by the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars.
Natalie Johnson-Berry, a dean of students and restorative justice facilitator at Wyandotte High School in Kansas City – and a member of the 2022 Kansas Teacher of the Year Team – recently received one of public education’s highest honors for her commitment to restorative justice and partnership building.
As 45 middle and high school student-athletes exited buses at Lawrence High School on May 3 in preparation for the Pat Grzenda Triathlon, dozens of spectators cheered in anticipation of the competition.
Did you know there are many opportunities to participate in the 2023 KSDE Great Ideas in Education Conference: Empowered Together?
The Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) School Bus Safety Unit has a variety of events planned for the 2023 summer months, said Keith Dreiling, director of the unit.
The Kansas State Board of Education on Tuesday, May 9, approved 79 Kansas Preschool Pilot Grant Awards to Kansas school districts and partners.
Remember that end-of-the-year reporting for Early Childhood programs includes the end-of-the-year survey for both Preschool-Aged At-Risk and Kansas Preschool Pilot funding sources.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) expects to award about $400 million in competitive grant funding under the Clean School Bus Grant Program.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s Accreditation and Design (AD) team will be publishing its calendar of events for the 2023-2024 school year in the coming weeks.
The Early Childhood Transition Task Force will have its second meeting next week on Tuesday, May 16.
Kansas teachers have been in the spotlight this week as we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week from May 8-12.
The Kansas State Department of Education and the Kansas Association for Career and Technical Education (KACTE) have announced that the deadline for the 2023 KACTE Summer Conference Perkins funds grant application has been extended to May 31.
Two free online science professional development opportunities are available for educators this summer.
Calendar
12: Deadline for KSDE Great Ideas in Education Conference: Empowered Together session proposals. Proposal form: https://ksde.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eaL4WlfFowNIyz4.
16: 2 p.m., School Nutrition Program Renewal Training, at https://ksde.zoom.us/j/84920437369?pwd=dXgrdE5ickp6VVVHRTFWbkowN0FJUT09. KSDE will record this session and make the recording available to sponsors following the training if sponsors are unable to attend.
Kansas State Board of Education members will recognize one of the 2023 U.S. Senate Youth Kansas Delegates next week during their May meeting at the Landon State Office Building in Topeka.
More than 500 outstanding Kansas seniors will be recognized Sunday, May 7, at the 40th annual Governor’s Scholars Award Program in Topeka.
It’s hard to believe the school year is winding down. With May approaching, it’s time to celebrate Kansas’ senior students – the Class of 2023.
The Kansas Legislature on Friday wrapped up the 2023 session, passing several education bills. Below is a recap of bills passed and vetoed, and how they will affect Kansas students and educators.
The Kansas State Department of Education and its partners are excited to share that Sunflower Summer will return from May 26-Aug. 6 with even more attractions, museums, venues, events and more.
The window to submit chronic absentee data is May 15 through June 15, said Dr. Robyn Kelso, an education program consultant for the Kansas State Department of Education’s Career, Standards and Assessment Services team.
For 2022-2023, school districts are required to track and report students attending through remote learning. This information is due to KSDE twice a year – once for the fall semester and once for the spring semester. The due date for the spring report is Thursday, May 25, 2023.
The Kansas State Department of Education has these important reminders about Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief (ESSER) topics:
Engaging families as children transition into kindergarten supports kindergarten readiness and later student success. Please make sure your school is kindergarten ready for the 2023-2024 school year by preparing to partner with families of incoming kindergarten students to complete the Ages & Stages Questionnaires®, Third Edition (ASQ-3) and the Ages & Stages Questionnaires®: Social-Emotional, Second Edition (ASQ:SE-2).
The statewide curriculum leaders group met Friday, April 28, at the Bishop Professional Development Center in Topeka for a networking session and to give guidance to the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE).
The Summer Assessment Review for English language arts (ELA), math and science will take place in person from July 17-21 in Salina and Lawrence.
The Kansas State Department of Education and the Kansas Association for Career and Technical Education (KACTE) has announced that the deadline for the 2023 KACTE Summer Conference Perkins funds grant application has been extended to May 31.
The Kansas State Department of Education has canceled all Summer Academies because of low registration numbers.
5: Last day for early bird registration for Kansas School Transportation Safety Conference and State Driving Competition. The conference program, registration form and more can be found here.
Clovis Point Elementary School in East Wenatchee, Washington, has a lot in common with the Kansans Can vision statement of “Kansas leads the world in the success of each student.”
Brian Skinner, the 2023 Kansas Teacher of the Year, joined other 2023 State Teachers of the Year this week in Washington, D.C., for the National Teacher of the Year Program Washington Week, an event hosted by the Council of Chief State School Officers.
The Confidence in Kansas Public Education Task Force has named 91 schools as recipients of the 2022 Challenge Awards.
Several lawmakers returned to the Kansas Statehouse on Monday for their wrap-up session. The full legislature returned Wednesday.
A bipartisan group of 13 educators with more than 300 years of combined experience are calling on legislators to pass a clean, policy-free school funding bill.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s (KDHE) Bureau of Oral Health has provided the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) with a report of schools in various levels of compliance with state law K.S.A. 72-6252.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) has these important reminders about Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief (ESSER) topics:
Districts/systems need to have all mentors, mentees and assignments entered in the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) web application, Mentor Programs, and submitted by 5 p.m. Monday, May 1, to ensure that mentor teachers are screened for earning the stipend.
A new deadline of May 31 has been established to submit all fully allocated Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief (ESSER) II plans.
As required by Program Assurance 20, Kansas preschool programs funded by Preschool-Aged At-Risk and/or Kansas Preschool Pilot (KPP) must enter data into the Early Childhood Foundations for School Success Authenticated web application.
Community Green Farms and Leafy Green Farms announced this week that Columbus Unified School District 493 will be the next school district in the state to receive a hydroponic farm classroom as part of a $10 million Farm to School initiative.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) traveling health education exhibit for students in grades K-5 has been updated and can be scheduled now for the upcoming school year.
Nominations are being accepted for the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) Child Nutrition and Wellness (CNW)’s 2023-2023 Kansans Can Best Practice Awards.
Funding from the Promoting Advancement in Computing Knowledge (PACK) Act has allowed the Kansas State Department of Education to partner with The College Board to provide training opportunities, many at no cost, to Kansas educators and administrators this summer.
April 2023 marks one year since Learning Forward released revised Standards for Professional Learning. Since then, educators have learned about standards through webinars, networks and professional learning communities, as well as how to use standards tools.
All Kansas educators are encouraged to make a reservation today for upcoming Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) Summer Academies.
The Kansas National Education Association (KNEA) and Educate Kansas are co-hosting the #EpicEducators23 Summer Retreat on July 20-21 at the Alvin E. Morris Administrative Center, 903 South Edgemoor St. in Wichita.
The University of Kansas is hosting the 2023 GenCyber Summer Camp for Teachers from July 24-28.
1: Participant evaluation survey due for Youth Mental Health First Aid Community of Practice.
1: 5 p.m., KSDE Mentor Programs system closes.
Gov. Laura Kelly signed Senate Bill 66, a bipartisan bill that allows Kansas to join the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact, making it easier for educators within the multi-state agreement to move to and work in Kansas.
