Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 | Issue 126

In This Week's Edition

Feature Stories

State Board approves updated evidence-based at-risk list during February meeting
Relationships create foundation for making students, staff and schools more safe
Three education-related bills introduced during week 5 of Kansas legislative session

Reporting and Operations

Accountability, Accreditation and Assessments

Standards and Instruction

Upcoming Events, Trainings and Recognition

Feature Stories

Relationships create foundation for making students, staff and schools more safe

Dep. Tiffany Gasseling, of the Haskell County Sheriff's Office, has been a school resource officer in Satanta USD 507 for the past seven years. (Submitted by Dep. Gasseling)

Dep. Doug Fehr, of the Shawnee County Sheriff's Office, has served as an SRO in Seaman USD 345 for the past 17 years. (Submitted by Dep. Fehr)

Dep. Braden Long, of the Saline County Sheriff's Office, has been an SRO in Southeast of Saline USD 306, is pictured with Camo, a three-year-old black Labrador, the district's therapy dog, trained in Brevard County, Florida, as part of the Paws and Stripes program. (Submitted by Dep. Long)

Making schools more safe and secure and reducing risks starts with connections, according to Philip Lofflin, president of the Kansas Juvenile Officers Association (KSJOA).

“Making positive relationships with students, staff and families makes a big impact,” Lofflin (pictured above with a student) said. “This impact minimizes students’ exposure to the criminal justice system and helps keep school a safe place to teach and learn. I don’t believe there are many assignments a law enforcement officer could do that are more challenging and rewarding.”

Lofflin has been a district resource officer in Shawnee Mission USD 512 for the past 26 years where he oversees police technology, special projects, and the district’s elementary schools. He said the intentional relationships DROs and SROs develop daily “help the officer and school administration prevent crime, intervene in situations that may lead to more serious problems, and provide awareness to help students make good choices.”

State Board approves updated evidence-based at-risk list during February meeting

Members of the Kansas State Board of Education approved an updated at-risk program list during their February meeting in Topeka this week. The board met only on Tuesday, Feb. 11, not the traditional two days of meetings due to the inclement weather declared on Wednesday.

Kansas Education Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson emphasized that while programs on the at-risk list are vetted by Kansas State Department of Education staff, the list doesn’t constitute an endorsement of the peer-reviewed, evidence-based programs by the state’s education agency.

“That is a decision that is made by local school boards and local districts,” he said, adding that KSDE ensures the programs on the at-risk list meet requirements outlined in state law.

Three education-related bills introduced during week 5 of Kansas legislative session

Two bills were passed out of their committees during week five of the Kansas legislative session and three education-related bills were introduced.

The last day for non-exempt committees to introduce bills in their originating chamber was Friday, Feb. 7.

Reporting and Operations

McKinney-Vento grant workshop scheduled for Feb. 17; applications due Feb. 28

The Kansas State Department of Education is seeking applications for McKinney-Vento mini grants from Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) to address the needs of students in accordance with the McKinney-Vento Act.

Register here for a grant application instructional workshop, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., on Feb. 17. Click here for the applications due on Feb. 28.

Reminder: Title IV, Part A report due Feb. 24

The Title IV, Part A report, regarding expenditure data for federal Title funds, is required and due by Monday, Feb. 24. Click here to begin the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3B6FSL2

The reporting period is based on the Title IV, Part A grant award notification issuance date and the corresponding obligation period of July 1, 2022, through Sept. 30, 2024.

This report will allow the KSDE to report federally required data regarding Title IV, Part A to the U.S. Department of Education. Information regarding the amount of funds expended for the following Title IV, Part A content areas is included in this report:

Well-Rounded Education
Safe and Healthy Students
Supporting the Effective Use of Technology

Contact Roxanne Zillinger, roxanne.zillinger@ksde.go v, or (785) 296-7260 with questions.

Reminder: FY24 ESSER reporting survey submission deadline is March 7

The fiscal year 2024 annual reporting survey for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds is open. The deadline for submission is March 7.

