Thursday, March 26, 2026 | Issue 182 | | |
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
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Refinement of Kansas instructional materials data visualization tool continues;
revisions due March 31
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The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) continues to fine-tune the Kansas Instructional Materials Data Visualization tool, also known as the “dashboard,” for school systems.
This tool is intended to foster collaboration across the state, supporting the selection of high-quality instructional materials as part of the quality instruction fundamental (one of the Four Fundamentals) in the school improvement model. The signaling of high-quality instructional materials (HQIMs) and creation of the dashboard is a project of KSDE and The New Teacher Project (TNTP).
Read more...
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Rewind: KSDE Insight Podcast –
Beyond the Diploma: What Parents Should Know About Readiness for
Life After High School
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Graduation is an important milestone, but true success after high school requires more than earning a diploma. In this month's episode of the KSDE Insight Podcast, we explore what it really means for students to be ready for life after graduation.
Kansas Education Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson and the following guests discuss the knowledge, skills, and habits students need to navigate life after high school with confidence.
- Dr. Blake Flanders, president/CEO, Kansas Board of Regents
- Dr. Jessica Dain, superintendent, Piper USD 203
- Chuck Knapp, president/CEO, Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG-K)
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!
| | Conference committees bundle bills ahead of First Adjournment during 11th week of Kansas legislative session | | |
Members of the Senate and House Education conference committees met this week to move bills through both chambers. Several bills were bundled into other bills including SB 515 and SB 361 into SB 382; SB 517, Sub for HB 2530, and HB 2743 into HB 2485; and SB 263, HB 2489, and HB 2663 into HB 2534.
First Adjournment is scheduled for Friday, March 27. Read below for an update on bills moving through the legislature.
Read more...
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Reminder: Juneteenth Day of Service
mini-grants available
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The Juneteenth Day of Service is an opportunity to empower individuals to promote equity and justice through community-based projects as well as recognize and celebrate African American culture and achievements.
To support this purpose, the Kansas Volunteer Commission, a program of the Kansas State Department of Education, announces the availability of grant funds.
Read more...
| | Accountability, Accreditation and Assessments | | KAP parent guide to practice tests available | | |
The new KAP Parent Guide to Practice Tests provides parents and families with access to online preview tests through the Kite Student Portal.
This resource is designed to help families better understand Kansas state assessments and explore the tools and the types of questions students encounter when taking the state assessments.
The window for the general summative assessments for students at Kansas brick and mortar schools is March 23 – April 24.
Families are encouraged to review this new resource to better understand the assessment experience and support their students.
Contact Chelsea Pelfrey, chelsea.pelfry@ksde.gov, with questions.
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Optional second grade
assessment window is open
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Would you like to let your students see how they use those foundational skills when applying them to narrative and expository text passages? Consider having them take the optional second grade assessment.
The window opened on Monday, March 23, and will close April 24.
This optional assessment measures the foundational skills and reading comprehension of second grade students.
Read more...
| | Reminder: KESA graduation webpage now live; trainings set for April | | |
The KESA Graduation webpage is now live. This page will show your system’s KESA graduation rate, the most recent and previous years’ rates. It will also show the rate of change from your previous KESA graduation rate to the most recent KESA graduation rate as well as the performance category your system is in, based on the KESA graduation standards.
Important reminder: The first evaluation of KESA graduation rate for each system will occur after the 2026-27 school year.
Read more...
| | Standards and Instruction | | Kansas Home Visiting Programs share information with policymakers and partners | | |
By Amanda Petersen, director, KSDE early childhood team
In February and March, Kansas Parents as Teachers programs joined other home visiting partners to share information about what home visiting is and how it supports children and families at several recent events.
During the February Kansas State Board of Education meeting, Kansas Parents as Teachers programs presented "Celebrating Kansas’ High-Quality Parents as Teachers Home Visiting Programs – Helping Families Raise Readers from Birth."
Read more...
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Kansas FFA members receive
business start-up grants
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By Beth Gaines, executive director, Kansas FFA Foundation
The Kansas FFA Foundation has awarded 40 grants of $500 each to Kansas FFA members to help expand and improve Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects across the state. The investments — totaling $20,000 — will support student-led, hands-on learning in animal systems, plant systems, agribusiness, and technical pathways.