OLATHE - Isaac Swindler stands out in a crowd because of his smile, engaging personality, kindness and genuine love for life.
Registration is open for the Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Great Ideas in Education Conference: Empowered Together, which will take place Oct. 25-27 at the Hyatt Regency in Wichita.
Gov. Laura Kelly on Tuesday signed House Bill 2322, which updates the Special Education for Exceptional Children Act to include dyslexia under the list of disabilities covered. Schools will now be required to provide additional resources and support to students with dyslexia.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to host a public hearing on a proposed rule that could impact heavy-duty engines and vehicles, including school buses.
After reports earlier this month from Fairfax, Virginia, about suspicious buses being used in attempts to pick up children, the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS) offers some general school bus and transportation safety tips.
Districts/systems still have time to enter mentees, mentor/mentee assignments and submit the stipend request form before the Mentor Programs system closes at 5 p.m. May 1.
Quarterly reporting for Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds closes Friday, April 21.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) has changed the office hours for Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief (ESSER) to 11:30 a.m.-noon Tuesday, April 25.
This year, 179 systems are going before the Accreditation Review Council (ARC) and the Kansas State Board of Education to receive an accreditation.
A teacher workshop scheduled for July 27-28 will allow attendees to investigate the pedagogical benefits of effective arts include across content areas while addressing deeper learning opportunities, fostering curiosity and exploring ways for increasing student engagement.
The 2023 Kansas Multi-Tier System of Support (MTSS) and Alignment Symposium will take place in person Sept. 12-14 at the Wichita Hyatt Regency.
If you have oversight responsibility for special education, school improvement, title services or early childhood, consider attending the 2023 KSDE Special Education and Title Services (SETS) Leadership Conference on July 26-27 at the Wichita Hyatt Regency.
A four-week Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) book study beginning June 8 will cover the nature and reading of dyslexia, diagnosing dyslexia, turning struggling readers into proficient readers and success after high school and beyond.
People who work for schools in Johnson County or for agencies that serve the public in Johnson County can pursue one of two certificate programs tuition-free through Emporia State University.
April
21: Quarterly reporting for ESSER funds closes. Please contact esser@ksde.org for any questions on this.
Kansas State Board of Education members are working with Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson to develop new strategic and targeted goals.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) is seeking recordings of student performances for the Great Ideas in Education Conference: Empowered Together, which will take place Oct. 25-27 in Wichita.
An eighth-grade student from West Franklin Unified School District 287 and a fifth-grade student from Frontenac USD 249 claimed the top two spots in the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) School Bus Safety Unit’s 2022-2023 School Bus Safety Poster Contest.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) announced that 261 Kansas high school seniors – the highest number ever - have been named 2023 Kansas Career and Technical Education (CTE) Scholars.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Accreditation and Design (AD) team hosted its monthly update on the Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) April 11 via Zoom.
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Governing Board is currently in the process of reviewing and updating the NAEP Science Assessment Framework, which was last updated in 2005.
Districts/systems still have two full weeks to enter mentees, mentor/mentee assignments and submit the stipend request form.
Districts/systems now have another option for their annual Professional Development Council (PDC) member training requirement.
Program reviews help maintain strong educator preparation in Kansas and are a vital part of each college education unit’s accreditation process.
Beginning next week, IXL Math will host a series of 30-minute webinars to provide an overview of IXL Math to Kansas educators.
The Kansas Multi-Tier System of Supports (MTSS) and Alignment is hosting “Celebrating the Power of Voice by Developing Greater Partnerships and Purpose” from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, April 27.
The 2023 Kansas Multi-Tier System of Supports (MTSS) and Alignment Symposium will take place in person Sept. 12-14 at the Wichita Hyatt Regency.
Two different science collaboration meetings have been scheduled for this month.
Reserve your seat today for upcoming Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) Summer Academies – coming soon to a location near you.
14: 3-6 p.m., Kansas State School for the Blind preschool open house. Irwin Building, 1100 State Ave. in Kansas City, Kansas. Registration is required for the open house. To register or for more information, click here. For questions, contact Jeanne Goodin by phone at 816-808-6175 or by email at jgoodin@kssdb.org.
14: 9 a.m.-noon, Strategies for Supporting Deaf/Blind Individuals with Additional Disabilities, Envision, fifth floor, 610 N. Main St. in Wichita. Presented by Helen Keller National Center. This hands-on training will introduce communication systems; developing meaningful activities; human guide techniques; and simulation/experiential activities. Registration capacity is 30 people in person. There is no cost to attend. This workshop also will be made available virtually via Zoom. To fully participate in the simulation activities, in-person attendance is encouraged. To register: https://forms.office.com/r/2vRkD6LreN.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief (ESSER) team will have Zoom office hours from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 20.
Quarterly reporting for Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds closes on Friday, April 21.
Friday, April 7, is the deadline for Kansas school districts that plan on offering alternative schools during the 2023-2024 school year to complete a Google form for the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE).
The Education Kansas website (https://educatekansas.org) can help districts with staff recruitment, marketing and retention training and help connect you with potential employees.
The Kansas School Transportation Safety Conference and State Driving Competition will be May 31-June 2 at the Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview in Wichita.
There are now two opportunities to learn how writing can be incorporated in a variety of settings for diverse student needs.
While comparing mentoring plans currently under review with those previously approved, the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) noticed some inconsistencies that need to be addressed.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) Summer Academies will take place in June and July at four schools across the state.
At the end of the 2022-2023 school year, the Accreditation and Review Council (ARC) will say goodbye to six of its members who have completed the maximum length of service, which is two, three-year terms. Thus, new applicants are being sought to fill the open seats.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Accreditation and Design (AD) team will have its next monthly update on the Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Tuesday, April 11, on Zoom (register here).
7: Deadline for districts that plan on offering an alternative school during the 2023-2024 to complete Google form at https://forms.gle/5sAidnRkpvb63pMc7.
11: 9-10 a.m., Star Assessments Spring Virtual Learning, sponsored by KSDE. “April Star Burst: Closing Out of the School Year with Star Assessments.” Learn more about the month’s topic or join the Office Hours Breakout Room. Registration: https://renaissance.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIrd-yrqDMqHtQE3TXZAettbokJ6qRUdh3c.
After the Kansas HOSA 2023 Spring Leadership Conference on March 28-29 in Pittsburg, 150 individual students from across the state received invitations to attend the International Leadership Conference in Dallas, Texas.
Gov. Laura Kelly signed a proclamation designating April as Financial Literacy Month in Kansas.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s School Bus Safety Unit is seeking assistance from all Kansas school districts during the Kansas One-Day Stop Arm Violation Count initiative on Wednesday, April 12.
Eight of Kansas’ top educators will now vie for the title of 2024 Kansas Teacher of the Year.
The Kansas State Board of Education on Tuesday, April 11, will learn more about a new registered apprenticeship program that can help address teacher shortages across the state; recognize districts, students and teachers; act on proposed amendments to accreditation regulations; and receive an update on emergency safety intervention (ESI) regulations.
The Kansas Volunteer Commission is excited to announce the Youth Civic Engagement mini-grant, which supports the civic engagement of youth in grades K-12.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief (ESSER) team wants to remind districts of the June 1, 2023, deadline to submit all fully allocated ESSER II plans.
