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The Nov. 7 edition of KSDEweekly is now available for viewing. Read more about how Maize USD 266 has incorporated STEAM concepts into the district's curriculum to boost postsecondary and graduation rates, what the Kansas State Board of Education will be discussing during their November meeting, including the recommendations from the Blue-Ribon Task Force on Student Screen Time. Check out this week's edition for important reminders and new grant opportunities.
Click here to receive KSDEweekly in your inbox. Email ksdeweekly@ksde.org with questions, comments and story ideas.
The Oct. 31 edition of KSDEweekly is now available for viewing. Read more about what attendees learned at the Great Ideas in Education annual conference as well as what several Kansas high school students had to say about what makes a great teacher. Also, read more about what recommendations the Blue-Ribbon Task Force on Screen Time will present during the Kansas State Board of Education's November meeting and how two Kansas districts are maximizing their USDA "Beef for Schools" grant funds to make healthier, tastier meals for their students.
Members of the Kansas State Board of Education will meet on Nov. 12-13, in the first floor board room of the Landon State Office Building, 900 S.W. Jackson, in Topeka.
Click here for an agenda and meeting materials.
The Oct. 23 KSDEweekly is available for viewing. Read more about the first Kansas school bus driver to win first place at the National School Transportation Association School Bus Driver International Safety Competition, an opportunity for school districts to participate in a livestream event featuring civil rights icon Ruby Bridges, a first-day wrap-up of the Great Ideas in Education conference and a reminder the 2026 Kansas Teacher of the Year nominations are due Nov. 8.
Click here to get KSDEweekly sent to your inbox. Email ksdeweekly@ksde.org with questions, comments and story ideas.
The Great Ideas in Education: Lighting the Path Forward conference, hosted by the Kansas State Department of Education, is Oct. 23-25, in Wichita. Attendees can access the conference information here, including the program and breakout sessions. Chris Perry, co-founder of Cultivate Education, will be the keynote speaker.
The Oct. 17 edition of KSDEweekly is now available. Read more about how Rolanda Root, the 2024 KAEA Art Teacher of the Year, provides a creative outlet for her students, what areas districts are encouraged to review during America's Safe Schools Week and the first in a series of stories about KSDE's modernization of the state's student data collection system.
Click here to get KSDEweekly in your inbox. Email ksdeweekly@ksde.org with questions, comments or story ideas.
243 systems recognized through Kansans Can Star Recognition Program
Southern Lyon County USD 252 only district to be recognized in eight areas for four consecutive years
TOPEKA — The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) recognized 243 public school districts and eight private systems through the 2024 Kansans Can Star Recognition Program that has been in place since the 2019-20 school year.
Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson announced the recipients of this year’s awards during the Kansas State Board of Education’s October meeting. The recipients will also be announced and celebrated at KSDE’s annual conference, Great Ideas in Education: Lighting the Path Forward, Oct. 23-25, in Wichita.
The Oct. 10 edition of KSDEweekly is now available. Read more about the 2023-24 Year in Review, KSDE's annual report to the Kansas State Board of Education, a summary of the state board's October meeting, and what anti-bullying resources are available to schools as October is National Bullying Prevention Month. There is also information about how school systems can obtain free COVID tests from the U.S. Department of Education and much more. Be sure to check the calendar for upcoming deadlines, reminders and training opportunities.
Click here to get KSDEweekly sent directly to your inbox. Email ksdeweekly@ksde.org with questions, comments or story ideas.
TOPEKA — Education Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson has announced Kansas literacy rates continue to improve with fewer students scoring in Level 1 on the spring 2024 reading state assessments, marking a second straight year that number has decreased.
“This is good news as one of the state board of education’s goals is to move more Kansas students out of the lowest level of reading,” Watson said. “While the decrease in Level 1 reading results is slight, this is the second year in a row that measure has improved, which tells us we’re on the right track. We expect these results will continue to improve as more teachers transition to structured literacy.”
The Oct. 3 edition of KSDEweekly is now available. Read more about the 2025 Kansas Teacher of the Year, how a Custodians are Key contest finalist improves his school's environment beyond custodial work, and what the Kansas State Board of Education will be discussing during their October meeting. There are also a number of final reminders for some important programs, including the Kansas Horizon Award. Be sure to check the calendar for upcoming deadlines and training opportunities.
Ms. Anstine: “Deliberate reflection is a fundamental principle of my teaching philosophy.”
WICHITA – Elizabeth Anstine, a business teacher at Leavenworth High School, Leavenworth Unified School District 453, was named the 2025 Kansas Teacher of the Year on Saturday, Sept. 28, during a special ceremony in Wichita.
The Sept. 26 edition of KSDEweekly is now available. Read more about the four Kansas schools selected as 2024 National Blue Ribbon schools, the Kansas Math Project offering professional development, preschool teachers invited to learn more about creating standards-based activities for their students and techincal assistance offered for navigating the individual plan of study (IPS) process.
Click here to subscribe and get KSDEweekly sent directly to your inbox. Email ksdeweekly@ksde.org with questions.
Members of the Kansas State Board of Education will meet for their monthly meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 8, and Wednesday, Oct. 9, in the first floor board room of the Landon State Office Building, 900 S.W. Jackson, in Topeka.
Click here for the meeting's agenda and materials.
TOPEKA — Four Kansas elementary schools have been named 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools, U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona announced Monday, Sept. 23.
There are 356 schools across the country that are part of this year’s National Blue Ribbon cohort, including the following in Kansas, recognized in the Exemplary High Performing Schools category:
The Sept.19 edition of the KSDEweekly newsletter is now available. Read more about a Clay County Community High School senior who is working to make sure her peers know they matter, information about the national virtual summit on K-12 school safety and security, the nomination packet for the 2026 Kansas Teacher of the Year and much more.
Click here to get KSDEweekly sent directly to your inbox on Thursdays. Email ksdeweekly@ksde.org with questions.
The Sept. 12 KSDEweekly newsletter is now available. Read more about updates to the at-risk program list, pilot districts and timeline for districts' accountability plans. You can also read more about the progress the Blue-Ribbon Task Force on Student Screen Time is making, the KSDE proposed budgets for FY25 and FY26, ESSER reporting and McKinney-Vento trainings. The nomination packet is also available for the 2026 Kansas Teacher of the Year.
