Thursday, April 16, 2026 | Issue 185 | | |
Feature Stories
Reporting and Operations
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Standards and Instruction
Student Health and Nutrition
Upcoming Events, Trainings and Recognition
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State Board chooses Dr. Jake Steel as next
Kansas education commissioner
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A product of Kansas public schools will soon lead the state’s education system.
The Kansas State Board of Education on Tuesday named Dr. Jake Steel as the next Kansas commissioner of education during its April 14 meeting.
Steel will officially assume the role on June 1, succeeding current commissioner Dr. Randy Watson, who announced his retirement last fall.
Steel currently serves as director of strategy and operational alignment at the Kansas State Department of Education, where he has led high-impact initiatives that strengthened alignment across the agency, secured critical resources for Kansas schools and expanded support for educators statewide.
Read more...
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In addition to the appointment of Dr. Jake Steel as the next commissioner of education, read more here on other business the board conducted during their April 14-15 meeting.
| | Members of the Kansas State Board of Education presented a plaque to Dr. Luanne Barron during their annual visit to the Kansas School for the Deaf this week. Barron recently announced her retirement as KSD superintendent after 30 years in Deaf education. | | |
Dr. Luann Barron honored by
Kansas State Board of Education
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The Kansas State Board of Education honored Dr. Luanne Barron, superintendent of the Kansas School for the Deaf (KSD), during their annual visit to the school in Olathe this week.
Barron recently announced her retirement after an estimated 30 years in Deaf education. She has served as KSD superintendent since 2018.
KSD staff members Joelle Allen and Joan Macy will serve as interim superintendents until the State Board names Barron’s successor.
| | KSDE to launch new website on April 20 | | |
The Kansas State Department of Education is set to launch a new website on Monday, April 20.
Just as the NASA Artemis program didn’t happen overnight, building a better website takes time, planning and ongoing improvement.
This new site is designed to be more transparent and easier to navigate, helping visitors find important information about Kansas education more quickly.
The April 20 launch is a starting point, with continued updates and improvements planned as KSDE works to make www.ksde.gov even better.
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KSDEweekly in transition
with switch to new website
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KSDEweekly will be undergoing some changes in the coming weeks.
This newsletter will look somewhat different while the transition to the new website continues. Thank you, in advance, for your patience and flexibility as we work to make the website and this newsletter more useful tools for navigation and information for the state's education field.
-The KSDE Communications team
| | KSDE Insight Podcast, “The Homework Debate: Helpful or Outdated?” | | |
Homework has long been a fixture of the American education system, but its value remains contested more than a century after the debate began. According to educators and researchers, homework is neither inherently beneficial nor harmful—its impact depends largely on its purpose, design, and the age of the student.
Today, schools find themselves caught between competing priorities: maintaining high academic expectations while also protecting student well-being.
Tune in to the April KSDE Insight Podcast, “The Homework Debate: Helpful or Outdated?”, when Kansas Education Commissioner Randy Watson speaks with two secondary Kansas educators who have much to say about how much homework is good for students.
Joining Commissioner Watson are:
- Taylor Bussinger, social studies teacher at Prairie Trail Middle School, Olathe USD 233
- Adam Topliff, social studies teacher at Wamego High School, Wamego USD 320
The April KSDE Insight Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
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"Ask the Commissioner" podcast segment answers parents’ questions about education
Have a question about your child’s education? Kansas Education Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson wants to hear from you.
Each month on the KSDE Insight Podcast, Dr. Watson will answer parent questions in his “Ask the Commissioner” segment.
Encourage parents to email their questions to insightpodcast@ksde.gov — and it could be featured in the next episode!
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RTAP Apprentice in Action: Becoming the teacher she always dreamed to be:
Moriah Friend, Satanta USD 507
| | Moriah Friend, a paraeducator with Satanta USD 507, is progressing through the Kansas Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program (RTAP). (Photo submitted by Moriah Friend, Satanta USD 507). | | |
By Aysha Satterlee, KSDE teacher licensure team
For Moriah Friend, becoming a teacher has never been a question of if, only how. Growing up in a military family, Friend attended schools across multiple states and countries that shaped her adaptability and appreciation for educators.
After completing her associates degree at Garden City Community College, Friend Joined Satanta USD 507 as a paraeducator, bringing with her a long-held dream of becoming a teacher. While Satanta was not where she grew up, it is where she began building her future in education.
Read more...
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April is Financial Literacy Month:
Kansas education commissioner
reads Spend It! by Cinders McLeod
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In recognition of Financial Literacy Month in April, Kansas Education Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson is featured in a video reading, Spend It! from the Money Bunny series.