The United States Department of Agriculture’s Nondiscrimination Statement (NDS) is no longer available as a separate page on the Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Child Nutrition and Wellness (CNW) website.
The application to participate in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) for school year 2023-24 is available at https://cnw.ksde.org, SNP, SNP What’s New.
The Kansas Online Application for Free and Reduced-Price Meals will be available free of charge to sponsors for the 2023-2024 school year.
Summer Meals Programs are designed to fill the nutrition gap that occurs in the summer and make sure children can get the nutritious meals they need.
Eating breakfast is one of the best ways to ensure students are healthy and able to achieve their full potential.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Child Nutrition and Wellness (CNW) team is hosting its Town Hall Tuesday via Zoom at 2 p.m. April 18.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) is launching an optional Grade 2 Reading Assessment this spring.
Six outstanding Kansas educators were announced as regional finalists for the 2024 Kansas Teacher of the Year award during ceremonies this past weekend. And the final two regional winners will be announced Saturday, April 1, in Salina.
Quarterly reporting for Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds will open on April 3 and close on April 21.
Friday, April 7 is the deadline for Kansas school districts that plan to offer alternative school during the 2023-2024 school year to complete a Google form.
Grant applications for Kansas Parents as Teachers SFY 2024 are due Friday, March 31, 2023.
The Approval Form for Preschool-Aged At-Risk Funding are due Monday, April 3, 2023.
The 2023 Kansas State Department of Education’s Special Education and Title Services (SETS) Leadership Conference will take place in person on July 26-27 at the Wichita Hyatt Regency.
There are upcoming professional development sessions that can help with writing and reading comprehension.
Dr. Carol Salva, author of “Boosting Achievement for Students with Interrupted or Minimal Education,” will engage audiences with “Boosting Achievement for Interrupted Learners” from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. April 26 in Topeka.
The Kansas Vaping ECHO for Education program is allowing school districts in Kansas to engage in a year-long process to learn more about vaping education and best practices for cessation.
March
31: Final deadline for systems entering year five of KESA to have on-site Outside Visitation Team visit.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) Great Ideas in Education Conference, formerly known as the KSDE Annual Conference, will take place Oct. 25-27 in Wichita.
More than 120 teachers nominated for the 2024 Kansas Teacher of the Year program will be recognized at ceremonies across the state this weekend and next.
Nine Kansas students, ranging in age from 6-17, will be honored by Gov. Laura Kelly on March 30 for their artwork illustrating the importance of aviation.
The Kansas State Department of Education is hosting a student art contest for the 2023 Great Ideas in Education: Empowered Together! conference.
The Approval Form for Preschool-Aged At-Risk Funding are due April 3, 2023.
This year, the Kansas State Department of Education’s Accreditation and Design (AD) team has been hosting updates from 9-9:45 a.m. on the second Tuesday of every month.
Mentor Programs, Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) web application, will now open early.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Teacher Licensure team, in coordination with its Special Education team, has updated the language of its special education endorsements.
Attention educator licensure contacts (ELCs): Licenses renewed based on professional development (PD) points require an official, itemized PD transcript to be uploaded by the school district to complete the application.
At the Feb. 14th, 2023, Kansas State Board of Education meeting, State Board members approved regulatory changes that allow for a driver’s education endorsement to be added to a license if the required driver’s education coursework is completed.
April 7 is the deadline for Kansas school districts that plan on offering alternative school during the 2023-2024 school year to complete a Google form.
Building and district leaders are encouraged to attend one of the 30-minute IXL webinars scheduled for next week.
25: 11 a.m., Kansas Teacher of the Year Regional Awards Banquet, Region 4, Wichita Marriott Hotel, 9100 E. Corporate Hills Drive.
Kansas State Board of Education members at their March meeting voted to support a bill that would allow Kansas to join the Interstate Teaching Mobility Compact.
Jihyeon “Elly” Han, an eighth grader at Altamont Grade School, Labette County Unified School District 506, received top honors in the 2023 U.S. Youth Aviation Art Contest.
Mallory Jacobs, a school counselor at Whitson Elementary School, Topeka Unified School District 501, was recognized as the School Counselor of the Year at the 2023 Kansas Counseling Association (KCA) and Kansas School Counselor Association (KSCA) Counseling Conference.
Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson was interviewed by Steve Kraske on Thursday, March 16, about Kansas education.
The Kansas Seal of Biliteracy Guidelines and scores spreadsheet have been updated and are available on the Kansas Seal of Biliteracy website at https://www.ksde.org/Agency/Division-of-Learning-Services/Career-Standards-and-Assessment-Services/Content-Area-M-Z/World-Languages/Seal-of-Biliteracy.
This message is from the United State Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP):
The Kansas State Department of Education’s Accreditation and Design (AD) team is bringing Adaptive Schools Training to Kansas during the next three school years.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) team will have office hours from 1-1:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 21.
Mentor Programs, Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) web application, will be open April 1 through May 1 for districts to submit their mentor/mentee assignments.
The Kansas Children’s Cabinet Child Care Accelerator Grant Opportunity will support community-based teams - including early childhood providers and champions, employers and economic development leaders - in their efforts to create additional high-quality, attainable child care slots in their communities.
At the Feb. 14th, 2023, Kansas State Board of Education meeting, State Board members approved regulatory changes that allow for a driver’s education endorsement to be added to a license if the required driver’s education coursework was completed.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Safe and Secure Schools team wants to share the following information about new school safety-related funding opportunities that have been added to the Grants Finder Tool on SchoolSafety.gov.
The Kansas Technical Assistance System Network (TASN) is offering the opportunity to join Barbara Kaiser for a deep dive into the science of childhood behaviors and what to do about them.
Music educators and students from across the state gathered at the Kansas Statehouse on Monday, March 13, to celebrate Music in Our Schools Month®.
21: 9-11:30 a.m., Progress Monitoring with FastBridge. Discover the basics of progress monitoring with FastBridge, including a working definition, purpose and available measures. Learn how to select students for monitoring, set up progress monitoring groups, choose the details needed for each group’s schedule, how to indicate the specific intervention and where to go to conduct monitoring. Use the Individual Progress Monitoring Report, such as the trend, goal and projection lines, as well as specific student errors, in order to interpret the data, evaluate intervention effectiveness and intensify interventions. Register here.
Gov. Laura Kelly signed a proclamation designating March 12-18 as National Child and Adult Care Food Program Week.
Kansas school districts celebrated School Social Work Week, which is March 5-11, and National School Breakfast Week, which is March 6-10, in a variety of ways through social media.
Ten Kansas educators met with Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson on Tuesday, March 7, to receive an update on program initiatives, discuss educational topics and give feedback as part of the Commissioner’s Teacher Advisory Council.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Accreditation and Redesign team is excited to roll out a School and District Culture Survey.
The Educator Data Collection System (EDCS) is now closed for the 2022-2023 Licensed Personnel Report (LPR) and Spring Vacancy Report submissions.
To better track and support alternative schools in the state, the Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Career, Standards and Assessment Services (CSAS) team is working to verify how many alternative schools will be in operation during the 2023-2024 school year.