The Sept. 5 KSDEweekly newsletter is now available. Read more about updates to the literacy licensure requirement, Zoom sessions available to districts preparing for the official student Count Day of Sept. 20, a school mental health professional development opportunity and much more.
The Blue-Ribbon Task Force on Screen Time will meet via Zoom, 4-5:30 p.m., on Thursday, Sept. 5.
Access the livestream and agenda here.
Members of the Kansas State Board of Education will meet on Tuesday, Sept. 10, and Wednesday, Sept. 11, in the first floor board room, Landon State Office Building, 900 S.W. Jackson, in Topeka. The board will hold its annual retreat at 1 p.m., on Sept. 11, at the Kansas Health Institute, 212 S.W. 8th Street, in Topeka.
Click here for the September meeting agenda and materials.
The Aug. 29 edition of KSDEweekly, KSDE's external newsletter, is available here.
Read more about three generations of Kansas educators who agree on the key to being a great teacher, the checklist for preparing for the annual KSDE audits, the Accreditation Advisory Council's call for applicants, a webinar that will highlight the work of a Developmental Language Disorder scholar and much more.
The Aug. 22 edition of KSDEweekly, KSDE's external newsletter, is available here.
Read more about the updates to the state's at-risk program, the Kansas Vaping ECHO for Education cohort opportunity, the new school improvement model, early childhood professional development, E-rate and cybersecurity trainings and much more.
The Blue-Ribbon Task Force on Screen Time will be meeting for the first time via Zoom, 4-5:30 p.m., on Thursday, Aug. 22.
In the latest edition of KSDEweekly, you can read more about the Blue-Ribbon Task Force on Screen Time in Schools, view the 2024-25 back to school video, "The News Conference: Dr. Watson answers the tough questions" and read about the accomplishments of the Paola Panther high school robotics team.
The recipients of the Kansas State Department of Education Child Nutrition & Wellness program’s 2023-24 Best Practice awards were announced this week during the Kansas State Board of Education’s August meeting in Topeka.
“The academic achievement and physical well-being of our children in Kansas today will impact the success of our communities, our state and the nation in the future,” said Kelly Chanay, KSDE director of child nutrition and wellness. “Our Kansans Can award winners this year exemplify our collective efforts to provide adequate nutrition and physical activity as the pre-requisite for optimal learning.”
TOPEKA – OZ Museum/Columbian Theatre Foundation, Inc. recently became the tenth nonprofit organization in the state to become accredited as a Service Enterprise - joining the top performing 11% of nonprofits nationwide in volunteer engagement and organizational performance.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) announces the availability of free and reduced-price meals for Kansas children as part of the Child and Adult Care Food Program for the current program year.
The Kansas State Board of Education will meet on Tuesday, Aug.13, and Wednesday, Aug. 14, in the first floor boardroom of the Landon State Office building, 900 S.W. Jackson, in Topeka. Click here for the August meeting agenda and materials.
TOPEKA – Three standout employers in Kansas have emerged victorious in the fourth annual Give Back Kansas Challenge, an initiative designed to promote employee-supported volunteerism across the state.
Sixteen businesses participated in this year’s challenge, categorized by their size: small, medium, and large. The winners for 2024 are:
Hosted by Volunteer Kansas and the Kansas Volunteer Commission, the challenge took place from April 1 to May 31, 2024. Its primary goal was to engage Kansans in community service through their workplace.
Members of the Kansas State Board of Education are expected to vote on the adoption of the model for KESA 2.0, the second iteration of the Kansas Education Systems Accreditation, during their monthly meeting on July 9-10, in Topeka.
Some educators in Kansas will have until 2028 to become trained or pass a test to show they are complying with the science of reading structured literacy requirements to renew their license. Members of the Kansas State Board of Education voted to approve the licensure renewal requirement this week during their June meeting in Topeka.
TOPEKA — The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars has announced three Kansas seniors have been named as 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars.
Members of the Kansas State Board of Education (KSBE) have approved amendments to the Kansas Administrative Regulations (K.A.R.). that govern new minimum high school graduation requirements that will go into effect for the class of 2028, this fall’s incoming freshmen.
After holding a statutorily required public hearing on May 14 on the proposed amendments to K.A.R. 91-31-35, board members voted to approve the amendments during their meeting the next day on May 15.
Members of the Kansas State Board of Education approved amendments to state regulations, K.A.R. 91-31-35, governing minimum graduation requirements during their May business meeting. The new minimum requirements will go into effect this fall for the graduating class of 2028.
TOPEKA — The Confidence in Kansas Public Education Task Force has named 97 schools as recipients of the 2023 Challenge Awards based on criteria met during the 2022-23 school year.
The awards recognize Kansas schools that are making a notable difference in student achievement despite facing significant challenges in their school population. Since its inception in 2002, more than 1,900 awards have been presented to schools across the state.
Twenty-one Kansas employers are competing in this year’s Give Back Kansas Challenge, which runs from April 1 through May 31, 2024. The purpose of the challenge is to engage Kansans in employer-supported volunteering.
Members of the Kansas State Board of Education during their April business meeting signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formally establish the Kansas Advisory Council for Indigenous Education (KACIE). This is a partnership with the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE), Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) and the state’s four Native American tribes.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) announced this week that 92 Kansas high school seniors have earned the recognition as 2024 Kansas Career and Technical Education (CTE) Scholars. The announcement was made during the Kansas State Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, April 9.
Results of the 2023 Kansas Teacher Retention Survey show Kansas teachers feel significantly less engaged than they did in 2021 and are at a higher risk of leaving the profession.
The Kansas State Board of Education at its February meeting approved recommending to the legislature that the five-year research requirement within the current definition of evidence-based instruction be removed from K.S.A. 72-5153.
Taylor Bussinger has a new set of wheels as he gets ready to hit the road to fulfill his duties as the 2024 Kansas Teacher of the Year.
The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is looking for sponsors willing to provide nutritious meals to Kansas children during the summer months.
Thirty-two educators from Kansas are being recognized for their outstanding teaching skills through the 2024 Kansas Horizon Award program.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) will oversee an $8.4 million federal grant awarded to the state to create the Kansas Youth Transition Network, a statewide initiative that will help students with disabilities make the transition from education to employment.