Completion of this report is mandatory to ensure districts continue to receive federal funds without interruption.

The Qualtrics link to the survey has been sent via the ESSER listserv. If a district did not receive the email, contact KSDE ESSER staff at esser@ksde.gov to request it.

Reminder: Kansas Parents as Teachers FY26 grant applications due March 14

Grant applications for Kansas Parents as Teachers state fiscal year 2026 are due Friday, March 14.

Lisa Williams, KSDE's Parents as Teachers coordinator, will be available until 5 p.m., on March 14, to provide technical support in submitting grant applications at (785) 296-4964 or lisa.williams@ksde.gov. The grant will be submitted using Qualtrics. Information on the grant application and how to apply can be found at KSDE Kansas Parents as Teachers.

Accountability, Accreditation and Assessments

Optional second-grade reading assessment opens March 4

Educators can sign up for the optional second grade reading assessment that provides information on how students do when applying the skills they learn in kindergarten through second-grade to comprehension passages.

This is an opportunity for second-grade students to gain familiarity with the testing system in a low-stress environment. Results come back quickly, prior to the end of the year to share with parents, plan for summer opportunities and inform planning for the next school year.

The testing window for the optional second-grade grade reading assessment is March 4 - April 25.

Updates from the

KSDE Accreditation and Design Team

Monthly virtual KESA update

The Accreditation and Design team hosted the KESA monthly update on Feb. 10. The recording and slides Dr. Jay Scott, director of KSDE Accreditation and Design, shared with the group are available.

The next KESA monthly update is 10:30-11:15 a.m., on March 10. Join the meeting here; no passcode is required.

Standards and Instruction

Applications for 2025-26 CTE Pathways

due March 1

The applications for the 2025-26 Career and Technical Education (CTE) Pathways need to be submitted no later than March 1.

The 2025-26 Kansas Career Guidance Handbook is available for reference along with the pathways application checklist.

Contact pathwayshelpdesk@ksde.gov or (785) 296-4908 with questions or to request assistance.

Career and Technical Education scholarship applications due March 3

Graduating seniors who are attending a school with at least one approved Career and Technical Education (CTE) Pathway and have excelled in CTE are encouraged to submit a 2025 CTE Scholar application no later than March 3.

Eligible applicants fit the following criteria:

Graduating in May 2025;
Completed all the requirements as a completer of a CTE Pathway; and
Completed at least 40 hours of community service throughout high school.

The 2025 CTE Scholar document can be used to help complete the application.

Contact Taylor Spangler, taylor.spangler@ksde.gov, with questions.

Upcoming Events, Trainings and Recognition

Reminder: Registration is now open for KSDE’s Great Ideas in Education Conference

Registration is now open for KSDE’s Great Ideas in Education conference, July 28-30, at the Hyatt Regency, in Wichita. Don’t miss this critical opportunity to kick off the new school year primed for success. Click here to register.

KSDE has been promoting the importance of building coherence in Kansas’ school improvement efforts to effect meaningful change. That coherence must extend to the function and purpose of KSDE’s annual conference.

Reminder: “Connecting the Dots...For Learning” assessment conference, March 3-4

The Kansas State Department of Education is hosting “Connecting the Dots...For Learning,” March 3-4, in Manhattan.

This assessment conference will offer real-world practice sessions featuring teachers, teams, and systems from across Kansas who have embraced proven assessment practices to support teaching and learning. Teachers, leaders, and technical support personnel will learn more about how formative assessments are the foundation to a balanced assessment system.

The conference will feature Dr. Caroline Wylie, (pictured above) a national expert on formative assessment, the role it plays within balanced assessment systems, and the learning support that teachers need to engage in these practices with their students.

In collaboration with the Kansas educational learning centers, KSDE is offering structured literacy professional learning now and into this spring.

These sessions are at no cost to the educator and provide a half of a graduate credit for each day of participation. Click on the following links to register:

Contact Laurie Curtis, laurie.curtis@ksde.gov, with questions.