The 2023 Kansas Federal Education Funds Administration Forum will begin at 8:30 a.m. March 30 at the Wichita Marriott, 9100 E. Corporate Hills Drive.
The Help Me Grow Kansas project is offering free virtual Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) trainings in March.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s Summer Academies will take place in June and July. Choose an in-person option from four districts across Kansas.
10: Deadline for state-level School Bus Safety poster contest. Entries must be received in Topeka by this date to qualify for the contest.
A few years ago, only 50% of the child care needs in Coffey County were being met, said Craig Marshall, superintendent of Burlington Unified School District 244.
Has your district made plans for its tornado drill during March? Per K.S.A. 31-133, each school district must conduct a tornado drill during the month of March.
An event earlier this week allowed early childhood educators to learn how to embed children’s inquiry, cause-and-effect reasoning, problem-solving and literacy into a learning platform of play.
Students were at the Kansas Capitol on Thursday, March 2, for Theatre in Our Schools Advocacy Day. And what a perfect month for the event because March has two fine arts celebrations – Music in Our Schools Month ® and Theatre in Our Schools Month.
As part of the Kansans Can School Redesign Project, all redesign schools were asked to administer a School Culture Survey annually.
The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) team at the Kansas State Department of Education has a few important reminders:
The Licensed Personnel Report (LPR) and Spring Vacancy Report are due Friday, March 3.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief (ESSER) team wants to share how to address CARES Act fraud.
To better track and support alternative schools in the state, the Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Career, Standards and Assessment Services (CSAS) team is trying to verify how many alternative schools will be in operation during the 2023-2024 school year.
Does your district have concerns about vaping policies, practices or procedures? Then, consider working with Project ECHO to engage in a year-long process to learn more about vaping education and best practices for cessation.
The deadline to nominate people for this year’s School Social Worker of the Year and Champion for Children awards is approaching.
The Kansas School Nurses Organization wants to emphasize the contribution of Kansas school nurses by recognizing one professional registered school nurse and one professional registered school nurse administrator who demonstrate excellence and professionalism in school nursing practice.
College Board is offering the following AP professional learning opportunities for Kansas teachers and administrators during the summer.
Save the date for Summer Academies. Choose an in-person option from four districts across Kansas.
The Kansas State Department of Education is looking for volunteers from pre-K-12 and higher education to review educator preparation programs.
3: Deadline to submit Licensed Personnel Report information.
5-11: School Social Work Week.
Catherine Eastland, a senior at Wichita South High School, has known for a long time that she wanted to go into the medical field.
Gov. Laura Kelly earlier this week announced her appointments to the Early Childhood Transition Task Force, including Amanda Petersen, director of the Kansas State Department of Education’s Early Childhood team.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s Child Nutrition and Wellness team is launching its new website on Friday, Feb. 24.
The Kansas Department for Children and Families has created a quick and easy way for adults, families and schools to see what services are available.
Gardner Edgerton Unified School District 231 and Dodge City USD 443 have received the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Turnip the Beet award for the 2022 program year.
The Kansas Parents as Teachers (KPAT) program grant application packet for the 2023-2024 school year is now available online and will be emailed to all current PAT program coordinators, said Lisa Williams, Parents as Teachers consultant for the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE).
The Kansas State Department of Education’s Special Education and Title Services (SETS) team would like to congratulate Westview Elementary School, Olathe Unified School District 233, and Hillsboro Elementary School, Durham-Hillsboro-Lehigh USD 410, for receiving ESEA (Every Student Succeeds Act) Distinguished Schools awards.
This year, 179 systems are going before the Accreditation Review Council (ARC) and the Kansas State Board of Education to receive an accreditation rating.
The Kansas State Board of Education on Feb. 14 adopted proposed amendments to teacher licensure regulations, including changes to the names of some licenses, adding endorsements and deleting some requirements.
The Licensed Personnel Report (LPR) is due on March 3.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief (ESSER) team has established June 1, 2023, as the deadline to submit all fully allocated ESSER II plans.
The last three years have brought a surge of much needed federal relief aid to Kansas school districts, but those new funds come with a variety of conditions and requirements that will all be monitored for compliance.
The Kansas State School for the Blind will host an open house for its interactive Preschool Enrichment Program from 3-6 p.m. April 14.
The Kansas Department of Commerce is encouraging cities and counties to take a fresh look at Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding in 2023.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) is seeking information on the KSDE Great Ideas in Education Conference through a survey.
An additional date and location for commercial driver’s license (CDL) proxy testing and Entry-Level Driving Training (ELDT) Theory has been created.
February
23-24: 41st annual Kansas Division for Early Childhood Conference in Wichita. Educators and service providers can earn continuing education units. Lunch is provided. Ellen Drolette, author of “Overcoming Teacher Burnout in Early Childhood,” is the keynote speaker. Registration: https://cvent.me/Wq7WL7.
School districts interested in hosting a Visiting International Teacher (VIT) in the 2023-2024 school year must complete the letter of intent available at: https://www.ksde.org/Agency/Division-of-Learning-Services/Career-Standards-and-Assessment-Services/Content-Area-M-Z/World-Languages/Visiting-International-Teachers.
Kansas State Board of Education members at their February meeting honored two Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) schools, discussed proposed regulation changes that reflect recently approved changes to graduation requirements and approved changes to teaching licensure regulations.
Greenbush, ESSDACK and Orion service centers have partnered to create a social-emotional learning (SEL) video resource library for paraprofessionals.
Two recorded webinars and accompanying resources from Dr. Suzanne Adolf, a dyslexia and language disorder researcher, are available on the Professional Learning section of the KSDE Early Literacy/ Dyslexia page.
There is a new Kansas State Department of Education policy for extending an Initial Teaching License if it expires the same semester a mentoring program will be completed.
The deadline for the 2023-2024 Kansas Preschool Pilot (KPP) grant renewal is quickly approaching – renewal applications are due Friday, Feb. 17.
The Kansas Department of Agriculture is expecting to receive $327,000 from the United State Department of Agriculture to fund projects that will enhance the competitiveness of the Kansas specialty crop industry.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s School Bus Safety Unit is offering a five-hour informational workshop for any mechanic performing the Part I Mechanical School/Activity Bus Safety Inspection.
Join the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) and K-State Olathe for a science summit centered around the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and Storyline process.
Prospective school bus drivers are invited to commercial driver’s license (CDL) proxy testing and an Entry-Level Driving Training (ELDT) Theory event.
Science professional development will take place Feb. 20 in six regions across Kansas.
Additional dates and locations have been added for the Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) in-person dyslexia professional learning.
Calendar of Events
Michael Regan, administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), made a stop in Alma on Wednesday, Feb. 8, to highlight the efforts and partnerships to decarbonize America’s school bus fleets.
Below is a list of House and Senate bills that the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) is following:
The Kansas State Board of Education will meet Feb. 14 at the Landon State Office Building, 900 S.W. Jackson, Suite 102, in Topeka to act on licensure regulations and a joint resolution with the Kansas Board of Regents regarding dual credit courses.
The Kansas Annual CTE Conference: Connect the Dots offered 500 educators the opportunity to learn more about Individual Plans of Study (IPS) and work-based learning and to hear from two national guest speakers.
