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To streamline the customer experience, Renaissance is consolidating their legacy customer support systems for all products, including Nearpod, into a new, comprehensive system. Starting Jan. 1, all support requests will be handled via the new system to provide a more seamless experience for all cases for a customer’s account.
Important note: All Renaissance and Nearpod support emails, website addresses, and phone numbers will remain unchanged so customers can continue to access support with no downtime in service. Contact Renaissance Support or Nearpod Support with any questions.
Reminder: If your district has not used allocated virtual professional development hours, schedule a session from the Professional Learning Catalog by Dec. 31. To check if this applies to your district, watch the recording at the 1:37 time stamp. Please note: You do not need to hold the session by Dec. 31, but you must schedule it before then so that it does not expire.
Contact scheduling@renaissance.com for more information and/or schedule sessions here.
If you are interested in a FastBridge session below, but are unable to join, use the Newsletter Engagement Form to request additional dates and times using option #5.
Veteran educators, anyone considering a career in education, and anyone in between is invited to Bethany College’s education conference, on Feb. 8.
The deadline to register is Jan. 18.
Spanish teachers are invited to a retreat, April 11-13, to immerse themselves in the Spanish language for a weekend.
The objective is to duplicate the experience of spending the weekend in a Spanish-speaking country engaging in pedagogical activities completely in Spanish. Colombia is the theme for the 2025 retreat.
Reminder: If your district has not used allocated virtual professional development hours, schedule a session from the Professional Learning Catalog by Dec. 31. To check if this applies to your district, watch the recording at the 1:37 time stamp. *Please note: You do not need to hold the session by Dec. 31, but you must schedule it before then so that it does not expire.
This professional development opportunity is for educators to explore what balanced literacy is and how structured literacy is different.
Attendees will learn the “why” and “how” to make the instructional shifts necessary to teach reading and writing in a way that allows more students to be successful.
During training sessions scheduled for December and January, English language arts (ELA) teachers for grades 3–12 will learn what text complexity is, why complex text is vital to assist in raising the rigor for our students, and how best to scaffold learning using evidence-based strategies. Structured literacy demands teachers present students with appropriately complex texts, explicitly teaching students to grapple with them.
Attendees will practice identifying appropriately complex text for their students and explore how to effectively scaffold to leverage productive struggle and student success.
As of Nov. 18, Jeff Lancial has been supporting Kansas with FastBridge after joining Renaissance Learning in July. His career includes serving as a teacher, coach and administrator in public schools and leading large-scale, high-stakes, statewide assessment programs. He is committed to continuing the great support educators in Kansas received from his predecessor Sheleena Clark. Contact Jeff at jeff.lancial@renaissance.com.
Reminder: Many districts have virtual hours to use to schedule a session from the Professional Learning Catalog. See if this applies to you by watching the recording at the 1:37 time stamp. You do not need to hold the session by Dec. 31, but you must schedule it before then so that it does not expire.
Bring your questions, your colleagues and an interest in learning about literacy practices that can move your school’s literacy initiatives forward.
English language arts (ELA) teachers for grades 3–12 will learn what text complexity is, why complex text is vital to assist in raising the rigor for our students, and how best to scaffold learning using evidence-based strategies. Structured literacy demands teachers present students with appropriately complex texts, explicitly teaching students to grapple with them.
The Kansas State Department of Education has extended its partnership with Renaissance Learning into the 2025-26 school year. Contact your Account Manager for FastBridge pricing through the state contract.
Many districts have virtual hours they can use to schedule a session from the Professional Learning Catalog. See if this applies to you by watching the recording at the 1:37 time stamp. You do not need to hold the session by Dec. 31, but you do need to schedule it before then so that it does not expire.
Kansas is a member state of the MBA Research consortium and that means there are numerous resources available for free to our business teachers.
During a free webinar from 3:30-4:15 p.m., on Nov. 13, Tammy Cyrus, vice president of professional learning for MBA Research, will lead teachers through creating a state’s connection account and where to find all of the resources that can help in the classroom.
