KSDE Weekly

Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026 | Issue 174

In This Week's Edition

Feature Stories

Kansas Teacher of the Year team emphasizes support for students, teachers at Kansas Statehouse
2026 KTOY team recognized, more education-related bills introduced during third week of Kansas legislative session
ICYMI: KSDE Insight Podcast - How Kansas Funds Schools and Why It Matters for Families

Reporting and Operations

Reminder: Requirement eliminated to submit a separate professional development plan
Webinar for 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant applicants available Feb. 3

IT & Cybersecurity

Reminder: KSDE to facilitate workshops at MACE event on March 4

Accountability, Accreditation and Assessments

Standards and Instruction

Student Health and Nutrition

Upcoming Events, Trainings and Recognition

Happy Kansas Day as we commemorate the Sunflower State's admittance as the 34th state in the Union as a free state on

Jan. 29, 1861 - exactly 165 years ago today!

Feature Stories

The 2026 Kansas Teacher of the Year team was at the Kansas Statehouse on Jan. 28, where they spoke to the Senate Education Committee about the education issues important to them. They were also recognized on the House and Senate floors. Pictured: Back row, from left, Jason Peters and Troy St. Clair; front row, from left, Tranda Strnad, Susan Rogers, Julie Smith, Rachel Marlow, Tracie Betz and Lauren Sage.

Kansas Teacher of the Year team

emphasizes support for students,

teachers at Kansas Statehouse

The 2026 Kansas Teacher of the Year team gathered in Topeka this week to advocate for the state’s school children and the teaching profession.

In addition to the team being introduced on the Kansas House and Senate floors and recognized for their accomplishments and contributions to teaching, they each spoke to the Senate Education Committee.

2026 KTOY team recognized, more education-related bills introduced during third week of Kansas legislative session

Several new education-related bills were introduced during the third week of the Kansas legislative session, including a bill that would require school districts to verify the gross household income of each student who qualifies for free meals under the National School Lunch Program.

ICYMI: KSDE Insight Podcast - How Kansas Funds Schools and Why It Matters for Families

School funding can feel complicated and disconnected from the classroom, but it plays a major role in the opportunities students experience every day.

In this month’s episode of the KSDE Insight Podcast, now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube, we break down how school funding works in Kansas, where the money comes from, and how funding decisions affect class sizes, programs, and student supports.

"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!

Reporting and Operations

Reminder: Requirement eliminated to submit a separate professional development plan

On Jan. 14, 2026, the Kansas State Board of Education passed a motion stating, “the Kansas State Board of Education approves eliminating the requirement for districts to submit a separate professional development plan to reduce unnecessary administrative obligations and allow districts to focus resources on the locally driven professional learning activities embedded in their school improvement work” and approved that motion.

Webinar for 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant applicants

available Feb. 3

The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) is conducting the Nita M. Lowey Kansas 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) Grant competition this year.

These grants provide funds for out-of-school time programs serving students who attend a school with a 40% or higher free/reduced lunch population.

IT & Cybersecurity

Reminder: KSDE to facilitate workshops

at MACE event on March 4

By Christopher Fletcher, KSDE IT team

The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE), in partnership with the Mid-America Association for Computers in Education (MACE), will provide several reporting related sessions at the MACE event, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., on March 4, at the K-State Alumni Center, 1720 Anderson Ave., in Manhattan.

Accountability, Accreditation and Assessments

How state assessment data affects

local education agencies (LEAs)

By Cary Rogers, KSDE Special Education and Title Services team

State assessment participation plays a critical role in accountability and compliance for Local Education Agencies (LEAs).

Under federal requirements, schools that are federally identified for support and improvement cannot exit that status unless they meet the 95% state assessment participation threshold. This requirement ensures that assessment data reflects nearly all students and supports equitable decision-making.

Reminder: State assessment requirements outlined prior to test window opening

By Cary Rogers, KSDE Special Education and Title Services team

The testing window for the Kansas Assessment Program will open in March. The following information outlines the federal requirements for taking the assessments and the importance of the tests including all student subgroups.

Under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), states are required to administer annual assessments in grades 3–8 and at least once during high school to measure student achievement. These assessments provide essential information about how well students are learning and progressing toward state academic standards.

Reminder: KELPA, WIDA Alternate ACCESS assessment window opens Feb. 2; closes March 13

The testing window for the Kansas English Language Proficiency Assessment (KELPA) and the WIDA Alternate ACCESS Assessment is Feb. 2 - March 13.

The scoring window for KELPA is Feb. 2 - April 6.

Contact Emily Scott, emily.scott@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-4941, with questions.