Please share this opportunity with families of children ages birth to 5:
It is time for virtual schools to begin preparations for the 2023-2024 school year.
The Accreditation Advisory Council had its first meeting of the 2023 calendar year from 9 a.m. to noon via Zoom.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Career, Standards and Assessment Services (CSAS) team is seeking individuals to join the 2023 KSDE Teacher Leaders group.
The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) team at the Kansas State Department of Education will host Zoom office hours from 10-10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15.
oin the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) and K-State Olathe for a science summit centered around the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and Storyline process.
SPARK funding announced in late December is being administered through the Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund under the Child Care Capacity Accelerator grant program.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) is hosting workshops for the 2023 Kansas 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) grant competition.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) is sponsoring a six-hour virtual professional development opportunity focused on the science of reading on Feb. 13.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) and College Board have partnered to offer statewide informational sessions on AP Seminar: English 10.
Teachers, school administrators, food service workers, paraprofessionals, school psychologists and social workers are coming together with one common goal – to learn how to identify and offer support to students who are showing signs of mental illness and substance abuse disorders.
Kansas celebrated its 162nd birthday on Jan. 29, and a Kansas Tourism campaign is paying homage to not only Kansas but also to the state song, which is 150 years old.
As Kansas students continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Laura Kelly announced earlier this week the creation of the Kansas Education Enrichment Program (KEEP), which will provide qualifying parents and guardians with a one-time $1,000 award per child to pay for educational goods and services, such as tutoring and school supplies.
February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month®, which celebrates the value of CTE and the achievements and accomplishments of CTE programs across Kansas and the nation.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Safe and Supportive Schools Conference earlier this week drew more than 200 people to Manhattan.
All personnel employed in a local food service operation that participates in federal Child Nutrition Programs must complete Kansas State Department of Education-approved food safety training.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s Civic Advocacy Network application is now open for school-level submissions at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe9IgQ0phYzSvkTuca3dM_8DdR-AtW0ptmOoERvDuuU5dt15A/viewform?usp=sf_link.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Teacher Licensure team has released a new Educator Data Collection System (EDCS) training video.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) is excited to offer a grant opportunity that can help support existing and potential HOSA – Future Health Professionals chapters and also support high-quality health science instruction.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) is conducting a 2023 Kansas 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) grant competition.
Additional dates and locations have been added for Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) in-person dyslexia professional learning.
Is your community working to address a need for child care. If so, join the All In For Kansas Kids webinar at noon Wednesday, Feb. 8.
School districts are invited to participate in an informational session about hosting a Visiting International Teacher (VIT) in the 2023-2024 school year. The webinar will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10.
Because of the interest in AP Seminar: English 10, the Kansas State Department of Education and College Board have added two experience workshops – one from 1-4 p.m. Feb. 9 at Smoky Hill Education Center and one from 9 a.m.-noon Feb. 10 at the Landon State Office Building in Topeka.
Eight of the top educators in Kansas came to Topeka earlier this week to be recognized by the Kansas House and Senate, learn from education leaders and present at a joint meeting of the House and Senate Education Committees.
The first-floor rotunda of the Kansas State Capitol was busy Thursday, Jan. 26, as dozens of people gathered for the seventh annual School Mental Health Advocacy Day.
Join the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) each Wednesday in February for Wellness Wednesdays via Zoom to assist Kansas schools in implementing wellness policies and creating a healthier school environment.
As systems begin scheduling their on-site visits for accreditation, the Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Accreditation and Design (AD) team wanted to send out a reminder regarding the Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) reporting expectations for this year.
In August of 2022, the Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Accreditation and Design (AD) team hosted a beginning-of-the-year kickoff for all systems.
The path to leading the world in the success of each student starts in early childhood, long before a 5-year-old child begins kindergarten.
The Kansas Volunteer Commission is excited to announce its 2023 mini-grant series, which includes seven separate mini-grant competitions. Eligible entities include public or private nonprofit organizations, school districts, institutions of higher learning, government entities and Native American tribes.
Nominations are being sought for this year’s School Social Worker of the Year and Champion for Children awards.
The Kansas Volunteer Commission announces monthly webinars on mentoring, volunteerism and civic engagement topics.
Kansas Day is right around the corner, and Kansas Tourism is continuing its annual celebration of the Sunflower State with a top-secret new video that will be released at 7 a.m. Jan. 29.
Fourth grade teacher Kristine Becker, of Logan Elementary, Seaman Unified School District 345 in Topeka, received the surprise of a lifetime on Wednesday, Jan. 19, when she was presented with a national Milken Educator Award by the Milken Family Foundation.
To help districts navigate the complex Shared Staff section of the Licensed Personnel Report (LPR), two new PowerPoint presentations have been added to the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) website.
The Kansas State Board of Education will conduct a public hearing at 1:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as possible, on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, in the Board Room of the Landon State Office Building, 900 S.W. Jackson Ave., Suite 102, Topeka, Kansas, to consider the adoption of proposed rules and regulations of the Kansas State Board of Education on a permanent basis.
A review of the 2023-2024 Kansas Preschool Pilot Grant Application, including FAQs regarding Preschool Revenue Calculator and Budget Template, will be available via Zoom at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023. Click here to register.
Quarterly reporting for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds will close Friday, Jan. 20.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Special Education and Title Services (SETS) Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) team is providing this reminder about the use of premium pay:
The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is looking for sponsors willing to provide nutritious meals to Kansas children during the summer months.
Did you know that the Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Safe and Secure Schools Unit is available for trainings on a variety of topics, including safety drills and incident command systems?
The Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) team will host office hours via Zoom on Wednesday, Jan. 25.
School staff members are invited to attend the Kansas State Department of Education’s Safe and Supportive Schools Conference on Jan. 30-31 in Manhattan.
Preparations are underway for the 40th annual Governor’s Scholars Award program, which will take place Sunday, May 7, in Topeka at Washburn University’s Petro Allied Health Center, Lee Arena.
The January 2023 Kansas State Board of Education meeting brought with it several changes.
Kansas State Department of Education staff members will give an overview of the CTE (Career and Technical Education) Scholar program and walk through the application process from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, via Zoom.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief team will host office hours via Zoom on Wednesday, Jan. 25.
Even if no students attended through remote learning this past semester, your district should complete and submit the Remote Learning Report that was due Jan. 1, 2023. If no students attended through remote learning, simply check the box directly underneath the certification and submit the report.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s Special Education and Title Services ESSER team is providing this reminder about the use of premium pay:
Quarterly reporting for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds opened on Tuesday, Jan. 3, and will close Friday, Jan. 20.
Friday, Jan. 13, is the last day to submit the third annual reporting survey for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds.
Professional development and mentoring plans are due to the Kansas State Department of Education by Aug. 1. Districts may begin turning in plans beginning March 1.
The Kansas Preschool Pilot Renewal Grant Applications for the 2023-2024 school year are due by 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17.
Nominations are being sought for the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Advisory Board.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s Accreditation and Design (AD) team hosted its monthly Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) update, which took place via Zoom on Tuesday, Jan. 10.
The Kansans Can Star Recognition Program is now in its fourth year of recognizing school districts for the great work taking place to help the state achieve its vision of leading the world in the success of each student.