Updates/professional development available

from Renaissance

FastTrack screening assessments to be renormed

Renaissance plans to renorm all FastTrack screening assessments prior to the 2025-26 school year.

This includes aReading (K-12), aMath (K-12), CBMReading (1-8), CBMmath Automaticity (1-12), AUTOreading (K-12), earlyReading composite (K-1), and earlyMath composite (K-1).

The plan is to release the norms prior to the start of the 2025-26 school year.

Contact Jeff Lancial, jeff.lancial@renaissance.com, with questions.

Calendar

February

18: Science collaboration for curriculum leaders, virtual, 4-5 p.m. Register here. Contact Stephanie Alderman-Oler, stephanie.alderman-oler@ksde.gov, with questions.

19: Science collaboration for science teachers, virtual, 4-5 p.m. Register here. Contact Stephanie Alderman-Oler, stephanie.alderman-oler@ksde.gov, with questions.

19: KSDE CNW “Wellness Wednesday,” 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Click here for the Zoom link. Passcode: 512850. Contact Holly Steinlage, holly.steinlage@ksde.gov, with questions.

19: Data-Driven Success - Unpacking Literacy Assessments for Maximum Impact (K-12), Greenbush, in Girard. Register here. Contact Laurie Curtis, laurie.curtis@ksde.gov, with questions.

24: Deadline to register for “Connecting the Dots...For Learning” assessment conference, March 3-4, Hilton Garden Inn, in Manhattan. Contact Chelsea Pelfrey, chelsea.pelfrey@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-0040, with questions.

24: Title IV, Part A report due. Contact Roxanne Zillinger, roxanne.zillinger@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-7260 with questions.

24-25: Kansas Math Project professional development, Hays, Hilton Garden Inn, 221 W. 43rd Street. Click here to register. Click here to enroll to complete asynchronous modules at your own pace. Contact kmp@kansasmtss.org with questions.

26: Assessment, Evaluation, and Programming System for Infants and Children, Third Edition (AEPS-3^®) training, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., DoubleTree by Hilton, Wichita. Cost: $100. Register here. Contact Tammy Wallin, wallint@ku.edu, with questions.

26: KSDE CNW “Wellness Wednesday,” 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Click here for the Zoom link. Passcode: 512850. Contact Holly Steinlage, holly.steinlage@ksde.gov, with questions.

26: Data-Driven Success - Unpacking Literacy Assessments for Maximum Impact (K-12), Greenbush, in Lawrence. Register here. Contact Laurie Curtis, laurie.curtis@ksde.gov, with questions.

26-27: Kansas Math Project professional development, Topeka, Sunflower Nonprofit Center, 5820 S.W. 6th Street. Click here to register. Click here to enroll to complete asynchronous modules at your own pace. Contact kmp@kansasmtss.org with questions.

28: Data-Driven Success - Unpacking Literacy Assessments for Maximum Impact (K-12), Orion, in Clearwater. Register here. Contact Laurie Curtis, laurie.curtis@ksde.gov, with questions.

March

1: Deadline to submit the Licensed Personnel Report (LPR) to the Educator Data Collection System (EDCS). Contact Leslie Bruton, leslie.bruton@ksde.gov, or (785) 296–8011, with questions.

3-4: “Connecting the Dots...For Learning” assessment conference, Hilton Garden Inn, in Manhattan. Deadline to register is Feb. 24. Contact Chelsea Pelfrey, chelsea.pelfrey@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-0040, with questions.

4: Cracking the Code: Practical Strategies for Teaching Word Recognition (K-12), Smoky Hill, in Salina. Register here. Contact Laurie Curtis, laurie.curtis@ksde.gov, with questions.

5: Early Childhood virtual ECHO Series, 12-1 p.m. Register here. Contact telehealthROCKS@kumc.edu with questions.

5: ELA Standards and Mini-Tests/ Interims: Using Data to Drive Instruction (3-12 grades), Orion, in Clearwater. Register here. Contact Laurie Curtis, laurie.curtis@ksde.gov, with questions.