Reminder: Window for DLM test assessment

opens Feb. 2; closes April 24

The spring test window for the Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) alternate assessment is Feb. 2 - April 24.

Contact Cary Rogers, cary.rogers@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-0916 with questions.

Reminder: Important 2026-27 School Improvement Day information provided

The KSDE accreditation and design team reminds districts and systems to check the 2026-2027 School Improvement Days Schedule for when their cohort meets next school year.

Districts and systems should read through Hosting a School Improvement Day Guidance before submitting their intent to host a School Improvement Day. It outlines the expectations/requirements/cost agreements a system must agree to and have in place to host a School Improvement Day during the 2026-27 school year.

Contact Jay Scott, jay.scott@ksde.gov, with questions.

Standards and Instruction

Reminder: ESEA Title IA monthly office hour available this spring

The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) is offering a new collaborative office hour for those educational staff who work with the Title IA program, including Schoolwide Programs, Targeted Assistance Programs, and Parent and Family Engagement.

Reminder: KSDE teacher licensure team seeks educator preparation program reviewers

The Kansas State Department of Education is seeking KSDE-trained program reviewers to review several educator preparation programs this spring.

Higher education institutions must have approved programs for all areas for which they wish to make licensing recommendations, so these reviews are vital to maintaining strong educator preparation in Kansas.

Reminder: Virtual office hours available 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.

These virtual office hours, scheduled for 2-4 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of every month, will be 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.

Student Health and Nutrition

School Nutrition Program Jump Start

training scheduled for Feb. 24 - 25

A two-day orientation for school nutrition program directors (including authorized representatives and food service directors) will be Feb. 24-25, in Hays.

This training offers a comprehensive introduction to program responsibilities and highlights key resources and tools that support compliance with federal and state regulations. Attendees will gain practical guidance, insights, and best practices from KSDE child nutrition consultants while connecting with fellow new directors to build a supportive professional network.

Contact Holly Steinlage, holly.steinlage@ksde.gov, to register and questions.

Reminder: CNW hosts virtual weekly

wellness workshops in February

The KSDE Child Nutrition and Wellness team is hosting a one-hour "Wellness Wednesdays" webinar series each Wednesday in February. Sessions will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

This year’s theme is “Food Questions and Myth Busting with Kansas Farmers and Ranchers.” Join the organizations powered by Kansas farmers and ranchers to explore your food questions, examine the latest food trends, and engage in science- and nutrition-based conversations that strengthen your confidence in the foods you choose for children.

Upcoming Events, Trainings and Recognition

More details provided for

2026 Great Ideas in Education Conference

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.

ICYMI: Visiting International Teacher webinar and Letter of Intent information provided

Pictured here are the 2023-24 VITs, together with their families, during the fall 2023 retreat in Topeka. (Photo submitted by Sarah Nelson)

School districts are invited to participate in an informational session about hosting a Visiting International Teacher (VIT) during the 2026-27 school year. The webinar will be 12 – 1 p.m., on Feb. 12. Access the webinar at this link.

VITs are experienced teachers, all from Spain, who live and work in Kansas for up to five years as part of a cultural exchange. They can teach a variety of subjects ranging from elementary education to high school chemistry and participate in cross-cultural activities in their schools and communities.

Reminder: National early literacy institute

slated for late February

The National Center on Early Childhood Development, Teaching, and Learning will host "Read, Talk, Play, Thrive: A Whole-Child Literacy Institute," Feb. 24-26, in Kansas City.

This conference will shine a light on best literacy practices that support brain development and help every child take their first steps toward a lifelong love of learning.

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).

View upcoming professional learning opportunities on the TASN events calendar.
Learn more about TASN projects.

Contact Michele Hayes, mrhayes@pittstate.edu, with questions.

Calendar

January

30: Deadline to register for Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) online workshop, on Feb. 7. Contact Sarah Reed, sarah.reed@ksde.gov, with questions.

31: Text to speech applications for state assessment due. The combined .pdf must be sent to TTSpassages@ksde.gov by the end of the day. Contact Cary Rogers, cary.rogers@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-0619 with questions.

February

2: KELPA, WIDA assessment window opens; closes March 13. KELPA scoring window opens on Feb. 2; closes April 6. Contact Emily Scott, emily.scott@ksde.gov or (785) 296-4941, with questions.

2: Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) alternate assessment spring test window opens; closes April 24. Contact Cary Rogers, cary.rogers@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-0916 with questions.

3: 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) Grant applicant webinar, 1-3 p.m. Access the webinar here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82157803344. Contact Christine Macy, Christine.Macy@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-3287 with questions.

6: 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, or (785) 296-6714 with questions.

6: Kansas Volunteer Commission survey deadline. Contact Sarah Nelson, sarah.nelson@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.