Business teachers, DECA and Future Business Leaders of America advisors are invited to a free online seminar on Nov. 13. Participants will do the following:
Register here. Contact Kathy Camarena, kcamarena@ksde.org, (785) 296-3152, with questions.
Learning Forward Kansas is offering “Keys to Impactful Learning,” a professional development workshop from 9 a.m.-3:15 p.m., on Nov. 20, at Fort Hays State University.
FastBridge is a KSDE-approved universal screener and KSDE-approved screener for dyslexia. KSDE sponsors a variety of in-person and virtual professional learning opportunities to support implementation that are included in the partnership.
To learn more and to register for professional learning, as well as explore resources to support, visit the Kansas Landing Page.
Contact Sheleena Clark, sheleena.clark@renaissance.com, with questions.
Learning Forward Kansas is offering “Keys to Impactful Learning”, a professional development workshop from 9 a.m.-3:15 p.m., on Nov. 20, at Fort Hays State University.
This conference will focus on equipping educational leaders with impactful strategies to elevate their practice, engage staff, and drive impactful professional learning experiences. Principals, curriculum leaders, instructional coaches, and teacher leaders are invited to attend. Cris Seidel, director of the KSDE Educate Kansas teacher recruitment and retention project, will be the keynote speaker.
FastBridge is a KSDE-approved universal screener and KSDE-approved screener for dyslexia. KSDE sponsors a variety of in-person and professional learning opportunities to support implementation that are included in the partnership.
Applications are due Sunday, Oct. 20, for "History for All: Elementary Social Studies and Structured Literacy," a yearlong cohort program to help elementary teachers improve their social studies teaching with historical content, pedagogy and structured literacy.
Kansas MTSS and Alignment is hosting a regional reading road show in October and December.
Attendees will learn about the latest research in Reading for All Pre-K-12th readers and will leave with a plan, resources and practical tools to implement the classroom immediately.
Virtual sessions will be available in November and December to take a deeper dive into QSSSA, an instructional method for all K-12 teachers who are looking for ways to engage their English language learners in academic discussions.
These sessions will highlight and explain in detail each component of the QSSSA strategy: question, signal, stem, share and assess.
If you are interested in a FastBridge session below, but are unable to join, use the Newsletter Engagement Form to request additional dates and times using option #5 on question 4.
Kansas Multi-tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and Alignment is offering an in-person, no cost training session on Nov. 19 for attendees to learn a 5-step research-based behavior intervention protocol to implement across classroom environments.
Pre-K-12 educators are invited to participate in training sessions in October to develop students’ language, understanding, fluency and problem solving across Kansas math standards.
Kansas Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) math specialists and Kansas Math Project facilitators will help participants do the following:
Many districts have virtual hours that they can use to schedule a session from the Professional Learning Catalog. See if this applies to you by watching the recording at the 1:37 time stamp. You do not need to hold the session by Dec. 31, but you do need to schedule it before then so that it does not expire.
The Curriculum-Based Measures(CBM)math Concepts & Applications (CAP) and CBMmath process are two optional probes within the FastBridge math assessment suite often overlooked. Who might benefit from administering one of these assessments, and what types of data do they generate?
Kansas Multi-tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and Alignment is offering an in-person, no cost training session in November for attendees to learn a 5-step research-based behavior intervention protocol to implement across classroom environments.
Veteran educators, anyone considering a career in education, and anyone in between is invited to Bethany College’s education conference, Feb. 8, 2025.
Click this link to register by Jan. 18: https://www.bethanylb.edu/education-conference
Every district must have a district test coordinator and each district test coordinator is required to attend annual security and ethics training before training all other district staff involved in administering state assessments.
Each training session will be 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Many districts have virtual hours they can use to schedule a consultant-led FastBridge or Star session. See if this applies to you by watching the recording at the 1:37 time stamp. You do not need to hold the session by Dec. 31, but you do need to schedule it before then so that it does not expire. Contact scheduling@renaissance.com for more information and/or schedule sessions here.