Two Kansas students have been selected as delegates to the 62nd annual United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) that will take place March 2-9, 2024, in Washington, D.C.
The Kansas State Board of Education at its first meeting of the year approved the Kansas Early Learning Standards (KELS), received an update on the Kansas Education Systems Accreditation Framework and learned how the fentanyl crisis is impacting Kansas.
Dr. Frank Harwood, a former teacher, principal and superintendent with 30 years of experience in public education, will begin his duties as Deputy Commissioner of Fiscal and Administrative Services at the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) on Friday, Jan. 12.
The Kansas State Board of Education at its December meeting approved changes to the Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) model that will be implemented in the 2024-2025 school year.
Two Kansas schools are being nationally recognized for exceptional student achievement in 2023.
Kansas State Board of Education members at their November meeting received proposed changes to the current accreditation model that Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) staff members say will better connect school improvement and accreditation, allow for a rapid, personalized response to system needs, and increase accountability and support.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) recognized 242 public school districts and eight private systems through the 2023 Kansans Can Star Recognition Program, the highest number since the program’s inception in the 2019-2020 school year.
The Kansas State Board of Education at its October meeting received the Kansas State Department of Education’s Annual Report highlighting the state’s educational successes and challenges over the past year.
Kansas state assessment results for math are the highest since 2017, and overall, more students are scoring at proficient levels in math and English language arts than last year.
Taylor Bussinger, a social studies teacher at Prairie Trail Middle School, Olathe Unified School District 233, was named the 2024 Kansas Teacher of the Year on Saturday, Sept. 23, during a special ceremony in Wichita.
Four Kansas elementary schools have been designated 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools, U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona announced Tuesday, Sept. 19.
Maehlee Her, a fifth-grade student at McCarter Elementary School, Topeka Unified School District 501, was all smiles as she exited the new inflatable Body Venture exhibit on Thursday, Sep. 7.
Aspiring Kansas educators seeking a standard initial teaching license will no longer have to take the Principle of Learning and Teaching (PLT) pedagogy exam as a requirement for licensure.
Kansas State Board of Education members at their August meeting approved adjusting the current Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) cycle to allow systems to follow the KESA Learning Year timeline for the 2023-2024 school year.
Counting KIDS Workshops are led by Laurel Murdie, director of the Kansas State Department of Education’s Fiscal Auditing team, and continue through Sept. 18. Some workshops were rescheduled and new dates appear below.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) announces the participation of sponsoring agencies in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) for the current program year.v
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) announces the participation of all Kansas school districts and many private schools in the National School Lunch and/or School Breakfast Program.
Fifteen aspiring teachers are on their way to classrooms across the state with the help of the Kansas Registered Teacher Apprenticeship program.
Three Kansas employers have been announced as winners of the third annual Give Back Kansas Challenge.
The Kansas State Board of Education believes in and supports the need for legislative performance audits. They are critical not only for ensuring the fidelity of state agency operations, but for evaluating the clarity and effectiveness of enacted legislation agencies must follow.
The Kansas State Board of Education will conduct its next monthly meeting on Tuesday, July 11 and Wednesday, July 12. Both days will be in Topeka, at the Landon State Office Building, 900 S.W. Jackson St., Suite 102
The agenda and meeting materials are viewable at:
https://www.ksde.org/Board/Kansas-State-Board-of-Education/Agendas-Meeting-Dates-and-Minutes/2023-Meeting-Materials-Minutes
The meeting will be livestreamed for the public to observe and listen.
https://www.ksde.org/Board/Kansas-State-Board-of-Education/Streaming-Media
The Kansas Volunteer Commission has announced that six Kansas nonprofit organizations will join the 2023 Service Enterprise initiative to work toward strategically leveraging volunteers to help them meet their organizational mission more effectively and efficiently.
The Kansas State Board of Education in 2015 announced a new vision for education – Kansas leads the world in the success of each student.
Eight years later, the state is entering the next step to meet that vision.
Character development is an integral part of the educational experience for students at Beloit Unified School District 273. Kansas and the nation are celebrating schools within the district that are doing an outstanding job helping students develop positive character traits.
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.
Two Kansas students are being recognized as 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholars by the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars.
The Confidence in Kansas Public Education Task Force has named 91 schools as recipients of the 2022 Challenge Awards.
OLATHE - Isaac Swindler stands out in a crowd because of his smile, engaging personality, kindness and genuine love for life.
Peace Connections Inc. recently became the eighth nonprofit organization in the state to become certified as a Service Enterprise - joining the top-performing 11% of nonprofits nationwide in volunteer engagement and organizational performance.
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) announced that 261 Kansas high school seniors – the highest number ever - have been named 2023 Kansas Career and Technical Education (CTE) Scholars.
Erin Pittenger, an elementary teacher at St. George Elementary School, Rock Creek Unified School District 323, and Gretchen Elliott, an art teacher at Smoky Valley High School, Smoky Valley USD 400, were named Region 1 finalists for the 2024 Kansas Teacher of the Year award program during a ceremony Saturday, April 1, in Salina.
OVERLAND PARK — Michelle Tapko, a sixth-grade teacher at Roesland Elementary School, Shawnee Mission Unified School District 512, and Taylor Bussinger, a social studies teacher at Prairie Trail Middle School, Olathe USD 233, were named Region 3 finalists for the 2024 Kansas Teacher of the Year award during an awards ceremony Sunday, March 26, in Overland Park.
TOPEKA — Fonda Telthorst, a music teacher at Piper Prairie Elementary School, Piper Unified School District 203, and Cherryl Delacruz, a mathematics teacher at Highland Park High School, Topeka USD 501, were named Region 2 finalists for the 2024 Kansas Teacher of the Year award during a ceremony Sunday, March 26, in Topeka.
WICHITA — Melissa Haney, a science teacher at Explorer Elementary School, Goddard Unified School District 265, and Joanna Farmer, an agriculture teacher at Southeast High School, Wichita USD 259, were named Region 4 finalists for the 2024 Kansas Teacher of the Year award during an awards ceremony Saturday, March 25, in Wichita.
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.
The Kansas State Department of Education today announced it has contracted with IXL Learning to provide schools with a free supplemental instructional program that can help Kansas students improve their math skills.
