Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 | Issue 120

In This Week's Edition

Feature Stories

KSDE website, email addresses to transition to .gov domain

Reporting and Operations

Educator Data Collection System (EDCS) open for licensed personnel and spring vacancy reports
Scholarships available for students who have exited foster care
Reminder: Kansas Seal of Biliteracy guidance available online
Reminder: Options for English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) license endorsement requirements outlined

IT & Cybersecurity

Accountability, Accreditation and Assessments

Student Health and Nutrition

School Nutrition Program Jump Start training scheduled for Jan. 30

Upcoming Events, Trainings and Recognition

Feature Stories

KSDE website, emails to

transition to ".gov" domain

The Kansas State Department of Education’s website and email domains will change from “.org” to “.gov” this month.

Key dates for this transition:

Jan 8: KSDE’s website will change from www.ksde.org to www.ksde.gov.
Jan. 15: KSDE email addresses will become f irstname.lastname@ksde.gov (i.e., john.doe@ksde.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 via email after Jan. 8 and 15, respectively, 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.

Reporting and Operations

Educator Data Collection System (EDCS)

open for licensed personnel and

spring vacancy reports

The Educator Data Collection System (EDCS) is now open for submission of the Licensed Personnel Report (LPR) and Spring Vacancy Report (SVR). The LPR is due on March 1. The SVR will be submitted within the LPR.

Click here for training resources: https://www.ksde.org/Agency/Division-of-Learning-Services/Teacher-Licensure-TL/Licensed-Personnel

For questions about entering data for the LPR, contact Leslie Bruton, lbruton@ksde.org, or (785) 296–8011.

Scholarships for students who have exited foster care

Students who have risen above the challenges of life situations by exiting foster care and entering into permanent guardianship after the age of 13 have the opportunity to apply for a scholarship through Umps Care, a nonprofit organization founded by Major League Baseball umpires.

This is an opportunity for qualifying students to receive up to $10,000 in scholarship money annually and $40,000 over four years as long as they meet the requirements to maintain the scholarship. This information can be shared with any youth who may qualify.

The window to apply for the 2025 scholarships is Feb. 1 - May 1. Click here for more information: https://umpscare.com/scholarship/all-star-college-scholarship/

Contact Kelly Tichenor, kelly.tichenor@usd363.com, with questions.

Reminder: Kansas Seal of Biliteracy

guidance available online

The 2024-25 Kansas Seal of Biliteracy guidelines and spreadsheet for uploading student data have been posted on the KSDE Seal of Biliteracy website.

Important for this year: Districts will upload the student information spreadsheet to a secure drop box. Please do not email the spreadsheet to KSDE. The person submitting the spreadsheet for the school district will need to create an account and then upload the spreadsheet.

To access the instructions for setting up an account and uploading your district’s student information spreadsheet, click here: https://www.ksde.org/Agency/Division-of-Learning-Services/Career-Standards-and-Assessment-Services/Content-Area-M-Z/World-Languages/Seal-of-Biliteracy

Contact Mike Flenthrope, mflenthrope@ksde.org or sealofbiliteracy@ksde.org, with questions.

Reminder: Options for English Speakers of

Other Languages (ESOL)

license endorsement requirements outlined

As of Jan. 1, educators will be required by state regulation to meet one of the two options below to add an English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) endorsement to a license. Educators will qualify for waivers as they complete course requirements for either option.

Option 1: Add ESOL to a standard teaching license

The first option is to complete a Kansas state-approved ESOL program through a university or college that offers the program and pass the state-approved ESOL content exam. The regulation, K.A.R. 91-1-203, updated and approved by the Kansas State Board of Education in March 2023, did not affect this option. Waivers and provisional licenses are available if an educator decides to pursue an ESOL endorsement by completion of the full program while serving in an ESOL position.

IT & Cybersecurity

KSDE IT to host AI in Education

webinar on Jan. 15

The KSDE IT team will host a webinar with Ronnie Williams, coordinator of instructional resources at Greenbush Education Center, on Jan. 15, to explore the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) in education.

