Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026 | Issue 177 | | |
Feature Stories
Reporting and Operations
Accountability, Accreditation and Assessments
Standards and Instruction
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Student Health and Nutrition
Upcoming Events, Trainings and Recognition
| | 2026 Kansas Teacher of the Year team celebrates #LoveTeaching Week | | Jessa Kulp, left, and Alyssa Liby are sisters teaching in separate fourth grade classrooms at Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School in Manhattan-Ogden USD 383. | | #LoveTeaching Week: For these Kansas sisters, teaching is a family affair | | Jessa Kulp, left, and Alyssa Liby, right, are sisters teaching in separate fourth grade classrooms at Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School in Manhattan-Ogden USD 383. They're following in their mother Jennifer Kulp's (center) footsteps who taught fourth grade for 22 years at Riley County Grade School, Riley County USD 378. (Photo submitted by Laurie Curtis, KSDE) | | |
The bond Alyssa Liby and Jessa Kulp have as sisters is reinforced every day in their classrooms as the two are fourth grade teachers together at Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School, Manhattan-Ogden USD 383.
As any older sister would, Liby takes her role as her younger sister’s mentor to heart.
“It's been nice for her to be able to like lean on me for just everything that comes with being a first-year teacher,” Liby said. “There's advice like anything from, ‘how do I do this parent email? Or, ‘what would you do in this situation? Or, ‘where do we think we should go next planning-wise?’”
“I knew that I could ask her anything without being nervous or wondering, ‘is this too much to ask? Is this a silly question? Is it not?" Kulp said.
Read more...
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ICYMI: KSDE Insight Podcast –
Career and Technical Education:
What It Really Looks Like Today
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As we celebrate career and technical education (CTE) month in February, Kansas Education Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson talks with education leaders about how CTE helps students prepare for life after high school in this month’s episode of the KSDE Insight Podcast.
Dr. Watson’s guests are Natalie Clark, KSDE assistant director of career, standards and assessment services, and Dr. Lindsay King, director of college and career readiness for Maize USD 266. This conversation highlights how CTE supports students during high school, improves postsecondary outcomes, and strengthens Kansas communities through partnerships with local industries.
Read more...
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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!
| | Both chambers override veto of House Sub for SB 244, other education bills passed through at least one chamber during sixth week of Kansas legislative session | | |
During the week of Feb. 16, 11 bills that could impact Kanas schools were passed out at least one chamber, including House Sub for SB 244, which was vetoed by Gov. Laura Kelly. Both the House and Senate voted to override the veto.
Two bills also were introduced in the Senate relating to school activities.
Turnaround day is Thursday, Feb. 19. Any bill in a nonexempt committee (all three education committees are nonexempt) that doesn’t make it out of its chamber of origin is theoretically dead; however, there’s a chance it could appear elsewhere.
Read more...
| | Reminder: Youth civic engagement mini-grant opportunity available | | |
The Kansas Volunteer Commission, a program of the Kansas State Department of Education, announces the availability of grant funds to support the civic engagement of youth in grades K-12.
For this grant, applicants must engage youth in the planning and implementing of grant activities. Priority will be given to applications that include youth-led and youth-initiated projects. The grant period is April 1 – Sept. 30, 2026.
Read more...
| | Accountability, Accreditation and Assessments | | New guidance provided on how to make revisions to your KESA action plan | | |
The KSDE accreditation and design team recently developed guidance for districts and systems to revise their Kansas Education System Accreditation (KESA) action plan should the need arise through the action plan review process.
The newly developed guidance includes how to change a fundamental or structure, measure(s) of progress, revise the context section, resubmit the action plan for review or ask additional questions.
Read more...
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Reminder: Remember to plan for
the optional second grade state assessment
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By Laurie Curtis, KSDE dyslexia and literacy program
The Kansas State Department of Education is in the third year of providing the optional second grade state assessment and we don't want districts to miss out. The window for these tests opens March 23 and closes April 24.
The Grade 2 Kansas Reading Assessment measures both foundational skills and reading comprehension. It is designed to serve as a bridge between the early elementary goal of learning to read and the later elementary goal of reading to learn.
Read more...
| | Standards and Instruction | | Office hours available on Feb. 24 for staff serving highly mobile students | | |
The KSDE Special Education and Title Services (SETS) team is offering a new collaborative office hour opportunity for educational staff serving highly mobile students in Kansas on Feb. 24.
These office hours are 2-4 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of every month, and available as a drop-in format for district staff who are not expected to participate for the full two hours given time and calendar constraints.
Read more...
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Applications open for the
Kansas CTE Scholar awards; due March 1
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Applications are being accepted for the Kansas Career and Technical Education (CTE) Scholar awards. The deadline for submitting the application is March 1.
These awards recognize students who have indicated a well-rounded demonstration of knowledge and skill according to their experiences within CTE.
Read more...
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Reminder: Applications for 2026-27
CTE Pathways due March 1
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Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ)
trainings for 2026-2027
Kindergarten Readiness Snapshot
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The first five years of a child’s life are an incredible opportunity to support student success. Building strong relationships with families prepares schools, families, and children for a successful school year.
All accredited Kansas elementary schools must partner with families of incoming kindergarten students to collect kindergarten-entry data using the Ages & Stages Questionnaires® (ASQ).