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.
Douglas County CASA Inc. recently became the sixth nonprofit organization in the state to become certified as a Service Enterprise - joining the top performing 11% of nonprofits nationwide in volunteer engagement and organizational performance.
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.
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 STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION Notice of Public Hearing on Proposed Administrative Regulations 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.
Fourth grade teacher Kristine Becker Yulich of Logan Elementary in Topeka received the surprise of a lifetime today when she was presented with a national Milken Educator Award by the Milken Family Foundation. The prestigious recognition comes with an unrestricted $25,000 cash prize and honors outstanding educators across the country for excellence in and out of the classroom.
The January 2023 Kansas State Board of Education meeting brought with it several changes.
Thirty-two educators from Kansas are being recognized for their outstanding teaching skills through the 2023 Kansas Horizon Award program.
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.
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.
TOPEKA — 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.
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.
Being in the Kansas Capitol building made 13-year-old Jihyeon “Elly” Han “feel so small.” But the eighth grader from Altamont Grade School really is a big deal. She is the first Kansas student to ever win the National School Bus Safety Poster Contest.
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.
Schools across the state next week are observing Kansas Anti-Bullying Awareness Week.
“Overall, education is not something that can be put in a box, and it is not just a list of strategies for someone to implement,” said Brian Skinner, an interrelated special education English teacher at Newton High School, Newton Unified School District 373. “Education is being able to connect with each of your students on an individual level, being able to build them to a place where they can see a realistic and successful future, and teaching the skills that will support adult learning and living. It’s about impacting a life for the better.”
Three Kansas schools have been designated 2022 National Blue Ribbon Schools, U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona announced Friday, Sept. 16.
The Kansas State Board of Education during its September meeting approved an amendment from the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) that would change the classification of senior high schools.
Kansas State Board of Education members during their August meeting conducted a public hearing to consider proposed changes to the Kansas State High School Activities Association’s (KSHSAA) classification of senior high schools.
SATANTA – Located right off of US-56 highway – just an hour from the Colorado border and 30 minutes from the Oklahoma border - this small Kansas community is home to about 1,100 people.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) announces the participation of sponsoring agencies in the Child and Adult Care Food Program for the current program year.
GARDEN CITY - If you ask Serenity Washington how to make homemade ice cream in a bag, she can tell you the ingredients and the detailed process in a matter of moments. It starts with going to the store to buy half and half – if you don’t have any on hand.
The State Board of Education will conduct a public hearing at 9:20 a.m., or as soon thereafter as possible, on Wednesday, Aug. 10, in the board room in Landon State Office Building, 900 SW Jackson St. Suite 102, Topeka, Kansas, to consider proposed changes to the Kansas State High School Activities Association’s (KSHSAA) Rule 5 – classification of senior high schools.
A $100,000 federal grant will help the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) connect child nutrition programs in the state with locally produced flour.
Three Kansas employers have been announced as winners of the Give Back Kansas Challenge.
LONGTON – Last year, during the Elk Valley Unified School District 283 summer program, Jason Russell included plenty of outdoor activities for participants, including archery and fishing.
So, when he surveyed students about what courses he should offer for this year’s program, he thought he would be including the outdoor options again.
He was wrong.
The Kansas State Board of Education took action at its July meeting that will help alleviate the shortage of teachers across the state.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) is partnering with Double Line Inc. to offer a statewide data collection and analytics system that will allow educators to have real-time, actionable insights to guide interventions and programs that can improve outcomes for Kansas students.
A public hearing to consider proposed changes to the Kansas State High School Activities Association’s Rule 5 (classification of senior high schools) has been postponed until the August Kansas State Board of Education meeting. Action on the item will take place in September.
The artwork of Kansas student Jihyeon “Elly” Han will be used to promote National School Bus Safety Week in October after Han’s drawing was named the overall winner of the 2021-2022 National School Bus Safety Poster Contest.
The Kansas State Board of Education approved two motions at its June meeting that will continue to help alleviate a shortage of teachers and substitute teachers in the state.
EMPORIA — As thousands of Kansas students are kicking off their summer vacations with swimming, summer camps and family vacations, 60 high school students from across the state are spending this week at Emporia State University discovering if they want to join the next generation of educators.
An educational program that allowed more than 71,000 Kansans last summer to access museums, zoos, historic landmarks and outdoor locations for free will kick off May 28 with even more venues to help promote family engagement and keep students learning during the summer months.
A successful high school graduate has to be academically prepared to pursue his or her postsecondary plans – whether that is technical school, joining the military, attending a two- or four-year college or going straight into the workforce.
While academics are inarguably important, they alone won’t guarantee a student’s success after high school.
Two Kansas elementary schools are being recognized for their focus on strong character development.
Kansas State Board of Education members received an update from the Kansas Graduation Requirements Task Force on Tuesday, May 10.
Three Kansas students are being recognized as 2022 U.S. Presidential Scholars by the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars.
Two Kansas Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) sponsors received national recognition for their hard work and dedication to child nutrition.
Megan Morgan, a library and media specialist at Oliver Brown Elementary School, Manhattan-Ogden Unified School District 383, was awarded a $25,000 Milken Educator Award on Tuesday, April 26, for her work as an enthusiastic advocate for reading and literacy.
Ten Kansas employers have registered for the second annual Give Back Kansas Challenge. The purpose of the challenge is to engage Kansans in employer-supported volunteering. This annual event is a partnership between the Kansas Volunteer Commission and Volunteer Kansas and runs from April 18 through June 10, 2022.
Ryan Pfeifer, a science educator at Washburn Rural High School, Auburn-Washburn Unified School District 437, received a $25,000 Milken Educator Award for his alternative approach to teaching science during a surprise assembly Tuesday, April 26, in Topeka.
Connection, laughter and learning were all a part of the first Kansas LEADS (Linking Educators Across Districts) Conference that took place earlier this month in the Wichita area. This free event geared toward educators of all grade levels and content areas was the first in a series of conferences that will take place during the next three years, organizers said.
The Confidence in Kansas Public Education Task Force has named 92 schools as recipients of the 2021 Challenge Awards.
Dr. Mischel Miller, director of the Kansas State Department of Education’s Teacher Licensure and Accreditation (TLA) team, told Kansas State Board of Education members during their April meeting it may take some “out-of-the-box thinking” when it comes to teacher staffing shortages.