Thirty-two educators from Kansas are being recognized for their outstanding teaching skills through the 2023 Kansas Horizon Award program.
Several state agencies are partnering for the Early Childhood Transition Task Force, which is charged with reviewing Kansas’ early childhood programs and developing a roadmap for the creation of a new state, cabinet-level agency focused solely on supporting the success of young Kansans.
The Help Me Grow Kansas project is offering free virtual Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) training in January and March.
A grant opportunity is available so that FCCLA advisers can attend a pre-conference session of the Kansas Annual CTE Conference for free on Monday, Feb. 6, at the Hilton Garden Inn Conference Center in Manhattan.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s Accreditation and Design (AD) team will host its monthly Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) update from 9-9:45 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10, via Zoom (register here).
The Kansas Multi-Tier System of Supports (MTSS) and Alignment preschool team is offering a free in-person professional development opportunity with Dr. Mary Louise Hemmeter in Hays and Topeka.
The 2023 Jump Start Your Success in School Nutrition Programs offers a blend of in-person, live virtual and on-demand personalized training opportunities for new and aspiring school food service directors and managers.
The timeline for submitting Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) documents is as follows:
The Preschool-Aged At-Risk Approval Form for the 2023-2024 school year is now available on KSDE’s Preschool Programming Webpage, along with the 2023-2024 Preschool-Aged At-Risk Program Requirements and Assurances.
School districts have one week left to submit the third annual reporting survey for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds. The deadline for submissions is Friday, Jan. 13, 2023.
The Educator Data Collection System (EDCS) is now accepting submissions of the Licensed Personnel Report (LPR), which includes the Spring Vacancy Report (SVR).
Three newly elected and two re-elected Kansas State Board of Education members will be honored during a reception at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) new Schools and Nonprofits Program is making $500 million in grant funding available to some of the nation’s highest-need K-12 public schools for critical energy upgrades.
During its regularly scheduled meeting on Dec. 13, 2022, the Kansas State Board of Education started its public hearing to consider the adoption of proposed rules and regulations of the Kansas State Board of Education on a permanent basis.
In partnership with DCCCA and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s (KDHE) Maternal and Child Health program, the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) is offering a new learning experience to help address student mental health needs.
Here is a review of the reporting adjustments made to Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) for the 2022-2023 school year:
There are now two new Educator Data Collection System (EDCS) district training resources available.
Completion of the third annual reporting survey for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds is mandatory to ensure districts continue to receive federal funds without interruption.
ALMA - Wabaunsee Unified School District 329 on Wednesday, Dec. 16, became the first school district in the state to receive two electric buses through the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Clean School Bus Program.
A partnership between the Maize Parents as Teachers program and Maize Unified School District 266 offers the Maize and northwest Wichita community a seamless net of support and allows the district to offer services for newborns all the way to students in 12th grade.
Mallory Jacobs, a school counselor at Whitson Elementary School, Topeka Unified School District 501, was recently named the 2022 School Counselor of the Year by the Kansas School Counselor Association (KSCA).
A new Culinary Quick Bite video from KSDE’s Child Nutrition and Wellness (CNW) team is available for viewing on the KSDE Livemedia YouTube channel.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s Division of Learning Services will have a planning retreat on Friday, Dec. 16 and will be out of the office.
Members from the Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Early Childhood and Child Nutrition and Wellness (Child and Adult Care Food Program – CACFP) teams met Thursday, Dec. 15, to build relationships and learn a little more about the roles each team plays within the agency.
The second Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) Monthly Update took place Dec. 13, and resources from that meeting are now available on the KESA Training webpage.
All Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) III plans should be submitted to KSDE no later than Friday, Dec. 16. Districts may continue to submit a change request for approved plans as necessary for the duration of the grant.
For the 2022-2023 school year, school districts are required to track and report students attending through remote learning. This information is due to the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) twice per year.
On Wednesday, Dec. 14, the KSDE Early Childhood team hosted two Zoom meetings to provide an overview of 2023-2024 preschool funding resources, including the Preschool Revenue Calculator and Budget Template. PowerPoint slides from that presentation are now posted on the KSDE Early Childhood webpage.
At the November 2022 Kansas State Board of Education meeting, State Board members approved new graduation requirements, which has led to many questions. To address many of those questions, the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) has developed a document that answers the most commonly asked questions.
Academic preparedness, chronic absenteeism, 2023 legislative priorities, the Sunflower Summer Program and proposed amendments to licensure regulations were all topics of discussion for Kansas State Board of Education members during their December meeting.
The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) are the highest honors bestowed by the United States government specifically for K–12 science, technology, engineering, and/or mathematics (STEM) teaching. This is a great opportunity to nominate your district’s exceptional STEM teachers. Secondary STEM teachers can also apply this year.
The National School Bus Safety Poster Contest is sponsored each year by the National Association for Pupil Transportation, the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services and the National School Transportation Association.
The Kansas Division for Early Childhood is seeking nominations for five special awards.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s Division of Learning Services will have a planning retreat on Friday, Dec. 16 and many team members will be out of the office.
Dr. Suzanne Adlof will offer two virtual opportunities to learn about connections between dyslexia and language development.
The second Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) Monthly Update will take place Dec. 13.
The Kansas Division for Early Childhood (KDEC) is now accepting applications for mini-grant proposals.
Members of the Kansas State Department of Education’s Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) team will host Zoom office hours from 2-3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s Early Childhood team shared an update regarding preschool funding resources for 2023-2024 on Nov. 10. The 2023-2024 Preschool Revenue Calculator and Budget Template is now available on the KSDE Early Childhood webpage.
Three Kansas State Board of Education members, with a combined 32 years of service to Kansans, are leaving office after the December meeting.
The Accreditation Advisory Council (AAC) met Nov. 7.
Friday, Dec. 2, is National Special Education Day, which commemorates the nation's first federal special education law.
If you missed the fall 2022 Jump Start Your Success in School Nutrition Programs, mark your calendar now to join the Kansas State Department of Education’s Child Nutrition and Wellness (CNW) team for the spring kickoff event Jan. 12 in Salina.
The fiscal year 2023 United States Department of Agriculture Farm to School Grant Request for Applications (RFA) is now available here.
The Healthy Kansas Plate poster, based on the United States Department of Agriculture’s MyPlate, was developed to assist Kansas schools and sponsors in identifying the reimbursable meal and to assist in providing nutrition education to its participants.
The Child Nutrition and Wellness (CNW) team at the Kansas State Department of Education continues to develop new interactive online training classes and tutorials for food service professionals that can be accessed free of charge via the KSDE Training Portal.
The Kansas Legislature requires the Kansas State Department of Education to survey all districts regarding Career and Technical Education (CTE) Pathway courses and credentials.
During the spring 2022 semester, the Kansas State Department of Education’s Accreditation and Design (AD) team held focus groups to gather input and insight from the field regarding Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA).
The deadline to submit all Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) III plans is Friday, Dec. 16.
Janis Olds, an education program consultant for the Kansas State Department of Education’s Special Education and Title Services (SETS) team, is creating a list of primary English Learner contacts in each district.
