Thursday, March 13, 2025 | Issue 130

In This Week's Edition

Feature Stories

Accountability, Accreditation and Assessments

Standards and Instruction

Reminder: Preparing for the 2025-26 Kindergarten Readiness Snapshot

Student Health and Nutrition

Upcoming Events, Trainings and Recognition

Feature Stories

Additional pathway to Seal of Literacy presented to State Board members

during March meeting

Members of the Kansas State Board of Education received an update on the Seal of Literacy training options along with a request to add another option during the board’s March meeting in Topeka this week.

Shane Carter, director of teacher licensure for the Kansas State Department of Education (pictured left), provided a review of the current science of reading licensure requirements in Kansas.

Carter outlined the State Board-approved licensure tests:

Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling, (LETRS®) for elementary educators, early childhood and administrators.
AIMS Pathways
Keys to Literacy

Nugent named KSDE Deputy Commissioner of the Division of Learning Services

With more than 30 years of experience in public education, Dr. Renee Nugent has been named the deputy commissioner of the Kansas State Department of Education’s division of learning services. She will begin her duties on July 1.

“I love education,” Nugent said. “It’s just beyond comprehension to me that I’m getting the opportunity to impact schools across the entire state of Kansas.”

Currently the superintendent of Atchison USD 409 and 2025 Kansas Superintendent of the Year, Nugent was approved for the position by the Kansas State Board of Education following an executive session during the board’s monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 11. She will succeed Dr. Ben Proctor as he returns to Hesston USD 460 to serve as superintendent.

Insight podcast to feature Kansas and national education trends,

challenges and opportunities

Join Kansas Education Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson as he takes a deep dive into the world of Kansas public education on the relaunched Insight podcast.

Featuring engaging conversations with a diverse range of guests, this podcast explores the latest national and state issues impacting Kansas schools. Whether you're an educator, policymaker, parent, or community member, Insight delivers thought-provoking discussions on the challenges, opportunities, and innovations shaping the future of education in Kansas.

The first episode, From Slate to Screen: The Journey of Public Education, will be released on Spotify and other podcast platforms on March 27.

Recap of Week 9 of the

2025 Kansas legislative session

The Senate Committee on Ways and Means held hearings this week for Sub for HB 2007, the budget bill for state agencies including KSDE, and other education-related bills were heard in the House and Senate education committees during the ninth week of the 2025 Kansas legislative session.

The following bills have been passed out of their chamber of origin:

Sub for HB 2007: Making and concerning supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2025, and appropriations for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 for KSDE and various state agencies, including the Kansas State Department of Education.

Passed as amended in the House 83-36. A hearing was held Monday, March 10, through Thursday, March 13, in the Senate Committee on Ways and Means (see below for more information).

Accountability, Accreditation and Assessments

KESA virtual monthly update

scheduled for April 14

The next KESA virtual monthly update will be held at 10:30 - 11:15 a.m., on April 14. Join the meeting here; no passcode is required.

The March 10 KESA virtual update recording and slides are available. KESA standards development and KESA action plans were discussed.

Contact Rue Huereca-Retana, Rue.Huereca-Retana@ksde.gov, with questions.

Reminder: KSDE Accreditation and Design team offers resources for quality instruction

To support the selection and implementation of high-quality instructional materials (HQIMs), KSDE is releasing district-facing guidance and tools to support quality instruction. The guidance is designed to assist districts with prioritizing time while maximizing choice and flexibility. While the guidelines and actions are not exhaustive, they can be customized to address local needs.

The resources include the following:

KSDE vision for quality instruction
Vision for quality instruction in ELA, mathematics and science
Instructional materials selection guidance
Instructional materials selection guidance for ELA, mathematics and science
Instructional materials implementation guidance

Standards and Instruction

Reminder: Preparing for the 2025-26

Kindergarten Readiness Snapshot

By Amanda Petersen, director, KSDE Early Childhood

The first five years of a child’s life are an incredible opportunity to set a positive direction. Engaging with families to better understand children’s development prepares children, families and schools for a successful start to the kindergarten year.

To advance kindergarten readiness, all Kansas elementary schools are partnering with families of incoming kindergarten students to collect kindergarten-entry data. Families complete the Ages & Stages Questionnaires® (ASQ) to provide a snapshot of children’s developmental milestones.