5: KSDE/Mid-America Association for Computers in Education (MACE) Data Workshop, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., K-State Alumni Center, in Manhattan. Cost $30. Register here. Contact Christopher Fletcher, christopher.fletcher@ksde.gov, with questions.

7: Using Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) to Engage with Families and Support Child Development training, virtual, 9-10:30 a.m. Click here to register. Contact Stacy Clarke, stacy.clarke@ksde.gov, with questions.

7: Deadline to submit 2024 ESSER reporting survey. Contact esser@ksde.gov with questions.

10: Data-Driven Success - Unpacking Literacy Assessments for Maximum Impact (K-12), ESSDACK, in Hutchinson. Register here. Contact Laurie Curtis, laurie.curtis@ksde.gov, with questions.

11-12: Kansas State Board of Education meeting. Click here for the agenda and meeting materials.

12: Science collaboration for new science teachers, virtual, 4-5 p.m. Register here. Contact Stephanie Alderman-Oler, stephanie.alderman-oler@ksde.gov, with questions.

12: Child care south central regional roundtable, 6:30-8 p.m., Child Start, 1002 S. Oliver, in Wichita. Register here. Contact Meghan Kluth, mkluth@ku.edu, with questions.

13: ELA Standards and Mini-Tests/ Interims: Using Data to Drive Instruction (3-12 grades), Southwest Plains, in Sublette. Register here. Contact Laurie Curtis, laurie.curtis@ksde.gov, with questions.

14: Kansas Parents as Teachers state FY26 grant applications due. Contact Lisa Williams, lisa.williams@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-4964 with questions.

18: Science collaboration for curriculum leaders, virtual, 4-5 p.m. Register here. Contact Stephanie Alderman-Oler, stephanie.alderman-oler@ksde.gov, with questions.

19: Science collaboration for science teachers, virtual, 4-5 p.m. Register here. Contact Stephanie Alderman-Oler, stephanie.alderman-oler@ksde.gov, with questions.

31: Cracking the Code: Practical Strategies for Teaching Word Recognition (K-12), Greenbush, in Girard. Register here. Contact Laurie Curtis, laurie.curtis@ksde.gov, with questions.

April

2: Early Childhood virtual ECHO Series, 12-1 p.m. Register here. Contact telehealthROCKS@kumc.edu with questions.

3: Kansas MTSS & Alignment preschool team’s standards-based make it-take it event for preschool teachers, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Lee Richardson Zoo, Garden City. Register here. Contact Lea Harding at lea@kansasmtss.org with questions.

3: Cracking the Code: Practical Strategies for Teaching Word Recognition (K-12), Orion, in Clearwater. Register here. Contact Laurie Curtis, laurie.curtis@ksde.gov, with questions.

3: Clear, Intentional and Effective Writing: The Writing Tenets (3-12), Southwest Plains, in Sublette. Register here. Contact Laurie Curtis, laurie.curtis@ksde.gov, with questions.

8: Local Consolidated Plan (LCP) quarterly #4, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., in-person, Hilton Garden Inn and Convention Center, Hays. Register here. Contact Twyla Sprouse, twyla.sprouse@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-6714, with questions.

8-9: Kansas State Board of Education meeting. Click here for the agenda and meeting materials.

9: Science collaboration for new science teachers, virtual, 4-5 p.m. Register here. Contact Stephanie Alderman-Oler, stephanie.alderman-oler@ksde.gov, with questions.

10: Local Consolidated Plan (LCP) quarterly #4, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., in-person, Aloft Wichita, 3642 Oliver, Wichita. Register here. Contact Twyla Sprouse, twyla.sprouse@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-6714, with questions.

10: Clear, Intentional and Effective Writing: The Writing Tenets (3-12), Greenbush, in Lawrence. Register here. Contact Laurie Curtis, laurie.curtis@ksde.gov, with questions.