Read more...
| | Student Health and Nutrition | | Jayhawk USD 346 sources locally-grown products for school meals | | |
By Eryn Davis, KSDE child nutrition and wellness team
"It's a little extra work, but it makes the food so much better," says Wendi Baldwin, director of food service for Jayhawk USD 346, when discussing using local products in the district's recipes.
In 2025, the district released a request for proposal (RFP) for locally grown foods for the School Nutrition Program's 2025-2026 program year. Freedom Farms, (pictured left) a Fort Scott-based regenerative farm, contracted with USD 346 to sell locally grown, raw chicken. Freedom Farms is a licensed poultry processor, raising pasture poultry, lamb and eggs.
Read more...
| | School Nutrition Program baking training scheduled for March 16-17 | | |
KSDE Child Nutrition and Wellness will be hosting an in-person “Baking Boot Camp” trainings, 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., on March 16 -17, in Salina.
This two-day training is intended for school bakers and aspiring school bakers. Participants will learn about the baking process and techniques for baking in quantity production. Quick breads will be covered on March 16, while yeast breads will be covered on March 17. A $25 fee will be assessed per attendee, per day.
To register, email Marissa Hales, marissa.hales@ksde.gov, and let her know whether you’ll be attending one or both days.
| | Upcoming Events, Trainings and Recognition | | |
Reminder: Reserve rooms, make plans to attend the 2026 Great Ideas
in Education Conference
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By Pat Bone, KSDE division of learning services
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) invites district and building leadership teams to the 2026 Great Ideas in Education Conference, July 27-29, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel and Convention Center, in Wichita.
This powerful three-day experience has been designed to strengthen coherence across Kansas’ school improvement efforts.
Read more...
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Reminder: Registration open for
2026 BOOST Summit, June 29-30
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The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) and Educate Kansas are proud to host the 2nd Annual BOOST Summit (Building Opportunities for Outstanding Teachers), June 29-30, at Emporia State University.
Sessions will be organized around three strands:
- Professional learning
- Problem-solving
- Creation of tools for implementation
Read more...
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ICYMI: Credits available for attendees of
Midwest Cerebral/Cortical Visual
Impairment Conference
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From Marites Altuna, director of family infant-toddler services, Kansas State School for the Blind
The 2026 Midwest Cerebral/Cortical Visual Impairment Conference will be 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., on March 27, at Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview, in Wichita.
"It Takes A Team: Working Together to Build Better Outcomes for Children with Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI)," is the theme of the conference focused on supporting families, educators, and providers in serving children with CVI.
Read more...
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Reminder: Early childhood conference to focus on school improvement,
challenging behaviors, Feb. 25
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The Kansas Division for Early Childhood (KDEC) will host a one-day preconference "Supporting Young Children with Challenging Behavior (birth-five),” on Feb. 25.
This session will be 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., at the DoubleTree Airport Hotel, in Wichita. It will focus on understanding behavior, strengthening adult responses, and building effective support plans.
Read more...
| | Bethany College education program to host annual conference in April | | |
Bethany College’s education program is hosting "Innovative Next Steps: PreK-12 Learning," the school’s annual conference, on April 11.
This unique event is a great opportunity for career Pre-K-12 teachers, college students studying education, or high school youth considering a career in education.
Register here: https://www.bethanylb.edu/education-conference. Check this webpage periodically for updates.
Contact Alan English, chair of the education department, Englishae@bethanylb.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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February
20: KIDS Collection MILT (2nd military student count) opens; closes March 11. Contact KSDE helpdesk, (785) 296-7935, with questions.
23: ESEA Title IA monthly office hour, 9 – 10 a.m. Register here: ESEA Title IA February Office Hours. Contact Roxanne Zillinger, Roxanne.zillinger@ksde.gov, with questions.
24: "Preparing for the 2026-2027 Kindergarten Readiness Snapshot,” virtual, 3:30 - 4 p.m. Register at ksdetasn.org/events. Contact Natalie McClane, natalie.mcclane@ksde.gov, with questions.
24-25: School Nutrition Program Jump Start training, in Hays. Contact Holly Steinlage, holly.steinlage@ksde.gov, to register and for questions.
25: "Preparing for the 2026-2027 Kindergarten Readiness Snapshot,” virtual, 9 - 9:30 a.m. Register at ksdetasn.org/events. Contact Natalie McClane, natalie.mcclane@ksde.gov, with questions.
25: Kansas Division for Early Childhood (KDEC) preconference, "Supporting Young Children with Challenging Behavior (birth-five), 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., at the DoubleTree Airport Hotel, in Wichita. Registration is $100 per person. Click here to register. Contact deckansas@gmail.com with questions.
27: LCP (Local Consolidated Plan) consortium assignments due. Contact Nicole Clark, nicole.clark@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-4925, with questions.
27-28: Kansas Division for Early Childhood (KDEC) conference, DoubleTree Airport Hotel, in Wichita. Click here to register and for more information. Contact deckansas@gmail.com with questions.
28: Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Consolidated Review Self-Assessment window for Cohort #2 closes. Contact Twyla Sprouse, twyla.sprouse@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-6714 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. | | | | |