Student Health and Nutrition

New Body Venture exhibit application deadline for 2025-26 school year is May 31

Body Venture is a traveling health education exhibit for K-5 students operated by KSDE’s Child Nutrition and Wellness team. It is a great opportunity for students to learn about the importance of making healthy food choices and being physically active.

The “Request to Schedule Body Venture” form for the 2025-26 school year is available at https://cnw.ksde.gov, SNP, SNP What’s New. The deadline to apply is May 31.

This interactive exhibit travels in its own truck and is set up in a school gym or multi-purpose room. It is an enclosed walk-through exhibit representing the human body. At each of Body Venture's 11 learning stations, a volunteer presenter engages the students in an experiential and educational activity focused on healthy choices helping students learn to “eat smart and play hard.”

Reminder: Gov. Laura Kelly declares

March 16-22 as National CACFP Week

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly declared March 16-22 as National Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Week when she was joined by KSDE Child Nutrition and Wellness staff and several Kansas CACFP operators for a proclamation signing on Feb. 28.

The CACFP week is a national education and information campaign sponsored annually the third week of March by the National CACFP Sponsors Association. The campaign is designed to raise awareness of how the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Child and Adult Care Food Program works to combat hunger.

Reminder: Schools and community organizations can offer summer meal programs

Summer meal programs are designed to fill the nutrition gap that occurs during the summer and make sure children can get the nutrition they need.

Administered by the Food and Nutrition Service in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, summer meal programs provide free, nutritious meals to kids ages 1 to 18. Many sites provide not just meals, but educational, enrichment, and recreational activities that help children continue to learn and stay safe when school is not in session.

KSDE Child Nutrition and Wellness celebrates National Nutrition Month^®

The KSDE Child Nutrition and Wellness team is celebrating National Nutrition Month^® with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics during the month of March. This campaign started in 1973 as National Nutrition Week. It evolved into a month-long observance seven years later in response to growing interest in nutrition.

During March, National Nutrition Month^® focuses on the importance of making informed food choices and developing healthful eating and physical activity habits.

This year's theme is "Food Connects Us.” Food is a connecting factor for many of us. Food connects us to our cultures, our families, our friends, and our planet.

For resources to promote National Nutrition Month^®, go to eatright.org/national-nutrition-month

Upcoming Events, Trainings and Recognition

Click on the video above to watch a message from Dr. Randy Watson, Kansas Commissioner of Education, about the Great Ideas in Education Conference, July 28-30.

Reminder: A message from Commissioner Watson about the Great Ideas in Education Conference

Registration is open for the Great Ideas in Education Conference and attendees can make room reservations now for the event, July 28-30, at the Hyatt Regency Wichita.

Click here for a video message from Kansas Education Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson about the conference.

The full conference registration fee is $300. To attend the conference only on Tuesday, July 29, the cost is $175.

Each district team of four will receive a discounted registration fee of $1,000 (a discount of $200 per district team).

Reminder: New date and place for the April curriculum leaders to meeting

Curriculum leaders will meet 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., on April 11, at Wichita State University.

Register here for the meeting that will take place in the Eugene M. Hughes Metropolitan Complex (Metroplex), Room 180, East 29th and Oliver, in Wichita.

Please note: This meeting replaces the April 18 meeting originally scheduled to take place at the Maize Performing Arts and Aquatics Center.

The agenda will be available soon.

For questions and to request specific topics, contact Pat Bone, pat.bone@ksde.gov.

College credit available for

Kansas Math Project modules

The Kansas Technical Assistance System Network (TASN) has partnered with Newman University to offer college credit for educators who receive certificate(s) of completion from the Kansas Math Project training.

The opportunity to earn college credits applies to past KMP participants as well as future KMP participants.

Fill out the Newman University application here, https://apply.newmanu.edu/register/workshops, to receive credit(s) for one or more of the following sessions:

Foundation modules = 1 credit hour
Pre-K – Grade 2 modules = 2 credit hours
Grades 3-5 modules = 2 credit hours
Secondary modules = 2 credit hours

Contact Todd Wiedemann, kmp@kansasmtss.org, or Cindy Spriggs, spriggsc@newmanu.edu, with questions.

Final reminder: Register by March 17 for fifth annual “Give Back Kansas Challenge”

By Dr. Jessica Dorsey, Kansas Volunteer Commission

Kansas employers, including school districts, are encouraged to register for the fifth annual “Give Back Kansas Challenge,” a statewide initiative that motivates employees to volunteer in their communities.