This virtual session will cover key AI concepts, real-world applications in today’s classrooms and ethical considerations. Discussion will include how AI can personalize learning, automate tasks, and enhance educational research.

ICYMI: Kansas Education Data System (KEDS)

takes next step

The Kansas Education Data System (KEDS) production environment is ready, according to KSDE Information Technology staff.

Student Information System (SIS) vendors have been made aware and those who are certified will begin the process of onboarding their districts with KSDE. Certification involves a live transfer of data from the SIS to the KSDE test environment where KSDE IT staff can validate all expected data elements are coming through appropriately. 

Accountability, Accreditation and Assessments

KESA action plan virtual office hours

slated for Jan. 8

New resources and updated guidance will be shared during the monthly virtual office hours in 2025. The first office hours of the new year will be 3-4 p.m., on Jan. 8.

Systems will have the opportunity to get feedback and ask questions about their Kansas Education System Accreditation (KESA) 2.0 action plans and hear about newly available resources.

KESA virtual monthly update

scheduled for Jan. 13

The KSDE Accreditation and Design team will be hosting the KESA virtual monthly update, 10:30 – 11:15 a.m., on Jan. 13.

Join the update by clicking here . No passcode is required. Materials shared during the meeting, as well as a recording, will be posted on the KESA Conference Calls and Training webpage.

Contact accreditation@ksde.org to receive reminders or to add someone to the KESA listserv.

Student Health and Nutrition

School Nutrition Program Jump Start training scheduled for Jan. 30

New School Nutrition Program (SNP) directors and managers are invited to join the KSDE Child Nutrition and Wellness team for the spring Jump Start training, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., on Jan. 30, at the Smoky Hill Education Service Center, in Salina. This training opportunity is for those with less than three years of experience.

Developed to incorporate personalized training and leadership development through mentoring opportunities, Jump Start encourages group discussions so participants can be actively involved in learning best practices from the field. Participants who complete the Jump Start program will develop the skills and knowledge needed for the successful operation of school nutrition programs.

Contact Holly Steinlage, hsteinlage@ksde.org, to register and for more information.

Upcoming Events, Trainings and Recognition

Final reminder: HirePaths to host informational webinar on Jan. 8

A “What’s New with HirePaths?” webinar has been scheduled for 12-1 p.m., on Jan. 8. Click here for the Zoom link.

HirePaths introduces Kansas kids of all ages to high demand jobs our state will need in the future. Materials are free for educators and families to use.

Presented by HirePaths founder Kristin Brighton, the Jan. 8 workshop will provide an overview of the program's features, highlight new resources that have been recently added for educators at all grade levels, and provide specific ideas about how to use this content in classrooms and at home.

Contact Kristin Brighton, kristin@newbostoncreative.com, or 785-587-8185, with questions.

Registration reminder: Innovate Next Steps: Pre-K-12 Learning set for Feb. 8

at Bethany College

Veteran educators, anyone considering a career in education, and anyone in between is invited to Bethany College’s education conference, on Feb. 8.

The deadline to register is Jan. 18.

Attendees will have an opportunity to earn graduate credit, obtain professional development points, collaborate and network with other educators, and learn more about a career in education.

The cost for college credit is $300 ($150 per credit; the conference is two credit hours). The registration fee, which includes lunch, is $40 for teachers and $10 for high school students.

Bringing a group? Ask about possible transportation gas reimbursement.

Contact Alan English, englishAE@bethanyLB.edu, or (785) 227-3380, for more information.

Renaissance's new customer support system goes into effect

Renaissance has consolidated their legacy customer support systems for all products into a new, comprehensive system.

As of Jan. 1, all support requests are currently handled via the new system to provide a more seamless experience for all cases for a customer’s account.

All Renaissance support emails, website addresses, and phone numbers will remain unchanged so customers can continue to access support with no downtime in service.