Two new Educator Data Collection System (EDCS) district training resources are now available.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) Safe and Secure Schools Conference will take place Jan. 30-31 at the Hilton Garden Inn, 410 South 3rd, in Manhattan. This year’s event will feature former Kansas State University Coach Bill Snyder as the closing keynote speaker.
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) Division of Aviation is currently accepting artwork for the 2023 National Association of State Aviation Officials art contest.
Star Assessments spring virtual learning events, which are sponsored by the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE), will take place throughout January, February, March and April via Zoom.
Mark your calendar and plan to join the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) for annual summer development through the Summer Academy for Teachers.
A meeting will take place at 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21, to offer school counselors critical information pertaining to newly updated financial literacy standards.
A text-dependent professional development course will be offered via Zoom from 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays from Jan. 11-Feb. 8.
The path to leading the world in the success of each student starts in early childhood, long before a 5-year-old child walks through a kindergarten classroom door.
The Kansas State Department of Education School Bus Safety Unit will have a Transportation Basics Workshop for transportation directors/supervisors from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 28, 2022, with a break for lunch, which is on your own, in Great Bend.
The Qualtrics district link for the third annual Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) reporting survey has been updated.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Maintenance of Effort (MOE) and Excess Costs Reports are open. The full application will close on Jan. 14, 2023.*
At the Nov. 10, 2022, meeting, the Kansas State Board of Education moved to allow for an extension of the temporary modification to the Emergency Substitute License.
Join one of Amy Jo Jamison’s Zoom sessions during World Nursery Rhyme Week, and you’re likely to leave singing the featured song throughout the rest of the day.
School districts across Kansas and the nation are celebrating American Education Week, Nov. 13-19, in a variety of ways.
After more than a year of discussing graduation requirements for Kansas students, the Kansas State Board of Education last week voted to approve the Graduation Requirements Task Force recommendations.
The Kansas State Board of Education on Thursday, Nov. 10, accepted the Kansas Advisory Council for Indigenous Education Working Group’s mascot reform statement and recommendations.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) invites you to celebrate American Education Week (AEW) with us Nov. 13-19.
As part of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s new “Talk. They Hear You.” campaign to spread awareness about substance use prevention, a new screening tool Screen4Success helps parents and caregivers understand the well-being of their children.
On Tuesday, Nov. 8, the Kansas State Department of Education’s Accreditation and Design team had their monthly update.
The 2022-2023 Kansas Education Directory, which contains the contact and enrollment information for every public and private accredited school and district in the state, is now available online.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) staff members will be hosting two in-person trainings for the annual ESSER report survey.
Early childhood experiences lay the foundation for a child’s future success. The Kindergarten Readiness Kansans Can Star Recognition Rubric can help a district identify priorities in this area.
Thanks to $5.83 million in clean school bus rebates awarded to six Kansas school districts, a total of 17 new clean and zero-emissions buses will be on the state’s roads.
Jasmine Matt hadn’t heard about Parents as Teachers (PAT) when she and her military husband, William, moved to Kansas and the McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita.
Did you know that participating in the Kansas Teacher of the Year program is one of the most important investments you can make in your teaching staff?
The Kansas Technical Assistance System Network (TASN) and Kansas Infinitec Coalition (KIC) are hosting the 16th annual TASN KIC Technology Conference and Outstanding Technology Student Awards Luncheon from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2.
Natalie Johnson-Berry, a member of the 2022 Kansas Teacher of the Year Team and a restorative justice facilitator at Wyandotte High School, is one of five recipients of the Horace Mann Award for Teaching Excellence.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s Child Nutrition and Wellness (CNW) team will host a Tuesday Townhall meeting at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15.
School social workers, social work students and retired social workers from across Kansas gathered Friday, Oct. 28, at the Double Tree Hotel in Lawrence for the Kansas School Social Workers Association's Fall Conference, said Shanna Hailey, coordinator of school mental health on the Special Education and Title Services (SETS) team.
Emergency Safety Intervention (ESI) and Discipline Data Collection are both open in the Kansas Integrated Accountability System (KIAS) so administrators can enter incidents as they occur.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) financial literacy webpage has been updated with new resources for K-12 educators and parents after the Kansas State Board of Education adopted National Standards for Personal Finance Education in July 2022.
The 2021-2022 National School Bus Loading and Unloading Survey report is now available.
The Kansas State Department of Education is seeking reviewers to serve on review teams for higher education preparation programs for each license and endorsement area. Reviews are held in fall and spring semesters, on a seven-year cycle for each college and university.
The third annual reporting survey for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds is now open.
Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) employees took part in the Mountain Plains Crunch Off on Monday, Oct. 31.
Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson on Thursday, Nov. 3, hosted 10 Kansas principals at the Landon State Office Building, 900 S.W. Jackson in Topeka, for the Commissioner’s Principal Advisory Council.
The Kansas State Board of Education will meet next week in Topeka. However, please note the time and date changes.
Nearly 150 Kansas educators will be in Dodge City on Nov. 18-19 to attend the Kansas LEADs (Linking Educators Across Districts) Conference.
Registration is now open for the Kansas Annual CTE Conference, which will take place Feb. 6-8 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Manhattan.
Brian Skinner, the 2023 Kansas Teacher of the Year, is available this year through the Hubbard Foundation Kansas Teacher of the Year Ambassadorship to conduct workshops for school personnel, visit with team members of teachers or serve as a keynote speaker for your school district.
Time is running out for school districts to nominate one exemplary elementary classroom teacher and one exemplary secondary classroom teacher for the 2024 Kansas Teacher of the Year program.
Congratulations to Dr. Mike Argabright, who was named the 2023 Kansas Superintendent of the Year earlier this month by the Kansas School Superintendents’ Association (KSSA).
Susan Severin, a former school psychologist at Emporia USD 253 and a specialized learning services support consultant for Greenbush Education Service Center, was recently named the 2022 Kansas School Psychologist of the Year.
The Kansas State Department of Education would like to remind all systems in their fifth year of the Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) cycle that they must email accreditation@ksde.org with the date of their annual on-site visit as soon as possible.
Kindergarten through fifth grade educators in western Kansas are invited to participate in a full day of professional development on Nov. 14 that will help strengthen their literacy instruction block.
All Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) III plans need to be submitted to the Kansas State Department of Education no later than Friday, Dec. 16.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) would like to remind districts that the Dropout Graduation Summary Report (DGSR) will close Monday, Oct. 31.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) currently has a school bus award opportunity open to districts that own and operate their own fleet.
Do you know what sextortion is and how children are targeted online?
Households with low or no income across the country can still get federal money with the Child Tax Credit – even if they have never filed taxes before (and haven’t filed taxes this year).
Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson spoke with members of the Commissioner’s Superintendent Advisory Council on Tuesday, Oct. 25, in Topeka.
Kansas state assessment results for math have rebounded to near prepandemic performance levels while English language arts have not, Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson shared with the Kansas State Board of Education earlier this month.
Art contest winners of the Great Ideas in Education Conference: The Art of Teaching were announced this week during the Wichita conference.
More than 300 educators made their way to Wichita this week for the Kansas State Department of Education's Great Ideas in Education Conference: The Art of Teaching.
