KSDE Weekly

Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025 | Issue 122

In This Week's Edition

Feature Stories



Reporting and Operations




Accountability, Accreditation and Assessments



Standards and Instruction




Student Health and Nutrition



Upcoming Events, Trainings and Recognition



Feature Stories

Remembering Janet Waugh

(1941-2025)

Janet Waugh, 83, the longest serving member of the Kansas State Board of Education, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. She was first elected in 1999 and retired from the board in 2023. 


A 1959 graduate of Turner High School, Janet was a fierce advocate of public education, having been elected to the Turner USD 202 board of education in 1983 and serving for 16 years (eight years as president). She also served on local and state parent-teacher associations, was an honorary Life Member of the Kansas and national PTAs and served on several other district and community volunteer organizations. 


Read more...

Kansas State Board of Education receives update on structured literacy

licensure requirements

Members of the Kansas State Board of Education at their January meeting in Topeka received an update on the structured literacy requirements certain educators will have to meet beginning in 2028 to renew their teaching licenses. 


Kansas Education Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson told board members that more than 12,000 educators, mainly at the elementary level, have completed or are in the process of completing structured literacy training in Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling® (LETRS®), a state-approved program. Other approved training programs include Keys to Literacy and AIMS Pathways to Proficient Reading. 


Read more...

Meredith Reid, (front left center) a choral teacher at Girard USD 248, celebrates with her students and choir directing assistant Pat Harry after being awarded the 2024-25 Milken Educator Award.

Girard music teacher’s passion for music earned her the 2024-25

Milken Educator Award

After several years with no program, music once again fills the halls of Girard Middle and High School thanks to the vision and leadership of former Girard student Meredith Reid.  


Reid, (pictured left) who earned a bachelor’s degree in music education and a master’s degree in music from Kansas State University, was hired by the Girard district to reestablish the choral music program that was nonexistent when she herself attended the school years earlier. In just five years, she has developed an award-winning program that competes regularly in state competitions and performs throughout the Girard community.  


Read more....

KANSAS! Kids magazine

going out to school districts

As recently announced by Kansas Lt. Gov. David Toland, all fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade students in your school this week should begin receiving complimentary copies of KANSAS! Kids, a new magazine created especially for young Kansans, just in time for Kansas Day on Jan. 29.  


This special edition features an exclusive Kansas Day article created in partnership with the Kansas State Historical Society that offers students an engaging look at our state’s rich history. 


Read more...

Reporting and Operations

Reminder: KSDE website and email domains have changed to .gov

The Kansas State Department of Education’s website and email domains have changed from “.org” to “.gov.”  



The transition to “.gov” for KSDE’s website and email addresses is mandated by House Sub. for SB 291. This statute requires all websites maintained by a branch of Kansas government or state agency to use a “.gov” domain by Feb. 1.  


It’s important to note: If “.org” is used to access the KSDE website or to contact a KSDE staff member, those addresses will automatically be redirected to their appropriate “.gov” address to ensure no disruption in service.  


Contact the KSDE IT help desk at (785) 296-7935 with questions. 

ESSER funds reporting survey opens Jan. 21; training webinar slated for Jan. 29

The Fiscal Year 2024 annual reporting survey for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds opens Tuesday, Jan. 21. The deadline for submission will be March 7. 


The Qualtrics survey link will be sent via the ESSER listserv when the survey is available.  


Details on ESSER funds and a PDF of the annual reporting questions are posted on the KSDE’s Federal Disaster and Pandemic  webpage under “Annual Reporting for ESSER” and are updated as available. 


KSDE will have an ESSER annual report training webinar at 10 a.m., on Jan. 29. The link for this webinar will be sent via the ESSER listserv and the webinar recording will later be available on the ESSER webpage

 

For questions and a PDF copy of the 2023 annual reporting, contact  ESSER@ksde.gov

2025-2030 professional development (PD) plan review information provided

Districts with professional development (PD) plans expiring on July 31, may turn them in to the Kansas State Department of Education starting April 1, but no later than Aug. 1.  



Click here for the timeline and the list of districts that are part of this year’s review. KSDE staff will send an email with instructions and other information to the districts by the end of January.  


Read more...

Accountability, Accreditation and Assessments

Updates from the KSDE

Accreditation and Design Team

2025-26 School Improvement Day schedule announced  


The KSDE Accreditation and Design team has released the 2025-26 School Improvement Day schedule and is available on the KESA webpage. While the dates are expected to closely align with - if not exactly match - this year's schedule, the Accreditation and Design team will confirm any changes as needed.

 

Registration links for the School Improvement Days are currently being developed. The schedule will be made available again once the links are finalized. 


Read more...