If you are interested in a FastBridge session below, but would be unable to join, use the Newsletter Engagement Form to request additional dates and times using option #5.
The KSDE TASN School Mental Health Initiative is excited to share the following professional development opportunity: Mindfulness and School-Based Yoga: Tools for the Classroom
Every district must have a district test coordinator and each district test coordinator is required to attend annual security and ethics training before training all other district staff involved in administering state assessments. Each training session will be 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Kansas Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and Alignment announces the upcoming Kansas MTSS & Alignment Leadership Institute, a dynamic, one-day professional development event tailored for building and district leaders in November.
Districts with virtual learning to complete now have until Dec. 31 to schedule your session(s). Check this recording at the 1:37 time stamp to see if this deadline applies to your district. Districts can use their allotted virtual learning for any 60-minute session(s) in the Professional Learning Catalog. You do not need to hold the session by Dec. 31, but you do need to schedule it before then so that it does not expire.
The KSDE TASN School Mental Health Initiative is excited to share the following professional development opportunity:
Mindfulness and School-Based Yoga: Tools for the Classroom
If students are gaining decoding skills and STILL struggling with comprehension, what might be the problem? Join us to learn from a leading scholar about Developmental Language Disorder, or DLD.
KSDE will host a free webinar with Dr. Tiffany Hogan to teach educators about DLD, 4-5 p.m., on Tuesday, Sept. 24. (registration link below). You will learn what this disorder looks like alongside dyslexia; how it may present without dyslexia; and how we might identify it with our youngest of students and get them the help they need before they struggle with comprehension as they get older.
There will be a follow-up panel discussion with Dr. Hogan and Kansas educators and specialists, 4-5 p.m., on Oct. 8.
Contact scheduling@renaissance.com for more information, schedule sessions here, and/or join Sheleena Clark for professional learning office hours for assistance on Sept. 19 in the morning or afternoon.
Are you looking for a specialized professional development opportunity for Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) educators in your district? This two-day training in Salina, Sept. 9-10, is tailored directly to the needs of FCS educators in Kansas and will cover topics like work-based learning in the FCS classroom, managing an effective Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) chapter, methods for running a high-quality FCS program, and much more.
Whether you are a new or veteran test coordinator, make plans to attend one of the mandatory trainings held across the state beginning in September.
Every district must have a district test coordinator and each district test coordinator is required to attend annual security and ethics training before training all district staff involved in giving state assessments.
FastBridge screening assessment measures give instructional teams a wealth of data. Yet, how do teams harness that data to inform instructional practice at the ground-level?
During this free, one-day event, the Kansas Multi-Tier System of Supports (MTSS) and Alignment team will guide districts in navigating several key FastBridge reports to make sense of the data and connect it to specific practices that ultimately impact student learning.
Click this link to register: https://www.bethanylb.edu/education-conference
Are you looking for a specialized professional development opportunity for Family and Consumer Sciences educators in your district? This two-day training in Salina is tailored directly to the needs of FCS educators in Kansas and will cover topics like work-based learning in the FCS classroom, managing an effective FCCLA chapter, methods for running a high-quality FCS program, and much more.
Every district must have a district test coordinator. It also is required that each district test coordinator attend annual security and ethics training before training all district staff involved in giving state assessments.
Veteran educators, anyone considering a career in education, or anyone in between is invited to Bethany College’s education conference, Feb. 8, 2025.
During a no cost, one-day event, the Kansas Multi-Tier System of Supports (MTSS) and Alignment team will guide districts in navigating several key FastBridge reports in order to make sense of the data and connect it to specific practices that ultimately impact student learning.
Calling all school districts – time is of the essence! Check this recording at the 1:37 time stamp to see if your school or district has virtual learning to schedule. You can use yourvirtual learning for any 60-minute session(s) in the Professional Learning Catalog. You can hold the session(s) at any point in the school year, but you do need to schedule it before Sept. 1 so that it does not expire.