The story reinforces key financial literacy concepts such as budgeting, prioritizing needs and wants, and making informed spending choices.
Sunny the Bunny receives three carrots each week as allowance, with carrots serving as money in Bunny Land. He wants to buy everything he sees, but his mom explains that he must make choices because money is limited and items cost different amounts. Through comparing prices and prioritizing wants, Sunny learns that he cannot afford everything and must decide what matters most.
Click the video above to watch Dr. Watson read, Spend It! by Cinders McLeod.
| | Reminder: Title I, Part A spring submission process, deadline changes announced | | |
By Roxanne Zillinger, KSDE special education and title services
As part of KSDE’s ongoing efforts to streamline processes and reduce duplication, review the updated information below regarding Title I, Part A spring submission requirements.
Important: The requirements have not changed. Only the due date and submission process have been updated. Previously, some documents were emailed to Nicole Clark by July 15, while others were submitted through KIAS ESEA Consolidated Review.
Read more...
| | KSDE provides video for understanding updated mandated reporting requirements | | |
Recent updates have clarified expectations for recognizing and reporting suspected child abuse and neglect, ensuring professionals and community members can respond quickly and appropriately when concerns arise.
KSDE created a video that explains the latest guidance regarding the following areas:
- Differences between safety, risk, and danger
- Who is required to report
- How abuse, neglect, and poverty are defined
Contact Trish Backman, trish.backman@ksde.gov, or Stacy Clarke, stacy.clarke@ksde.gov, with questions.
| | Standards and Instruction | | |
Introduction to ASQ training
scheduled for April 28
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By Amanda Petersen, director, KSDE early childhood team
The Ages & Stages Questionnaires®, Third Edition (ASQ®-3), and the Ages & Stages Questionnaires®: Social-Emotional, Second Edition (ASQ®:SE-2), are widely used developmental screening tools that help identify children’s developmental progress and potential concerns.
The ASQ®-3 focuses on communication, fine motor, gross motor, problem solving and personal-social development, while the ASQ®:SE-2 focuses on social-emotional development.
Read more...
| | Committee members needed for higher education preparation standards revisions | | |
By Catherine Chmidling, KSDE teacher licensure team
The KSDE teacher licensure team is seeking volunteers to revise the following educator preparation standards: Art, Biology, Earth and Space Science, Gifted, Library Media Specialist, Music/Instrumental/Vocal, School Counselor, and middle-level Science.
Program standards define the knowledge and skills expected of just-qualified program completers ready to pursue their license and enter the education profession.
Read more...
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KSDE’s Curtis presented first-ever
Fritz-Callewaert Literacy Leadership Award
| | Dr. Laurie Curtis, early literacy/dyslexia program manager at KSDE, received the first ever Fritz-Callewaert Literacy Leadership Award at the annual Elevating Literacy conference, in Wichita. (Photo submitted by Dr. Laurie Curtis, KSDE) | | |
After a long day of presenting and attending sessions at the third annual Elevating Literacy conference, in late March, Dr. Laurie Curtis almost didn't attend the closing ceremony, thinking it would just be raffle giveaways.
Curtis, early literacy/dyslexia program manager on the Career, Standards and Assessment Services (CSAS) team, was on her way out of the building on Wichita State University's campus to head to her car. Thankfully, a colleague pulled her into the room and asked her to sit at a table with her and others near the stage. She wanted to sit with a teacher from Augusta she had met earlier that morning, thinking there was no reason she had to be close to the stage.
Not even knowing she was nominated, Curtis was then presented with the first ever Fritz-Callewaert Literacy Leadership Award.
Read more...
| | Student Health and Nutrition | | |
School Lunch Hero Day
to be celebrated May 1
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School Lunch Hero Day, observed on May 1, is a celebration of the impact school nutrition professionals have on every child who comes through their cafeteria.
This day is a way of recognizing the efforts of these team members who provide healthy meals to students—not only preparing food but also serving it with a smile and kind word, encouraging children to try new things and get all the nutrients their growing bodies need.
More information and resources are available at https://schoolnutrition.org/about-school-meals/school-lunch-hero-day/. Be sure to use the hashtag #FuelingKSKids when sharing celebrations on social media.
Contact KSDE Child Nutrition and Wellness at (785) 296-2276 with questions.
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Body Venture applications for
2026-27 due May 31
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Body Venture is a traveling health education exhibit for K-5 students to help them learn about the importance of making healthy food choices and being physically active.