Standards and Instruction

Reminder: 2025-26 Preschool-Aged At-Risk

approval forms due April 3

The Preschool-Aged At-Risk Program provides school districts with funding for preschool-aged students. In districts operating approved programs, 3-and 4-year-old students who meet an at-risk criterion for the Preschool-Aged At-Risk Program and who are enrolled and attending on Count Day will automatically count as a ½ student (0.5 FTE) in calculating a district’s enrollment and accompanying weightings.


Districts are encouraged to create integrated programs that include all students and to develop strong community partnerships. 


Read more...

Reminder: 2024-25 Kindergarten Readiness Snapshot (ASQ®) participation rate data

available to review

Engaging with families to build strong relationships during children’s transition into kindergarten is a key strategy to prepare children, families, and schools for a successful start to the kindergarten year.  


All Kansas elementary schools are required to partner with families to complete the Ages & Stages Questionnaires®, Third Edition (ASQ-3) and Ages & Stages Questionnaires®: Social-Emotional, Second Edition (ASQ:SE-2). These tools provide a snapshot of children’s developmental milestones. As caregivers know their children best, they complete both questionnaires before school staff share and discuss the screening results. 


Read more...

KSDE continues partnership with IXL Math

The Kansas State Department of Education is continuing its partnership with IXL Math for the 2025-26 school year. IXL Learning provides schools with a free supplemental instructional program that can help Kansas students improve their math skills. 


A bill passed by the Kansas Legislature in 2022 appropriated $4 million for a virtual math program. The state put out a request for proposal (RFP), and IXL Learning was awarded the two-year contract. 


IXL Math is aligned to Kansas standards and is evidence-based. It offers personalized learning with a comprehensive K-12 curriculum, individualized guidance and real-time analytics. IXL Math’s curriculum is built on more than 9,000 skills that are scaffolded to help each student target their specific areas of need. Since IXL Math is custom-built for Kansas standards, teachers are able to know exactly what students should work on to meet key benchmarks. 


Contact kansas@ixl.com with questions. 

Student Health and Nutrition

KSDE Child Nutrition and Wellness team to host required procurement training on Jan. 22

The KSDE Child Nutrition and Wellness (CNW) team will be hosting a required procurement training for School Nutrition Program (SNP) sponsors on Jan. 22. 


Per the Child Nutrition Program Integrity Final Rule, school nutrition program directors, management, and/or staff who work on procurement activities must complete procurement training annually. For the 2025-26 school year, all sponsors must complete procurement training by June 30.


Read more... 

Upcoming Events, Trainings and Recognition

Educator Data Collection System (EDCS) district trainings scheduled

Two training events are scheduled in the coming weeks for how to submit the Licensed Personnel Report (LPR) and Spring Vacancy Report (SVR) in the Educator Data Collection System (EDCS). This training will be geared toward “EDCS beginners”, but anyone can attend.

 

Both trainings will be offered via Zoom and also simultaneously in-person in Room 102, first floor board room, at the Kansas State Department of Education, Landon State Office Building, 900 S.W. Jackson, in Topeka.  


Contact Leslie Bruton, leslie.bruton@ksde.gov or (785) 296-8011, to reserve an in-person seat. Those attending the Zoom don’t have to register.  


Early Childhood virtual ECHO Series to be offered this spring

A three-part series of virtual trainings focused on young learners and strategies to address behavior in the early childhood setting will be offered in the coming months using the ECHO model of tele-mentoring. This professional development opportunity is hosted by Telehealth ROCKS of the University of Kansas-Medical Center. 


Each session features an educational component and a case discussion about how to better support a child with a behavior challenge. Educational, behavioral health and parenting experts will lead the sessions.  


Read more...

Reminder: Child care regional roundtables scheduled for Jan. 23, March 12 

Early childhood professionals, caregivers, community members working to support local child care efforts, and anyone with an interest in child care in Kansas are invited to join a regional roundtable event to share your experiences with child care in your region. 


The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Child Care Licensing System Improvement Team and the team supporting the All In For Kansas Kids statewide strategic plan for early childhood will be hosting a series of regional events over the course of the next year. The goal of these roundtables is to engage communities in strengthening child care in Kansas. They are free and open to the public. 


Read more...

Reminder: Administrators of Local Consolidated Plans (LCPs) can register for upcoming quarterly meetings

Registration is now open for the following third and fourth quarterly meetings for administrators of Local Consolidated Plans (LCPs). 


 

Contact Twyla Sprouse, assistant director, KSDE Special Education and Title Services, twyla.sprouse@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-6714 with questions. 

FastBridge implementation professional learning/support available

If interested in a FastBridge session listed below, but are unable to join, use the Newsletter Engagement Form to request additional dates and times using option #5. 


Each FastBridge district can request an administrator workshop on topics such as onboarding, data reviews and more. Schedule it by using the form and select option #6. 