12: Data-Driven Success - Unpacking Literacy Assessments for Maximum Impact (K-12), Southwest Plains, in Sublette. Register here. Contact Laurie Curtis, laurie.curtis@ksde.gov, with questions.

15: Science collaboration for curriculum leaders, virtual, 4-5 p.m. Register here. Contact Stephanie Alderman-Oler, stephanie.alderman-oler@ksde.gov, with questions.

15: Cracking the Code: Practical Strategies for Teaching Word Recognition (K-12), Greenbush, in Lawrence. Register here. Contact Laurie Curtis, laurie.curtis@ksde.gov, with questions.

15: ELA Standards and Mini-Tests/ Interims: Using Data to Drive Instruction (3-12 grades), Smoky Hill, in Salina. Register here. Contact Laurie Curtis, laurie.curtis@ksde.gov, with questions.

15: Clear, Intentional and Effective Writing: The Writing Tenets (3-12), ESSDACK, in Lawrence. Register here. Contact Laurie Curtis, laurie.curtis@ksde.gov, with questions.

16: Science collaboration for science teachers, virtual, 4-5 p.m. Register here. Contact Stephanie Alderman-Oler, stephanie.alderman-oler@ksde.gov, with questions.

17: Clear, Intentional and Effective Writing: The Writing Tenets (3-12), Greenbush, in Girard. Register here. Contact Laurie Curtis, laurie.curtis@ksde.gov, with questions.

18: Curriculum leaders meeting, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Maize Performing Arts and Aquatics Center. Contact Pat Bone, pat.bone@ksde.gov, with questions.

22: Cracking the Code: Practical Strategies for Teaching Word Recognition (K-12), Southwest Plains, in Sublette. Register here. Contact Laurie Curtis, laurie.curtis@ksde.gov, with questions.

24: Cracking the Code: Practical Strategies for Teaching Word Recognition (K-12), ESSDACK, in Hutchinson. Register here. Contact Laurie Curtis, laurie.curtis@ksde.gov, with questions.

24: Clear, Intentional and Effective Writing: The Writing Tenets (3-12), Orion, in Clearwater. Register here. Contact Laurie Curtis, laurie.curtis@ksde.gov, with questions.

28-29: Kansas Math Project professional development, Hays, Hilton Garden Inn, 221 W. 43rd Street. Click here to register. Click here to enroll to complete asynchronous modules at your own pace. Contact kmp@kansasmtss.org with questions.

April 30-May 1: Kansas Math Project professional development, Topeka, Sunflower Nonprofit Center, 5820 S.W. 6th Street. Click here to register. Click here to enroll to complete asynchronous modules at your own pace. Contact kmp@kansasmtss.org with questions.

May

2: 2025 Star Recognition applications deadline. Contact kcanstars@ksde.gov with questions.

6: Clear, Intentional and Effective Writing: The Writing Tenets (3-12), Smoky Hill, in Salina. Register here. Contact Laurie Curtis, laurie.curtis@ksde.gov, with questions.

13-14: Kansas State Board of Education meeting. Click here for the agenda and meeting materials.

14: Science collaboration for new science teachers, virtual, 4-5 p.m. Register here. Contact Stephanie Alderman-Oler, stephanie.alderman-oler@ksde.gov, with questions.

20: Science collaboration for curriculum leaders, virtual, 4-5 p.m. Register here. Contact Stephanie Alderman-Oler, stephanie.alderman-oler@ksde.gov, with questions.

21: Science collaboration for science teachers, virtual, 4-5 p.m. Register here. Contact Stephanie Alderman-Oler, stephanie.alderman-oler@ksde.gov, with questions.

June

10-11: Kansas State Board of Education meeting. Click here for the agenda and meeting materials.

July

8-9: Kansas State Board of Education meeting. Click here for the agenda and meeting materials.

28-30: Great Ideas in Education Conference, Hyatt Regency, in Wichita. Register here. Contact Pat Bone, pat.bone@ksde.gov, with questions.

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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 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.