The “Request to Schedule Body Venture” form for the 2026-27 school year is available at https://cnw.ksde.gov > SNP > SNP What’s New. The deadline to apply is May 31.
Contact the Child Nutrition and Wellness team, cnw@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-2276 with questions.
| | Upcoming Events, Trainings and Recognition | | |
Reminder: Schedule available for
2026 Great Ideas in Education Conference
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Reminder: K-State Rural Education Center
to host rural education summit
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The K-State Rural Education Center is hosting the 2026 Rural Education Summit later this month exclusively for rural school leadership teams to connect with fellow rural school leaders who understand the unique opportunities and challenges of leading in rural districts.
This summit, April 29- May 1, at the Manhattan Conference Center, 510 S. 3rd Street, will cover career and technical education (CTE), strategic planning, hard conversations and legal issues for rural schools.
Read more...
| | Kansas Alliance for Drug Endangered Children conference slated for April 28 | | |
The Kansas Alliance for Drug Endangered Children (KADEC) will host a conference on April 28, in Wichita.
Children living in drug environments are at risk for devastating effects including severe neglect, physical, emotional and sexual abuse and developmental delays.
This event, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., at the Wichita Marriott, will focus on educating professionals (including child welfare, legal, medical and social service) who may have an opportunity to identify and/or respond to children living in environments where illegal drugs are manufactured, sold, distributed or used.
Click here for the agenda, rates and registration.
Email conference.office@wichita.edu with questions.
| | Kansas Technical Assistance System Network training opportunities | | |
The Kansas Technical Assistance System Network (TASN) provides evidence-based professional learning and technical assistance, grounded in the federal requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Contact Michele Hayes, mrhayes@pittstate.edu, with questions.
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April
17: Curriculum leaders meeting, Maize Performing Arts and Aquatics Center, 1155 W. Academy Ave., Maize. Contact Pat Bone, pat.bone@ksde.gov, with questions.
18: Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) video conference workshop, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Contact Sarah Reed, sarah.reed@ksde.gov, with questions.
20: Deadline to submit Juneteenth Day of Service mini-grant applications to the Kansas Volunteer Commission. Contact volunteer@ksde.gov with questions.
24: Window closes for summative state assessments for brick and mortar schools. Contact Chelsea Pelfrey, chelsea.pelfrey@ksde.gov, with questions.
24: Kansas Inclusive Learning and Teaching (KILT) assistive technology training session, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Northeast Kansas Educational Service Center (NKESC), 703 W. 2nd, Oakley. Register here. Contact Paige Buckingham, pbuckingham@ucpnet.org, with questions.
28: National School Bus Driver Appreciation Day. Click here for resources and information. Contact Keith Dreiling, keith.dreiling@ksde.gov, with questions.
28: Introduction to ASQ®-3 and ASQ®: SE-2 training, virtual, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. To register, visit the Cape online professional development portal to create an account. Contact Jennifer Pishny, jpishny@ksu.edu, with questions.
28: Office hours available for school staff serving highly mobile students, virtual, 2-4 p.m. Contact Maureen Tabasko, maureen.tabasko@ksde.gov, (785) 296-1101, or Joe Jewett, joe.jewett@ksde.gov, (785) 296-2600.
28: Trauma-responsive school community facilitator workshop, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Heartspring Conference Center, 8700 E. 29th Street North, in Wichita. Click here to register and for more information, including continuing education credits. Contact Amy Wells, amyw@tasnsmhi.org, with questions.
April 29 – May 1: K-State Rural Education Center Summit, Manhattan Conference Center, 510 S. 3rd Street, in Manhattan. Register here. Cost is $25; less if attending as a leadership team. Contact Dr. Karen Eppley, keppley@ksu.edu, with questions.
30: ESEA Title IA monthly office hour, 9 – 10 a.m. Register here: ESEA Title IA April Office Hours. Contact Roxanne Zillinger, Roxanne.zillinger@ksde.gov, with questions.
30: Special Education Catastrophic State Aid application (current year) and NPE contracts data is finalized. Contact Mason Vosburgh, mason.vosburgh@ksde.gov, (785) 296-4945, with questions.
30: Dec. 1 MIS Child Count – MIS Collection data is finalized. Contact Mason Vosburgh, mason.vosburgh@ksde.gov, (785) 296-4945, with questions.
Read more...
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| | Click here to have KSDEweekly sent to your inbox. | | 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 and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: KSDE General Counsel, Office of General Counsel, KSDE, Landon State Office Building, 900 S.W. Jackson, Suite 102, Topeka, KS 66612, (785) 296-3201. | | | | |