The eight-week challenge will run March 31 - May 23. Employers interested in participating must register by March 17 at www.bit.ly/Givebackks.

The Challenge allows employees to track and report their volunteer hours, with recognition given to those who volunteer regularly. For employees who are new to volunteering, the Challenge encourages them to explore new opportunities to enhance their skills and engage more deeply with their communities.

Reminder: Kansas Children’s Service League offers resources for recognizing April as

Child Abuse Prevention Month

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month with the theme, “Powered by Hope, Strengthened by Prevention.” The Kansas Children’s Service League (KCSL) is offering resources and materials to raise awareness about child abuse prevention programs.

For more than 40 years, national, state and local organizations have designated April as Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) month. Communities are encouraged to increase awareness about child and family well-being and work together to implement effective strategies that support families and prevent child abuse and neglect.

Reminder: Educate Kansas to host BOOST summit in June

Educate Kansas will host Building Opportunities for Outstanding Teachers (BOOST) on June 17, in Hays.

This event is a chance for Kansas leaders to collaborate, exchange ideas and develop proactive solutions to address the educator pipeline.

Contact Cris Seidel, crisseidel@educatekansas.org, with questions.

Reminder: Kansas Department of Labor seeking volunteers to test new career coaching website

The Labor Market Information division of the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) will soon unveil “Today’s Occupations, Tomorrow’s Opportunities” (T.O.T.O.), a new career coaching website designed to engage students in career exploration.

Prior to the April launch, KDOL is seeking sixth through 12th grade student volunteers to help test the site and provide feedback.

FastBridge implementation professional learning and support are available; FastBridge to be renormed

As part of the Kansas FastBridge statewide program, Renaissance Learning offers opportunities for professional learning and support to Kansas educators. This includes videos, webinars, consultation, and on-site workshops. The videos can be accessed through FASTFLIX.

Webinars are listed below under “Upcoming FastBridge virtual trainings.” Consultations and workshops can be requested on topics such as onboarding, data reviews and more.

Calendar

March

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

17: Deadline to register for fifth annual “Give Back Kansas Challenge,” March 31-May 23. Contact Dr. Jessica Dorsey at jessica.dorsey@ksde.gov or (785) 296-3163 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: Optional second grade reading assessment window opens; closes April 25. Click here for more information. Contact Chelsey Pelfrey, chelsea.pelfrey@ksde.gov or the Kite service desk at 855-277-9752 or kap-support@ku.edu with questions.

25: Preparing for the Kindergarten Readiness Snapshot, virtual, 10–10:30 a.m. and 3:30–4 p.m. Register here. Contact Stacy Clarke, stacy.clarke@ksde.gov, with questions.

26: Bus safety inspection workshop, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Dodge City USD 443 District Office Building, 2112 First Ave., in Dodge City. Register here. Contact Keith Dreiling, keith.dreiling@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-4567 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.

31: Single audits due to Federal Audit Clearinghouse. Click here for instructions. Contact KSDE’s Fiscal Auditing, auditing@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-4976 with questions.

31: Fifth annual “Give Back Kansas Challenge” opens; closes May 23. Contact Dr. Jessica Dorsey at jessica.dorsey@ksde.gov or (785) 296-3163 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.

11: Curriculum leaders meeting (New date and location), 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., at the Eugene M. Hughes Metropolitan Complex (Metroplex), Room 180, East 29th and Oliver, on the Wichita State University campus. Register here. Contact Pat Bone, pat.bone@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.

15: Higher education program reviewer virtual training, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Contact Catherine Chmidling, catherine.chmidling@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.

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.

24: Higher education program reviewer virtual training, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Contact Catherine Chmidling, catherine.chmidling@ksde.gov, with questions.

25: Optional second grade reading assessment window closes. Click here for more information. Contact Chelsey Pelfrey, chelsea.pelfrey@ksde.gov or the Kite service desk at 855-277-9752 or kap-support@ku.edu 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.

23: Fifth annual “Give Back Kansas Challenge” closes. Contact Dr. Jessica Dorsey at jessica.dorsey@ksde.gov or (785) 296-3163 with questions.

June

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

30: CPA independent auditor reports (non-single audit) due to the Kansas Department of Administration’s Municipal Services. Click here for instructions. Contact KSDE’s Fiscal Auditing, auditing@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-4976 with questions.

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. Click here for room reservations. 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.