Dr. Jane Groff, executive director of the Kansas Parent Information Resource Center (KPIRC), the KPIRC organization, the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) and the Kansas Technical Assistance Systems Network (TASN) have put together a document that can help guide families on the Social, Emotional and Character Development (SECD) standards.
October
21: ESSER quarterly reporting closes.
25: 9 a.m.-noon, fall professional development for administrators, “Using Star Assessments to Strengthen Data Culture,” Beloit Junior-Senior High School, 1711 N. Walnut St. in Beloit. To reserve a seat, https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfimnqrRcgaFFhMg_4PdOlMYKQ24GWF8flMopVtsVSP3fvJ-Q/viewform.
Congratulations to Julie Scott, principal of R.L. Wright Elementary School, Sedgwick USD 439. On Wednesday, Oct. 19, Scott was announced as one of nine recipients of the Terrell H. Bell Award for Outstanding School Leadership for 2022.
The Kansas State Department of Education Technical Assistance Network (TASN) Autism and Tertiary Behavior Supports team recently announced a professional development opportunity that can help staff members who are new to providing services to students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other complex learning needs.
Intrapersonal curricula, sponsored by the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE), is available for free to Kansas elementary schools.
All Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) III plans need to be submitted to KSDE no later than Friday, Dec. 16.
On Oct. 11, 2022, the Kansas State Board of Education voted to approve the Kansas Purple Star School recognition program.
The program is designed to help schools respond to the educational challenges military-connected children face during their transition to a new school and to keep them on track to be college, workforce and life-ready.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
14: Deadline for completed Horizon application.
18: 9-10 a.m., Star Assessments Virtual Fall Training for Administrators and Teachers, “October Star Burst: Understanding the Screening Data.” To register, Meeting Registration - Zoom.
Smith Center Unified School District 237 administrators and students received a special visit from Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson on Thursday, Sept. 29.
Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson presented his annual report to the Kansas State Board of Education on Oct. 11 during the State Board’s monthly meeting in Topeka.
America’s Safe Schools Week, which is observed Oct. 17-21, is the perfect opportunity for Kansas schools to review and/or enhance their crisis plans.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) is offering a free virtual opportunity that can enhance teacher practice related to structured literacy and the explicit teaching of phonics.
School districts still have time to nominate one exemplary elementary classroom teacher and one exemplary secondary classroom teacher for the 2024 Kansas Teacher of the Year program.
From promoting fresh vegetables at Garden City USD 457 to lunch and a movie at Wichita USD 259, districts across Kansas celebrated National School Lunch Week from Oct. 10-14.
De Soto Unified School District 232 staff members took part in fourth annual Mountain Plains Crunch Off earlier this month.
Anyone who is interested in being a member of an Outside Visitation Team member or OVT chair but couldn’t attend training in September can still become a trained member or chair by taking the following steps:
The ninth episode of HirePaths’ “Cool Careers” features welding as a career choice.
Quarterly reporting for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds closed Friday, Oct. 21.
School districts and Local Education Agencies (LEAs) are required to electronically file their CPA audit report and Single Audit (A-133) report with the Department of Administration, Municipal Services.
All data, including questionnaires administered via paper, pending Family Access screenings and child profiles noting the reason for not participating, is due in the ASQ Online system by Monday, Oct. 10.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s Accreditation and Design team is still waiting for about 100 systems to report when they will host their Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) year five on-site visit.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s Accreditation and Design team will kick off monthly Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) meetings on Tuesday, Oct. 11.
Did you know that Kansas is second only to Iowa in the nation for the portion of energy created by wind?
Quarterly reporting for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds closes Friday, Oct. 21.
Don’t miss the opportunity to attend two and a half days of high-quality professional learning at the Great Ideas in Education Conference – The ART of Teaching Conference, Oct. 19-21 in Wichita.
Sponsors using the Online Kanas Free and Reduce-Price Meal Application must print the applications or store them electronically within 30 days of receiving them.
National School Lunch Week, created by President John F. Kennedy in 1962, is celebrated Oct. 10-14.
Schools can still request an opportunity for students to experience the Virtual Body Venture Exhibit.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s Child Nutrition and Wellness team offers a monthly "Culinary Quick Bites" video.
October 7: 8:30-10:30 a.m. Kansas MTSS and TASN 2022-2023 Preschool Webinar Series: Leadership webinar, “Addressing Challenging Behavior in young Children: The Leadership Role.” Barbara Kaiser. Free book for the first 75 registered. Register here. 10: “Structured Literacy: The 90-Minute Block Party,” Keystone Learning Center, Ozawkie. Register here: http://www.keystonelearning.org.
Science regional professional learning communities are scheduled across the state in November.
The deadline for submitting requests for reimbursement for Mentor Educators was Monday, Sept. 26.
Schools across the state next week are observing Kansas Anti-Bullying Awareness Week.
KanCare wants to make sure it has updated contact information for KanCare beneficiaries.
The fourth annual Mountain Plains Crunch Off will take place Oct. 12.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s Career, Standards and Assessment Services (CSAS) team is collecting names of interested teachers, curriculum leaders, instructional coaches and administrators who would like to participate in the 2024 review/revision of English language arts standards.
Tuesday, Sept. 20, marked the close of the Kindergarten Readiness Snapshot window. This is a good time for district teams to reflect on the start of the kindergarten year. What went well as you partnered with families during this important transition? What might you change for next year?
Systems going through Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) that need additional Outside Visitation Team (OVT) members are in luck.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Teacher Licensure team would like to thank Kansas schools for participating in the recent educator vacancy data collection.
Quarterly reporting for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds opens Monday, Oct. 3 and closes Friday, Oct. 21.
The Dropout Graduation Summary Report (DGSR) opens Oct. 1.
September
23-24: Kansas Teacher of the Leadership Conference, Wichita..
24: Kansas Teacher of the Year Banquet, Wichita.
Applications are now available for the Kansas State Department of Education Association of Educational Office Professionals (KSDE AEOP) Margaret Van Horn Scholarship.
A grant will allow school districts with paid affiliated FCCLA chapters to attend a workshop for free to learn about integrating FCCLA into the Family and Consumer Science (FCS) classroom. It also will provide funding to purchase two national program curriculums, said Pam Lamb, the state FCCLA adviser.
The Annual Kansas Division for Early Childhood (KDEC) conference is scheduled for Feb 23-24, 2023, at the Double Tree by Hilton in Wichita.
Two and a half wonderful days of professional learning are available during the Great Ideas in Education Conference – The ART of Teaching conference, Oct. 19-21 in Wichita.
Kansas Multi-Tier System of Supports and Alignment (MTSS) is offering a four-part preschool webinar series this school year with Barbara Kaiser.
With nearly 180 systems going before the Accreditation Review Council (ARC) this school year, reviews of year five systems for Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) need to begin in November.
Beginning Monday, Oct. 3, the template for professional development plans will be on the Professional Development webpage. It will include guidance on how to update the plan and the template layout to write the plan.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) is inviting district Individual Plan of Study (IPS) implementation facilitators and/or IPS team members to participate in an IPS Professional Learning Network (PLN) that will be convened for the 2022-2023 school year.
The deadline for submitting Mentor Stipend Requests is Monday, Sept. 26.