One-hundred-forty Kansas high school seniors have been named 2022 Kansas Career and Technical Education (CTE) Scholars, the Kansas State Department of Education announced Tuesday, April 12, 2022.
Three Kansas school districts have recently been recognized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service for their outstanding meal programs.
Without the help of two programs, Ricky Prato wouldn’t be where he is today - a licensed special education teacher at Meadows Elementary School, Topeka Unified School District 501.
Kendal Norberg, a fourth-grade teacher at Broadmoor Elementary School, Louisburg Unified School District 416, and Jessica Gazzano, an arts and publications teacher at Woodland Spring Middle School, Spring Hill USD 230, were named Region 3 finalists for the 2023 Kansas Teacher of the Year award during a virtual ceremony Sunday, March 27.
Pamela Munoz, a kindergarten teacher at McCarter Elementary School, Topeka Unified School District 501, and Jaimie Swindler, a special education teacher at Ottawa Senior High School, Ottawa USD 290, were named Region 2 finalists for the 2023 Kansas Teacher of the Year award during a virtual ceremony Sunday, March 27.
Mallory Keefe, a preschool teacher at Cheney Elementary School, Cheney Unified School District 268, and Brian Skinner, an interrelated special education and English teacher at Newton Senior High School, Newton USD 373, were named Region 4 finalists for the 2023 Kansas Teacher of the Year award during a virtual ceremony Saturday, March 26.
Carly Torres, a fifth-grade teacher at Wiley Elementary School, Hutchinson Unified School District 308, and Erica Huggard, a biology, anatomy and physiology teacher at Emporia High School, Emporia USD 253, were named Region 1 finalists for the 2023 Kansas Teacher of the Year award during a virtual ceremony Saturday, March 26.
The Kansas State Board of Education discussed student inclusivity and racial equity during its March 8-9 meeting in Topeka.
Mentor Kansas is searching for five inspiring youth leaders to form a Young Leaders Council. Applications are being accepted now through March 18, 2022, at www.mentorkansas.org.
Two Kansas educators – one from Maize and one from Wichita – are being recognized for their outstanding teaching skills through the prestigious Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) program.
Kansas employers are invited to register for the second annual Give Back Kansas Challenge and encourage their employees to participate in community volunteering.
Nearly 76,000 Kansas students enrolled in Career and Technical Education courses during the 2020-2021 school year. CTE plays a powerful role in preventing students from dropping out of school and provides a wide variety of opportunities for postsecondary success and employment.
The Kansas State Board of Education on Wednesday, Jan. 12, unanimously approved an emergency declaration that allows any individual meeting certain qualifications to apply for a Temporary Emergency Authorized License (TEAL).
Two Kansas students have been selected as delegates to the 60th annual United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) that will take place virtually March 6-9, 2022.
The Kansas Volunteer Commission has awarded a total of $122,276 to seven Kansas volunteer and mentor organizations through the 2022 Volunteer Generation Fund (VGF) grant competition.
To help solve the substitute teacher shortage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kansas State Board of Education on Tuesday, Jan. 11, began discussing an emergency declaration that would allow individuals meeting certain qualifications to apply for a Temporary Emergency Authorized License (TEAL).
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) is partnering with Kansas school districts to develop cybersecurity guidance and recommendations that can help schools from becoming targets for cyberattacks, according to a presentation to the Kansas State Board of Education.
Thirty-two first-year educators from Kansas are being recognized for their outstanding teaching skills through the 2022 Kansas Horizon Award program.
Gov. Laura Kelly announced that Kansas has been selected as one of eight states to participate in a demonstration project utilizing Medicaid eligibility data to certify eligible students for free and reduced-price school meals.
The Kansas State Board of Education at its December meeting received a final report on Literacy Network of Kansas (LiNK), a three-year, $27 million literacy project facilitated by the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE).
Introducing civic engagement opportunities to students at all ages can help ensure they become active and engaged members of their communities upon graduation.
Two Kansas schools are being nationally recognized for exceptional student achievement in 2021.
Having a solid kindergarten transition plan in place can be beneficial to not only an incoming kindergarten student, but also parents, teachers and school staff members.
There is a lot of truth behind the adage, “It takes a village to raise a child.”
A Topeka Unified School District 501 high school student sponsored by Jobs for America’s Graduates-Kansas (JAG-K) will have the opportunity to work for the Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Information Technology team as part of the first Kansas Youth Registered Apprenticeship (YRA) in a Career and Technical Education pathway.
Developmental screenings, such as the Ages & Stages Questionnaires® (ASQ®), for incoming kindergarten students can help teachers ensure their classrooms are ready to support the social, emotional and academic success of each student and can promote positive teacher-parent relationships.
Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson announced the names of more than 100 school districts excelling in outcomes established around the Kansas vision for education during the November Kansas State Board of Education meeting.
More than 100 school districts excelling in outcomes established around the vision for education in Kansas were recognized during the Kansas State Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 9.
While basic skills, such as number and letter recognition, are an important part of kindergarten readiness, there are many more facets to consider, said Amanda Petersen, director of Early Childhood for the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE).
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) is helping introduce more fruits and vegetables to 53,015 Kansas elementary school students through a $3.3 million award to the state.
The EF-5 tornado that struck Greensburg at 9:45 p.m. Friday, May 4, 2007, took 11 lives, injured 63 people and caused about $250 million in damage - leveling about 95% of the town, including the elementary/junior high and the high school.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Lansing Unified School District 469’s counselors, social workers, school psychologists and professional learning committee members would meet a few times per year.
The group went from meeting a few times per year to becoming an active mental health team.
Tabatha Rosproy stood on a stage in Wichita in September 2021, wiping away tears. It was time to turn the reigns of Kansas Teacher of the Year over to a new person and a new team.
Each school day, America’s schools are providing a safe and healthy learning environment for about 55 million public and nonpublic school students. To highlight the importance of a safe and secure school setting, Gov. Laura Kelly has proclaimed Oct. 17-23 as America’s Safe Schools Week.
School transportation employees play an important role in the safety of Kansas children – so to help honor their dedication and expertise, Gov. Laura Kelly designated Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, as School Transportation Appreciation Day.