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. 10: 8:30-9:30 a.m., FastBridge Friday. Register here.
Jan. 14: 9-10 a.m., FastBridge Lightning Round. Register here.
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.

Calendar

January

8: Science collaboration for new science teachers, virtual, 4-5 p.m. Register here. Contact Stephanie Alderman-Oler, salderman-oler@ksde.org, with questions.

8: 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, hasteinlage@ksde.org, with questions.

8: HirePaths informational webinar, “What’s New with HirePaths?”, 12-1 p.m. Click here for the Zoom link. Contact Kristin Brighton, kristin@newbostoncreative.com, or 785-587-8185, with questions.

9: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean School Bus Rebate Program applications due by 5 p.m. CST. Click here for more information. Contact CleanSchoolBus@epa.gov with questions.

9: English Language Arts training, Orion, Clearwater. Register here. Contact Dr. Laurie Curtis, lcurtis@ksde.org, with questions.

13: Structured literacy training, Greenbush, Girard. Register here. Contact Dr. Laurie Curtis, lcurtis@ksde.org, with questions.

13: KESA virtual monthly update, 10:30 – 11:15 a.m. Click here to join the Zoom. Contact accreditation@ksde.org for more information.

14: Science collaboration for curriculum leaders, virtual, 4-5 p.m. Register here. Contact Stephanie Alderman-Oler, salderman-oler@ksde.org, with questions.

14-15: Kansas State Board of Education meeting. Click here for the agenda and meeting materials.

15: Science collaboration for science teachers, virtual, 4-5 p.m. Register here. Contact Stephanie Alderman-Oler, salderman-oler@ksde.org, with questions.

15: AI in Education webinar, 1 p.m. Click here to register. Contact Chris Fletcher, cfletcher@ksde.org, with questions.

16: Kansas Preschool Pilot grant application due. Contact Natalie McClane, nmcclane@ksde.org, or Amanda Petersen, apetersen@ksde.org, with questions.

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

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

23: Structured literacy training, ESSDACK, Hutchinson. Register here. Contact Dr. Laurie Curtis, lcurtis@ksde.org, with questions.

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

24: Structured literacy training, Orion, Clearwater. Register here. Contact Dr. Laurie Curtis, lcurtis@ksde.org, with questions.

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

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

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

28: Local Consolidated Plan (LCP) quarterly meeting #3, 1-4 p.m., virtual. Register here. Contact Twyla Sprouse, tsprouse@ksde.org, 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, hsteinlage@ksde.org, to register and for more information.

31: Curriculum leaders meeting, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Bishop Professional Development Center, Topeka. Register here. Contact Pat Bone, pbone@ksde.org, 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, hasteinlage@ksde.org, 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, salderman-oler@ksde.org, with questions.

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

19: Science collaboration for science teachers, virtual, 4-5 p.m. Register here. Contact Stephanie Alderman-Oler, salderman-oler@ksde.org, 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, lbruton@ksde.org, or (785) 296–8011, 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, sclarke@ksde.org, 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, salderman-oler@ksde.org, with questions.

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

19: Science collaboration for science teachers, virtual, 4-5 p.m. Register here. Contact Stephanie Alderman-Oler, salderman-oler@ksde.org, 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, hasteinlage@ksde.org, 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@kanasmtss.org with questions.

8: Local Consolidated Plan (LCP) quarterly meeting #4, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., in-person, Hilton Garden Inn and Convention Center, Hays. Register here. Contact Twyla Sprouse, tsprouse@ksde.org, 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, salderman-oler@ksde.org, with questions.

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

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

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

18: Curriculum leaders meeting, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Maize Performing Arts and Aquatics Center. Contact Pat Bone, pbone@ksde.org, 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, hasteinlage@ksde.org, 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, salderman-oler@ksde.org, with questions.

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

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

July

27-30: Great Ideas in Education Conference, Hyatt Regency, in Wichita. Contact Pat Bone, pbone@ksde.org, 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.