Upcoming FastBridge virtual trainings


  • Jan. 20: 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Admin Workshop. Register here
  • Jan. 21: 9-10:30 a.m., Using the Growth Report in FastBridge for Teachers. Register here
  • Jan. 22: 1-2:30 p.m., Using the Growth Report in FastBridge for Leaders. Register here
  • Jan. 23: 1:30-2:30 p.m., Group Screening Report for Leaders. Register here


Read more...

Calendar

January 


16: Kansas Preschool Pilot grant application due. Contact Natalie McClane, natalie.mcclane@ksde.gov, or Amanda Petersen, amanda.petersen@ksde.gov, with questions.


17: English Language Arts training, ESSDACK, Hutchinson. Register here. Contact Dr. Laurie Curtis, laurie.curtis@ksde.gov, with questions.


17: English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)/Title III needs assessment survey due. Contact Emily Scott, emily.scott@ksde.gov, with questions.


18: Deadline to register for Innovate Next Steps: Pre-K-12 Learning conference, Feb. 8, at Bethany College. Click here to register. Contact Alan English, englishAE@bethanyLB.edu, or (785) 227-3380, with questions. 

 

20: Structured literacy training, Greenbush, Lawrence. Register here. Contact Dr. Laurie Curtis, laurie.curtis@ksde.gov, with questions.


23: Structured literacy training, ESSDACK, Hutchinson. Register here. Contact Dr. Laurie Curtis, laurie.curtis@ksde.gov, with questions.


23: English Language Arts training, Smoky Hill, Salina. Register here. Contact Dr. Laurie Curtis, laurie.curtis@ksde.gov, with questions.


24: Structured literacy training, Orion, Clearwater. Register here. Contact Dr. Laurie Curtis, laurie.curtis@ksde.gov, with questions.


24: Introduction to ASQ training, virtual, 9 a.m. – noon. Click here to register. Contact Stacy Clarke, stacy.clarke@ksde.gov, with questions.


27: English Language Arts training, Greenbush, Girard. Register here. Contact Dr. Laurie Curtis, laurie.curtis@ksde.gov, with questions.


28: Local Consolidated Plan (LCP) quarterly meeting #3, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., virtual. Register here. Contact Twyla Sprouse, twyla.sprouse@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-6714, with questions.


28: Local Consolidated Plan (LCP) quarterly meeting #3, 1-4 p.m., virtual. Register here. Contact Twyla Sprouse, twyla.sprouse@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-6714, with questions.


30: 2025 Virtual Health Care Career Day, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Zoom instructions will be sent out the week before Jan. 30. Click here to register at no cost and click here for the agenda. Contact Jaron Caffrey, jcaffrey@kha-net.org, or (316) 640-9570 with questions.


30: School nutrition program Jump Start training, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Salina. Contact Holly Steinlage, holly.steinlage@ksde.gov, to register and for more information. 


31: Curriculum leaders meeting, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Bishop Professional Development Center, in Topeka. Register here. Contact Pat Bone, pat.bone@ksde.gov, with questions. 


February 


5: KESA 2.0 action plan virtual office hours, 3-4 p.m. Questions can be submitted within 24 hours of the virtual meeting by completing this survey. Click here for the Zoom link. Contact Hayley Steinlage, hayley.steinlage@ksde.gov, with questions.


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


8: Innovate Next Steps: Pre-K-12 Learning conference, Bethany College, Lindsborg. Deadline to register is Jan. 18. Contact Alan English, englishAE@bethanyLB.edu, or (785) 227-3380 with questions.


10: Kansas Clean Diesel Program funding applications due by 5 p.m. CST. Contact kdhe.dera@ks.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. 


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.

 

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. 


26-27: 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. 


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. 


5: KESA 2.0 action plan virtual office hours, 3-4 p.m. Questions can be submitted within 24 hours of the virtual meeting by completing this survey. Click here for the Zoom link. Contact Hayley Steinlage, hayley.steinlage@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.


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. 


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. 


April  


2: KESA 2.0 action plan virtual office hours, 3-4 p.m. Questions can be submitted within 24 hours of the virtual meeting by completing this survey. Click here for the Zoom link. Contact Hayley Steinlage, hayley.steinlage@ksde.gov, 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. 


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.


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


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.


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 


7: KESA 2.0 action plan virtual office hours, 3-4 p.m. Questions can be submitted within 24 hours of the virtual meeting by completing this survey. Click here for the Zoom link. Contact Hayley Steinlage, hayley.steinlage@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


4: KESA 2.0 action plan virtual office hours, 3-4 p.m. Questions can be submitted within 24 hours of the virtual meeting by completing this survey. Click here for the Zoom link. Contact Hayley Steinlage, hayley.steinlage@ksde.gov, with questions.


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. 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.