The Kansas State Board of Education received annual reports from schools, an organization and Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson during their monthly meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 12, and Wednesday, Oct. 13.
Schools across the state are observing Kansas Anti-Bullying Awareness Week from Oct. 4-10. This year’s theme is “Choose Peace.”
Susanne Stevenson, a fourth-grade teacher at Beeson Elementary School, Dodge City Unified School District 443, was named the 2022 Teacher of the Year on Saturday, Sept. 25, during a special ceremony in Wichita.
The 2022 Kansas Teacher of the Year will be announced Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in a special ceremony in Wichita.
Five Kansas schools have been designated 2021 National Blue Ribbon Schools, U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona announced Tuesday, Sept. 21.
Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson kicked off the September 2021 board meeting with his report to the Kansas State Board of Education on Tuesday, Sept. 14.
Topeka Habitat for Humanity is the first nonprofit organization in the state to become Service Enterprise certified, the Kansas Volunteer Commission announced. The prestigious award was approved by Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service.
Parents, educators and community members can stay connected to the latest pre-K-12 education news through “Insight Podcast,” hosted by Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson.
Kansas State Board of Education members received a history lesson on American actress Hedy Lamarr during their August board meeting in Topeka.
Three Kansas school districts and one child care organization were recently honored for outstanding practices in Child Nutrition and Wellness programs that help support the Kansans Can vision.
Topeka Unified School District 501 saw a lot of successes this summer in its students after the district used Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds to offer hands-on summer enrichment camps, credit and unit recovery courses and summer music classes.
Hundreds of Kansans during the first week of the Kansans Can Success Tour gave input on what schools need to help accomplish a change in the state's education system.
A partnership between Concordia Junior-Senior High School and KNCK Radio is helping some Concordia teens decide if journalism is the career path they want to take.
The Sunflower Summer program is seeing a lot of success since it launched just a few weeks ago.
Seven organizations have been selected to join the 2021 Kansas Service Enterprise initiative to work toward achieving their Service Enterprise (SE) certification, the Kansas Volunteer Commission announced.
Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson and Deputy Commissioner Dr. Brad Neuenswander are conducting 50 community conversations throughout the state on their Kansans Can Success Tour, which kicks off July 26.
Kansas State Board of Education members had an opportunity to hear social-emotional success stories during their July meeting.
Kansas received more than $1.8 million in funding to help 243 AmeriCorps members meet local needs across the state, the Kansas Volunteer Commission announced Thursday, July 15.
Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson and Kansas State Board of Education members on Wednesday, July 14, announced $15 million in funding to address early literacy.
The subject of critical race theory is currently dominating media headlines and daily conversations for many. Just as we teach our Kansas students to be judicious consumers of information, we encourage all Kansans to educate themselves on what critical race theory (CRT) is and what it isn’t.
Twelve schools are joining the Kansans Can School Redesign Project as the Apollo III cohort, the sixth and final phase of the project.
Excitement and laughter filled the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center in Topeka earlier this summer as students from Clay County Unified School District 379 used their imaginations to make and sell lemonade, build skyscrapers with blocks, shop for groceries and change the tires on a bright red car.
A new program will help children stay engaged in learning throughout the summer months while spending quality time with family members and friends touring some of Kansas’ greatest attractions – all for free.
Having a solid Individual Plan of Study (IPS) in place for each student at Piper Unified School District 203 has helped students choose courses that align to their interests and has increased participation in the district’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathway.
Five years ago, Perry-Lecompton Unified School District 343 was looking at ways to address a declining enrollment and effectively utilize open classroom space created by that declining enrollment, said J.B. Elliott, superintendent.
Students at Winfield Unified School District 465 begin learning the importance of civic engagement at an early age – even before kindergarten.
Computer science can now be counted as a core math or science credit toward high school graduation.
Computer science can now be counted as a core math or science credit toward high school graduation. The Kansas State Board of Education voted to approve the recommendation Tuesday, June 8, during its monthly meeting in Topeka.
The Kansas State Board of Education will conduct its next monthly meeting Tuesday, June 8, and Wednesday, June 9, in Topeka (Landon State Office Building, Board Room, Suite 102).
Five years ago, Andrea Dix, a Stockton Grade School teacher, was focused on math and science curriculums and standards. She cared about her students, but she didn’t think she had the time to develop relationships with them.
In a world that recently has been filled with so many struggles and challenges, Jaqui Ortega wanted to acknowledge the beauty all around her. She found it in the halls of her high school in southeast Topeka – and she is sharing it with the world.
Dr. Stephen King, a computer science education program consultant for the Kansas State Department of Education, presented a recommendation to the Kansas State Board of Education that computer science be counted as a core math or science credit. The recommendation took place during the State Board’s May 11 meeting in Topeka. The board also met Wednesday, May 12, for tours of the Kansas State School for the Blind in Kansas City and the Kansas School for the Deaf in Olathe.
Three Kansas students have been named 2021 U.S. Presidential Scholars by the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars.
Stockton Grade School, Stockton Unified School District 271, was recognized as a 2021 Kansas School of Character on Tuesday, May 11.
Three mathematics educators and three science educators have been named 2021 state finalists for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).
For eight years, Ashley Bates-Crowley longed to hear her son say “mama” again. The last time she heard him say it, he was nearly 3 years old, and it was shortly before tubes were placed in his ears.
The sand slips slowly through Carter Willard’s fingers. He is delighted by the feel. Children around him on the playground may be swinging or climbing up stairs to a slide. Not Carter.
Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson announced the districts being recognized for the 2020 Kansans Can Star Recognition Program during the Kansas State Board of Education meeting Tuesday, April 13, 2021.
A new partnership between the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) and Shop Kansas Farms is a winning situation for schools, producers and students.
The Kansas State Board of Education will conduct a special meeting through video conference at 10 a.m. Monday, April 19, for the purpose of discussing and acting on expenditure plans for federal COVID-19 relief funds through Emergency Assistance for Non-Public Schools.
Fifty Kansas high school seniors have been named 2021 Kansas Career and Technical Education (CTE) Scholars, the Kansas State Department of Education announced Tuesday, April 13, 2021.
Numerous school districts excelling in outcomes established around the vision for education in Kansas were recognized during the Kansas State Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, April 13.