Read more...
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Reminder: CTE Pathways student
follow up data due April 15
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The window for reporting Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways student follow up data is open. Districts are required to report accurate and complete CTE student data as a part of maintaining Perkins funding.
The deadline to submit data is April 15.
This data is simply reporting concentrators who exited during the 2024-2025 school year and what they are currently doing after graduation regarding CTE education and/or employment while including their satisfaction level.
Contact the PathwaysHelpDesk@ksde.gov with questions.
| | Student Health and Nutrition | | Final reminder: Required summer meals trainings set for March 31 and April 1 | | |
The KSDE Child Nutrition and Wellness (CNW) team will host two required trainings for Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sponsors on March 31 and April 1.
All new and returning SFSP sponsors must have at least one representative complete SFSP annual administrative training on Tuesday, March 31.
Read more...
| | Upcoming Events, Trainings and Recognition | | |
Registration is open for the
2026 Great Ideas in Education conference
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Registration is now open for the 2026 Great Ideas in Education conference, July 27-29, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel and Convention Center, in Wichita. The deadline to register is July 14.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) invites district and building leadership teams to this powerful three-day experience designed to strengthen coherence across Kansas’ school improvement efforts.
Read more...
| | Assistive technology trainings offered in April | | |
The Kansas Inclusive Learning and Teaching (KILT) project, a long-standing partnership between KSDE and Infinitec, is hosting two in-person assistive technology (AT) training sessions in April.
This interactive, foundational training is designed to help educators and IEP team members build confidence and clarity around assistive technology. Participants will gain a fresh perspective on how AT can remove barriers and expand access to learning, communication, and participation for all students.
Read more...
| | ICYMI: Kansas employers invited to participate in sixth annual Give Back Kansas Challenge | | |
By Katherine Seeley, Kansas Volunteer Commission
Kansas employers are encouraged to register for the fifth annual Give Back Kansas Challenge, a statewide initiative that motivates employees to volunteer in their communities.
The six-week challenge will run from April 20 through May 31, 2026. Employers interested in participating must register by April 10, at www.bit.ly/Givebackks.
The Give Back Kansas Challenge allows employees to track and report their volunteer hours, with recognition given to those who volunteer regularly.
Read more...
| | Reminder: Supporting children with behavioral challenges training set for April 17 | | |
A powerful day of learning with Dr. Ross W. Greene, an advocate for the compassionate understanding and treatment of children with concerning behaviors and their caregivers, is set for April 17, in Manhattan.
Designed for Kansas educators and early childhood professionals, this session will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and hosted by Kansas Child Care Training Opportunities, Inc. (KCCTO), and the Colleges of Education and Health and Human Sciences at Kansas State University.
Read more...
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Reminder: Trauma-responsive school community facilitator workshop
scheduled for April 28
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The TASN School Mental Health Initiative team is hosting the “Trauma-Responsive School Community Facilitator Workshop,” on April 28, in Wichita.
This event will be at the Heartspring Conference Center, 8700 E, 29th Street North, and is an evidence-based, high quality professional development opportunity available at no cost. It will provide training, resources, and ongoing coaching for facilitators implementing a trauma-responsive school community.
Click here to register and for more information, including continuing education credits.
Contact Amy Wells, amyw@tasnsmhi.org, 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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March
27: Introduction to the Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ), virtual, 12 – 2 p.m. Register here. Contact Natalie McClane, natalie.mcclane@ksde.gov, with questions.
27: Midwest Cerebral/Cortical Visual Impairment Conference, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., at Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview, in Wichita. Click here to register and learn more. Contact Marites Altuna, maltuna@kansasblind.gov, with questions.
30: Public comment closes for 2025-2026 CTE Cluster Review recommendations. Contact Natalie Clark, natalie.clark@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-4351, with questions.
30-31: Safe and Supportive Schools conference, Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview, Wichita. Cost is $35. Register and reserve a hotel room here. Contact John Calvert, john.calvert@ksde.gov, with questions.
31: Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) annual required administrative training, 1- 4 p.m., Microsoft Teams. Join the meeting now (Meeting ID: 242 038 197 145 98 Passcode: aW3cd2yH). Contact the Child Nutrition and Wellness team, cnw@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-2276 with questions.
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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. | | | | |
