Thursday, April 9, 2026 | Issue 184 | | |
Feature Stories
Reporting and Operations
Accountability, Accreditation and Assessments
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Standards and Instruction
Student Health and Nutrition
Upcoming Events, Trainings and Recognition
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State Board to vote on next
Kansas education commissioner
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Members of the Kansas State Board of Education are scheduled to vote on the next education commissioner on April 14, during their monthly meeting in Topeka.
Dr. Randy Watson announced his intent to retire in September after having served as education commissioner since 2015. The new commissioner is scheduled to make some remarks after the board vote.
The State Board is also going to hear several presentations during their April 14 meeting, which will be in the first floor board room of the Landon State Office Building, 900 S.W. Jackson.
Read more...
| | Grinnell USD 291's elementary library is temporarily housed in one of the district's middle school storage areas while recovery continues from the May 2025 tornado that damaged several of the district's buildings. (Photo submitted by Amy Anderson, Grinnell USD 291.) | | April is School Library Month: Grinnell USD 291 librarian, others continue to rebuild book collection after May 2025 tornado | | Amy Anderson, Grinnell USD 291's librarian, received this book from author Kelley Donner, after the May 2025 tornado that heavily damaged Grinnell and several of the district's buildings. (Photo submitted by Amy Anderson) | | |
The 2025-26 school year was a rebuilding year for Amy Anderson and the staff of Grinnell USD 291 after the May 2025 tornado that damaged much of the Gove County town and district buildings, including the elementary school library.
Anderson, the district’s librarian, said her summer of 2025 was one of the busiest she’s ever had, setting up the temporary elementary school library in the middle school. She said she and two of the district’s former teachers and the Grinnell public library’s librarian sorted through the thousands of books that came from across Kansas and from around the world. They also had help from staff at the Northwest Kansas Library System in Norton.
Read more...
| | Coming Soon: KSDE Insight Podcast, “The Homework Debate: Helpful or Outdated?”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 beginning April 16, for this month’s 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.
Until then, catch up on all past episodes of the KSDE Insight Podcast 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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Several education-related bills signed
into law ahead of veto session
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The Kansas Legislature is back this week as the veto session began Thursday, April 9. Gov. Laura Kelly signed several education-related bills into law, while vetoing others.
Read more for an update on bills that are now in law, the ones that have been signed, and others moving through the legislature.
This story is up to date as of 3 p.m. on Thursday, April 9.
| | 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...
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Reminder: April is Child Abuse Prevention Month: Understanding updated mandated
reporting requirements
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By Stacy Clarke, KSDE early childhood team
Protecting children is a shared responsibility, and staying informed about mandated reporting requirements is a critical part of that commitment.
Recent updates have clarified expectations for recognizing and reporting suspected child abuse and neglect, ensuring that professionals and community members can respond quickly and appropriately when concerns arise.
To support this effort, KSDE is sharing a video that clearly explains the latest guidance.
Read more...
| | ICYMI: Preparing for National School Bus Driver Appreciation Day, April 28 | | |
By Mitch Mellick, KSDE school transportation safety unit
As School Bus Driver Appreciation Day will be celebrated on April 28, the KSDE school transportation safety unit would like to encourage districts to take time to recognize and celebrate the dedicated school bus drivers who play a critical role in student safety and educational success.
Read more...
| | Accountability, Accreditation and Assessments | | KESA virtual monthly update set for April 13 | | |
The KSDE accreditation and design team will be hosting the next KESA virtual update, 10:30 – 11:15 a.m., on Monday, April 13.
The meeting can be accessed via this Zoom link.
Contact Jay Scott, jay.scott@ksde.gov, with questions.
| | Standards and Instruction | | |
Kansas TSA students compete at
state conference in Salina
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By Ruth Delange, Kansas TSA state advisor
Kansas Technology Student Association (TSA) members gathered April 1-3, at Webster Conference Center, in Salina, for the annual state conference and competition.
Officially, there were 286 middle and high school students and advisors, plus more than 50 business and industry partners who served as coordinators and judges for the various competitions.
Read more...
| | Student Health and Nutrition | | Patrick Penn, USDA Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Deputy Under Secretary, toured Lawrence USD 497's food service sites on Thursday, April 9, meeting with Julie Henry (center), USD 497 director of nutrition and wellness, bakery staff and students. (Photo credit: Andrew Beaven, Lawrence USD 497.) | | |
Lawrence USD 497 bakery blends
student learning with fresh, local meals
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A visit from federal child nutrition leaders on April 9, put a spotlight on one of Lawrence USD 497’s most innovative programs, the district’s Community Connections bakery.
USDA Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Deputy Under Secretary Patrick Penn toured the facility Thursday morning, meeting with staff and learning how the program supports both students and school meal operations.
Read more...
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Reminder: 2026-27 Body Venture
applications due May 31
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By Eryn Davis, KSDE child nutrition and wellness team
Body Venture is a traveling health education exhibit for K-5 students operated by KSDE’s Child Nutrition and Wellness team. It is a great opportunity for students to 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.
Read more...
| | Upcoming Events, Trainings and Recognition | | |
Schedule available for
2026 Great Ideas in Education Conference
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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...
| | Reminder: Registration open for second annual BOOST Summit in June | | |
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) and Educate Kansas are proud to host the second annual BOOST Summit (Building Opportunities for Outstanding Teachers), June 29-30, at Emporia State University.
Register here for this two-day event that will feature dynamic breakout sessions focused on educator recruitment and retention, special keynote presentations from KSDE and The American Association of School Personnel Administrators leadership, and a spotlight on both evidence-based strategies and innovative, emerging practices.
Sessions will be organized around three strands:
- Professional learning
- Problem-solving
- Creation of tools for implementation
Contact Cris Seidel, crisseidel@educatekansas.org, 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
10: Deadline to register for Give Back Kansas Challenge (April 20 – May 31). Visit Kanserv.org or contact Katherine Seeley, katherine.seeley@ksde.gov, or (785) 368-7436 with questions.
10: ESEA program administrator webinar series, 10:30 – 11:45 a.m. Click here to register: https://ksdetasn.org/event_groups/T0xWJA. Contact Twyla Sprouse, twyla.sprouse@ksde.gov, (785) 296-6714 with questions.
14: Kansas Pre-Kindergarten Pilot (KPP-TANF) 3rd quarter expense reimbursement payment request. Contact Amanda Williams, amanda.williams@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-2020 with questions.
14-15: Kansas State Board of Education meeting. Click here for agenda and meeting materials.
15: Request closes for May federal funds (Form 240) if funds are available. Contact Amanda Williams, amanda.williams@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-2020 with questions.
15: Special Education State Aid ensures all Medicaid claims for March 1 services are processed and paid. Contact Daniel Kalas, Daniel.kalas@ksde.gov, (785) 296-3872, with questions.
15: Special Teacher Vacancy Report due. (This is reported in PCA and is different than the teacher vacancy report done in EDCS). Contact Evelyn Alden, evelyn.alden@ksde.gov, (785) 296-3868, with questions.
15: CTE Pathways student data follow up closes. Contact Pathways Helpdesk at (785) 296-4908 with questions.
15: Special Education Transportation claim form (Form 308) submission opens; closes May 8. Contact Rose Ireland, rose.ireland@ksde.gov, (785) 296-4973, with questions.
17: Curriculum leaders meeting, Maize Performing Arts and Aquatics Center, 1155 W. Academy Ave., Maize. Register here. Contact Pat Bone, pat.bone@ksde.gov, 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. | | | | |