A tool designed to meet the communication needs of children with autism has empowered an Ottawa third-grade student
Amanda Ketterling, a library media specialist at Bonner Springs Elementary School, Bonner Springs Unified School District 204, and Natalie Johnson-Berry, an English teacher at Shawnee Mission North High School, Shawnee Mission USD 512, were named Region 3 finalists for the 2022 Kansas Teacher of the Year award during a virtual ceremony Sunday, March 28. This award recognizes excellent teaching in the elementary and secondary classrooms of the state.
Megan O’Neill, a fourth-grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary School, Ottawa Unified School District 290, and Helen (Lisa) Martinez, a Spanish teacher at Seaman High School, Seaman USD 345, were named Region 2 finalists for the 2022 Kansas Teacher of the Year award during a virtual ceremony Sunday, March 28. This award recognizes excellent teaching in the elementary and secondary classrooms of the state.
Laurel Thisius, a fourth-grade teacher at Cheney Elementary School, Cheney Unified School District 268, and Kristin Salazar, a business and Career and Technical Education (CTE) teacher at Eisenhower High School, Goddard USD 265, were named Region 4 finalists for the 2022 Kansas Teacher of the Year award during a virtual ceremony Saturday, March 27. This award recognizes excellent teaching in the elementary and secondary classrooms of the state.
Susanne Stevenson, a fourth-grade teacher at Beeson Elementary School, Dodge City Unified School District 443, and Amber Carithers, an English language arts teacher at Hutchinson High School, Hutchinson USD 308, were named Region 1 finalists for the 2022 Kansas Teacher of the Year award during a virtual ceremony Saturday, March 27. This award recognizes excellent teaching in the elementary and secondary classrooms of the state.
Teachers nominated for the 2022 Kansas Teacher of the Year program will be honored March 27-28 during virtual ceremonies.
The Kansas State Board of Education recognized the two National Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Distinguished Kansas schools during its monthly board meeting March 9-10.
The Kansas Volunteer Commission has awarded $120,000 in funding to eight Kansas volunteer and mentor organizations through the 2021 Volunteer Generation Fund (VGF) grant competitio
Two Kansas students have been selected as delegates to the 59th annual United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) that will take place virtually March 14-17, 2021.
Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson has created a task force to offer guidance and oversight of school districts’ plans for expenditure of federal funds focused on supporting student learning and student needs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Kansas State Board of Education members approved a new guidance document to help support schools successfully complete the 2020-2021 school year while simultaneously preparing for the 2022-2022 school year.
Five Kansas State Board of Education members took part in a ceremonial swearing-in Tuesday, Jan. 12, via Zoom.
TOPEKA — Thirty-two first-year educators from Kansas are being recognized for their outstanding teaching skills through the 2021 Kansas Horizon Award program.
Gov. Laura Kelly signed a proclamation declaring January 2021 as Mentoring Month in Kansas to coincide with National Mentoring Month.
Kansas State Board of Education members at their December virtual meeting accepted a recommendation to modify the Navigating Change guidance to allow for elementary school students to remain in an in-person or hybrid learning environment even when county metrics recommend a remote only learning environment – if school districts adhere to established safety protocols.
Two Kansas schools are being nationally recognized for exceptional student achievement in 2020.
Kansas State Board of Education members in honor of American Education Week, Nov. 16-20, accepted a resolution supporting all of the dedicated school personnel in Kansas in recognition of their hard work, sacrifices and commitment, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Kansas State Board of Education signed and approved a resolution thanking all school personnel in Kansas for their hard work, sacrifices and commitment, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic
Forty-five teacher education students from 23 Kansas colleges and universities have been recognized as Teachers of Promise by the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE).
Ensuring all schools are safe and secure is important in meeting the needs of students and providing quality education. However, school safety includes more than secured doors and a safe schools plan. It also includes the mental health of students and educators, feeling safe in remote learning environments and monitoring a child’s internet and technology usage.
School bus transportation employees play an important role in the safety of Kansas children. There were 4,043 bus drivers during the 2019-2020 school year who transported 223,705 Kansas students more than 60.5 million miles. In order to honor their dedication and expertise, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly designated Oct. 21 as School Transportation Day.
The Kansas State Board of Education at its October 2020 meeting approved an emergency declaration removing the restrictions on the number of days a substitute can teach in any one assignment through June 30, 2021.
The Kansas Volunteer Commission is seeking organizations to apply for 2021-2022 AmeriCorps Kansas funding.
Schools across the state are observing Kansas Anti-Bullying Awareness Week from Oct. 5-11. This year’s theme is “Choose Peace.”
The Kansas Volunteer Commission, a program of the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE), has awarded 35 organizations funding to support volunteer and mentor initiatives designed to respond to changing community needs created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Six Kansas schools have been designated 2020 National Blue Ribbon Schools, U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced Thursday, Sept. 24.
The Kansas Volunteer Commission (KVC) is announcing funding of up to $100,000 to expand the capacity of Kansas community-based entities that effectively use volunteers and mentors as catalysts to address community issues.
Kansas State Board of Education members at their September meeting accredited El Dorado Unified School District 490 through the Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) and conditionally accredited public system Paola USD 368 and private system Hope Lutheran.
After 53 years of serving the state of Kansas and its students, Deputy Commissioner Dale Dennis is retiring effective Sept. 30, 2020.
Eight Kansas school districts, three organizations and a group of leaders were honored Tuesday, Sept. 8, for outstanding practices in Child Nutrition and Wellness programs that help support the Kansans Can vision.
Six AmeriCorps Kansas programs, funded by the Kansas Volunteer Commission, have completed more than 50,000 service hours responding to the needs of Kansans during the time of COVID-19.
Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson was surprised Friday, Aug. 28, with the USA-Kansas Outstanding Service Award during the organization’s virtual annual conference.
The Kansas Volunteer Commission (KVC) awarded a total of $3,900 to eight organizations to support Sept. 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance.
Two Kansans are among 107 educators being recognized as national finalists for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) program – the nation’s highest honor for math and science teaching.
The names of the schools and districts taking part in the Kansans Can School Redesign Project: Apollo II were announced during the July Kansas State Board of Education meeting.
The Kansas State Board of Education on Wednesday, July 15, accepted a guidance document developed to help schools reopen safely and deliver education through multiple learning environments as the need arises.