Calling all school districts – time is of the essence! Check this recording at the 1:37 time stamp to see if your school or district has virtual learning to schedule. You can use the remaining virtual learning for any 60-minute session(s) in the Professional Learning Catalog. You can hold the session(s) at any point in the school year, but you do need to schedule it before Sept. 1 so that it does not expire.
Reach out to scheduling@renaissance.com for more information or schedule your time here.
Calling all school districts! Check this recording at the 1:37 time stamp to see if your school or district has virtual learning to schedule. You can use the remaining virtual learning for any 60-minute session(s) in the Professional Learning Catalog. You do not need to hold the session by Sept. 1, but you do need to schedule it before then so that it does not expire.
If your district previously used or is currently implementing Star Assessments, you may have virtual learning to schedule. Schools can use their remaining virtual learning for any 60-minute session(s) in the Professional Learning Catalog. You do not need to hold the session by Sept. 1, but you do need to schedule it by then so that it does not expire. Reach out to scheduling@renaissance.com for more information.
The Kansas State Department of Education announces the postponement of all upcoming English Language Arts (ELA) and English Learners (EL) professional development sessions scheduled to occur between July 20 and Oct. 30.
Star Assessment learning sessions:
If your district previously used or is currently implementing Star Assessments, you may have virtual learning to schedule. Schools can use their remaining virtual learning for any 60-minute session(s) in the Professional Learning Catalog. You don’t need to hold the session by Sept. 1, but you do need to schedule it by then, so it doesn’t expire. Contact scheduling@renaissance.com for more information.
If your district previously used or is currently implementing Star Assessments, you may have virtual learning to schedule.
If your district previously used or is currently implementing Star Assessments, you may have virtual learning to schedule. Schools can use their remaining virtual learning for any 60-minute session(s) in the Professional Learning Catalog. You don’t need to hold the session by Sept. 1, but you do need to schedule it by then so it doesn’t expire. Contact scheduling@renaissance.com for more information.
If your district previously used or is currently implementing Star Assessments, you may have virtual learning to schedule. Schools can use their remaining virtual learning for any 60-minute session(s) in the Professional Learning Catalog. You don’t need to hold the session by Sept. 1, but you do need to schedule it by then so it doesn’t expire. Reach out to scheduling@renaissance.com for more information.
Districts with Star Assessments should be sure to schedule their customized virtual learning before it expires in September.
Districts with Star Assessments should schedule their customized virtual learning before it expires in September.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) is sponsoring several professional learning opportunities. Now is a great time to start planning and scheduling your back-to-school professional learning! The fall calendar will fill up before you know it.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) is hosting a free two-day Learning Through the Arts workshop for all K-12 teachers, June 10-11, at Wichita Northwest High School, 1220 N. Tyler, in Wichita.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) is hosting a free two-day professional learning workshop for all K-12 teachers on June 10-11 at Wichita Northwest High School, 1220 N. Tyler, in Wichita.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) is sponsoring several professional learning opportunities.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) is hosting a free two-day professional learning workshop for all K-12 teachers this summer.
The Kansas State Department of Education is hosting a free two-day professional learning workshop for all K-12 teachers this summer.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) is offering a professional development event that addresses a balanced assessment system and structured literacy on March 19.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) is offering a professional development event that addresses a balanced assessment system and structured literacy.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) will be the topic of the first workshop of the Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Professional Development Webinar Series that kicks off at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17.
Learning Forward Kansas is hosting Marcia Tate and her presentation “Sit and Get Won’t Grow Dendrites: 20 Professional Learning Strategies that Engage the Adult Brain” from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Feb. 7.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) is sponsoring two regional in-person trainings early in January 2024. There is no cost to attend either training.
Kansas Multi-Tier Systems of Support (MTSS) and Alignment will host one-day free trainings to help expand understanding of the FastBridge assessment system.
There are two remaining FastBridge and Star trainings for the month of November, said Sheleena Taylor, a Renaissance customer success manager for Kansas.