Sixteen schools are joining the Kansans Can School Redesign Project as the Apollo II cohort, the fifth phase of the project.
A federal grant will help the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE), the Kansas Farm Bureau and Kansas State Research and Extension work together to bring more fresh, local foods into schools.
In order to better align the Kansas Teacher of the Year program with the national program, the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) recently announced some changes to the program’s timeline.
The Kansas State Board of Education at its June meeting approved the recommendations of the Accreditation Review Council (ARC) and awarded accreditation to Wichita Unified School District 259; Solomon USD 393; Eudora USD 491; and the Kansas School for the Deaf.
The recent death of George Floyd has left us stunned, sad, angry and bewildered.
The Kansas Volunteer Commission (KVC), a program of the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE), has awarded 27 organizations funding to support volunteer initiatives designed to respond to changing community needs created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Grant awards range between $500 to $1,000, and projects must take place prior to June 30, 2020.
Kansas remains optimistic that its school buildings will reopen in the fall. However, the lingering impact of COVID-19 will impact the opening in a variety of ways. Kansas schools will have to be prepared for any scenario that comes their way in the fall.
Two Kansas students have been named 2020 U.S. Presidential Scholars by the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars.
Tabatha Rosproy, an early childhood educator at Winfield Unified School District 465, is the 2020 National Teacher of the Year (NTOY), the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) announced Thursday, May 21.
Complete High School Maize, Maize Unified School District 266, has been designated a 2020 National School of Character, Character.org announced Friday, May 15, in Washington, D.C.
TOPEKA — Complete High School Maize, Maize Unified School District 266, was recognized as a 2020 Kansas School of Character on Tuesday, May 12.
For two hours on Wednesday, May 6, Matt Berthot, a Winfield High School vocal music teacher, and several of his students hope to bring a little hope and joy to Kansans through their Virtual Voices choir performance.
The last weeks of a senior’s high school journey should be filled with solidifying plans for the future, donning formalwear for prom and celebrating graduation with friends and family. Instead, the Class of 2020 is navigating uncharted territory.
The Confidence in Kansas Public Education Task Force has named 92 schools as recipients of the 2019 Challenge Awards.
Kansas’ students will receive supplemental education content via television thanks to an alliance between the Kansas State Department of Education, the Continuous Learning Task Force and the Kansas Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).
Fifty-seven Kansas high school seniors have been named 2020 Kansas Career and Technical Education (CTE) Scholars, the Kansas State Department of Education announced Tuesday, April 14, 2020.
Teachers across Kansas welcomed their students to Continuous Learning on Monday, March 30, through a variety of creative ways. An Olathe Unified School District 233 second-grade teacher went above and beyond by making signs and placing them in each of her students' yards.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s Child Nutrition and Wellness team and school districts across the state are teaming up to keep Kansas children fed.
Because of unprecedented circumstances created by COVID-19, the Kansas Volunteer Commission and Volunteer Kansas announced Thursday, March 19, that the Give Back Kansas Challenge will be postponed until summer 2020.
School buildings may be closed across the state, but learning can happen anytime and anywhere. That was the message from members of the Continuous Learning Task Force on Thursday, March 19.
Unprecedented circumstances that threaten the safety of our students and the professionals who work with them every day require swift, thoughtful and coordinated action. On Tuesday, March 17, Gov. Laura Kelly announced that school buildings across the state must be closed for the duration of this school year for the purpose of general student and staff attendance. However, learning will continue for Kansas students.
Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson has convened a Continuous Learning Task Force to consider options as we move forward.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) remains in regular contact with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) as we monitor and address the spread of COVID-19, also known as coronavirus.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) today released a report on the Kansans Can School Redesign Project, now in its fourth year.
TOPEKA — Students at 21 schools will have better access to breakfast after a total of $55,965 in subgrants was awarded to 18 districts across the state.
The Kansas State Board of Education approved the Kansas model standards for handwriting, kindergarten through sixth grade, as recommended by the Kansas Handwriting Model Standards review team during its February 2020 meeting.
Kansas employers are invited to register for the second annual Give Back Kansas Challenge and encourage employees to participate in community volunteering.
More than 169,330 Kansas students enrolled in Career and Technical Education courses during the 2018-2019 school year. CTE plays a powerful role in preventing students from dropping out of school and provides a wide variety of opportunities for postsecondary success and employment.
National School Counseling Week, which takes places Monday, Feb. 3, through Friday, Feb. 7, highlights the tremendous impact the nearly 1,300 licensed public school counselors in Kansas have in helping students achieve success.
The Kansas State Board of Education at its January 2020 meeting approved recommendations from the Kansas Blue Ribbon Task Force on Bullying to help combat the issue in Kansas.
Tabatha Rosproy, the 2020 Kansas Teacher of the Year, is one of four finalists for the 2020 National Teacher of the Year, the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) announced Thursday, Jan. 16.
Two Kansas students have been selected as delegates to the 58th annual United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) that will take place March 7-14, 2020, in Washington, D.C.
Carly Bowden, a math teacher at Andover Central Middle School, received the 2019-2020 Milken Educator Award during a surprise ceremony Jan. 9, 2020, at the school.
Thirty-two first-year educators from Kansas are being recognized for their outstanding teaching skills through the 2020 Kansas Horizon Award program.
The Kansas State Board of Education approved the recommended tobacco-free school policy developed by the E-cigarette/Vaping Task Force during its meeting Dec. 10-11 in Topeka.
Two Kansas schools are being nationally recognized for exceptional student achievement in 2019.
Longtime state employee Dale Dennis is one of two Kansans being honored as a Kansan of the Year, the Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas recently announced.
Better support and direction for school districts, a continued focus on social-emotional and character development and examining the current state law are just a few of the recommendations to address bullying presented Tuesday, Dec. 10, to the Kansas State Board of Education.
Tabatha Rosproy, a preschool teacher at Winfield Early Learning Center, Winfield Unified School District 465, was named the 2020 Kansas Teacher of the Year on Saturday, Nov. 23, during a special ceremony in Wichita.
In this edition | Feature Story | Assessments and Accountability | Reporting and Operations Standards and Instruction | Student Health and Nutrition | Upcoming Events, Trainings and Recognition
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