Each FastBridge user has access to FASTflix through a state partnership, said Sheleena Taylor, a Renaissance customer success manager for Kansas.
The Kansas Educational Leadership Institute (KELI) is hosting a learning opportunity about teacher recruitment and retention.
Renaissance has announced a new Kansas Landing Page where educators can go for updates, resources and avenues for support, said Sheleena Taylor, a Renaissance customer success manager for Kansas.
Several FastBridge and Star trainings are scheduled throughout the month of October.
Several FastBridge and Star trainings are scheduled throughout the month of October, including a fall Star Regional training on Wednesday, Oct. 4.
The Kansas State Department of Education is sponsoring a Star regional training on Wednesday, Oct. 4.
Participants of the Kansas Multi-Tier System of Supports and Alignment’s pre-K make-and-take trainings will learn how to intentionally plan for centers and small group instruction within the preschool classroom.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) is sponsoring an upcoming panel discussion and a fall Star regional training.
A four-week, text-dependent book study can assist English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teachers and general education teachers in understanding language acquisition; planning, teaching and assessing English language lessons; and using evidence-based skills and activities.
The Kansas State Department of Education is hosting a 10-week professional development study via Zoom focusing on structure literacy interventions.
Teachers who are comfortable expressing honest opinions and concerns are four times more likely to be excited about their future careers in education, according to a survey by the Quaglia Institute for School Voice and Aspirations (QISVA).
Back by popular demand, the Fresh Look at Phonics text-based professional learning opportunity will start at 5 p.m. Sept. 20.
FastBridge screening assessment measures give instructional teams a wealth of data. However, how do those teams utilize that data to inform instructional practice at the ground level?
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) is providing Individual Plan of Study (IPS) and Career and Technical Education (CTE) Technical Assistance opportunities this fall at educational service centers across the state.
The Kansas Children’s Service League (KCSL) is offering several child abuse prevention and strengthening families training topics in August and September, including some evening opportunities.
Human trafficking is the fastest growing and second largest – after drug dealing - criminal industry in the world, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The Kansas Parents as Teachers Association (KPATA) hosts a variety of professional development for early childhood providers and members, including monthly trainings that are topic specific.
The University of Kansas School of Medicine’s virtual fall 2023 Tobacco Treatment Specialist Training will be Aug. 14-Oct. 13.
Fort Hays State University is hosting three workshops via Zoom this summer designed for school counselors and K-12 educators.
Two free online science professional development opportunities are available for educators this summer.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
There are now two opportunities to learn how writing can be incorporated in a variety of settings for diverse student needs.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) Summer Academies will take place in June and July at four schools across the state.
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.
Building and district leaders are encouraged to attend one of the 30-minute IXL webinars scheduled for next week.
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 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.
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’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.
Science professional development will take place Feb. 20 in six regions across Kansas.
Prospective school bus drivers are invited to commercial driver’s license (CDL) proxy testing and an Entry-Level Driving Training (ELDT) Theory event.
Additional dates and locations have been added for the Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) in-person dyslexia professional learning.
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.
Additional dates and locations have been added for Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) in-person dyslexia professional learning.
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.
Dr. Suzanne Adlof will offer two virtual opportunities to learn about connections between dyslexia and language development.
Six science professional learning communities are scheduled throughout the month of September.
A full-day workshop focused on structured literacy will be offered at four locations throughout Kansas.
Quarterly science professional development will take place in six different regions of the state.
Join instructional leaders who support educators in their implementation of K-8 science for a book study.
In this edition | Feature Story | Assessments and Accountability | Reporting and Operations Standards and Instruction | Student Health and Nutrition | Upcoming Events, Trainings and Recognition
Questions about this page contact:
Denise Kahler (785) 296-4876 dkahler@ksde.org
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The Kansas State Department of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. (more information...)
To accommodate people with disabilities, on request, auxiliary aides and services will be provided and reasonable modifications to policies and programs will be made. To request accommodations or for more information please contact the Office of General Counsel at gc@ksde.org or by 785-296-3201.